Discipleship: Overcoming Obstacles

When it comes to discipleship. There are many obstacles to overcome these obstacles. You also need discipline is not going to be given to you. God doesn't say get saved. The next thing you know, man, this like this you're living the Christian life. There are disciplines that you have to observe and here's the key point if you can walk away with this. Without discipline there is no discipleship you discern a portion of the upcoming message title discipleship overcoming obstacles by pastor Avedon child of Clearview church in Henderson, North Carolina I Clearview. Our goal is creating an atmosphere of powerful worship dynamic preaching, genuine, and check us out at 3485 Oxford resident Henderson or visit us online. I Clearview lease he.org join us for this week. Two years ago Nicole and I decided to take our help seriously and without a workout felt like this is very important for our health where we are. Talk about obstacles is not easy to just jump up and go to the gym and start lifting weights. We had many obstacles, starting with one which is we love to eat. We both love to eat and so we had to overcome that obstacle, we had to discipline ourselves and what we ate and how much we ate. Then there was the obstacle of our busy lives both of us work in his heart.

By the time I'm getting home from visitation or counseling is like 7 o'clock all adduced in front of TV and unwind. We had to discipline ourselves to go to bed on time, which means 9 o'clock the kids are headed to bed. Where headed to bed. Now we wouldst lay in bed and read and talk whatever but we have to do that we had to discipline ourselves.

The turn obstacle was the worse when the alarm clock went off in the morning. All I wanted. It was like a sledgehammer and just go you know this, blow it to smithereens. But now we have to get up and we had to work things out with his coffee or whatever it takes to get out of bed and go to the gym. It takes discipline, folks, I'm telling anybody else here in the same situation is not a good feeling knowing that I want to go into that place text is a painful now.

Why do I share this with you when it comes to discipleship. There many obstacles to overcome these obstacles. You also need discipline. It's not going to be given to you. God doesn't say get saved. The next thing you know, man, this like this you're living the Christian life. There are disciplines that you have to observe and here's the key point if you can walk away with this. Without discipline there is no discipleship discipline helps us get to where we need to be is not the end this morning. I will share with you five discipline. It's not the end, they are simply a means to the end. Don't miss that there simply a means to the end you have your Bibles with you, turn to Matthew 28. You should have this passage memorize this is the great commission. The final command that Jesus gave before he ascended to his disciples, Jesus came and spoke to them saying all authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Therefore and make disciples of all the nation, baptizing them in the name of the father son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you not here's the question to you before we get going. The question is this what obstacles are keeping you from being the disciple that God has called you to be that you need to overcome when it comes to the Christian life.

Are you discipline. We are discipline with our business would discipline with our health were discipline and are how we keep our home but when it comes to discipleship we don't have discipline.

Are you a disciple. If you've never received Christ as your Savior. You might be a great person a wonderful person but you're not a disciple. There needs to be a point where you ask Jesus to save you do that today. The as you know we created this acronym as the goal of discipleship acronym is water W ATR were each letter stands for a facet of discipleship W's witnesses is accountability tea is togetherness. He is establishing the word and are is reproducing more disciples when they work in tandem vendor work together. Discipleship happens.

Unfortunately, it is not that easy for them to work together there obstacles just like working out there obstacles so also the discipleship there obstacles and we need to overcome them by being disciplined, suggest to you five disciplines that help us become disciples, starting with the first one which is the discipline of evangelism. What is that mean when it comes to being a witness is not natural that you will start witnessing people think that I got saved.

Next thing you know, man. I'm telling people about Jesus.

Some people do most of us don't listen to what Jesus said in acts chapter 1 verse eight but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you shall be witnesses to me that's not a suggestion as a command. What Jesus was saying is this, you saw everything you saw how I suffered you saw how it died. You saw how I was buried and I rose again. Now go tell the world what you have seen, you shall be it's a command.

