2660 Belt Line Road Garland, TX 75044 972.494.5683 www.springcreekchurch.org GOES WHERE JESUS GOES Disciple – Part 1 Pastor Keith Stewart August 2, 2020 Mimeithai means to imitate or mimic something. Tupos means pattern, example, or model. You became imitators (mimeithai) of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 1.6 Follow my example (mimeithai), as I follow the example of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11.1 We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to offer ourselves as a model (tupos) for you to imitate. 1 Thessalonians 3.9 It’s like we’re looking for something that we’ve lost. 2660 Belt Line Road Garland, TX 75044 972.494.5683 www.springcreekchurch.org God knew what He was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity He restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in Him. After God made that decision of what His children should be like, He followed it up by calling people by name. After He called them by name, He set them on a solid basis with Himself. And then, after getting them established, He stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what He had begun. Romans 8.29-30 (Message) “Christianity is making humanity what it ought to be.” – Leroy Forlines 1. JESUS IS CALLING You call me Rabbi and Lord, and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Rabbi have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set an example that you should do as I have done. John 13.13-15 The House of the Scribe – “Beth Safar” The House of Study – “Beth Talmud 2660 Belt Line Road Garland, TX 75044 972.494.5683 www.springcreekchurch.org “May you be covered in the dust of your rabbi.” The House of Investigation – “Beth Midrash” A rabbi's own particular interpretation of the Torah was called that rabbi's "yolk." Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11.28-30 As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. Matthew 4.18 “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed Him. Matthew 4.19-20 Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him. Matthew 4.21-22 2660 Belt Line Road Garland, TX 75044 972.494.5683 www.springcreekchurch.org The word “disciple” occurs 269 times in the New Testament. The word “Christian” is only found three times. 2. WILL YOU ANSWER HIS CALL? “Something is very wrong here. Of six hundred more or less professional Christians, only one out of a hundred identified with Jesus… something is wrong with Christianity if it seems arrogant to identify with Jesus. That is exactly what we’re supposed to do. We’re supposed to identify with Jesus, act like Jesus, be like Jesus. That is what Christianity is supposed to be about - the imitation of Christ.” – Scott Peck “…the church exists for nothing else but to draw men into Christ, to make them little Christs. If they are not doing that, all the cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, even the Bible itself, are simply a waste of time. God became Man for no other purpose.” - C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity “Follow Me and continue to follow Me for the rest of your life.” q Following Jesus is more important than personal comfort 2660 Belt Line Road Garland, TX 75044 972.494.5683 www.springcreekchurch.org As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go.” And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Luke 9.57-58 (NASB) “I would say to the House as I said to those who have joined this government: I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat. We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many long months of struggle and of suffering.” – Winston Churchill q Following Jesus is more important than family obligations And He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.” But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.” Luke 9.59-60 (NASB) It doesn’t make sense to put “Lord” right next to the words “me first.” 2660 Belt Line Road Garland, TX 75044 972.494.5683 www.springcreekchurch.org q Following Jesus is more important than the approval of others Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home.” But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9.61-62 (NASB) The word "Decide" comes from a Latin word with two roots, one of the roots means "from" and the other root means, "to cut." “About as successful as the cross. Sir, I don't think you understand us. What we are about is not success but faithfulness. We're staying. Good day.” – Clarence Jordan "Brother, you and I walked the aisle of that little Baptist church when we were young. I think you need to go back and clarify what you told the Pastor that Sunday morning. You need to tell those people that what you really meant to say was that you admire Jesus, not that you want to follow him." – Clarence Jordan .