Everyday Discipleshi p Developing A Deeper Discipleship

Everyday Discipleship “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Lk. 9:23). A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master…” (Mt. 10:24, 25a). “You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you” (Jn. 13:13-15).

Discipleship demands discipline. The investment of energy and effort for a goal

Everyday Discipleship “Pump it, Paint it, Pamper it” 1. Ours is a body conscience society. 2. We spend billions of dollars each year on spas, supplements, fitness equipment, nutrition centers and doctor’s office visits tying to save something that is a losing battle – the body.

Everyday Discipleship But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. These things command and teach. (1Tim. 4:7-10).

Everyday Discipleship But reject those myths fit only for the godless and gullible, and train yourself for godliness. For “physical exercise has some value, but godliness is valuable in every way. It holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.” (NET) But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (NASB)

Everyday Discipleship Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. or physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. (NIV) Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives tales. Spend your time and energy in training yourself for spiritual fitness. Physical exercise has some value, but spiritual exercise is much more important, for it promises a reward in both this life and the next. (NLT)

Everyday Discipleship The Disciple’s Call To Diligence 1. The intensity and effort that we are to put forth as disciples is seen throughout the Scriptures: 1. Phil. 2: Tim. 2: Cor. 9: Cor. 15:57,58 5. Heb. 5:12-14; 6: Rom. 12:11-13

Everyday Discipleship Don’t Miss This! 1. We give ourselves devotingly, almost to obsession, to many things that have “little profit” in their extent and duration. 2. We must make the right choice about what we are really going to go after, the temporary or the eternal. 3. Remember Mary and Martha in Lk. 10: (cp. 2Tim. 2:3-7)

Everyday Discipleship Holy Sweat 1. The word, gumnazo, (exercise) comes our word gymnasium. A form of the word gumnos meant “naked.” 2. The Greek athletes customarily worn little or no clothes when exercising. 3. The idea is to strip away the encumbrances that hinder us, and to employ rigorous and strenuous, a self-focused type of training. (cp. Heb. 12:1,2)

Everyday Discipleship Discipline Yourself 1. Discipline is the key to becoming proficient at anything, whether it be painting, music, writing, calculus, basketball, golf, etc. Discipline is what separates the contenders from the pretenders. 2. Without discipline there can be no true discipleship. 3. Discipline requires toil and sweat. You must reign in your desires and inclinations in order to achieve your goal.

Everyday Discipleship Discipline is acting against your feelings because you have a higher goal. For example if you feel like having a piece of chocolate cake, but your goal is to lose weight you must deny your feelings. This is what the apostle Paul was addressing on a spiritual level in his teaching on the struggle between the flesh and the Spirit in Galatians chapter 5.

Everyday Discipleship Godliness 1. Godliness, the old English word is “godlikness.” Which meant to have the character and attitude of God. 2. The Greek word is eusebeia, “reverence for or devotion to God, producing a practical awareness of God in every aspect of life – God consciousness. 3. Godliness means a love for the things of God and to walk in the ways of God (cp. Eph. 5:1,2).

Everyday Discipleship The Priority of Godliness 1 Tim 6:11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.

Everyday Discipleship The Priority of Godliness 2Pet. 1:5-10 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith… virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Everyday Discipleship The Priority of Godliness For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Everyday Discipleship The Priority of Godliness 2 Pet 3:11–12 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?

Everyday Discipleship Developing Godliness 1.Godliness in not a destination it is a journey. The verb “exercise” is in the present imperative, pointing to a ongoing process. (cp. 2Cor. 7:1) 2.The attitude of godliness does not come naturally. We must desire and labor and strive for it. (cp. 2Tim. 3:10-12).

Everyday Discipleship Developing Godliness 3.Manage your time based on your goal – godliness. “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” (cp. 1Tim. 4:6; Rom. 12:1,2) 4.I like Jim Echol’s advice when asked by students, how did he know what he wanted to do (be). He said, “I knew what I didn’t want to do!” (cp. Tit. 2:11-14).

Everyday Discipleship Developing Godliness 5.Stay focused! This must be an area in our life that is none negotiable. We take God seriously and recognize the implication of godliness (cp. Phil. 3:13-14). 6.Enjoy the blessings of godliness. Nothing in this life will benefit and give us a return on our investment like being like God.

Everyday Discipleship Developing Godliness “…godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” Life now – 2Pet. 1:3-5; 1Tim. 6:6 Life to come – 1Tim. 6:11-16; 2Tim. 4:7,8

Everyday Discipleship Developing A Deeper Discipleship “What holds me back? Some earthly tie? A thirst for gain? A strange entanglement with life? A pleasure vain? Dear Lord, I cast it all aside so willingly; The path of true discipleship I’ll walk with Thee” - Adams