The Benefits Of Being A Modern Day Disciple Series

The Benefits of Being a Modern Day Disciple

Pastor Glenn Newton August 1, 2004

PS 1:1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.PS 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.PS 1:3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.

Whatever he does prospers. Ps. 1:1-3

Illustration:

Living dangerously. That was one of many themes in Brennan Manning’s superb book The Signature of Jesus. Manning presents a radical alternative to the normal everyday, ho-hum, “comfort zone” mentality lived out by so many “so-called Christians.” His final statement in the book:

The Signature of Jesus is offered to Christians who want to live by faith and not by mere “religion,” for those who recognize that many of the burning theological issues in the church today are neither burning nor theological, [for those] who see Christianity neither as a moral code or a belief system but a love affair, who have not forgotten that they are followers of a crucified Christ, who know that following Him means living dangerously, who want to live the gospel without compromise, who have no greater desire than to have His signature written on the pages of their lives.

SOURCE: Dru Ashwell. CITATION: Brennan Manning in "The Signature of Jesus."

This morning I want to talk to you about the Benefits of Living as a Modern Day Disciple…. Or as this illustration suggests, Living Dangerously. God has called us to Live… Live Life to the fullest… Live Life as He designed.. not so much as we have tried to plan it.

I want to share 3 Huge Benefits to those of you who have decided to Live as Modern Day Disciples. There are so many blessings or benefits to living your life for God that I couldn’t possibly cover them all.. but I have picked 3 to share with you this morning.

Before I share those 3 Benefits, let’s answer our Question that we have been working on for the whole month of July….. What is the difference between a Christian and a Disciple? Have you come to any conclusions?

A. A Christian is someone who has been saved from their sins, they are trusting in God for their salvation, and they are in the beginning stages of this journey. (A baby disciple if you will)

B. A Disciple is a Christian who has made a choice to live their life 100% sold out for Jesus, they have been Sanctified Holy, they have counted the cost, they have picked up their Cross and are walking in His steps everyday… willing to be nothing in the eyes of the world, so that God can be glorified through their life.

The true mark of the Disciple is consistent growth, a heart that seeks God, that Loves the Word, that Loves to Worship, that is committed to the church, His Body. Does that describe you this morning?

One thing I know is that God wants to raise up a church here in Clarksville, AR. that is calling men and women to Holiness and making Modern Day Disciples… and I intend to be apart of that great church, don’t you? It’s your choice… which road will you take?

Our passage this morning is found in Psalms 1:1-3, Listen to what our writer says about this man who has decided to be a Disciple, listen to the things He does as a matter of living for God, and also listen to what God does for Him.

PS 1:1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.PS 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.PS 1:3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.

Whatever he does prospers. Ps. 1:1-3

God’s Word is awesome about teaching us everything we need to know to live this Blessed life, or this life with all these benefits. Let’s investigate and see what it instructs us to do and not do.

First, the writer describes a couple things that a true disciple will not allow to be apart of his life.

If you’re a Christian this morning and you are truly seeking God in your life, you are truly wanting God’s direction and will for you life, then I can guarantee you that God has talked to you about avoiding certain things in your life… right? As a Christian there are things that I used to do before I gave my heart to Christ, that I just won’t do anymore… Amen? Are you with me? When you give your heart to Christ, your life changes from the inside out…. Can I say this to you this morning…. If nothing has changed in your life… then I suggest nothing has changed in your heart.