Celebrity Deaths in 2004

Karin Holmes

The Potential Life: Philippians 4:6-7

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

The Potential Life: 1 Peter 1:8

"Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy..."

Outline

I. Two Definitions

A. “Disciple”

Moral Living

"This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God."

-1 John 3:10a

Hope

"Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."

-1 Peter 3:15b

Unity

"May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

- John 17:23

Love

"By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

-John 13:35

Fruit

"This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples"

- John 15:8 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.“

- Galatians 5:22-23

Outline

I. Two Definitions

A. “Disciple” = One Who Experiences and Exhibits Christlike Virtue

Outline

I. Two Definitions

A. “Disciple” = One Who Experiences and Exhibits Christlike Virtue

B. “Cannot”

You “Cannot” Be a Doctor

Outline

I. Two Definitions

A. “Disciple” = One Who Experiences and Exhibits Christlike Virtue

B. “Cannot” = “Not Able”

Luke 14:25

"Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said:"

Outline

I. Two Definitions A. Disciple B. Cannot

II. Giving Up A. Family

To Hate Family

“To Prefer Less”

Rachel Loved,Leah Hated

(Genesis 29:30-31)

To Hate Family

“To Relinquish”

“I tell you the truth, no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life.” Luke 18:29-30

Fulbe Peoples of West Africa

Application

“Is family expectation or support holding me back from becoming a disciple of Christ?”

Outline

I. Two Definitions A. Disciple B. Cannot

II. Giving Up A. Family B. Stuff

Luke 14:33

"In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple."

Application

Am I thinking “and” or “now” thoughts?

Outline

I. Two Definitions A. Disciple B. Cannot

II. Giving Up A. Family B. Stuff C. Self

Luke 14:26-27

"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters, - yes, even his own life - he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple."

1) Conviction: Current Self Not True Self

"You are Simon son of John. you will be called Cephas" (which, when translated, is Peter).

- John 1:42

2) Surrender Claims to Future

"Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.“

- Matthew 16:23

3) Giving Up Comparisons to Others

"If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me."

- John 21:22

4) Giving Up Management of Reputation

"When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group.“

-Galatians 2:11-12

Sitting Down, Calculating the Cost

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?”

-Luke 14:28

Summary

(1) Does any family expectation or support hinder me in following Christ?

(2) Are my thoughts about stuff filled with "and“ statements instead of "now" statements?

(3) Am I willing to accept that current me is nothing like true me? Am I willing to give up the security of my present identity?

(4) Am I willing to surrender any claim on the future?(5) Am I willing to do away with all what-about-him-

isms?(6) Am I willing to surrender the management of my

reputation?

Summary

Summary

"If anyone comes to me and does not give up the irreligious expectations and support of his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters-yes, even his own sense of self identity - he is not able to be my disciple. Likewise, if any of you does not give up his stuff, he cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:26-27, 33)