Twelfth Sunday of Kingdomtide
Worship Theme: Discipleship
Hebrews 12: 1-3 CEB
Philippians 3: 12-12 CEB
Mark 8:34-38 (Adapted from the MSG, ERV, and NLT Bibles)
Definition of Disciple from: http://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-discipleship.html
It’s Childs Play. . .
Good morning. . . I used to like plating. . . and still do. . . children’s games like follow the leader or Simon Says when I was young. I got pretty good at it too. I would concentrate on the leader and try to do exactly what they did. I never really looked at those around me playing the game. If I did. . . I would surely do the wrong move. It never paid off following someone other than the leader.
Today we are going to stop into another port on our Cruise of the Sacred Waters of Our Faith. . . the port of Discipleship. Now before we begin our tour let’s take a look at the definition of discipleship. By definition, a disciple is a follower, one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another. 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 the Lord Jesus Christ and are equipped by the Holy Spirit, who resides in our hearts, to overcome the pressures and trials of this present life and become more and more Christ like. This process requires believers to respond to the Holy Spirit’s prompting to examine their thoughts, words and actions and compare them with the Word of God. This requires that we be in the Word daily—studying it, praying over it, and obeying it.
In addition, we should always be ready to give testimony of the reason for the hope that is within us and to disciple others to walk in His way. According to Scripture, being a Christian disciple involves personal growth characterized by the following:
1. Putting Jesus first in all things. The disciple of Christ needs to be set apart from the world. Our focus should be on our Lord and pleasing Him in every area of our lives. We must put off self-centeredness and put on Christ-centeredness.
2. Following Jesus' teachings (John 8:31-32). We must be obedient children and doers of the Word. Obedience is the supreme test of faith in God and Jesus is the perfect example of obedience as He lived a life on earth of complete obedience to the Father even to the point of death.
3. Fruitfulness (John 15:5-8). Our job is not producing fruit. Our job is to abide in Christ, and if we do, the Holy Spirit will produce the fruit, and this fruit is the result of our obedience. As we become more obedient to the Lord and learn to walk in His ways, our lives will change. The biggest change will take place in our hearts, and the overflow of this will be new conduct (thoughts, words and actions) representative of that change. The change we seek is done from the inside out, through the power of the Holy Spirit. It isn’t something we can conjure up on our own.
4. Love for other disciples (John 13:34-35). We are told that love of other believers is the evidence of our being a member of God's family. Love is defined and elaborated on in 1 Corinthians 13:1-13. These verses show us that love is not an emotion; it is action. We must be doing something and involved in the process. Furthermore, we are told to think more highly of others than of ourselves and to look out for their interests. Our attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.
5. Evangelism - Making disciples of others (Matthew 28:18-20). We are to share our faith and tell nonbelievers about the wonderful changes Jesus Christ has made in our lives. No matter what our maturity level in the Christian life, we have something to offer. Too often, we believe the lie from Satan that we don't really know enough or haven't been a Christian long enough to make a difference. Not true! Some of the most enthusiastic representatives of the Christian life are new believers who have just discovered the awesome love of God. They may not know a lot of Bible verses or the "accepted" way of saying things, but they have experienced the love of the living God, and that is exactly what we are to share.
Wow. . . this port has much to tell us. . . it is kind of like the “rules and regulations” of being a disciple of Christ. But how well to we play by the rules? Being a disciple of Christ is hard but God never said it would be easy. The only thing God promises is that He will be with us, guiding us in the way we should be.
How often do we put Christ first or should I say not put Christ first? Have we lost our focus or are we right on target letting Him lead us. . . captaining our ship? Are we self-centered or Christ-centered in our lives? It is important to put Christ first if we want to be “mirror images” of who we claim.
Are we being doers or just hearers of the Word? I order to be Christ’s followers we must do as we are shown and told to do. If Jesus was just a hearer of the word how could the world have changed? How could we have received the salvation He offered and still offers you and me even this day? In order to change the world as Jesus did, we must do. . . imitate His lead.
Are we allowing the Holy Spirit to produce fruit in us or are we still sowing our own seeds. . . seeds of the world. . . in our garden of our Spirit? The Holy Spirit is what helps us grow but how can it begin to germinate love, joy, peace and mercy if we are still living in our past lives? The change of the Spirit is from the inside out. When we begin to see our fellow man as our fellow man the change has begun and our lives are made richer for it.
