The Character Of A True Disciple Series

THE CHARACTER OF A TRUE DISCIPLE

Acts 9:32-43 As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the saints in Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, a paralytic who had been bedridden for eight years. 34 "Aeneas," Peter said to him, "Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and take care of your mat." Immediately Aeneas got up. 35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. 36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas), who was always doing good and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, "Please come at once!" 39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. 40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, "Tabitha, get up." She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive. 42 This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. 43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon.

INTRODUCTION: THIS SECTION WE ARE IN – ACTS CHAPTERS 9-12 IS A SECTION THAT IS, TO SAY, BLENDED. THE FIRST MAJOR DIVISION OF THE BOOK OF ACTS – CHAPTERS 1-12 DEAL A MAJORITY OF THE TIME WITH PETER. THE REMAINING CHAPTERS OF ACTS – 13 TO THE END DEAL WITH PAUL. HERE IN CHAPTERS 9-12, WE HAVE A BLENDING OF PETER AND PAUL, WITH PETER DIMINISHING, AND PAUL ADVANCING.

SO, WHAT WE HAVE HERE ARE TWO QUICK INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF PETER, WHICH WHEN LOOKED AT SHOW US THE CHARACTER OF A TRUE DISCIPLE OF CHRIST.

TRANSITION: FOR WITH ALL OF THE STUMBLES PETER MAKES IN HIS LIFE, IT IS PETER THAT SHOWS HERE TRUE DISCIPLE SHI FOR CHRIST IN ACTION. HE IS DOING WHAT, WITH FEW EXCEPTIONS, A DISCIPLE IS SUPPOSED TO DO! SO, I WOULD LIKE TO LOOK AT WHAT PETER DOES RIGHT AS A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST AND WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING AS DISCIPLES OF CHRIST

I. WE NEED TO GET OUT OF OUR JERUSALEM

a. THE FIRST COMMAND OF A DISCIPLE WAS TO WAIT FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT

b. THE SECOND COMMAND OF A DISCIPLE WAS TO MOVE OUT FROM JERUSALEM, AND INTO THE WORLD WITH AN EVER GREATER REACH

c. IN CASE YOU HAVEN’T NOTICED IT, YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE FIRST COMMENT IF YOU ARE A FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST.

i. YOU HAVE BEEN REGENERATED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

Titus 3:5 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,

ii. YOU HAVE BEEN INDWELT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

1 Corinthians 3:16 Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?

iii. YOU HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT – 1 COR 12:13

1 Corinthians 12:13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

iv. YOU HAVE BEEN SEALED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT

Ephesians 4:30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption

AS YOU SIT HERE RIGHT NOW YOU ARE A SOUP TO NUTS HOLY SPIRIT ACTIVATED FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST

v. SALVATION FULFILLED GOD’S FIRST COMMAND TO HIS DISCIPLES. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO WAIT!

d. NOW WE NEED TO GET OUT OF OUR JERUSALEM

i. I HONESTLY CANNOT TELL YOU WHAT YOUR JERUSALEM IS, ONLY YOU CAN DO THAT.

ii. I CAN DEFINE WHAT YOUR JERUSALEM IS; IT IS WHERE YOU ARE COMFORTABLE AND FEEL AT HOME.

iii. IF THAT IS THE SPHERE WHERE YOU ARE LIVING FOR CHRIST, THEN YOU ARE DEAD IN THE WATER, AND YOU NEED TO MOVE OUT.

iv. JUST LOOK AT THE EXAMPLES WE HAVE HAD IN THE BOK OF ACTS SO FAR. EVERY TIME SOMEONE MOVED OUT OF THEIR SPIRITUAL COMFORT ZONE TWO THINGS HAPPENED.

1. THOSE ENTRENCHED IN THE COMFORT ZONE WITH THEM COMPLAINED.

2. THOSE REACHED OUTSIDE THE COMFORT ZONE RESPONDED TO THE GOSPEL