Modeling the Faith, 24 November 2019
Modeling the Faith
Series—Links in the Chain (Discipleship)
Titus 2:1-8
Series Big Idea: The Great Commission is all about becoming like Jesus…and helping others become like Christ.
Big Idea: Discipleship is more than a program or class, but a 24/7/365 lifestyle involving others.
This morning we’re concluding our series on discipleship, Links in the Chain. The movement of Jesus, the people of God, the Church is always one generation away from extinction.
Jesus spent three years on our planet revolutionizing what it means to be human. His teachings reformed our view of God from distant to intimate, inviting us to call Him “Abba” or “Daddy.” To make sure a relationship possible, he willingly sacrificed his life, dying on the cross to offer forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with our Father. His resurrection shattered the boundaries of death, proving not only his deity but his power. As he was about to ascend into heaven where he presently sits beside the Father, he gathered his friends together and said,
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
Here we are! For two thousand years, men and women have been passing the baton of faith, making disciples (followers, students, protégés) of Jesus. This is why we exist: to follow Jesus and help others follow Jesus, experiencing the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
We’re all at different places in our life journey, our spiritual journey. My prayer each Sunday is that I can help you take your next step toward becoming like Jesus. In week one of our series, we talked about the importance of discipleship in the home. In Deuteronomy chapter six, Moses declares…
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. (Deuteronomy 6:4)
Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5)
These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)
This is everyday discipleship…life with God…a life of love.
In week two, we looked at the treasure we have in God’s Word. We take the Bible for granted in our nation, yet many literally weep and dance and celebrate when they are presented with it in their own language for the first time. Jesus’ commission says,
“…and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:20a)
We need to read the Word, study the Word, know the Word, and obey the Word. This isn’t about guilt or obligation or duty, but rather out of our pursuit of life…abundant life!
Our text for today is a letter from Paul to his protégé Titus, his spiritual son. Paul warns Titus about “rebellious people” who are religious, but not righteous. He says,
They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good. (Titus 1:16)
Ouch! Love is not always “nice,” but it always rejoices with the truth. Have you ever met someone who claimed to know God, but acted nothing like Jesus?
Mahatma Gandhi famously said, “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
Perhaps the greatest problem in the world is there are 2.3 billion Christians in the world, many of whom are so unlike Jesus. That goes for me sometimes, too! If we would look more like Jesus than the world, the world would eventually look more like Jesus! How do we get Christians to become like Christ? That’s discipleship.
Paul continues,
You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. (Titus 2:1-2)
In our culture, when we think of “teach,” a classroom often comes to mind. For the past several hundred years, our understanding of information has often come from a lecture, a blackboard (or whiteboard), and a room full of students trying to memorize data.
In New Testament times, the classroom was often a home, a public square, a temple, anywhere! You don’t learn respect and self-control from a textbook. You learn it from a life, a mentor, a model.
I was recently with a friend whose children are approaching the age of dating. He said he will be his daughter’s first date, showing her how a young man should behave. Likewise, his wife will be their son’s first date, giving him an opportunity to role-play how to treat a young lady. What a great idea! Needless to say, both parents have spent years modeling for their children what a loving relationship between a man and a woman looks like.
I can stand here and give speeches week after week, but if my life doesn’t match what I’m saying, I’m a…hypocrite. The original Greek word “hypokrites” means “an actor.” I’m just playing a role if I don’t practice what I preach.
I’ve been shaped by many sermons I’ve heard. I’ve been formed by books I have read. But I’m quite sure the most influential people in my life have not been preachers or authors, but family members and friends.
My parents modeled a vibrant faith. My grandparents, aunts, and uncles followed Jesus and loved God and people before my watching eyes. Mentors showed me what it means to be a leader, a husband, a pastor, a friend.
Discipleship is not a program.
Discipleship is not a class.
Discipleship is life on life!
Practically, what does this look like? Mike Breen, creator of LifeShapes, describes the discipleship square like this:
Organized religion as we think of it today as a distribution of religious goods and services was never God’s design. Jesus came to model a life of love so others could spread the love virus. He didn’t just talk about love…he loved! Returning to Paul’s instructions to Titus:
Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. (Titus 2:3-5)
Teaching. Modeling. Mentoring. Reproducing. Imitating. The home is where this historically has taken place, but today so many children are raised with few good role models. Often the parents or guardians are working, abusive, are simply absent. This is where the local church can step in.
