Sunday Lenten Sermon Series: The Marks of Discipleship
Overview: What does a follower of Jesus look like? You certainly can’t tell by outward appearance, ethnic background or family heritage. God is always about the heart of the believer which the Bible characterizes with these Marks of Discipleship.
February 22 • Worship
Hebrews 10:19–25 (NIV); Mark 12:24–34 (NIV)
We have said often that the most important thing that we do is worship. In that weekly gathering, the saints gather with other brothers and sisters in Christ to praise God’s holy name, hear his Word and share in the sacraments. Every other Mark of Discipleship flows from the greatest commandment to love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and strength and mind.
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March 1 • Devotion
Psalm 92:1–8 (NLT); Luke 5:15–16 (NIV)
Can you imagine having a close, personal and intimate relationship with your spouse if you never carve out time alone? The same is true with our relationship with God. During his busiest times, Jesus often carved out time to be alone with God in prayer, reflection and devotion. This Mark of Discipleship draws us into a deeper and personal love relationship with God.
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March 8 • People
John 15
We were never created to go it alone. Our Christian identity has always been marked by living in community with other believers. Fellowship is the place to share life together, receive honest feedback, experience grace, engage in faithful living and enjoy the blessings of life. Over 50 times in the New Testament we are called to be together and lift up one another.
March 15 • Service
Matthew 25:31–45; Philippians 2:1–11
For the believer, service is a non-negotiable Mark of Discipleship. Jesus made that abundantly clear as he used himself as the example. “The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom to others.” You don’t have to do everything, but you have to do something — something that flows from faith, something that asks nothing in return, something for no recognition. So, what is your something?
March 22 • Stuff
Mark 10:34–40; Acts 12:1–2; 2 Corinthians 11:21–31
Stuff happens — divorce, illness, heartache, addictions, bankruptcy — stuff happens. For Christians, perhaps even more so. The world, the devil and all the empty promises run completely counter to the Gospel. Jesus warned his followers, “In this world, you will have troubles.” But then he gives this word of encouragement, “But take heart for I have overcome the world!” This Mark of Discipleship is not whether or not stuff happens, but how our faith gives us strength and hope to meet the days ahead.
Wednesday Noon Lenten Series: The Least of These
Overview: We’ve heard our entire lives epic stories of Abraham and Moses, David and Paul, Mary and Peter. But I’m never going to part the Red Sea. Nor will I ever be the king of Israel. I’m not going to give birth to the Messiah, nor will I ever go on multiple mission trips to start churches around the world. I’m just… me. And yet, woven throughout the Bible are stories of ordinary people with brief stories of doing seemingly simple things but making a big difference. We call them, The Least of These.
Wednesday, February 25 • Rahab
Joshua 2:1-11; Matthew 1:1-6
It is called the world’s oldest profession, but rarely does anyone aspire to work in it. It is always out of desperation, abuse and need. But God wants Rahab to rescue two Israelite spies, provide inside information on the conquest of Jericho and was rewarded for her faith and courage. Who would have guessed that this prostitute, the least of these, would be named in the family tree of Jesus?
Wednesday, March 4 • Jonathan
1 Samuel 20:1-17
The relationship between David and Jonathan has been used often as an example of a deep friendship. What many don’t know is that without Jonathan risking his life to protect his friend, David would never have become the most beloved king is Israel’s history. Jonathan’s story is brief, it is rarely told, but God used this relationship to change the course of Israel’s history.
Wednesday, March 11 • Ananias
Acts 9:1-19
We hear the words of Jesus to love and pray for our enemies, but has that ever been put to the test in your life? Enter Ananias. As the early Christian Church began to emerge, they were under constant threat of imprisonment and death from both Rome and the Jews. Leading this charge for the Jews was an angry, ruthless Pharisee by the name of Paul. But when God confronted Paul on the road to Damascus, He lead him to a faithful man named Ananias who had to make a hard decision: Do I put the words of Jesus into action? Do I love my enemy… really?
Wednesday, March 18 • The Man of Macedonia
Acts 16:6-10
Sometimes the “least of these” is such a minor character, that they don’t even have a name. During one of Paul’s missionary journeys, they were experiencing hardship and uncertainty on where to proceed. Each path they took became an obstacle they could not overcome, until an unnamed man from Macedonia came in a vision giving Paul and his team clarity and unity as to the path they must go.
Wednesday, March 25 • Phoebe
Romans 16:1-2
Love that name, Phoebe. Where does it come from? A 1950’s movie? A soap opera? Phoebe is actually part of the least of these, a cameo appearance of a woman in the Bible who is probably directly responsible for the growth and encouragement of the Christian Church in Rome. Though only briefly mentioned, the meaning of her name, Phoebe says it all, “Bright and Radiant.”
Wednesday, April 1 • Onesimus
Philemon 8-18
Onesimus. Was that on your list of potential baby names? Probably not, but this “least of these,” has a brief but rich history with Paul. Onesimus was a runaway slave after stealing something from his master, Philemon. His encounter with Paul transformed him into a beloved companion and reminds each of us that no one is beyond God’s redemption.
