The speaker’s message tonight continued in the series:
“The A,B,C,D,E Route to Becoming a Christian and Beyond”
D = DISCIPLESHIP
The Acts ch2
1st Peter ch2 vs1 – 10
1st John ch1 vs1 – 10
Having been converted, then a Christian’s behaviour deepens
into discipleship.
The Christian faith is not a standing still faith, it is a
“going – on” faith!
In The Acts vs41 – 42, the converts committed themselves.
The apostle’s teaching was exciting, glorifying God as he taught the people.
It was a Christ – centred message, interpreting the promises
of the Old Testament. Telling of the life, death and resurrection of The Lord
Jesus Christ and bringing it right up to date. The apostle shared with them the
practical outworking of faith – putting words into practice.
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only,
deceiving your own selves”
- James ch1 vs22
These converts felt a need to become established in the
truth, eager for ministry.
They had a spiritual hunger for the Word of God
Here is a personal challenge for each of us dear reader! –
are we still hungering? Or do we get by on one spiritual meal per week? A hungering
for God’s Word is not only for new converts but for all His people!
God has provided great teachers through the ages to fully
benefit our daily lives.
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen"
- 2nd Peter ch3 vs18
Christian people should be constantly maturing – an
undernourished baby will not grow as it should. If we treasure God’s Word we
will gain constant healthy growth.
Three essential aspects of discipleship for a spiritually
healthy Christian are:
a) Fellowship
b) Breaking
of Bread
c) Prayers
a) Fellowship…
1st John ch1 vs1 – 10
The 3000 that were saved in The Acts had lives that were
united in their love of The Lord Jesus Christ. They devoted themselves, and we
must respond in the same way. They became as one company, joying in speaking of
The Lord and His business. There is a beautiful partnership of love and
commitment between brothers and sisters in Christ.
How each lives proves the reality of their faith. A person
cannot have fellowship with The Lord Jesus Christ if that life is being lived
not according to His Word (vs5 – 7). Are we really wanting to walk daily with
The Lord? Then it is well known that we cannot have fellowship with the world
and with Christ! We cannot have one foot in each camp, as it is often said.
Far better to be in daily fellowship with the blessed Man of
Calvary than with this world and all its dross! How much we should be longing
to be more and more like Him and walking in His ways!
“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my
thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way
everlasting”
- Psalm ch139 vs23 - 24
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,
that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,
which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye
transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good,
and acceptable, and perfect will of God”
- Romans ch12 vs1 – 2
The apostle John questioned people - were their lives matching up?
One must have personal fellowship with God first, before one
is then able to have fellowship with others who belong to Christ.
vs5 tells us to seek after God – He is the light! We too
must walk daily in that same light. Then two rich blessings follow…
1= We have beautiful fellowship one with another
2= The blood of The Lord Jesus Christ cleanses us from all
sin.
Dear friend, choose very carefully whom you decide to have
fellowship with. Stay with those who are walking in the light, and not those
with the fruits of darkness.
“… know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity
with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of
God”
- James ch4 vs4
“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which
are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on
things above, not on things on the earth”
- Colossians ch3 vs1 - 2
We have a great privilege to enjoy fellowship with other
believers - and to tell others outside of these rich blessings just how much
they are missing.
Dear friend, if you are still outside of these promises and
blessings, please make your peace with God tonight concerning the question of
your sins. Simply come to The Lord Jesus Christ in faith and sincere
repentance, ask His forgiveness, and invite Him to be your Lord and Saviour.
On Calvary ’s Cross, He showed
His boundless love by taking the punishment for all our sins and laying down
His life so that we can be forgiven.
He will never let you down, and He is an all – the – way – home
Saviour!
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