Sermon Central
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I Am A Disciple Of Jesus!
Contributed by David Owens on Sep 28, 2020 (message contributor)
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1. I Am A Disciple Of Jesus!
Contributed on Sep 28, 2020
We are called to be disciples of Jesus which means we are to follow Him and obey Him as Savior and Lord. We must not allow the idea of discipleship to morph into membership, and Christianity to be replaced by "churchianity."
A. Today’s sermon begins a new sermon series on discipleship that I am calling “I Am A Disciple Of Jesus!” 1. I spent some time wrestling with what to call the series. 2. I thought about naming the series “The Discipleship Adventure” or “The Discipleship Journey” – those titles sound inspiring and ...read more
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2. The Call Of Discipleship
Contributed on Oct 5, 2020
In the call of discipleship that Jesus issued to the first disciples, we learn three important aspects of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, and how to answer the call.
A. Italian composer Pietro Mascagni was once irritated by an organ-grinder who stood outside the composer’s apartment playing Mascagni’s own composition at about half the correct speed. 1. Eventually, when Mascagni could no longer stand hearing his composition be butchered in that way, he went into ...read more
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3. The Cost Of Discipleship
Contributed on Oct 12, 2020
Billy Graham used to say: "Salvation is free, but discipleship will cost you everything." That is an accurate expression of the teachings of Jesus on the cost of discipleship. In this sermon, we explore what it means to pay the cost of discipleship.
A. I like the old classic joke about the chicken and the pig who were talking about going into business. 1. The chicken says: “Hey Pig, we should open a restaurant.” The pig replies: “I’m not sure, what would we call it?” 2. The chicken answers: “What if we called it ‘Ham and Eggs’?” The pig ...read more
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4. The Command Of Discipleship
Contributed on Oct 19, 2020
The command of discipleship is found in what we call the great commission. It is the command for all disciples of Jesus to make disciples who will make disciples.
A. I like the story told about a truck driver who was hauling a load of 500 penguins to the zoo. 1. Unfortunately, his truck broke down. 2. He eventually waved down another truck and offered the driver $500 to take the penguins to the zoo. 3. Later that day the first truck driver got his truck ...read more
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5. The Stages Of Discipleship
Contributed on Oct 26, 2020
It is God's will for people to progress through the stages of discipleship from being spiritually dead, to being a spiritual infant, child, young adult, and parent. We must be able to assess where we are and where others are in the process so we all can grow to maturity.
A. I like the story told of the little boy who was confused about something and said to his Bible class teacher: “There’s somethin’ I can’t figger out.” 1. The teacher said, “What is it, Joey?” 2. Joey said, “Well accordin’ to the Bible, the Children of Israel crossed the Red Sea, right?” a. “ ...read more
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6. The Completeness Of Discipleship
Contributed on Nov 16, 2020
Disciples of Jesus must not compartmentalize their lives, but must allow Jesus to be Lord of all the spheres of our lives.
A. Today, I want us to turn our attention back to our sermon series: “I Am A Disciple of Jesus!” 1. Let’s briefly review what we have learned so far. 2. First, we have learned that being a disciple of Jesus involves a lot more than church membership and church attendance. 3. Second, we have ...read more
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7. Disciples Of Jesus Are Characterized By Love
Contributed on Nov 23, 2020
If we are going to be effective disciples and disciple makers, then our lives and our relationships must be characterized by love. Jesus said that they will know we are His disciples because of our love.
A. Let me begin with a story from the Peanut’s cartoons - you know how much I enjoy the Peanuts! 1. It’s Christmas time and Lucy comes to Charlie Brown and says, “Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown! At this time of year I think we should put aside all our differences and try to be kind.” 2. Charlie ...read more
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8. Disciples Of Jesus Are Devoted To Jesus
Contributed on Nov 30, 2020
Disciples of Jesus are all about following Jesus and helping others follow Jesus. Therefore it is important for disciples to know and teach the truth about who Jesus is and what Jesus expects.