Speaking of our fellow humankind, are we loving others as ourselves. . . Are we even loving other Disciples of Christ? As the song goes “they will know we are Christians by our love, by our love. Yes they’ll know we are Christians by our love. Love is a verb not a noun. Love brings us to places we may not want to go but we go any way just for the sheer joy of it. Showing love that we have been shown from the Cross. . . which in fact was the ultimate love. . . love that kept Jesus’ outstretched arms for you and for me on that dark Friday so long ago.
I am reminded of something that I heard just recently. I was told by someone that they loved their church. They loved all the people and the message that the church gave to their community but something went wrong. They over heard some people of this church talking. . . OK, gossiping about someone. Now thy highly respected that person and they were devastated by hearing them do this. Now. . . they question whether or not they can go to their church and be with this person in worship. . . “they will know we are Christians by our love, by our love. Yes they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
Are we making disciples and sharing our story with those who need to hear the good News? Or are we keeping it locked up like a secret that can’t. . . shouldn’t be shared? There are so many in this world that could really use a little good news in their lives. . . a little hope to help them through their journey.
Beloved church, this is one port that can’t be ignored. This port is essential to the Good News of Christ. If we ignore this port. . . well then I guess it’s all for nothing because how can God’s kingdom come if people know nothing about the kingdom? We need to get into the game and refocus our Spirits and our minds. Let us go forth and play follow the leader with the perfecter of our Faith our Risen Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus depending on you and He’s depending on me to win the game. Come. . . join in the game and become a child again. . . a child of God who loves to play with abandon the game of life.
Amen
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August 21, 2012
Eighth of a worship series on:
“Cruising the Sacred Waters of Our Faith”
Worship Theme: Discipleship
Mark 8:34-38 (Adapted from the MSG, ERV, and NLT Bibles)
Definition of Disciple from: http://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-discipleship.html
Hebrews 12:1-3 (Common English Bible)
Philippians 3:12-12 (Common English Bible)
Call to Worship (Abington Worship 2012)
Unison Prayer (Abington Worship 2012)
Pastoral Prayer by Pastor Ruth Foss
Prayer of Dedication (GBOD 2012, Ephesians 4:25-5:2)
Message for children
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon – “All You Need Is Love. . . ”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
August 19, 2012
Twelfth Sunday of Kingdomtide
&
Seventh of a worship series on:
“Cruising the Sacred Waters of Our Faith”
Theme – A Celebration of Vacation Bible School
Operation Overboard
http://overboard.cokesburyvbs.com/
Bible Lessons
Proverbs 3:5, “Depend on God”
Matthew 22:39, “Dare to Care”
John 3:16, “Claim the Name”
Joshua 24:15, “Choose to Follow”
Mark 16:15, “Change the World”
Call to Worship
Unison Prayer
Pastoral Prayer by Pastor Ruth Foss
Prayer of Dedication (Adapted from GBOD 2012)
and sermon – “Dive in Deep into His Word”
by Erica M. Berberena
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
August 12, 2012
Eleventh Sunday of Kingdomtide
&
Sixth of a worship series on:
“Cruising the Sacred Waters of Our Faith”
Theme – Worship
Luke 4:5-8 (The Message Bible)
2 Samuel 6:12-19 (The Message Bible)
Hebrews 12:28-29 (The Message Bible)
Call to Worship (Worship Sourcebook 2004 – Psalm 150:1-2, 6 TP)
Unison Prayer (Worship Sourcebook 2004)
Pastoral Prayer by Pastor Ruth Foss
Prayer of Dedication (GBOD 2012, 2 see John 6:1-15)
Anthem, “Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho”, by Pastor Ruth Foss
Message for children
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon – “Worship. . . it does a body good”
by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
July 29, 2012
Nineth Sunday of Kingdomtide
(I was the liturgist this week)
&
Fifth of a worship series on:
“Cruising the Sacred Waters of Our Faith”
Theme – Is There Room for God?