Now you and I were not there. 2000 years ago, we were not eyewitnesses to the events which we are. Eyewitnesses listen carefully. We are eyewitnesses to the impact of those events in our lives today. We were not eyewitnesses to what happened 2000 years are less impossible, but we are eyewitnesses to what those events have done in my life and your life. What is the impact look like is three parts. What was your life before you met Jesus. How did you meet Jesus, how did he save you a number three years. How is your life since you met Jesus. That's it is called a testimony know what you do with this. You are to be a witness to others. You are to tell other people what you have seen. Who were you before how did Jesus save you and who are you, since you met Jesus know most people do not witness most Christians do not witnesses. They don't witness were many reasons that are very busy so much on my plate. So many things to do. They care the business or the kids or held or the house so the family saw many things to do. Some people are scared matter want talk to people about their spiritual life or the religion that's a very touchy subject. Some people don't witness because you know that they they just feel like there are other ways that people get to heaven. I want you here me carefully. That's the one I dislike the most. If there was another way that people could get to God. Jesus didn't have to die so when people say it's not really the only way to truth and live there other ways. Listen, it is just not true. Some people don't witness because it hasn't worked for you in the past you tried it did not happen. I want you to hear what Charles Spurgeon said.

He said if I never want souls. I would side till I did I would break my heart over them if I could not break their hearts. That's my prayer every day.

God break my heart for lost soul though I understand the possibility of an earnest, sore, never reaping.

I cannot understand the possibility of an earnest, sore, being content not to reap it means there's folks evangelism is a discipline.

I struggle with this the most because I'm always doing ministry. I'm always talking to Christians. I'm always preaching.

I'm always ministry. It is very hard for me to say wait a minute, did I today talk to anybody about Jesus Christ and talking to people about Jesus Christ is not me to get in their face and say hey if you died today. Were we to go no less than what I mean can you not build a bridge.

Can you not try to find a way to connect with them. You see them suffering.

Try this, tell them.

I'll keep you in prayer another mention that anybody.

I'll keep you in prayer both right there. The person, the doors open and maybe the Holy Spirit will say keep going.

What he will say wait for another time, but on a daily basis. I remember this missionary I would just 5 to 7 years of age. His name was Ray Icard.

He died couple years ago and this missionary every day. He was an American missionary every day he would get up and go with his tracks and share the gospel with people he had memorized just enough of every language in Indiana. Keep in mind he has many languages he had memorized just 11 every language in India to have a conversation with any person make you go beyond that. He couldn't talk to you, but he knew enough to tell you about Jesus Christ and what it means to be safe.

It wasn't discipline witnessing is a discipline.

Here's number two there is a discipline of confession when it comes to accountability, you need to discipline yourself to confess your trespasses. One to another, not listen to what James said in James chapter 516.

By the way this was chapter the book that we went through on our staff retreat last week. Many of y'all saw that we run a retreat chasing seagulls and stuff like that.

But anyways we we we went to the entire book. Every person on the staff to the section or chapter and we went through the book. My section was the opening and the closing. The closing is this confess your trespasses to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed, that we often think I need to confess my sins to God asked him what he says you confess your trespasses to one another to let me caution you when it comes to confessing your trespasses to one another, doesn't mean that you get into all the gory details about the fight you had with your wife or your husband the last night. That's not confession your giving people gossip material don't do that please.

For goodness sakes don't be fools don't share private information with other people use our trust no you don't know them but you can definitely have men have 3 to 5. Many allied women have 3 to 5 ladies in your life that you can say can you pray for me. Can you keep me in prayer just been a tough time.

We just have a rough day and these men and women are godly, mature, trustworthy, the day will not betray you.

I called them my 2 AM friends. I have been in my life. The 2 AM unless the phone is off there going to answer and then come looking for me.

There's a discipline of confession and to make this happen. You have to set aside your pride and have asked God to send the right person and then stay with it every week you have to sacrifice the time and say I have to talk to my accountability group was a discipline of confession.

But here's number three there's a discipline of church attendance. You were going to that acronym water W's witnesses. The school of evangelism is accountability.

Discipline of confession TS togetherness discipline of weekly church attendance. Now listen to Luke chapter 416 so he came to Nazareth where he had been brought up. Jesus came to his hometown save me the next few words. Case to see the screen already and as his custom was Jesus had a tradition had a habit of going to the synagogue on the Sabbath day.