Introduction: A. One Sunday after coming home from worship, a mother asked her young son, “So, who was your Bible class teacher today?” 1. The little boy replied, “I don’t know her name but she must have been Jesus’ grandmother - all she did was talk about Jesus.” 2. I love that – don’t you? And ...read more
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9. Disciples Of Jesus Are Guided By God's Word
Contributed on Dec 7, 2020
It is not possible for us to be faithful disciples of Jesus who make disciples with the Bible playing a proper role in our lives. The lordship of Jesus is exercised when we carefully follow the teachings of the Bible, and we can't follow what we don't know.
A. One day many years ago, a boy walked down the beach, and as he did, he spotted a woman sitting under a beach umbrella. 1. The boy walked up to her and asked, “Are you a Christian?” “Yes,” she replied. 2. Then the boy asked, “Do you read your Bible every day?” She nodded her head, ...read more
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10. Disciples Of Jesus Believe In The Power Of Prayer
Contributed on Dec 15, 2020
Disciples of Jesus believe in the power of prayer and use prayer for empowerment in discipleship and ministry.
A. One night a young boy was kneeling next to his bed with his mother and grandmother beside him as he softly said his prayers, “Dear God, please bless Mommy and Daddy, and all the family, and please give me a good night’s sleep.” 1. Then suddenly the little boy raised his voice and shouted, “And ...read more
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11. Disciples Of Jesus Are Empowered By The Holy Spirit
Contributed on Jan 11, 2021
Without the Holy Spirit, the Christian life is impossible. Unless the Holy Spirit is present and doing His work, nobody can be born again, grow in Christlikeness, or accomplish the mission of Jesus. In this sermon, we learn how to cooperate with the Holy Spirit.
A. In the Spring of last year, I preached a series on hope in the promises of God. 1. One of God’s promises that I covered in that series is: we have a helper who empowers us – the Holy Spirit. 2. I want to open this sermon with the same story I opened that sermon with because I like it and it ...read more
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12. Disciples Of Jesus Have The Heart Of A Servant
Contributed on Jan 18, 2021
Jesus' own life and purpose was to serve and to give, and as His followers that must be our purpose as well.
A. One day a kind old gentleman saw a little boy who was trying to reach a doorbell. 1. The boy asked the old gentleman for his help, and the old man lifted the boy up so the boy could push the doorbell. 2. As the old gentleman put the boy back on the ground he asked the boy, “What now, little ...read more
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13. Disciples Of Jesus Are Engaged In Seeking The Lost
Contributed on Jan 25, 2021
Jesus came to seek and save the lost. As His followers, who are trying to be like Him, we also must be engaged in seeking and saving the lost.
Introduction: A. The endeavor of evangelism is one that is so very close to the heart of God. 1. On one occasion, when Jesus was clarifying His purpose and mission, He said, “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10) 2. As disciples of Jesus, who are committed to the ...read more
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14. Disciples Of Jesus Employ The Strategy Of Multiplication
Contributed on Feb 1, 2021
The Great Commission is not about making converts. Rather, it is about making disciples and that task is not completed until each new disciple is enabled to obey everything Jesus commanded, including the command to go and make disciples. This leads to multiplication.
A. Today, I want to talk about the strategy of multiplication. 1. Let’s start with a riddle and a joke. 2. What do you call a hen that can add, subtract, and multiply? A math-a-ma-chicken. 3. In the days of Noah, when the animals left the ark, Noah told them to go forth and multiply. a. After ...read more
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15. Disciples Of Jesus Will Receive Their Reward
Contributed on Feb 8, 2021
Faithful disciples of Jesus will receive their rewards in heaven. That's a promise from God.
A. The comic strip characters Calvin & Hobbes have been many people’s favorites over the years. 1. Calvin is the hyper-active little boy with a wild and vivid imagination, and his companion is Hobbes, a tiger. 2. One of their cartoons shows Calvin & Hobbes lying in the shade of a tree on a ...read more