Sermons

“CHRISTIAN DISCIPLE”
Scripture: PSALM 115

A Deeper Look Into This Weeks Sermon:
A disciple is a follower, learner, student of someone or something. No one is completely independent, thus all are disciples of something or someone. A Christian Disciple is a follower, learner, student of Jesus. As such we live based on a principle, with a certain perspective, and posture.

•Principle: vs.1 lays out the principle, it guides all we should think, say, do. The focus there is on living for God, seeking in every way to honor Him. 2 words in particular in vs.11 help us here -- fear/trust. Both words point to our looking away from self & looking to God. Both words point to a humble bowing before God as the Lord of life. As 1 writer put it, “Xian discipleship is about seeing the beauty/majesty/superiority of Jesus Christ; in Jesus you see something far more attractive than anything this world has to offer, & seeing Him, gratefully follow/serve Him.”

•Perspective: to see/understand the truth. The Psalm writer develops this ny contrasting idols to God, OR, the foolishness of being a disciple of anything other than God. A person following an idol (something or someone other than God) thinks they will find joy/peace/contentment there. BUT, if that were true, why then do we not see more joy/peace/contentment throughout the world? How do you know when you are following an idol? You will disobey God to get/have what the idol promises. vs.9, "He is their help and shield" & vs.15, "May you be blessed by the Lord" -- the perspective? God has the power and desire to save and do good for us -- seen most clearly in the ministry of Jesus Christ.

•Posture: not how we sit or stand but how we live before God. The right posture is humble trust. A Christian disciple is humbled before God to recognize their need for Jesus and they are fascinated by the grace/mercy/faithfulness/greatness/goodness of God so that humble trust just "makes sense." The focus of life is "unto the Lord." You see yourself as AND live as a servant. Once again, this "makes sense" when you see that Jesus took the posture of a servant for you!

When the “beauty of Christ” hits home, you want to build your life on the Principle of “looking unto Him”; w/the clear Perspective, i.e., you see the beauty of Jesus Christ as far more inviting than anything else; and your Posture being – humbling following Him, learning from Him, & serving Him!