It’s not the job of our children’s and student ministries to disciple our next generation. That’s the job of the parents. We equip parents and guardians to disciple their kids, but obviously that’s not always possible. In the absence of parents and guardians who are following Jesus, our church family can step up and love, serve, invest, mentor, teach, disciple.
This is not only relevant with young people, but adults, too. Many of you have never been discipled, by a parent or friend. There are formal and informal relationships, and we need both. We have a list of small groups, Bible studies, and Sunday School classes available at the bottom of the FAC Focus e-newsletter each week and in the information kiosk in the lobby. We are always looking for new group leaders and apprentice leaders to create more opportunities for people to do life together. Please let me or one of the leaders know if you’re interested. Groups are not the only tool for discipleship, but they are our primary vehicle and we are always exploring new ways to make disciples. We hope to announce soon details of a new Alpha course on Thursday nights at Rustbelt Coffee a few blocks down the street beginning in February.
We are here to equip you, but discipleship is not a program or something you do on Sunday morning or Wednesday night. It’s a 24/7/365 journey of becoming like Jesus.
Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. (Titus 2:6-8)
Titus is on the island of Crete, the mythical birthplace of Zeus. The people there were known for their lies and laziness. In contrast, do you see Jesus in Paul’s instructions? Passing the baton of faith is the essence of discipleship, becoming like Jesus and helping others become like Jesus.
One obvious challenge to discipleship in our culture is the lack of disciple-makers. The number of USAmerican adults simply describing themselves as Christians is down twelve percent in the past decade, according to the latest Pew Research study. The decline in Christianity crosses all demographics, too. Only 65% of USAmerican adults describe themselves as Christian, down from 77% in 2009.
So we need you! We need you to be discipled, to join a group, to pursue Jesus, to even ask someone you respect to mentor you.
We also need you to disciple, to mentor, to invest in others, not as a perfect example, but as a living example.
Discipleship takes place each Wednesday night—except this one due to the holiday—at Celebrate Recovery in our Fellowship Hall at 7 PM for anyone with hurts, habits, and hangups, which is all of us.
We have a wonderfully diverse group that meets Sunday at 9 AM in the same Fellowship Hall across Monroe Street. It’s a great place to connect and begin relationships with people in various places on the spiritual journey.
I am not a perfect example, but I’m a living example. I have had several people in my life who have discipled me. They have mentored me. They have helped me know Jesus. It’s my desire to disciple others, training them and modeling for them what it means to imitate Jesus.
I’ve been very influenced by a book by Mike Breen called Building a Discipling Culture. It has helped me focus on the way of Jesus who chose his disciples, met with them as a group, prepared them for ministry, and then sent them out to do what he did.
So What?
Are you a disciple? Absolutely! We all imitate others, be it our parents, friends, celebrities,…or Jesus. The question is, whose disciple are you?
Are you a disciple-maker? Who is imitating you?
Paul said,
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)
That’s discipleship. It doesn’t happen overnight. It literally takes a lifetime…one day at a time. Everyday discipleship. Not just Sunday. Not just an hour or two a week. Discipleship is following Jesus 24/7/365.
I want to conclude with two questions:
Who is discipling you? Who are you imitating? Perhaps it would be worth the risk to ask someone to be your mentor, to teach you, to disciple you.
Who are you discipling? If you’re new to the faith, it may seem premature to consider such a question, but each day that you follow Jesus is one day in which you are growing to love and serve him. Many Christians have kept their faith private rather than sharing it with others, investing in younger believers, inviting others into their life. Some of you have so much to offer, especially those of you who are empty-nesters. Jesus said, “Follow me.” Paul said, “Follow my example.” We don’t have to be perfect examples, but we can offer ourselves to the next generation as we follow the example of Jesus.
At the end of the day, it’s all about growing to become like Jesus, to look like Jesus, to act like Jesus, to follow Jesus.
