Discipleship Matthew 13 10 13 And the disciples

Discipleship

Matthew 13: 10 -13 And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables? ” He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. ”

What is the one thing that separates those who are willing to listen and receive and those who are not? Desperate need Mark 2: 16 -17

Mark 2: 16 -17 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners? ” When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance. ”

The Promise of Dying to Self

How sick are you? (Eph. 2: 1 -3)

Ephesians 2: 1 -3 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

How sick are you? (Eph. 2: 1 -3) ► Born with a sinful nature. ► Born into a fallen creation. ► Born under the rule of Satan. How desperate are you to leave this old life behind?

John 12: 24 -26 “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor. ”

Death is our only way out ● Death is the only penalty for sin (Rom. 6: 23) ● The price can be substitutionary (Rom. 5: 7) ● Christ’s death can take the place of ours (Rom. 5: 8)

Once we were dead in sin. . . …. but now we are dead to sin.

Positional truth vs. Practical truth positional practical Dead in Christ Daily dying to self Seated in the heavenlies Living in the world Free from sin Tempted in all points A new creation Being renewed day by day

This positional truth should have a direct impact on how we approach our practical reality.

The takeover - Sanctification Becoming like Christ Walking in the Spirit Christ in you, the hope of glory

The Dual Makeup of Humanity birth death Physical Life practical positional The marred image of God in all of us new birth Spiritual Life

The Promise of Dying to Self See your need for Christ Identify with His sacrifice Die to your own interests Experience freedom in Christ Positionally this happens once when we come to Christ for salvation, and practically it happens everyday when we choose to walk in that salvation.

Whether positionally or practically, without death, there can be no resurrection life!

Matthew 13: 10 -13 And the disciples came and said to Him, “Why do You speak to them in parables? ” He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. ”