Did you know that this is God, the one who made the heavens and the earth. The one in whose hand the entire universe is not even a tiny little speck on Sabbath day he got up and he went to the synagogue as his custom was in the early church kept the practice going, all be it didn't go to church because there was no charge given two different homes and didn't go on the Sabbath. They chose the Lord's day the Sunday because Jesus rose from the grave on the Sunday but it was their practice. Listen to this. In acts 242 and they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. Jesus custom was to go to the synagogue on the Sabbath and read the word. The disciples tradition was to go to what was church at the time on the Sunday and hear the word of God and fellowship with each other and praise God folks you need that discipline in your life then let me go ahead and explain. Yes, it is hard sometimes to do that if your sick. In fact, I tell you, if you are contagious. Please do not come to Clearview stay home work it out. Drink plenty of fluids take medicine you don't have to come to church if you are traveling please don't think you got it you know feel guilty. In fact, many people come to me, almost with guilt and safe.

So sorry to be on vacation like why are you sorry please go on vacation is a good thing dog get rejuvenated go, relax yourself, but everything beside them and go have a good time.

Nothing wrong spending time with family and getting away. Some people think you know it it is it is so hard to do that. But what I'm talking about here is when you are perfectly fine. Things are going well. I just don't feel like doing chores were just gonna have church right here or just noticed it's a family thing which had a huge breakfast and we sat together and we watched you on Facebook is likely what I say now listen closely put on Facebook periscope occasionally for you to be able to be home and do what you do but don't make it a regular habit where you say I'm just gonna stay home and just as good. Listen, listen, don't don't don't miss this. There's something about coming to a local church and hearing the word of God preaches something about is the mystery of God that a man standing here from the word of God preaches he may not be the greatest preacher in the world but he is preaching the truth it does something for you. It changes your mind, it changes your heart it does something it helps you to husband the father the person you called to be, and then worshiping it may not be your style of music, you may not know the words, but to come into worship together and say, God, you are great and greatly to be praised, does something to you. Fellowship thing to have people shake your hand welcomes good to see you this morning that may not be be condensing down no more than 30 seconds of conversation. This fellowship and this is how God intended for us to do it daily, weekly attendance, if things are fine. You should not be skipping church OR kids and want to go through all my friends were not there are going to be there, shut up and get in the car are for kids. I know that some younger offenders you to shut up worst words in the world here is that there are no no there's no you are making me laugh. There is no option for them is that our kids are great. I'm a dolly to get here before I do, close in the early church listen to what it says in Hebrews chapter 10 verse 24 and let us consider one another in order, star of love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, don't stop attending church. Don't just drop your kids often say will see you later.

You pretty much negating what you're teaching them by leaving making it discipline to attend church on a regular basis for the word for the worship for the fellowship.

Here's number four the discipline of daily Bible intake when it comes to me establishing the word you need daily Bible intake. Listen to what Jesus said in John chapter 8 verse 31 then Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him. If you abide in my word, you are my disciples indeed if you bought abide means that you have to reap a word or hear the word and you have to remain in the word.

Then you prove that you are a disciple of Jesus and then he said it again in John chapter 15 verse seven. If you abide in me and my words abide in you, you will ask what you desire shall be done for you. Here's the point I'm making today the Bible is the word of God, not just the four Gospels the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation, or the word of God. You need to make it a practice every day to read the Bible, even if it is for five minutes. Just do it. I can tell you, I'm your pastor on low theology have been studying theology for almost 25 years. I am a better person when I have my quiet time when I read the Bible and I pray even if it's only five minutes.

Some days I'm doing if of an hour. Other days not to do appointments waiting for me five minutes.

I am a better husband, better father, better pastor. I'm a better neighbor because I feed on the Bible deal.

Moody said this is a very good illustration is that a man can know more taken is supply of grace for the future, then he can eat enough for the next six months. Imagine this if today you had your last meal. Can you survive six months by the commercial you are not you and your hungry. No wonder couples fight all the time is while I read my Bible today.