Mark 6:53-56 (New Living Translation Bible)
2 Samuel 7:1-14a (New Living Translation Bible)
Ephesians 2:19-22 (New Living Translation Bible)
Call to Worship (Abington Worship 2012)
Unison Prayer (Abington Worship 2012)
Pastoral Prayer by Pastor Ruth Foss
Prayer of Dedication (GBOD 2012, 2 Samuel 7:1-14a)
Anthem, “Ave Maria”, by Diane Mitchell
Message for children
by Pastor Ruth
and sermon – “Where Does God Want to Live?”
http://ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com/2012/07/where-does-god-want-to-live.html
by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
July 22, 2012
Eighth Sunday of Kingdomtide
&
Fourth of a worship series on:
“Cruising the Sacred Waters of Our Faith”
Theme – Do We Worship Only On Sunday?
Mark 6:14-29 (The Message Bible)
2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19
Call to Worship (Abington Worship 2012)
Unison Prayer
Pastoral Prayer by Pastor Ruth Foss
Prayer of Dedication (GBOD 2012, Ephesians 1:3-14)
Message for children,
about King David dancing for joy
by Pastor Ruth
and sermon – “Doing It Your Way, Every Day”
by Mary Ann Cioffi
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
July 15, 2012
Seventh Sunday of Kingdomtide
&
Third of a worship series on:
“Cruising the Sacred Waters of Our Faith”
Theme - Can we see the big picture?
Mark 6:1-13 (The Living Bible)
Psalm 48 (NRSV)
2 Corinthians 12:2-10 (The Living Bible)
Call to Worship (Abington Worship 2009)
Unison Prayer
Prayer of Dedication (Mark 6:1-13)
Message for children, only the walking stick (Mark 6:1-13)
by Pastor Ruth Foss
and sermon - “Big Picture Followers”
by Kathy Akerman
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
July 8, 2012
Sixth Sunday of Kingdomtide
&
second of a worship series on:
“Cruising the Sacred Waters of Our Faith”
Theme - Where do we put Jesus in our lives?
Mark 5:21-43 (GOD’s WORD Translation)
Psalm 130 (Common English Bible)
2 Corinthians 8:7-15 (NIV)
Call to Worship (Abington Worship 2012)(Psalm 130, Mark 5)
Unison Prayer
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/unison-prayer-suncook-united-methodist.html
Prayer of the People
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/prayers-of-people-suncook-united.html
Prayer of Dedication (Mark 5:21-43) (2 Corinthians 8, Mark 5)
(adapted from GBOD 2012 and Abington Worship 2012)
Communion, UMH, page 9
Message for children, “There is Power in a Touch”
http://www.sermons4kids.com/power_in_a_touch.htm
(Mark 5:27-29)
Sermon - What Jesus Means to Me!
http://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2012/07/sermon-what-jesus-means-to-me-suncook.html
by Raymond A. Foss
http://www.facebook.com/raymond.a.foss
Poetry Where You Live
http://www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
July 1, 2012
Fifth Sunday of Kingdomtide
&
first of a worship series on:
“Cruising the Sacred Waters of Our Faith”
Mark 4:35-41 (Common English Bible)
Jesus stops a storm
Psalm 9:9-11 (NRSV Bible)
Psalm 9:9-20 (NRSV Bible)
2 Corinthians 6:1-10 (NRSV Bible)
2 Corinthians 6:1-13 (NRSV Bible)
Worship Theme: “What’s in a name?”
Call to Worship (Abington Worship 2012)
Unison Prayer (Abington Worship 2012)
Hymn: “It Is Well With My Soul”, UMH #377
Prayer of Dedication (GBOD 2012 (2 Corinthians 6: 1-13))
Message for Children, “A story about some rocks”
David and Goliath
and sermon, ““Who Is Jesus?”
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/who-is-jesus
by Pastor Ruth Foss
https://twitter.com/PastorRuthFoss
http://www.facebook.com/pastorruthfoss
http://www.ahandmaidenofthelord.blogspot.com
http://pastorruth.posterous.com/
A Handmaiden of the Lord
http://www.suncookumc.org
Suncook United Methodist Church
http://www.suncookumc.org
http://facebook.com/groups/136632035559/
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Suncook-United-Methodist-Church/102221356487965
Suncook, NH
June 24, 2012
Fourth Sunday of Kingdomtide
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