I had a great privilege of visiting Mt. Carmel in Kinuskusan, Bansalan Davao del Sur. It is owned by the Southern Baptist Convention to which it is popular for having a “Rural Life Training Center”. The training center focuses on training people for rural living. They teach agri-technology which can be very useful for farmers. The place was really cool. It has a Tabernacle, dormitories, and a backyard demo farm. The demo farm has a piggery, fish ponds, goat dairy farm, vegetable farm, and even vermiculture / vermicomposting technology.
Treasures in Jars of Clay Revealing the Secrets of Ministry: Sermon From 2 Corinthians 4
Treasures in Jars of Clay is one of the most popular passages in the book of Corinthians. In here, we will be seeing the kind of life that Paul and other apostles suffered during their time, yet, they did not turn their backs to the one called them heavenward. Today, the secrets of ministry will be revealed to us.
During the early times, people used to put their earthly treasures in jars of clay. They do this so that it will not attract robbers. Another reason is to show humility and simplicity of life though the fact is, there is wealth behind a simple life.
Today’s sermon is all about having that kind of life. Having a life full of treasures, yet it was hidden in jars of clay. The jars of clay here refers to our frail bodies that can easily be inflicted with pain. But what gives value is not what is outside, but what is inside. The treasure is the gospel of Christ, the thing that is more valuable than all other things that one can ever have.
The bigger question is why? Why are the apostles able to survive all these persecutions? Why are they able to continue ministering despite of the threats that they have been receiving? Today, we will be answering the secrets of ministering to God. This sermon is taken from 2 Corinthians 4:7-12
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Christian Disciples According To Bible
There is no exact definition in the Bible that will describe exactly what a disciple is. One thing is very clear when Jesus called his disciples “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. (Matthew 4:19)” A disciple needs to follow the one who called them. And since it was Jesus Christ who called us, then we are to follow Jesus Christ.
But the game doesn’t end there. Because Christ called us to be “fishers of men” and not continually become a fish.
Luke 6:40 “A disciple is not greater than his teacher, but everyone when fully trained will be like his teacher.”
In this description, we can see that a disciple is someone being taught, and not the one teaching. His knowledge is more limited than that of his teacher. However, when fully trained, he will be like his teacher. This means that if his teacher can teach, he can definitely teach when fully trained.
Luke 14:25-27 “25 Now large crowds were accompanying Jesus, and turning to them he said, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, and wife and children, and brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not carry his own cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”
Here we can see that Jesus is giving an instruction concerning our priorities. Of course this doesn’t necessary mean to literally hate his own father and mother, and wife and children, and brothers and sisters, and even his own life, it simply means that we need to love him ABOVE all.
Furthermore, new believers that comes from extremely closed culture, closed family, and closed religious backgrounds usually suffers a lot when it comes to Christianity, being his new found faith. People around the new believer will criticize him, mock him, and even cast him out from their relationship. But this is what Jesus Christ have said. Thus, a disciple “HAS” to make a decision whom to obey, his family or Jesus.
Making Disciples
Beginning Discipleship Lesson 5 – Making Disciples
Continue to conduct small group worship. Be sure to let them lead as much as possible in all aspects of your worship. Continue to hold them accountable to obey the previous lesson.
The items for accountability are:
Continue to monitor your spiritual life in reference to the Disciple’s Cross.
* The Lordship of Christ in your life – Is Christ still Lord of your life? Are you letting him be king of your life?
* The Word – Did you read your Bible at least 5 min/day?
* Prayer – Are you hearing God speak to you during your QT? (Show your journal or share 1 insight from and your obedience to what God showed you.)
* Fellowship with other Christians – Are there any broken relationships that need to be reconciled? What did you do to return to a good relationship?
* Witness to non-believers – Did you share the Gospel with at least 1 person this week? Tell their name.
* Show your “oikos” list of names.
* Who is your prayer partner?
* How many times did you pray for your first group of 5?
Review previous story/lesson
From Jesus’ instructions in Lk. Chapter 9 & 10, who were the disciples to look for? (a Person of Peace)
What does a Person of Peace do to help the spread of the Gospel? (They can “open doors” and introduce the messenger to their “oikos.”)
What are some things only God can do? (from Rom. 3:10-12 and John 8:44-45 and 16:8
Only God can draw people to Himself.
Only God can cause people to seek after Him.
Only God can convict people of sin, righteousness, and judgment.)
Spiritual Emphasis: God’s great plan is that everyone will witness, and make disciples, thus reproducing the pattern so the whole world is reached.
Jesus Sent Out Twelve and Seventy Two
Beginning Discipleship Lesson 4 – Jesus Sent Out Twelve and Seventy Two
Continue to conduct small group worship. Be sure to let them lead as much as possible in all aspects of your worship. Continue to hold them accountable to obey the previous lesson.
The items for accountability are:
Continue to monitor your spiritual life in reference to the Disciple’s Cross.
* The Lordship of Christ in your life – Is Christ still Lord of your life? Are you letting him be king of your life?
* The Word – Did you read your Bible at least 5 min/day?
* Prayer – Are you hearing God speak to you during your QT? (Show your journal or share 1 insight from and your obedience to what God showed you.)
* Fellowship with other Christians – Are there any broken relationships that need to be reconciled? What did you do to return to a good relationship?
* Witness to non-believers – Did you share the Gospel with at least 1 person this week? Tell their name.
* Show your “oikos” list of names.
* Who is your prayer partner?
* How many times did you pray for your first group of 5?
A Call to Reproduce: Whom will you tell about Jesus?
Beginning Discipleship Lesson 3 “A Call to Reproduce” Whom will you tell about Jesus?
Continue to conduct small group worship. Be sure to let them lead as much as possible in all aspects of your worship. Continue to hold them accountable for obedience.
The items for accountability are:
* Is Christ still Lord of your life? Are you letting him be king of your life?
* Did you read your Bible at least 5 min/day?
* Are you hearing God speak to you during your QT? (Have them show journal or share 1 insight from their reading and their obedience to what God showed them.)
* Did you share the Gospel with at least 1 person this week? Tell me their name.
* Are there any broken relationships that need to be reconciled? What did you do to return to a good relationship?
Review previous story/lesson
Spiritual Emphasis Disciples should be reaching out to others. Oikos lines are the most natural.
Survey on how people we brought to church
* 5% – Through a Pastor
* 2% – Through Church programs
* 4% – Through Sunday School
* 1 %- Through Evangelism (crusade)
* 84%- Through relatives and friends
Spiritually Empowered
Beginning Discipleship Lesson 2: Spiritually Empowered
Continue to conduct small group worship. Be sure to let them lead as much as possible in all aspects of your worship.
Review previous lesson
Spiritual Emphasis: Being filled with and walking in the Spirit
Story – [Tell the 2 small stories from Acts. Make it as interesting as possible, using the other verses for clarifying the spiritual emphasis.
Read Acts 1:1-5. Right before Jesus left he told the disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit. They would be baptized or immersed in God's Spirit.
Read Acts 1:12-14 What were they doing while they waited? ([They were praying.)
Read Acts 2:1-4 What strange things happened? What was seen and heard? ([They heard a sound like a violent wind, and saw tongues of fire that came upon each person's head)] What did they start doing after the wind and the tongues of fire? (They started speaking and sharing as the Spirit enabled them.)
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