We still fought like cats and oval intimate limit this because he had one meal in six months you think that's gonna sustain you daily Bible intake read the word of God, pray it makes you more like Christ. He said something else. I love this piece it or take sufficient air into his lungs. At one time to sustain life. Or we can imagine this is your last breath for the next six days you can't focus listen listen listen. Are y'all awake if you make decisions and say things and do things, but on a daily basis you not reading the word of God. I can guarantee you hundred percent. You're making the wrong decisions and saying the wrong stuff. But I have to say if you don't know how you talk, you are what you said to me you know what she had to. If you are not on a daily basis reading the Bible what's coming out of your mouth.

You cannot trust how many of y'all have done and said things because lunch hour went from 12 to 1 to 2 because Stuart had too much had to be done and someone came in the room and you you know you let them have it in the lid on you because I'm so sorry I'm so sorry I was not feeling what you're saying. If I was hungry, so also when it comes to the Bible. If you're not feeding on this book.

Your hungry and you bite off someone's head.

I believe Nani 5% of arguments and homes can be done away with the people had daily Bible reading their other problems to but I want to get into that right now. If Chinese Christian. You say like this, no Bible, no breakfast, no Bible, no coffee and take that back, have coffee, and then do your Bible all right but no breakfast until you have read the word of God. So the discipline of daily Bible intake and the last one is here the discipline of discipling. What did Jesus say he said go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, which means that if I am a disciple of Jesus I need to be discipling somewhat is the ultimate test of discipleship that I am helping someone walk with God, can I ask you this morning. I love you all. I love you. You are wonderful person you do a lot of things in charge of great who are you discipling right now who are you discipling if you're a family person husband wife doesn't matter father mother the first place is your own family should be discipling them disciple you children. My primary responsibility is not to disciple the church. My primary responsibility is to disciple my children. My two girls are standing on their own 2 feet. So in an in a different sort of way. I'm still discipling them by the two boys are two knuckleheads I still have to work with them. Here's a good part of great kids by way there men in this church who are helping me disciple marble, you realize that I was German in our church out there, spending time playing basketball with my boys. I just haven't drive up and he was in the talking that I was like I was so touched thinking.

Thank you for taking the time to talk is called discipling this call helping them become like Christ is the ultimate test of discipleship and for this to happen, the discipline, discipleship, discipling to happen you have to remove yourself from the center of your life. It was all about you my growth my walk how I feel. You will not disciple of the people you have to set yourself aside and say okay God, who are the people in my life that I need to decide who is it that I need to help them walk with Christ. We close with this I would not be here today if someone had a disciple me. I would not be here now group in a Christian home.

My dad is still pastoring he preach this morning when I came here I begin to drift away from God and I was beginning to come back to God. But I was very distrustful of the church and church leaders because I'd seen hypocrisy telling young people see hypocrisy. It turns them off. It did me that I met Nicole and I met Nicole's dad alive stand. We were not dating at the time but when he realized that I was serious. He began to disciple me and him come to me and say okay from here on I shall disciple you he just very simple. You go play some golf on the going town you are. Come with me and when I told him I'm going the ministry after we got married. He began taking on visitations and talk to me folks.

I had only four years with him. 1994 to 1998. He died with cancer, but injustice four years that man help me become the person I am today change my life forever. I would not be standing here today wasn't for Nicole's that I tell her all the time. I fell in love with it they had to forever love with you love that man disciple me without even telling me, change me forever. Here's a question is a tough question God for bid something were to happen to you right now just like this you were to die. Who would be affected by your death is all my family, my friends, my children, my grandchildren, my parent know what I'm asking is this who will say God this person used to disciple me but he's gone she's gone, who's going to disciple me if your answer was no one you know what you need to do right where you are there people that God is sending your way. Disciple, thank you so much for joining us for this week's message.

Only by allowing Christ to develop within us, disciplines of evangelism, confession, church attendance, daily Bible intake discipling can hope to overcome the obstacles to spiritual growth, pray and ask God to help me be a better disciple as you go out to disciple others. For more information visit us online@clearviewbe.org sermons notes checkout has shot out on shop.com