CD 1641 Discipleship Series Week #3 Cleared (forgiven) Converted and Corrected

CD 1641 Discipleship Series (Dare to Be or to Make Disciples)
Week #3 - “Cleared (forgiven) Converted and Corrected ”
July 7, 2024

We are on the 3rd week of our series on discipleship. A disciple of Jesus is a person who follows and learns from Jesus, seeking to model their life after His teachings and example of life. The word "disciple" (Greek: μαθητής, mathetes) means "learner" or "student"- to become disciplined by Jesus’ example!
Jesus’ disciples were those who left their previous lives behind to go in His name, all the while listening to His teachings, and helping to spread His message. Today, we are His disciples by studying His teachings, following His example, and sharing His gospel with others. Basically to be a disciple of Jesus means to make Him the center of your life and strive to live according to His will, even when it’s not easy or even popular.

With that being said, let's remind ourselves what Jesus taught us to do just before He ascended! Last Words are very important, so let’s see the Heart of the Master:

*Series Text: Matthew 28:18-20 (KJV) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations (to make disciples), baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Ok, now that we have reminded ourselves of the series text, let’s read this morning's text please.

*Today’s Text: Revelation 3:19-22 (KJV) As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

#1 CLEARED (forgiven)

*Read Romans 3:23 & 6:23 & 10:9-13 (KJV) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Mankind had a problem - a sin problem and only a sinless Savior could intervene! The Gospel message is very clear. We were lost and undone but God loved us enough to send His Son to die for our sin so we could be forgiven and more! We could become born-again, having everlasting life in the family of God! Turn with me to the Epistle of 1 John chapter 1 please:

*1 John 1:9 (KJV) If WE confess our sins, HE is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Note “forgive” = to send away from us!
Note “cleanse” = to purge and purify

Q. Cleansed by how much?
A. From “all unrighteousness” = all legal injustice including being morally wrong!
Praise the Lord for His Grace to be forgiven and for Jesus taking my sin now after “salvation” I must be “discipled” in being:

#2 CONVERTED

*Reread Luke 22:31-34 (KJV) And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. 33 And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. 34 And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.

Note V.31 - you have an enemy and he is actively pursuing you as a roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8)

Note V.32 - “when thou art converted” #1994 (ep-ee-stref;-o) to revert - to turn oneself around!

After salvation we must enter into sanctification! The Lord gave Peter the truth for the moment! Satan has demanded him to be tried in God’s court! But Peter was full of pride and would not listen to what the Lord had to say! Being CLEARED (forgiven) is wonderful but we are just babies in Christ and when Jesus speaks to us it is to grow us up - it “CONVERTS” us! If we listen we can avoid a lot of trouble! Look at how much anguish the Lord’s Word would have saved Peter if he had been humble!

#3 CORRECTED

*Read Hebrews 12:1-13 (KJV) Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. 4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. 5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. 11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. 12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; 13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

Hebrews 12 is all about the idea of God's discipline and correction, and how we should view it as a sign of His love and care for us. In your home study time please meditate upon Galatians 2:11-14 where the Apostle Paul had to “correct” Peter! If Peter needed “correction” by the Lord and by Paul then there is a good chance I do too! Are we teachable?

Note V.9 “which corrected us” #3810 (pahee-dyoo-tace’) a trainer - a teacher, by implication a discipliner (“INSTRUCTOR” in Romans 2:20)!

Here are some examples of Jesus correcting His disciples:

1. Jesus rebuked His disciples for their lack of faith during a storm on the Sea of Galilee (Mark 4:35-41).

2. Jesus corrected His disciples when they were arguing about who was the greatest among them (Luke 9:46-48).

3. Jesus rebuked Peter when he tried to prevent Him from going to the cross (Matthew 16:21-23).

4. Jesus corrected Thomas for his doubt and lack of faith after the resurrection (John 20:24-29).

5. Jesus corrected His disciples for their lack of understanding of His mission and their desire for power (Mark 10:35-45).

Throughout His ministry, Jesus often used correction and rebuke as a tool for teaching and training His disciples.

Closing Illustration: Call it a speed bump-er sticker.

Dennis and Cindy Kovac, concerned when their daughter collected her second speeding ticket, issued a warning—to other drivers.
They put a bumper sticker on her car that reads, “If I’m Speeding, Call My Parents,” and lists the family’s phone number. …
So far at least at the time of the publication of this article!, there have been no calls and no more speeding tickets—just a little ribbing from schoolmates.
Her parents are pleased with the results.
“That sticker may save some lives,” Cindy Kovac said.
APPLICATION
As we are recklessly speeding through life, sometimes all we need is a little accountability to slow us down and give us cause for caution.
*James 5:19-20 (KJV) Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.