Sermons from St. Andrew's ~ Mt. Pleasant

Bible StudyDon't just take our word for it . . . take His! We would encourage you to spend time examining the following Scriptures that shaped this sermon: .IntroductionContrast between the hand-cranked H. L. Hunley and modern nuclear submarinesChristians were never meant to follow Jesus in their own strengthJesus promises “another Paraclete” — another helper like himselfThe Holy Spirit continues the presence, power, comfort, and guidance of JesusMain idea: discipleship is empowered by the Holy SpiritI. Relationship — The Spirit Connects Us to JesusThe Spirit “dwells with you and will be in you” (John 14:17)The Holy Spirit is the breath of Christian discipleshipJesus says, “I will not leave you as orphans” (John 14:18)We experience the presence of Jesus through the Holy SpiritDiscipleship is a living relationship, not mere religionII. Revelation — The Spirit Teaches and RemindsThe Spirit is the “Spirit of Truth”The Holy Spirit:teachesremindsrevealsSpecial role for the apostles:inspiration of the New Testament ScripturesOngoing role for believers today:illumination of Scriptureconviction and guidancediscernment and prophetic encouragementAll revelation must be tested by ScriptureIII. Response — The Spirit Empowers Obedience“If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15)Obedience is difficult in human strengthFulfillment of Book of Ezekiel 36:new heartnew spiritempowered obedienceThe Spirit transforms disciples from the inside outChristian obedience flows from Spirit-filled heartsConclusionAre you following Jesus in your own strength?Burnout often reveals self-powered discipleshipChrist offers:nourishment at the Lord’s Tableempowerment through the Holy SpiritDiscussion QuestionsHow does the Holy Spirit cultivate a relationship between Jesus and his disciples? Give specific examples.Explain the difference between how the Holy Spirit provided revelation for the Apostles vs. how he does so for disciples today?Give an example of the Holy Spirit teaching, reminding, or revealing in your own life.Do human effort, intentionality, and discipline still have a role in Spirit-empowered discipleship? How do we keep from falling into man-made religion or doing it in our own power?Questions?Do you have a question about today’s sermon? Email Randy Forrester ().

Bible StudyDon't just take our word for it . . . take His! We would encourage you to spend time examining the following Scriptures that shaped this sermon: .Sermon Notes:Four Questions About Discipleship1. What Is Discipleship?A determined quest for Jesus HimselfBonhoeffer quote:“The determined quest for him who is the sole object of it all”Discipleship is relational, not transactionalCultural lie: “It’s all about you”Jesus calls us to lose our lives to find themDiscipleship is ongoing“Follow me” is present tenseDaily, dynamic pursuitJesus is alive and leading us somewhereDistinction from salvationSalvation = gift of graceDiscipleship = walking out the new lifeCollege acceptance illustration:Accepted freelyRespond with grateful participation2. How Is Discipleship Sustained?By love for JesusJesus asks Peter three times:“Do you love me?”Restoration after Peter’s three denialsJesus restores failing disciplesPeter failed, but Jesus did not abandon himChrist’s love heals and restoresLove becomes the motivationNot guiltNot successNot position or resultsWe follow Jesus because we love Him“We love because he first loved us”3. How Are Others Involved?Discipleship is communal“We will go with you”Christianity is not a solo pursuitImportance of community and Life GroupsBeware of comparisonPeter: “What about this man?”Jesus: “What is that to you? You follow me.”Different callings, gifts, struggles, outcomesComparison damages discipleshipBeware of collapsing faith into communityYou cannot live off someone else’s faithEach disciple must personally respond to JesusCommunity supports personal discipleship, not replaces it4. What Does Discipleship Require?EverythingJesus foretells Peter’s suffering and martyrdomContrast:Self-determined lifeSurrendered lifeDiscipleship requires surrenderSurrender of:PlansDreamsReputationComfortEven life itselfLearning surrender over timeSometimes through sufferingSometimes through aging and limitationThe Lord teaches each disciple differentlySurrender helps us trust God's goodnessDiscussion QuestionsWhat's your "Sea of Galilee story"? [the circumstances through which you heard Jesus say "follow me"]What's the difference between justification and discipleship?Can someone be a Christian but not a disciple?Explain the difference between a healthy concern for another Christian's discipleship vs. unhealthy comparison.What has surrender looked like in your life?Additional Resources:The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich BonhoefferThe Gospel of Mark course taught by RandyQuestions?Do you have a question about today’s sermon? Email Randy Forrester ().

