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Discipleship Is...

What does it look like to be a disciple of Jesus Christ?

Character Making

August 16, 2020 • Pastor Ken Cline

Discipleship is a word we don’t hear often. We hear a lot about going to church or being “religious.” Even words like Christianity have become labels for behaviors and beliefs across a wide spectrum. Discipleship is different. It is specific. You can be religious and not be a disciple. You can claim to be a Christian and not be a disciple. Jesus once said, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life and those who find it are few.” - Matthew 7:13-14 To be a disciple is to enter the narrow gate. Discipleship begins with salvation but doesn’t stop there. Discipleship requires a departure from the path you were on to follow the path Jesus calls you to. Discipleship requires an un-learning of the habits and beliefs of culture and learning the thoughts and patterns of Jesus. Discipleship also requires a cost—a picking up of a cross as Jesus described and later modeled. But discipleship is not all heaviness and woe. It is also full of blessing. Walking with Holy Spirit through life and into the presence of Jesus at death is more than a gift. Peace despite circumstances and joy in dark times feels like inside glance between best friends that carries you through whatever you’re facing. It is fellowship with the One who loves you more than life itself and died a horrific, public death to prove it. It is many things and also the most important thing. The question is…are you a disciple?

The Cost

August 9, 2020 • Pastor Ken Cline

Sacrifice, discomfort, denial. . . oh my! In part two of Pastor Ken’s series, Discipleship Is, we learn about the COST of discipleship. But don’t let that first line scare you away! The rewards FAR outweigh the costs when it comes to serving King Jesus! Speaking of King Jesus, is that how you see Him? Is He your king, or is he just a morally good teacher and a nice guy? It seems people in the Church have different attitudes toward following Jesus. If you regard Him as King, then, when he says, “Go!,” you go without question, regardless of what you have to give up or leave behind. Is that you? Or do you hear His call, but when it's time to move, you hold onto the hobbies, possessions, or people that keep you from following his will? Ouch. The good news, is that Jesus is a good King. A merciful, just, and loving King. He knows our struggles and hurts and hang-ups because He WAS us! And because He understands us, when we put Him first in our lives and acknowledge Him as King, He'll help us to walk through life in peace and joy (pandemic and all!). Also, unlike most earthly kings, Jesus loves to listen to us and guide us, and help us through our doubts and questions. And our biggest question should be, "how much do we value Jesus" In today's lesson, you'll learn the cost and the reward of valuing Him above all else! "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field." Matthew 13:44 ESV Is Jesus your treasure? Is Jesus your King?

Part 4

August 23, 2020 • Pastor Ken Cline

The fourth and final part in Pastor Ken’s Discipleship series challenges us to accept and obey the commission of Jesus--fishing for people (Matthew 4:18-20). Of course, Jesus provides us example after example of how to do this, but in this sermon, Pastor Ken focuses on the story of the woman at the well. What is so special about this passage is that this was not an easy fishing trip. Everything about it was against cultural norms at the time: a Jew talking to a Samaritan, a Jewish man talking to a woman. This was risky. What an example to us to be courageous and stick to the mission of God no matter how hard the situation may be. This must be our priority. As disciples, we know how the water Jesus offers, like in the story of the woman at the well, quenches our deepest thirsts and needs. We know how life-changing that is. But some people go their whole lives not knowing; always feeling thirsty. As disciples, we can not be content with that. We must be so full of the living water that Jesus offers that it has nowhere to go but pour out onto those around us. Even if it means risk; even if it means putting ourselves in a position where we may be turned down or offended; even if it means stepping out of our comfortable cultural norms. Are you that kind of disciple?

Part 1

August 2, 2020 • Pastor Ken Cline