DARE 2 B DIFFERENT – Choose a Different Path
Matthew 7:13-14; 6:9-10
The entire ‘Sermon on the Mount’ (Matt. 5-7) is about how believers are to be different.
Choose the Road Less Traveled
I. Embody His Name – Reflect His Character (Matthew 6:9 “Your Name is Holy”)
A. What is God’s Character?
1. Fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23)
2. Colossians 3 provides a more relational-directed list
a. “Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so also you must forgive. Above all, put on love—the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful. Let the message about the Messiah dwell richly among you, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God.” Colossians 3:12-16 (HCSB)
b. These relational character virtues are directed toward those around us – those who will see Christ’s character. (People)
B. How do we reflect it?
1. “We all, with unveiled faces, are reflecting the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 (HCSB)
2. The Spirit’s work in us is to transform us into the image of Christ.
II. Embrace His Mission – Make Disciples (Matthew 6:10a “Your Kingdom”)
A. The Mandate (Scripture)
1. “Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 (HCSB)
2. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (HCSB)
B. The Mission (What is making disciples?)
1. A Disciple (from the Latin discipulus, a pupil) is one who receives instruction from another; a scholar; a learner; especially, a follower who has learned to believe in the truth of the doctrine of his teacher; an adherent in doctrine.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disciple
2. The Disciple-Making Process: (See Matt. 28:19-20 above)
a. Leading to Faith in Christ
b. Facilitating Growth in Christ
c. Cooperating in the Mission of Christ
III. Emulate His Word – Radical Personal Obedience (Matthew 6:10b “Your Will”)
A. Emulate = Imitate
1. Emulate – strive to equal or match, especially by imitation
2. “How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping Your word.” Psalms 119:9 (HCSB)
3. “I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You.” Psalms 119:11 (HCSB)
4. “I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily food.” Job 23:12 (HCSB)
B. Personal Application
1. Know God’s Word
2. Obey God’s Word
“On earth (through US) as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:10c
Closing Illustration:
“Dwight L. Moody was a poorly educated, unordained, shoe salesman who felt God’s call to preach the gospel.
His friend Henry Varley said these words: ‘The world has yet to see what God can do with and for and through and in a man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him.’ Moody determined to be that man.
“God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to Him.” Andrew Murray.
PowerPoint file available. E-mail bethelhn@bellsouth.net