You can listen to this message and others at the First Alliance Church podcast here.
Series—Links in the Chain (Discipleship)
Titus 2:1-8
Series Big Idea: The Great Commission is all about becoming like Jesus…and helping others become like Christ.
Big Idea: Discipleship is more than a program or class, but a 24/7/365 lifestyle involving others.
This morning we’re concluding our series on discipleship, Links in the Chain. The movement of Jesus, the people of God, the Church is always one generation away from extinction.
Jesus spent three years on our planet revolutionizing what it means to be human. His teachings reformed our view of God from distant to intimate, inviting us to call Him “Abba” or “Daddy.” To make sure a relationship possible, he willingly sacrificed his life, dying on the cross to offer forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with our Father. His resurrection shattered the boundaries of death, proving not only his deity but his power. As he was about to ascend into heaven where he presently sits beside the Father, he gathered his friends together and said,
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
Here we are! For two thousand years, men and women have been passing the baton of faith, making disciples (followers, students, protégés) of Jesus. This is why we exist: to follow Jesus and help others follow Jesus, experiencing the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
We’re all at different places in our life journey, our spiritual journey. My prayer each Sunday is that I can help you take your next step toward becoming like Jesus. In week one of our series, we talked about the importance of discipleship in the home. In Deuteronomy chapter six, Moses declares…
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. (Deuteronomy 6:4)
Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5)
These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. (Deuteronomy 6:6-9)
This is everyday discipleship…life with God…a life of love.
In week two, we looked at the treasure we have in God’s Word. We take the Bible for granted in our nation, yet many literally weep and dance and celebrate when they are presented with it in their own language for the first time. Jesus’ commission says,
“…and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:20a)
We need to read the Word, study the Word, know the Word, and obey the Word. This isn’t about guilt or obligation or duty, but rather out of our pursuit of life…abundant life!
Our text for today is a letter from Paul to his protégé Titus, his spiritual son. Paul warns Titus about “rebellious people” who are religious, but not righteous. He says,
They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good. (Titus 1:16)
Ouch! Love is not always “nice,” but it always rejoices with the truth. Have you ever met someone who claimed to know God, but acted nothing like Jesus?
Mahatma Gandhi famously said, “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
Perhaps the greatest problem in the world is there are 2.3 billion Christians in the world, many of whom are so unlike Jesus. That goes for me sometimes, too! If we would look more like Jesus than the world, the world would eventually look more like Jesus! How do we get Christians to become like Christ? That’s discipleship.
Paul continues,
You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. (Titus 2:1-2)
In our culture, when we think of “teach,” a classroom often comes to mind. For the past several hundred years, our understanding of information has often come from a lecture, a blackboard (or whiteboard), and a room full of students trying to memorize data.
In New Testament times, the classroom was often a home, a public square, a temple, anywhere! You don’t learn respect and self-control from a textbook. You learn it from a life, a mentor, a model.
I was recently with a friend whose children are approaching the age of dating. He said he will be his daughter’s first date, showing her how a young man should behave. Likewise, his wife will be their son’s first date, giving him an opportunity to role-play how to treat a young lady. What a great idea! Needless to say, both parents have spent years modeling for their children what a loving relationship between a man and a woman looks like.
I can stand here and give speeches week after week, but if my life doesn’t match what I’m saying, I’m a…hypocrite. The original Greek word “hypokrites” means “an actor.” I’m just playing a role if I don’t practice what I preach.
I’ve been shaped by many sermons I’ve heard. I’ve been formed by books I have read. But I’m quite sure the most influential people in my life have not been preachers or authors, but family members and friends.
My parents modeled a vibrant faith. My grandparents, aunts, and uncles followed Jesus and loved God and people before my watching eyes. Mentors showed me what it means to be a leader, a husband, a pastor, a friend.
Discipleship is not a program.
Discipleship is not a class.
Discipleship is life on life!
Practically, what does this look like? Mike Breen, creator of LifeShapes, describes the discipleship square like this:
Organized religion as we think of it today as a distribution of religious goods and services was never God’s design. Jesus came to model a life of love so others could spread the love virus. He didn’t just talk about love…he loved! Returning to Paul’s instructions to Titus:
Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. (Titus 2:3-5)
Teaching. Modeling. Mentoring. Reproducing. Imitating. The home is where this historically has taken place, but today so many children are raised with few good role models. Often the parents or guardians are working, abusive, are simply absent. This is where the local church can step in.
