Mark 1:16-20 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will send you out to fish for people." At once they left their nets and followed him. When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him

·         Outline:

·         1: It has always been God’s plan to dwell with His people

·         2: What is discipleship?

·         3: How we follow Jesus (The 7 Disciplines)

·         God has always wanted to dwell with His people:

·         Genesis 1-2 – God dwelled with Adam and Eve in the garden

·         Exodus-2 Samuel – God dwelled with His people through the tabernacle

·         1 Kings-2 Chronicles – God dwelled with His people through the temple

·         Matthew-John – Jesus is Immanuel, “God With Us”

·         Acts – Jesus sent the Holy Spirit (we are the temple)

·         Revelation – In heaven, we are with God

·         Key themes of scripture:

·         God has always wanted to dwell with his people

·         Sin separates us from God

·         We can follow Jesus because of the gospel and the Holy Spirit

·         God is more committed to us than we are to H

John 12:26 (NLT) Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me

·         Disciple: Someone dedicated to following Jesus together with other disciples

Mark 8:34-35 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.

·         Disciples: Know that it is THEE above me

Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

·         Every follower of Jesus is called to be a disciple who makes disciples- equipping others to follow Jesus

·         Dallas Willard: “Grace is not opposed to effort; it is opposed to earning.”

·         John Ortberg: “Spiritual transformation is not a matter of trying harder, but of training wisely.”

Acts 2:42-47 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

·         The 7 Disciplines:

·         GATHER to WORSHIP (weekends and Wednesdays)

·         SPEND TIME with JESUS (scripture and prayer)

·         CONNECT with COMMUNITY (groups)

·         FIGHT for FREEDOM (biblical counseling, support groups)

·         JOIN a SERVE TEAM (serve teams)

·         LIVE on MISSION (missions and outreach)

·         INVEST your RESOURCES (time and money)

·         Am I a disciple of Jesus?

·         Am I an equipper?

·         Two Steps Toward Being a Disciple:

·         1: Spend 15 minutes every morning with Jesus

·         2: Join a group

·         Two Steps Toward Being an Equipper:

·         1: Invite someone to follow you (to church, groups, events)

·         2: Become a Group Leader

Psalm 84:1-7 How lovely is your dwelling place, LORD Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young--a place near your altar, LORD Almighty, my King and my God. Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion.

·         Call or text YES to 321.574.6970 if you have chosen to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.