Genesis Church - Sermons Genesis Church

Theology matters---it matters greatly. What we believe about God, Jesus, ourselves, and redemption will show up in the way we live our lives.

It is God's design that the church teach people the great truths about God so that people will authentically worship God, standing in awe of His person and work. It is also His desire that believers in Jesus grow in these great truths so that truth shapes their lives and they can be protected from false teachers.

New disciples will probably need these truths taught on a simple level, but the goal is that they will begin to embrace the faith once for all delivered to the saints, be able to teach it to others, and be able to spot a counterfeit.

As we continue our series on the ingredients necessary for making disciples, this morning we will share the importance of holiness. The concept of holiness, or being holy, is a difficult concept for us; yet, this is actually the ingredient that provides the flavor for the Christian life.

The primary goal for disciples of Jesus is for them to be shaped day by day into the image of Christ. Disciples are people growing in the character of Jesus so that they are increasingly demonstrating Scriptural morality and values in their personal lives. This involves a transformation in our sexual ethics, integrity and honesty, kindness, generosity, justice, and care for our neighbor. God is holy, Jesus is holy. Without holiness, it is impossible for us to see and really know God. Holiness in the Christian life matters and disciples will desire the blessings of holiness.

Furthermore, we will discover that there is a deep connection between our holiness as disciples and our happiness in life ... because the flavor of holiness brings glory to God and the most joy for His people.

Today we celebrate the pivotal and climactic moment for all of history, as the Son of God was delivered over to sinful people who condemned the innocent Savior to death on a cross. Jesus submitted Himself to the divine purpose for our salvation, laying down His rights and life for us. But that is not the whole story!

Jesus rose again and defeated our worst enemies: death, hell, and the grave. Before His death, Jesus predicted these events to His disciples and then made a bold demand on those who want to follow Him. True discipleship is a life of following the very path of Jesus---denying self and dying to self. The result of a sacrificed life is resurrection power.

Following Jesus does mean walking the path of Jesus but the outcome is gaining resurrection power and finding our true selves.

Darin Slater fills in for Mike Hubbard who was ill.

In the Scriptures, discipleship is never an individual event, it is a team sport. In fact, let's just state that maybe the biggest obstacle to authentic discipleship in our culture is our rugged individualism. Yet, God designed this Christian life thing to be done in community, a group of "one anothers".

First of all, God has ordained that our growth happens in community. This is modeled in Jesus' calling of the 12 to Himself where He invested in them, did ministry among them, and then sent them out. Second, growth in the Christian life happens in the context of deep and meaningful relationships as people seek to follow Jesus together. Third, it is the authentic love found within community that images the glory of God to the outside world.

What this means is that disciples need both rows and circles. Rows where they gather with God's people for worship and to hear the word taught. And, circles where authentic relationships, so important for our being, are shaped into the image of Jesus.

God's means for making disciples is the local church. We live in a time when we have access to all the teaching and content of Christianity on a device, without the mess and time commitment of going to church every Sunday. As a result, many people are disconnecting from their churches and finding other things to do.

But, the evidence is significant that growth as a disciple cannot happen apart from a person being present when the church gathers, finding their place in the body, and actively participating in the mission and ministry of the church.