Famous Last Words On Discipleship Series

HoHum:

A young couple got involved in a church where there was a lot of shouting and clapping and excitement for Jesus. They were trying to convince Grandma that she should attend. The young man said to Grandma, “The Holy Spirit was really there!” Grandma kept rocking and didn’t say a word. The young woman tried, “And Grandma you should have seen the preacher. He really got with it. He was screaming at the top of his voice and the people were popping up like popcorn to praise the Lord. It was unbelievable!” Grandma kept right on rocking. Finally, the young man asked, “Grandma, we would love to have you at church. What do you think?” Grandma finally spoke: “Honey, let me just put it this way. I don’t care how loud they shout, and I don’t care how high they jump. It’s what they do when they come back down that counts.”

WBTU:

Disciple is a learner who follows a master teacher.  In contrast to our culture, learning in Jesus’ time was very relational and holistic. “Discipleship meant much more than just the transfer of information . . . it referred to imitating the teacher’s life, inculcating his values, and reproducing his teachings.” Christians are to be conformed to the image of the Son (Romans 8:29).

Revelation 17 to 19:10 focuses on a harlot, a prostitute who comes to ruin. Introduced to this prostitute in ch. 17 and vs. 2 says “the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.” She is called Babylon the Great in vs. 5. Now the actual city of Babylon at the time of the writing of Revelation was still on the map but definitely not a significant city. Cassio Dio, a Roman historian, went to Babylon around this time and all he found were mounds, stones and ruins, unimpressive city. This is a code word for Rome, the capital of the Empire. Vs. 9 says, “The seven heads are seven hills.” Rome was built on seven hills. I think this points to the One World Government but that is speculation (vs. 9-12). Even so, they only have authority for one hour (vs. 12). Goes deeper than Rome, this is talking about the world system that operates apart from God. Chapter 18 we see an economic collapse where the businesspeople of the world mourn because they are no longer able to grow rich (vs. 3, 9, 15, 19). Much laments by various groups in this chapter. Chapter 19 we have the multitude of heaven rejoicing because of the fall of Babylon. This celebration continues until vs. 11- Lord willing talk more about this next week

Thesis: 7 things about discipleship

For instances:

1. Disciples follow the Lamb wherever He goes- Revelation 14:4

Backing up some and right after the evil beasts are mentioned in chapters 12 and 13, we find a vision of the Lamb with the 144,000. The first verses of chapter 14 give descriptions of these 144,000, the redeemed from the earth. We focused on being blameless from vs. 5. Want to focus on vs. 4 where it says, “They follow the Lamb wherever he goes.”

When I went into hospice chaplaincy had some who really questioned my sanity and questioned my calling. Why would anyone in their right mind minister with those who are dying and their families? Must be so depressing. Let me say this, God called me to this, at times I fought the Lord’s calling but after being present for several when they took their final breath, I felt like that was a sign from God that I should pursue this ministry. Had another confirmation last week- went into a hospital room where the family was gathered around their dying loved one. Got the family talking about the patient’s life and personality. The wife finally opened up and shared a funny story from their courtship. While she was laughing, their loved one took his final breath. The wife was upset, “I should have been looking at him while he died!” The daughter came over and said, “Oh mama, daddy was waiting to hear that laugh, to know that you will be okay. When he heard that laugh, he was released into the arms of the Father.” There to witness this, to play a small part. That’s how God does things. Who is crazy now? Where is the Lamb leading you?

2. Disciples testify about Jesus 17:6

In Bible study, Bob asked, “What are we scared of?” I said rejection and Rex said more about that. This is rare in our country that our blood will be shed for testifying about Jesus Christ. We are so scared thinking bad things will happen so we fail to testify. Now I once heard of a man who worked at a switchboard (old telephone exchange) and he would always testify to the people on the phone. To explain more he would share his testimony and that would take about 10 minutes. The man was fired and he claimed it was on religious grounds. Well, that is not what the man was supposed to be doing. He was supposed to work the switchboard. Great to say a few words for the Lord when we can but we also have a job to do so we need to do our job to the best of our ability and that can hopefully lead to sharing more about Jesus. On the other hand, how many of would share if we had an open door? The vast majority would hesitate. Jase Robinson tells a story about having struggles to share his faith, so shy and of few words. Kept having a person call him, could hear someone there because of the breathing, but the person never said anything. After a few “Hello’s” from Jase, he would hang up. One day this happened again, and Jase took the opportunity to read some bible verses and share his testimony, what the Lord had done for him. After an hour, the person on the other end was crying and that person finally hung up. Jase wonders if he saved that person’s life?