It’s not the job of our children’s and student ministries to disciple our next generation. That’s the job of the parents. We equip parents and guardians to disciple their kids, but obviously that’s not always possible. In the absence of parents and guardians who are following Jesus, our church family can step up and love, serve, invest, mentor, teach, disciple.
This is not only relevant with young people, but adults, too. Many of you have never been discipled, by a parent or friend. There are formal and informal relationships, and we need both. We have a list of small groups, Bible studies, and Sunday School classes available at the bottom of the FAC Focus e-newsletter each week and in the information kiosk in the lobby. We are always looking for new group leaders and apprentice leaders to create more opportunities for people to do life together. Please let me or one of the leaders know if you’re interested. Groups are not the only tool for discipleship, but they are our primary vehicle and we are always exploring new ways to make disciples. We hope to announce soon details of a new Alpha course on Thursday nights at Rustbelt Coffee a few blocks down the street beginning in February.
We are here to equip you, but discipleship is not a program or something you do on Sunday morning or Wednesday night. It’s a 24/7/365 journey of becoming like Jesus.
Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. (Titus 2:6-8)
Titus is on the island of Crete, the mythical birthplace of Zeus. The people there were known for their lies and laziness. In contrast, do you see Jesus in Paul’s instructions? Passing the baton of faith is the essence of discipleship, becoming like Jesus and helping others become like Jesus.
One obvious challenge to discipleship in our culture is the lack of disciple-makers. The number of USAmerican adults simply describing themselves as Christians is down twelve percent in the past decade, according to the latest Pew Research study. The decline in Christianity crosses all demographics, too. Only 65% of USAmerican adults describe themselves as Christian, down from 77% in 2009.
So we need you! We need you to be discipled, to join a group, to pursue Jesus, to even ask someone you respect to mentor you.
We also need you to disciple, to mentor, to invest in others, not as a perfect example, but as a living example.
Discipleship takes place each Wednesday night—except this one due to the holiday—at Celebrate Recovery in our Fellowship Hall at 7 PM for anyone with hurts, habits, and hangups, which is all of us.
We have a wonderfully diverse group that meets Sunday at 9 AM in the same Fellowship Hall across Monroe Street. It’s a great place to connect and begin relationships with people in various places on the spiritual journey.
I am not a perfect example, but I’m a living example. I have had several people in my life who have discipled me. They have mentored me. They have helped me know Jesus. It’s my desire to disciple others, training them and modeling for them what it means to imitate Jesus.
I’ve been very influenced by a book by Mike Breen called Building a Discipling Culture. It has helped me focus on the way of Jesus who chose his disciples, met with them as a group, prepared them for ministry, and then sent them out to do what he did.
So What?
Are you a disciple? Absolutely! We all imitate others, be it our parents, friends, celebrities,…or Jesus. The question is, whose disciple are you?
Are you a disciple-maker? Who is imitating you?
Paul said,
Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)
That’s discipleship. It doesn’t happen overnight. It literally takes a lifetime…one day at a time. Everyday discipleship. Not just Sunday. Not just an hour or two a week. Discipleship is following Jesus 24/7/365.
I want to conclude with two questions:
Who is discipling you? Who are you imitating? Perhaps it would be worth the risk to ask someone to be your mentor, to teach you, to disciple you.
Who are you discipling? If you’re new to the faith, it may seem premature to consider such a question, but each day that you follow Jesus is one day in which you are growing to love and serve him. Many Christians have kept their faith private rather than sharing it with others, investing in younger believers, inviting others into their life. Some of you have so much to offer, especially those of you who are empty-nesters. Jesus said, “Follow me.” Paul said, “Follow my example.” We don’t have to be perfect examples, but we can offer ourselves to the next generation as we follow the example of Jesus.
At the end of the day, it’s all about growing to become like Jesus, to look like Jesus, to act like Jesus, to follow Jesus.