Discipleship // Week 1 - “The Spiritual Infant”
The Spiritual Infant
1 Peter 2:2-3 2 Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, 3 now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.
Real disciples of Jesus crave the teachings of Jesus.
There is another level beyond spiritual infancy.
The Spiritual Child
1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 11 And you know that we treated each of you as a father treats his own children. 12 We pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy. For he called you to share in his Kingdom and glory
Walk in a way that God would consider worthy.
Ephesians 4:1-6 1 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.
The first four steps of a worthy Christian walk.
Step One: We have to understand that we have a calling.
Ephesians 4:1b
So what’s your calling? Well here’s the best way to find out…
1. You have to study God’s Word to understand your general calling.
2 Timothy 3:17 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
2. You have to be intimate with God to know your specific calling.
Ephesians 2:10 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Psalms 25:14 14 The Lord is a friend to those who fear him.
He teaches them his covenant.
Step Two: We must be willing to suffer for Jesus.
Ephesians 4:1
Matthew 10:34-38 34 “Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword. 35 ‘I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother,and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 Your enemies will be right in your own household!’ 37 “If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. 38 If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine.
Step Three: You have to practice Godly character.
1. Disciples practice humility.
1 Timothy 1:15
Ephesians 3:8
1 Corinthians 15:9.
2. Disciples practice gentleness.
3. Disciples practice patience.
Philippians 2:14-15
4. Disciples put up with one another.
1 Peter 4:8
Step Four: You have to have unity in the church.
Ephesians 4:3-6
John 17:20-21 20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me
Practical ways we can have unity.
- Resolve conflict quickly. Ephesians 4:26
- Make every effort to resolve conflict.
Romans 12:18
3. Persevere and don’t give up.
Matthew 18:22
Galatians 6:9 - Focusing on our God-given commonalities.
Ephesians 4:4-6
Seven spiritual commonalities…
One
One
One
One
One
One
One