CD 1641 Discipleship Series (Dare to Be or to Make Disciples) Week #5 - “Fully COMMITTED ”

CD 1641 Discipleship Series (Dare to Be or to Make Disciples)
Week #5 - “Fully COMMITTED ”
July 28, 2024

We are on the 5th week of our series on discipleship. A disciple of Jesus is a person who follows and learns from Jesus, seeking to model their life after His teachings and example of life. The word "disciple" (Greek: μαθητής, mathetes) means "learner" or "student"- to become disciplined by Jesus’ example!
Jesus’ disciples were those who left their previous lives behind to go in His name, all the while listening to His teachings, and helping to spread His message. Today, we are His disciples by studying His teachings, following His example, and sharing His gospel with others. Basically to be a disciple of Jesus means to make Him the center of your life and strive to live according to His will, even when it’s not easy or even popular.

With that being said, let's remind ourselves what Jesus taught us to do just before He ascended! Last Words are very important, so let’s see the Heart of the Master:

*Series Text: Matthew 28:18-20 (KJV) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations (to make disciples), baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Ok, that is enough of the review, let’s read this morning's text please.

*Luke 23:46 (KJV) And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I COMMEND (COMMITTED) my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

*See *Hebrews 10:18-20 (KJV)

Jesus is “Fully COMMITTED” to you, no worries, now let's rest in that truth and be “Fully COMMITTED” to Him!

Keep this question in your mind this morning: “What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus - a disciple?” We must understand that we live in a culture of instant gratification and comfort! In this lifetime in this world everyone has to make choices and become “Fully COMMITTED”! Those decisions always cost you something. For Instance, you can make more money by working harder and longer hours but at the expense of family time or personal time! In our walk with the Lord we must understand it requires the same dedication! With that being said we need to help each person understand they must learn to be “Fully COMMITTED”! The costs of following Jesus are highlighted in 3 areas. Today please consider: FORTRESS, FAMILY, FEARS:

*Today’s Text: Matthew 8:1 & 19-27 (KJV) When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. 19And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 21 And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead. 23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. 24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. 25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. 26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. 27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

Note Verse 19 & 21 - 22 - Note the scribe states: “I will follow thee” = to be in the same way with, specifically as a “disciple”!
Note Verse 21 “And another of his disciples said"Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.”
Note Verse 22 Jesus’ reply: “Follow me” now! In the Greek, to “follow” (ak-ol-oo-theh'-o), which is in the present, active, imperative tense meaning that when Jesus says to follow him, He is giving a command.

#1 FORTRESS (Security)

*Reread Matthew 8:1 & 19-20 (KJV) When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. 19And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

Note here Jesus is dealing with the cost of not trusting in an earthly “FORTRESS” (security in the norms of this earth age). When a person is a “follower” of Jesus, they must put their “FORTRESS” - their security in the Lord not where they live, their career, incomes, or relationships! How can I tell where I am building my eternal “FORTRESS”? Consider these 3 realities:

Your priorities: What matters most to you? If your primary focus is on accumulating wealth, status, or power, you may be placing your trust in the world rather than in God. (Matthew 6:33)
Your comfort: Where do you turn when you feel anxious or uncertain? If you rely solely on your own abilities, resources, or relationships, you may be trusting in the world more than in God. (Jeremiah 17:7-8)
Your thought process: Do you seek God's guidance and wisdom when making decisions, or do you rely solely on your own judgment and desires? (Psalms 118:8-9)

#2 FAMILY

*Reread Matthew 8:21-22 (KJV) 21 And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.

Here this “disciple” was saying to Jesus, "I want to “Follow” You, but my family obligations are more important than being Your follower. Jesus answered: let the dead bury their own dead! This means that following Him and doing the kingdom work was more important than family obligations and devotions.

#3 FEARS

*Reread Matthew 8:23-27 (KJV) 23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. 24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. 25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish. 26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. 27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!

Note the Sea of Galilee is approximately 13 miles long and 8 miles wide. Its maximum depth is around 141 feet, with an average of 85 feet. Despite its small size, the Sea of Galilee is the largest freshwater lake in Israel, and it plays an important role in the country's water supply and economy. Mark it down anything and everything that our Lord and Savior chooses to use as a vehicle to the lost and hurting the devil will try to stop!
Note we must be “Fully COMMITTED”, just because we are with Jesus and He is with us doesn’t mean we will not encounter “storms of life”! Notice Jesus is on a mission to reach a man in dire need on the other side! The devil will do whatever he can to keep us from our destiny of “Making Disciples”!

Let’s pray: Lord, I surrender my heart, my life, my possessions, and my future to you. Lead me in the path that pleases you and gives you full allegiance in my use of time, influence, money, and abilities. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.