Bible StudyDon't just take our word for it . . . take His! We would encourage you to spend time examining the following Scriptures that shaped this sermon: Sermon OutlineBig IdeaHumanity was made for God, and every restless longing ultimately points to Christ. The Restless Human HeartIllustrationsAugustine of Hippo — “Our hearts are restless until they rest in You.”Blaise Pascal — “All men crave happiness.”Tom Brady — “There’s got to be more than this.”TruthEarthly success and pleasure cannot satisfy the soul. Paul’s Burden for AthensActs 17:16Paul was “provoked” by the city’s idols.Deeply distressedMoved with compassionBurdened for lost soulsApplicationChristians should respond to a lost culture with truth, compassion, and gospel engagement.III. Paul at the AreopagusActs 17:22–23“To the unknown god”Paul uses their spiritual longing as a bridge to the gospel.Key InsightHumanity senses God exists but cannot truly know Him apart from revelation. The Message of the Areopagus Sermon God Is CreatorActs 17:24Creator of all thingsLord over heaven and earthNot confined to temples God Is Self-SufficientActs 17:25Needs nothing from mankindGives life and breath to all God Is SovereignActs 17:26Rules over nations and historyHumanity shares one origin Humanity Was Made for GodActs 17:27Humanity longs for HimGod is not far away Idolatry Distorts TruthActs 17:29God cannot be reduced to idolsFalse worship blinds the heart The Gospel Demands RepentanceActs 17:30–31God commands repentanceJudgment is comingChrist’s resurrection proves His authority Paul’s Method: Contextualizing the GospelActs 17:28Paul quotes Greek poets to connect with his audience.DefinitionContextualizing the gospel means explaining unchanging truth in understandable ways without changing the message itself. ApplicationsFor Believers2 Corinthians 5:20“We are ambassadors for Christ.”Engage culture faithfullySpeak truth with compassionShare the gospel boldlyFor UnbelieversRepentance is:Turning from sinTurning toward God in faith and surrenderPromise of the GospelRest for the soulForgivenessJoy in ChristEternal lifeClosing TruthHumanity was made for GodIdols cannot satisfyChrist alone brings rest to the restless soulStudy QuestionsWhy do you think Augustine’s quote about the restless heart still resonates today?What are some modern idols people pursue in place of God?What does it mean that Paul was “provoked” by the idols in Athens?How did Paul balance truth and compassion in engaging a pagan culture?Why is the altar “to the unknown god” so significant?What does Paul teach about the nature of God in verses 24–27?What is the difference between contextualizing the gospel and compromising the gospel?Why is repentance essential to the Christian message?How does the resurrection validate Jesus’ authority?What practical ways can Christians serve as ambassadors for Christ in today’s culture?Questions?Do you have a question about today's sermon? Email Tim Winkler ().

Bible StudyDon't just take our word for it . . . take His! We would encourage you to spend time examining the following Scriptures that shaped this sermon: .Sermon OutlineThe Key to HistoryThe Foundation of ElectionThe End of ReligionSermon QuestionsWhat's the key word in John 14:6—the way, the truth, or the life? Why?What are some ways you experience the "fact/value" distinction in your Monday-Saturday life?Why should the doctrine of election humble us? What the parable of the weeds (Matthew 13:24–29) teach us about this?Resources ConsultedJohn Ashton, Understanding the Fourth Gospel (OUP, 2007)Ignace de la Potterie, “«Je suis la Voie, la vérité et la Vie» (Jean 14,6),” NRT 88-9 (1966), 907-942Raymond Brown, The Gospel according to St JohnJohn Henry Newman, Catena Aurea: Commentary on the Four Gospels Lesslie Newbigin, The Light Has Come: An Exposition of the Fourth GospelIbid., Truth and Authority in ModernityQuestions?Do you have a question about today's sermon? Email Sam Fornecker ().

Bible StudyDon't just take our word for it . . . take His! We would encourage you to spend time examining the following Scriptures that shaped this sermon: .Sermon OutlineThe Nature of IndifferenceThe Danger of PrideThe Face of the ShepherdSermon QuestionsRemember the mine owner who views his workers only as tools to extract wealth? In what ways do we sometimes mistakenly view God as a cosmic tyrant or a slavedriver?Spiritual indifference is often a scrupulously constructed wall built to protect ourselves from God. What "lifestyle features" do you think we use most often to insulate our hearts from God’s reach?We all carry a deep ache, yet fear that if we open that ache to God, we might find Him to be a "wolf" waiting to rebuke us. Why is it so hard to trust that God is a Good Shepherd, not a thief waiting to "steal, kill, and destroy”?The sermon says that Jesus is not a tyrant waiting at the top of the tunnel to kick us, but the "corpse at the bottom of the pit" and the "sacrifice that is the ladder" leading us out. How does this specific vision of Christ change your perspective on your own struggles and "failed resolutions"?Resources ConsultedJohn Hemming, The Conquest of the Incas (Harvest, 1970)Augustine, Tractates on the Gospel of John, Tractate 45John Chrysostom, Homilies on the Gospel of John, Homily 59Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on the Gospel of St John, Lectures 1–2David Ford, The Gospel of John: A Theological Commentary (Baker Academic, 2021)Matthew Levering, "Augustine and Aquinas on the Good Shepherd: The Value of an Exegetical Tradition," in Michael Dauphinais et al (eds.), Aquinas the Augustinian (CUA, 2007)Charles Taylor, "Buffered and Porous Selves"Questions?Do you have a question about today's sermon? Email Sam Fornecker ().