Everyday Discipleship

1. Everyday Discipleship Disciples Caring For Other Disciples

2. 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).

3. Discipleship is having genuine concern, care and compassion for the welfare of other disciples.

4. Everyday Discipleship “I give you a new commandment: love one another. Just as I have loved you, you must also love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciple, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).

5. Everyday Discipleship • The Attitude of Disciples • It is very common for parents to leave their children with instructions and expectations for their behavior. • After the Lord spoke of His great redemptive work and His glorification, on the cross. He urged His followers to fulfill the great work of discipleship by their love and support of one another.

6. Everyday Discipleship Two Very Important Questions: What should our attitude toward one another to be? What actions should be seen as a result of this attitude?

7. Everyday Discipleship • The Attitude of Disciples • There is a founding principle laid down for us concerning the attitude that we are to have as disciples. Our disposition toward one another is to be founded in the attitude of God for us.

8. Everyday Discipleship The Attitude of Disciples 1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

9. Everyday Discipleship The Attitude of Disciples 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others (Phil. 2:1-4).

10. Everyday Discipleship • The Attitude of Disciples • If encouragement in Christ • If consolation of love • If fellowship with the Spirit • If affection and mercy • All four ifs are indisputable facts – these characteristics are certainties not "maybes" they are reminders of the realities of what God has provided to us. "If one's own life in Christ does not stimulate the soul to the noblest effort, it is useless to go on with the appeal."

11. Everyday Discipleship • The Attitude of Disciples • Encouragement:The word has various meanings; “a calling near, a summons, imploration, supplication, entreaty, exhortation, admonition, consolation, solace.” The well-rounded all-inclusive idea is that of encouragement, of aid given the needy person, whether it be consolation, exhortation, or supplication. – Wuest (cp. Jn. 11:1-11)

12. Everyday Discipleship • The Attitude of Disciples • Consolation:paramuthionfrom para = towards + muthéomai = to speak, literally describes speaking closely to someone. "that tender cheer, imparted as the effect of “love” (agape practical love).” Vine • The fact that God loved me, as unlovely as I was, ought to move me to love the brethren. (cp. 2Cor. 1:3-7)

13. Everyday Discipleship • The Attitude of Disciples • Fellowship:Koinoniais an intimate partnership, a common or joint participation with like interests and mutual affections, an active participation. • Our fellowship is more than a mere notion or whimsical thought it is the cause of our living and rejoicing. (cp. Rom. 15:13)

14. Everyday Discipleship • The Attitude of Disciples • Affection:Splagchonoriginally referred to the intestines, (bowels) which the ancients regarded as the seat of human emotions. It was to feel something and to be deeply moved. Today we say things like, “I feel it in the pit of my stomach,” “it was gut-wrenching,” or we’re “broken-hearted.”

15. Everyday Discipleship • The Attitude of Disciples • Compassion:The meaning of oiktirmosrepresents the display of concern or compassion with another’s misfortune. It is sympathetic consciousness of the distress together with a desire to alleviate it. • The word is also translated, mercy, sympathy, and tenderness. (cp. Lk. 10:33-37)

16. Everyday Discipleship • The Attitude of Disciples • Yes, we are encouraged by our union with Christ.
Yes, we have experienced God’s deepest love.
Yes, we enjoy the fellowship of Holy Spirit.
Yes, we are receiving an outpouring of mercy from God. • Since we have greatly benefited; Oh, how much we owe to one another! • Our duties towards one another always flows from blessings that we have received.

17. Everyday Discipleship • The Attitude of Disciples • Have you ever waited until you felt like doing something before you did it? All the time. • Having the right attitude toward other disciples cannot be one of those “right time” things. • Paul implored, “Make my joy complete.” Taken together the phase, “make…complete,” has the form a military command, do this without delay. There is a strong sense of do this NOW!

18. Everyday Discipleship • The Attitude of Disciples • Paul after having told them the reason behind the attitude, he now tells them the essential marks that this attitude will display. • Thinking the same way • Having the same love • Sharing the same feelings • Focusing on the same goal

19. Everyday Discipleship • The Attitude of Disciples • The attitude of unity and togetherness is one of the most power and beautiful aspect of the Christian’s life. Acts 2:44-47; 4:32-37 • Being of the same mind means to actively strive to achieve common understanding and genuine agreement. The unity of believers is never at the expense of truth but because of truth. • Each one these four expression is in the present tense. They are “lifestyle” statements.

20. Everyday Discipleship • The Attitude of Disciples • Having the right attitude means being aware of and doing away with the negative, unproductive attitudes. • The one sin that will destroy the work and unity of disciples quicker than anything else is…?

21. Everyday Discipleship Empty Conceit SELFISHNESS! Own interests

22. Everyday Discipleship • The Attitude of Disciples • The antidote for the ungodly attitude of selfishness, is the disposition that does not come easily or without personal cost. • Call it “grace on display,” it is at the very heart of our Lord Himself. What is this attitude?

23. Everyday Discipleship Regard others more important Humility of mind! The interest of others

24. Everyday Discipleship • The Attitude of Disciples • At the heart of the disciple’s attitude toward his fellow disciple is the mind, heart, and attitude of Jesus. • Other-centered, not self-centered • Lowly in heart • Submissive • “Out do one another in showing honor” (Rom. 12:10, NRSV).

25. Everyday Discipleship Others, Lord, yes, others, Let this my motto be; Help me to live for others, That I might live like Thee.
 — Charles D. Meigs

26. Everyday Discipleship Wanting for others what I desire of myself "Always do for other people everything you want them to do for you. That is [the meaning of] Moses' Teachings and the Prophets” Mt. 7:12).