Being a Disciple (Part 1)
Introduction
Looking at the life of Simon Peter
Him – because no other disciple is more referenced in the gospels
God is telling us to take note of his life
Above all – see the grace of God in his life
Last week – we saw the beginning of a disciple
An encounter with the grace of Jesus
Changed from an unstable man to a rock
Words of grace spoken to a sinner
An encounter with the holiness of Jesus
He was humbled and made a fisher of men
These are two essential elements to be a disciple of Jesus Christ
Overview:
His Life Calling
His Specific Appointing
His Intimacy with Jesus
Next week – looking at his growth
His Life Calling
Luke 5:10 – the encounter with Jesus
*Background *
Jesus says "Do not be afraid, from now on you will catch men"
His profession will be replaced with a life calling to be an evangelist
A specific life calling to bring others into the life of God
Not all Christians are called to be evangelists – 1 Cor 7
We are all called to be witnesses – through lip and life
Saved – for heaven, but also to bring others to the glory of God
(We are not instantly called into heaven)
Their profession as fisher men
Long hours – needing patientence
Preparing and mending nets
Long and unearthly hours
Sometimes a good or a bad day
To be a fisher of men
Did he have instant hope – witnessing the recent miracle of Jesus
The Day of Pentecost – when 3,000 were saved
Did Peter remember this earlier miracle?
It would not always be easy – sometimes 1 or 2’s, sometimes nobody
The greatest joy for us is to see someone coming to the Lord Jesus Christ
Often we are just a link in a chain – example
It may be that we have spent a long time with someone
We need to be spreading the gospel
This is the most valuable work we can be involved in
What is the value of a soul?
Example
What is our burden?
Peter had little formal education
Acts
Education can be a help – but it can be a hinderance
Example of Paul
We see this through Church history – examples
‘Don’t say God can’t use me’
"I will make you fishers of men"
I will teach and equip you
The Holy Spirit teaches us
We need to be made fishers of men
We need patience
Example
Sometimes things are easy and sometimes hard
We need preparation
Luke 5:5 – Peter initially objected to Jesus
We see Peter sometimes confessing or rebuking, pleasing or displeasing Jesus
This did not disqualify him from being a fisher of men
Our greatest motivation is Jesus’ grace towards us
Are you a soul winner?
"He who wins souls, is wise" – Proverbs
His Specific Appointing
Luke 6:12-14
He has been called to be a disciple and a fisher men
Now something different is happening
Jesus has spent the whole night in prayer
Likely praying about who He will send as ambassadors
Those who will perform miracles, establish the church, have particular authority
The apostles are ‘sent ones’
Luke 9:1-6
Their task was to represent Christ
Some would write the Scriptures
Others would found the church of God after Pentecost
Here – their task to introduce people to the kingdom of God
Learning to live by faith
Apostles
There are no more apostles today – Paul was the last
They had to learn to trust
We are not apostles, but we need to learn to trust Christ
Example of Pastor Elias
They were going to people’s homes, preaching at home or in the open air
How much do we trust in ourselves?
How much do we trust in God?
Pray that God will increase your faith
His Intimacy with Jesus
Jesus visited Peter’s mother-in-law’s home
Imagine if Jesus came to your home
Three instances of intimacy
Peter, James and John – part of an inner circle
Because these three were to be used in a big way in the Early Church
Peter and James – in the Jewish Church
John – ending up on Patmos
A greater reveal of Jesus’ glory to sustain them during their suffering
The three instances:
Luke 8:51 – Raising a child from the dead
Background
Jesus performs a miracle
Luke 9:29 – The Transfiguration
They hear God’s voice telling them to listen to Jesus
Matt 26:37 – The Garden of Gethsemane
They saw the extent of Jesus’ sufferings
Closing Remarks
Application
Peter was to be prepared for great acts
We serve God, because of His grace toward us
We say ‘here I am, send me’
Example of badge
Be patient with me, God has not finished we me yet
The purpose of the Church is to be a light in the dark world