Sunday, July 2, 2023
Discipleship Ain't Easy
Music
Introit
Hymn #667
Hymn #508
Communion Liturgy
Hymn #821
Hymn #539
Sermon Notes
By Jeff Gilstrap
Scripture:
Philippians 4:1-9Theme:
Discipleship comes with a cost. It is messy and never easy. It takes commitment, sacrifice and a complete unconditional focus on Jesus and the Jesus way. But God promises the gift of peace and joy as our reward for a life of discipleship.
Reflections:
There seems to be trouble in the First Church of Philippi. There is a disagreement, a scrabble, a division, and the primary focus of this division seems to be around 2 people, Euodia and Syntyche. Paul (which is unusual for him) calls them out by name and then encourages the rest of the community to help them reconcile their differences. Paul acknowledges that they have been an asset to the Gospel, but now, due to disagreements, they are starting to lose focus and hope. After asking for help from the community, Paul then outlines what it means to be a disciple for Christ as a way of reminding or, better yet, refocusing them on what is required to be a disciple. But most importantly, no matter what happens, the God of peace will be with you. Through your life as a disciple, you will find peace that leads to joy.
Discipleship is not a transaction – I accept Christ thus my sins are forgiven and as a result I get to heaven. Rather, discipleship is transformational, a transformation that takes discipline, focus, commitment, sacrifice, hard work, and comes at a cost. Discipleship calls us to live by faith in Christ in everything we do in life. A Christian disciple is a person who accepts and assists in the spreading of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Christian discipleship is the process by which disciples grow in Jesus Christ and are equipped by the Holy Spirit to overcome the pressures and trials of this life and become more Christ-like. Discipleship is not knowing more information about Jesus, but knowing Jesus more, and being transformed into His image through the constant exposure to the Gospel of grace.
Paul understands discipleship if not easy. But Paul also understands, from his own experience, the only true way to peace and joy is through being a living disciple. The reward of peace and joy comes from God comes as we practice and live our discipleship.
Questions:
- Disagreements in church seems to be a part of church life. Why do we find it so hard to reconcile? Why do many just “walk away”rather than work to make the church a better place?
- How do you define discipleship? Read the scripture and list the ways Paul defines discipleship.
- Paul offers himself as an example of discipleship. If you were to offer yourself as an example of discipleship, what traits would people see?
- Paul suggests that peace and joy are gifts from God. How can discipleship lead to peace and joy?
- Why are you a disciple?
Music Notes
By Kenneth Jones
Reflections:
Introit: “Lord Prepare Me to be a sanctuary”; the principal reference is from Conrinthians, but also draws on verse 4-7 of our scripture. Integral to the role of disciple is to set ourselves apart.
Opening Hymn: Our Opening Hymn, “When Morning gilds the Skies” also draws from the first four verses of our scripture, focusing primarily on the first, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Each verse repeats twice the phrase “may Jesus Christ be praised!”
Special Music: Paraphrased from Philippians 4:6-6, “The Peace of God” by Jay Stocker.
Communion Hymn: Our communion hymn for 2023 is “Come to the Table”
Sending Hymn: Our sending hymn draws, as one of it’s references, from the final two verses (8-9) of our scripture reading. The text of “My Life Flow On” was originally titled “Always Rejoicing”.
Benediction: For the month of July, we will sing “We Will Go Out in Joy!” as our benediction.