My notes from Sermon by Sebastiano on 4/12/2016 called, “I Have Decicded to Follow Jesus”, the first in a four part series called, “Great Disciples” #
Key scripture was John 1:35-42 #
John 1:35–42 #
[35] The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples, [36] and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” [37] The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. [38] Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” [39] He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. [40] One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. [41] He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ). [42] He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter). (ESV)
Three main points about Discipleship #
Point 1: It is not about me #
This is a journey, but it is not just saying you are a disciple, but you are living it out. Comparison was made to losing weight and maybe a little change, but not putting the action with the words. In losing weight if we say, “I need to lose ten pounds.”, then we need to have action that goes with it. The action needs to be move more and eat less or healthy. Same is discipleship, we cannot say we follow Jesus and have no action with it.
The point also highlighted the fact that we can be Christians, but not disciples. Sebastiano said that for years he was a justified, saved, but did not live into the full life that God had to offer. Discipleship is a process of doing.
Reference was given to Revelation 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. (ESV)
Jason’s thoughts for point 1 #
Maybe this point to in the message, but I did not find it. My linking to the two ideas is the fact that If it is about me as it always has been, then I will get the same results as before. I need to change me to change me. Not just any change, but change that comes from the guidance of Jesus.
Point 2: Conformed to Jesus #
Jesus is inviting us to be more like him. This requires change and giving God the control to form us. Reference was given to Jeremiah 18:1-8
[1] The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: [2] “Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.” [3] So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. [4] And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to do.
[5] Then the word of the LORD came to me: [6] “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter has done? declares the LORD. Behold, like the clay in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. [7] If at any time I declare concerning a nation or a kingdom, that I will pluck up and break down and destroy it, [8] and if that nation, concerning which I have spoken, turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I intended to do to it. (ESV)
God will not force us to allow him to start over, but he would like to form us.
Point 3: Become like Jesus #
Sebastiano gives us a target of Jesus to be like and he invites us to take 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 and replace Love for Jesus.
- Jesus is patient and kind
- Jesus does not envy or boast; he is not arrogant or rude
- Jesus does not insist on its own way; he is not irritable or resentful
- Jesus does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth
- Jesus bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things
Jason’s notes on point 3 #
I like to review daily is, “Who am I becoming?” I feel part of becoming more like Jesus is a process of healing.
Goal in Closing #
Goal is to become like Jesus to bring people to Jesus.
- Jason note: Our goal is to be attractive by sharing God’s love and overflowing from joy. This takes healing and time with God.