The Disciple-Makers journey - The Disciple Makers Foundation

By pastor Steve

Big idea:
God has given us the gospel as the foundation for disciple making

1 & 2 Timothy

Timothy is Paul spiritual son. To lead Ephesus due to plague by false teachers and doctrines

Timothy was to confront the church and maintain sound doctrine

One of the messiness of life on life disciple making journey is unlearning some of the wrong teachings in our lives

1 Timothy 1:1-2
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, 2 To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.


There were struggles in Ephesian church. People were turning away from Paul gospel of mercy of grace and salvation of Jesus Christ, instead of towards heretics teachings

1 Timothy 1:3-7
As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer 4 or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—which is by faith. 5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk. 7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.


The situation was very serious. Paul was en route to mesodonia but left Timothy there. To stop teaching heresy, devoting themselves to myths that were useless. Trying to use it laws to govern the people even the NT christians

#1
Disciple Making must be based on the gospel

1 Timothy 1:8-11
We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9 We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11 that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.


Law is good for false teachers who have missed the point. The law reflect the will of God to bring about the knowledge of sin

Romans 3:20
Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.


It was impossible for anyone to be justified by works

Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.


X to be saved you need to sell possession, quite job, pray long hours, stop eating pork etc

These are Heretics teaching/false teaching

False doctrines are like infectious diseases, capable of spreading and destroying ouur spiritual health.

False teachings can be quite attractive too, just because it attract a big crowd of followers doesn't mean it is of God

X Jesus Christ came during the age of grace and since have already came to earth and is living as a woman, his salvation was incomplete. We can finally be delivered from sin by believing their doctrine

Salvation must be Based on finish work of Christ on the cross.

Application #1:
Guard the gospel from false teaching

1 Timothy 1:18
Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well,


1 Timothy 1:5
The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.


We can never win through argument but we can win through our actions of love

#2
Disciple Making must be done out of love for God

We work out our salvation, not work for our salvation

All the Old Testament laws were sum up in love

Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”


Because we are grateful for God's love, mercy and grace in our lives, therefore we want to share this life transforming gospel to others, not because we want to work for our salvation

1 Timothy 1:12-16
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.


God is always able to save us from the persecution, God is always able to save the most harden heart, or evil sinners.

Application #2:
Let us share the life transforming gospel entrusted to us

1 Peter 3:15
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,


"I was saved and transformed, I am not ashamed to preach the gospel"

Are we unwilling?

Out of love for God and help of holy spirit, that we live our lives pleasing and approved unto God

Pray and ask God for a:
- Pure heart
- Sincere faith
- Good conscience

Pray for our inner heart to be recharged, renewed, strengthened daily

by Pastor Calvin Lee

Hebrews 12:15
See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many
- it troubles us
- it troubles others

AMENDMENT
See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many
- fact it !
- fight it !
- forgive !

When you forgive, then freedom will grow

"Holding a grudge doesn't make you strong, it makes you bitter. Forgiving doesn't make you weak, it sets you free."
- Dave Willis -

Forgive is a way to release our own heart and soul

"The important thing to remember about healing the wounds is that you're not choosing to forget what happened. You are choosing not to allow it to hold you and control your life."
- Steve Maraboli -

When you are angry, count to 10. When you are very angry, count to 100.
- Thomas Jefferson -

APPROPRIATION
See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many
- posture
- power

Appropriate the grace of God in our lives

There are roots, habits, strongholds we cannot break on our own. We need the Lord Jesus to help.

H abit
A bit
B it
I t
T (Jesus)

To remove the root, you need to turn to the Root of Jesse

We try to fix our own problems, issues with our own human strength, but always become messy or complicated.

