[1] #304, In the School of Jesus, Pastor Mark Boucher, Sunday 03-09-2008

Text: Matthew 10:24-25
Theme: Jesus uses known human relationships and rules to help the disciples understand their relationship to Him. (The first relationship He mentions is student/teacher.)

INTRODUCTION:

1. “Power to become Christlike” seminar by Pastor Wes D. What impacted me most was the importance of being teachable.
2. Jesus taught whoever would come to Him.
   1. Through His miracles and wisdom, He could have traveled the world.
   2. He aimed at depth, not just breadth.
   3. Without commitment, the Gospel would be lost.
   4. Jesus gathered and formed disciples.
3. What is a disciple? Discipleship?
   1. “mathetes” = a learner, pupil, disciple
   2. “Discipling is an intentional relationship in which we walk alongside other disciples in order to encourage, equip, and challenge one another in love to grow toward maturity in Christ. This includes equipping the disciple to teach others as well” – Greg Ogden (Transforming Discipleship)
4. Jesus taught His disciples to serve, minister.
   1. After being with them for a while, He sent the out on a mission.
   2. Before they went, He called them to Himself and gave them authority, instructions, warnings.
   3. One warning was persecution.

Text: Matthew 10:24-25

Note: Jesus uses known human relationships and rules to help the disciples understand their relationship to Him. (The first relationship He mentions is student/teacher.)

Jesus wants you in His school of discipleship

WHAT DO I NEED TO BECOME A GOOD STUDENT?

1. You need to know the purpose of the school.
   1. If you don’t latch on to the purpose, you’ll fail or drop out.
   2. What is the purpose of the “school” of Jesus?
   3. To bring glory to God by becoming like Jesus.
   4. “It is enough for the student to be like his master.” Matthew 10:24
   5. A disciple is “a person who recognizes Jesus as Savior and has made a firm commitment to obediently follow Jesus in every area of life, to become more like Jesus in purpose, understanding, wisdom, attitudes, character, action, and Spirit empowerment.” - Dr. Steve Lim
2. You need to press past the obstacles.
   1. What did the disciples of Jesus encounter?
   2. Outward obstacles – people’s misinterpretation of Jesus, hardness of heart, satanic opposition, the spirit of the world.
   3. Inward obstacles - the most deceptive. Jesus had to correct, rebuke, and constantly train the disciples.
   4. What about our obstacles?
   5. We face increasingly outward pressure to confirm to the world
   6. Our world emphasizes the temporal and physical.
   7. Relationship with God is relegated to “private life.”
   8. Our inward obstacles are the greatest challenges.
   9. Preoccupation with other things (daydreaming).
   10. Laziness
   11. Pride.
3. You need to develop the habits of a good student.
   1. What can we learn from the disciples in the Bible?
   2. Learn to listen to God.
   3. Receive correction.
   4. Stay in close relationship with the Teacher.
   5. Learn from other disciples.
   6. Jesus wants to teach you to be more like Him*

How do you answer the school of Jesus? You answer His call to enroll.

What are the class hours? Life is the classroom.

Graduation is coming!