| Vessels Of Honor – A Call To Discipleship – Part 3

Christian believers are tied in with the heroes of faith from the time of Abel through the prophets and kings to the closing of the Old Testament. Just as each one of the heroes discovered the grace of God in their failures and endured the chastening of the Lord, so also did the members of the church.

As stated by Oswald Sanders…”The word ‘disciple’ means ‘a learner’, but Jesus infused into that simple word a wealth of profound meaning. As used by Him and Paul, it meant ‘a learner or pupil who accepts the teaching of Christ, not only in belief, but also in lifestyle.’ It means learning with purpose to obey what is learned. It involves a deliberate choice, a definite denial, and a determined obedience.”

In this series we will find that Jesus calls us to ‘go and make disciples’ in Matthew 28:19, but He also lays out clearly that to be a true disciple there will be a cost, Matthew 16:24-25. To make disciples we must be a disciple! The cost is to deny ourselves and take up our cross which means to lay down our own natural wills, say no to self daily, and follow His will and conform to it.  We will walk through the different characteristics of what it means to be a disciple. It does cost our flesh, but the reward of sowing to the Spirit is abundant life! When surrendered completely to Him we are sure to live ‘The Good Life’ in Him and lead people to that ‘Good Life’!

Part 3 – In the book of Proverbs 3:6 it tells us to, ‘Acknowledge Him in all of our ways and He will direct, make straight our path’. To acknowledge means ‘to recognize the Authority in your life, to notice with particular regard; to admit the validity, authority, or truth of’. God requires first place in our lives, a position that He does not share. In this message we will look a little further into the importance of keeping His voice as the Authority in our lives. A disciple is purposed to live in close relationship with Him by honoring Him and recognizing Him in our daily life. There are many voices, but it is obedience to Him that always yields a wonderful harvest, even if it feels difficult to our flesh in the moment! We can trust Him with our life!