Story of sewing operator going to work on first day. saw a message infront of sewing machine "if thread mess up, call supervisor"

ADVANCEMENT
See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many
Move on
Look forward
Turn a new page

Make your choice

Hate Vs love (4 words)
Angry Vs grace (5 words)
Enemies Vs friends (7 words)
Resentful Vs happiness (9 words)
Negativity Vs positivity (10 words)

Story of Joseph
(What choices did he make?)
He has every reason to revenge, walk in darkness, choose not to forgive etc

"There is a REASON the windshield is BIGGER than the rear mirror. Your FUTURE matters more than your past."
- Max Lucado -

DEPENDENCE
- FOCUS ON HIM
- LOOK TO GOD
- STOP LOOKING AT HURT OR NEGATIVE SITUATION

DETERMINATION
- FIGHT THIS FIGHT COS ENEMY WANTS YOU TO REMAIN WHERE YOU ARE BUT GOD WANTS YOU TO BREAKTHROUGH AND HEAL

DECLARATION
- YOU DECLARE FAITHFULNESS
- YOU DECLARE GOD IS ABLE
- YOU DECLARE BREAKTHROUGH, POWER, HEALING
- SPEAK TO YOUR MOUNTAINS
- DECLARE FAITH BASE ON PROMISE OF GODS LIVING WORD

Family and Sexuality - Broken vows

by Pastor Meng Cham

Big idea:
God desires our marriages to reflect his covenantal faithfulness

Through covenantal promise to Abraham;
After 400 years, God delivered Israel from bondage of Egyptians to the promised land

Hesed:
Steadfast love and God's loving loyalty

Hesed is love expressed in covenant

1. Vows:
- Promise - I will
Hosea marry Gomer,

God is Israel's forgiving and faithful husband, at the personal cost of His son

Hosea 2:19-20
I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in[a] righteousness and justice, in[b] love and compassion. 20 I will betroth you in[c] faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the Lord.


Vow is to bear a personal cost to fulfil a promise, dependant on our commitments to fulfil it.

Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.


2. Vows:
- The practice - I do

Experience is a great teacher. With experience we learn not to fall again. In marriage nonetheless, it is the reminder of the vow to ensure it is not broken but renew daily.

Stay fascinated, curious with your spouse

1. What were your high and low moments today?

2. What 3 feelings Did you have today?

3. Is there something I can support you today?

4. What is God teaching you today?

Practice don't make perfect, practice makes permanent

3. Vows:
- the power - I can

Hebrews 13:4
Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.


1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should learn to control your own body[a] in a way that is holy and honorable, 5 not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God;


A. A God who is for us
Hosea 2:19-20
I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in[a] righteousness and justice, in[b] love and compassion. 20 I will betroth you in[c] faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the Lord.


Righteousness
Justice
Steadfast love
Mercy
Faithfulness

In forming Christlikeness in me, God use someone to chisel away my weakness. Love them as God loves them. Change me first

B. The Gospel which is working in us

By His death He offers us forgiveness. We do this on the same basis (Grace and Forgiveness)

Offended:
Willing to cancel even as Christ cancels ours

Offender:
Be humble and willing to change with God's help, reconnect back to God

Broken vows do not necessary ends in divorce. It happens when there is unwilling to.... Surrender it, working out, reconcile etc

Recognise our own brokeness

The Power of Father's love

by Pastor Ian Toh

1. We find our identity in the Father's love

Who you are is more important, your soul is secure in the father's love. Whether you feel it or not

Our presence is a testimony of our living God

Enemy effort is all spent on deconstructing families

Your belief will lead to your behaviour

It is only in God's love can we establish that secure environment

What weighs on your heart, God cares also

Who are you is an identity question?
It is best answered by the thing we most identify with and that's our identity.

We do not let our occupation, our status defines us.

2. We find our community in the father's love

1 John 3:1-2
See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears,[a] we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.


- Before space came into being, community already existed - God the Father, God the son, God the Holy Spirit

It sounds correct, alone hears only own voice, see God through their prayers, when we gather in community we see multifold wisdom, togetherness... We must be planted in as one community.

John 3:16
For God so loves the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.


then comes 1 John 3:16
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.


When our lives becomes praise, it becomes intimate....

Intellectual knowledge stays in the head.
Until it becomes personal knowledge there is no breakthrough

The father's love is expressed in community

3. We find strength in the Father's love

Ephesians 6:4
Fathers,[a] do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.


God has been gracious and gentle with us. Do we want to parent with the father's love?

Jesus is the secret portal to the Father.

When we turn our eyes upon Jesus, the world grows strangely dim.
And the vision for the Father starts to radiates in our hearts