Next Steps 3^rd Step – Discipleship

Matthew 28:18–20 ; 1 Peter 2:2

1. Repent and Believe

“I agree with what the Bible says about my sin and the consequences I face. I agree and submit to what the Bible says about Jesus Christ”

The act of repentance leads to a life of repentance.

2. Baptism

Baptism is not necessary for salvation but it is for obedience.

Baptism is the outward expression of the inward change.

It is the public announcement of the private repentance and faith.

1. Illustration of Christ’s sacrificial death
2. Identification with Christ’s death and Resurrection
3. Public Declaration that I belong to Christ

Where do all these next steps come from? Great Commission

1. To See People Saved
2. To See them Baptized
3. To Teach People How the Bible Says We Should Live

Our 3^rd Step is Discipleship – to be a Disciple of Christ

1 Peter 2:2 says we are to desire the Word of God like hungry babies.

Believers Need to

Be Fed

Word via a teacher

Hebrews 13:17

17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Word via a preacher

Word via personal quiet time

Be Led

By Biblical Commands “Ten Commandments”

            By Biblical Principles “1 Corinthians 10:31”

            Biblical Pastors  

Acts 20:28

28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

“Be Long”

Be Here

How would you like it if …
• Your watch ticked one time and missed the next?
• Your heart beat one time and missed the next?
• Your child missed every other day at school?
• The engine of your car only hit on half its cylinders?
Irregularity in any area of life causes problems. It was said about the early Christians, “… they continued steadfastly in the apostles, doctrine and fellowship, in breaking of bread and in prayer.” If you are “on and off” in your [faithfulness], it hurts everybody.
Morgan, R. J. (2000). Nelson’s complete book of stories, illustrations, and quotes (electronic ed., p. 126). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.

Be Discipled

            Be Accountable

Hebrews 13:17

17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

You need a Community of Believers Focused on Living Biblically

 

 

 

 

Nine reasons why spiritual disciplines matter in church revitalization.*

1. The call to disciplines reveals our heart. If we don’t spend time with God daily, that choice tells us something about ourselves. Perhaps we are more self-dependent than God-dependent. Maybe we are “fixers” who try to address problems first, and then pray if necessary. Any of these realities will hinder revitalization.
2. Our personal walk with God affects the corporate walk of the local church. Leaders who do not follow God intimately seldom see genuine revitalization in their church; in fact, they sometimes produce congregations that unknowingly need 
3. The Bible is a book about hope and life.We know this truth – perhaps so well that we have forgotten its power. To have hope for revitalization, we need to be reminded regularly through the Word that God brings life out of death.
4. Disciplines strengthen our faith.Reading the Word and praying are lifelines to the Father. Knowing that God divides seas, collapses walls, slays giants, and empties tombs strengthens our trust in Him. No task of revitalization is too big for this God.
5. Prayer is an expression of relationship with, and dependence on, God. When we don’t pray, our prayerlessness is an expression of idolatry of the self. God does not bless the leadership of idolaters, even those who have great skills for revitalization.
6. Daily obedience undergirds our praying. Revitalization requires the power of God. The kind of praying that results in God’s power demands obedience ( 59:1-2), including reading the Word, praying continually, and rejecting temptation.
7. Disciplines focus our attention on God, not on our circumstances. It’s the apathetic, dying church that needs God’s renewed touch. Unless we are regularly focusing on God via study and prayer, the obstacles to revitalization can quickly become overwhelming.
8. Disciplines help to turn our heart outward.  It’s hard to read the Bible consistently without seeing God’s heart for our neighbors and the nations. Leaders who live in that truth daily are best prepared to lead inwardly focused churches toward turnaround.
9. Faithfulness to spiritual disciplines gives us humble confidence to lead.Revitalization often requires changing as needed to reach this generation. Leaders who live in a state of ongoing dependence on God are most prepared to lead in this direction.