7. A Troubled Disciple in Paradise

Ecclesiastes 1:1-11; 12:11-14

1. Life seems like a puzzle with no solution. (vs. 2)

2. I work hard and it doesn't seem to get me anywhere. (vs. 3)

3. Nature is beautiful but is full of mystery. (vs. 4-7)

4. I will wear myself out before my desires are satisfied. (vs. 8)

5. Our belief that there is anything new is a lie. (vs. 9-10)

6. The past, present, and future will be forgotten. (vs. 11)

View fullsize

Solomon's Call to Respond:

1. Trust God's Word. (vs. 11)
2. Do not trust the ever-changing counsel of the world. (vs. 12)
3. Be so in awe of God that you spend every moment of your life living for Him. (vs. 13)
4. Live with an eternal perspective. (vs. 14)

Homework:

Memorize Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Answer these questions. . .

1. Where am I failing to trust God as an unashamed disciple?
2. Do I trust the counsel of the world over God's counsel?
3. How will I increase my awe of God and live with eternal perspective?

-Pastor Terry

View fullsize

5. The Cost of Discipleship - A Disciple is One Who Knows the Cost

Luke 14:25-33

We've been studying the past several weeks on what it means to be a disciple. Specifically, what it means to be an Unashamed Disciple.  Today we will look at the cost of discipleship. Dietrich Bonhoeffer said it this way, "Salvation is free but discipleship will cost you your life!”

What does that mean for you and me?  As we look into our text, we’re going to find that there’s a cost to being a disciple of Christ.  So, it’s natural for us to ask, what is the cost?  Let's look together at the scriptures to learn what the cost of discipleship is to us.

-Pastor Terry

View fullsize

3. A Disciple is One Who Lives in Community with Other Believers

Acts 2:42-47

In our study to define and understand a Disciple, we have come to learn that a disciple is a follower of Christ, and one who believes and obeys Christ. In today's study, I want us to understand that a disciple is one who lives in community with other believers. The word "community" can both be attractive to us and repulsive to us.  We long for the benefits of community but we resist the demands that community makes. Our scripture passage in Acts 2 will show us what this means to us.

It’s my prayer that as we look into our text and get a glimpse of the communal life and spirit of the early church that each of us will be encouraged to live passionately in community with other believers as we follow after Christ.

-Pastor Terry

View fullsize

1. A Disciple is One Who Follows Christ

Matthew 4:18-22

In a couple of days 2015 will soon be behind us.  We were challenged this year to be Unashamed of the Gospel in our Home, in our Neighborhood, in our Workplace, in our Church, and in our World.  Now, let's build upon that by taking on Christ's call and command to “Come and follow me” (Matthew 4:19) and “Go and make disciples”.  (Matthew 28:19).

Today, we begin our Vision Launch 2016!  This year we want to challenge everyone to be a Christ follower… a disciple of Christ. Now that raises a fundamental question. What does it actually mean to be a “disciple” of Jesus? If we are going to make disciples, we need to know what that is.  In our text, Matthew 4:18-22 will show us just what that means. It’s my desire that you will be encouraged in the Word today and be committed in the coming new year to be a disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ.

-Pastor Terry

View fullsize