discipleship
Obeying Jesus (7 of 7) /
Sermon Series: Obeying Jesus: 7 Commands for Every Disciple
Sermon Title: Be, Do, Go (7 of 7)
Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 10:1-12; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
In his last moments on earth with his core disciples, Jesus said, “Go and make disciples… teaching them to obey all that I have commanded.” So, what are these commands that sincere, authentic followers of Jesus should be obeying? In our Obeying Jesus: 7 Commands for Every Disciple series, we will look closely at the teachings and practices that Jesus said are basic and foundational to faithfully following him.
Last words are significant. After Jesus is resurrected, and just before he ascends back to the Father, he gives his disciples a final command: “Go and make disciples…” (Matt 28:18-20). Jesus instructs his disciples to carry on his mission, to pass on his teachings and continue his work.
In Be, Do Go (7 of 7), pastor David helps us to understand what Jesus is asking of us and why he left us this way. Listen to David and view the slides here.
Knowing Jesus (6 of 6) /
Series Title: Knowing Jesus (6 of 6)
Sermon Title: An Invitation to Follow Jesus
Scripture Reading: Luke 6:12-16; Matthew 16:21-27; 28:16-20
Unlike the standard Rabbinical practice of the first century where students could ask or apply to become a disciple of the Rabbi, Jesus of Nazareth directly called all 12 of his disciples. He interrupted their world with, "Come, follow me." So, when Jesus calls it's rarely ever convenient. Jesus is calling both saints and sinners this way. He calls us with promise of reward and assurance of trouble. And he calls us not just to benefit from knowing him, but also to be sent out to make more disciples.
In An Invitation to Follow Jesus (6 of 6), pastor David calls us all to consider the radical call of Christ. Listen to David and view the slides here.
Missio Dei (3 of 6) /
Sermon Series: Missio Dei
Sermon Title: Missional Church
Scripture Reading: Luke 5:1-11; Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 1:6-8
God is a missionary who sends a missionary church. It is not that the church has a mission; it is that God’s mission has a church. If we’re going to be missional like Jesus, what needs to change? What needs to happen for us to make room at the table for more disciples?
In Missional Church (3 of 6), pastor David challenges us to think about the gifts, systems, and spaces that exist in our congregation. Are we set up for exponential growth, and are we being intentional about mission?
Listen to David speak to us at our retreat and view the slides here.
Back to School with Jesus /
Sermon Title: Back to School with Jesus
Scripture Reading: Matthew 4:17-25
What does it mean to be an apprentice of Jesus? Aaron Kauffman, president of Virginia Mennonite Missions, talks about being schooled by Jesus. Aaron says that transformation happens through relationship, not by behavior modification. Being a disciple is about cultivating a relationship with Jesus and the church, and learning to obey in our everyday lives. What does this look like for us today?
Listen to Aaron and view the slides here.
Covenant & Commitment (4 of 4) /
Sermon Series: Covenant & Commitment: A Four-Week Series on Covenant Membership
Sermon Title: Covenant as Christian Discipleship
Scripture Reading: Romans 12:1-13; Hebrews 10:15-25; Luke 14:25-33
We live in a self-absorbed culture that prefers a moral therapeutic deism and a passive receiver model of the church over an active allegiance to the disciple-making commands of Jesus. Covenant membership challenges the current spirit of the age—rugged individualism—by offering a Christ-centered, missional church family as a counter-cultural response. What does this look like for you and our church?
Listen to David and view the slides here.
Series Outline:
- Covenant: A Living, Breathing Thing
- Covenanting with Christ & the Church
- A New Covenant, A Renewed Vision
- Covenant as Christian Discipleship