The Way of Disciples

True disciples of Jesus live by his words, and therefore when the storms come, they stand.

Speakers

A decade ago Matt and Natalie drove the 17-Mile Drive on the Monterey coast and saw the Lone Cypress, one of America's most photographed trees.
The tree is roughly 250 years old, about the same age as the nation, and has survived Pacific storms because its roots grip cracks in bare granite.
This summer's series works through nine scenes in Luke's Gospel asking one question: what does it mean to follow Jesus? A disciple is a learner, student, apprentice.
Following Jesus always begins with recognizing his lordship. The crowds came to that conclusion two ways: his words and his works.
His words: people marveled at his gracious words, were astonished because his word possessed authority, and asked, "What is this word?"
His works: he cast out demons, rebuked a fever, filled Peter's boat with fish, touched a leper, told a paralyzed man to rise, and healed great crowds.
Matt gave two reasons he is still a Christian after more than two decades: Scripture makes sense of his world and his own heart, and Jesus rose from the dead.

Jesus ends the Sermon on the Plain by drawing a line in the sand between true disciples and the rest of the crowd.
Two houses looked identical above the surface. One was dug down into limestone; the other sat on sand that was flat and hard through Israel's long dry season.
A novice builder or a builder in a rush picks the sand because it is quicker. No buyer could tell the difference.
The difference between the two audiences was obedience — that is where Jesus saw the foundation, or the lack of one.
Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, without works — but true saving faith is always revealed by works.
James says the hearer who never obeys is deceiving himself; those crowds were not pretending, they were duped.
Aside to the young: few things worth forming are formed quickly. Friendships, character, wisdom, humility, and prayer cannot be microwaved — and this church, nearly eight years old, is no different.

First, the words Jesus had just preached: love your enemies, turn the other cheek, give generously, the Golden Rule, judge not, forgive, take the log out of your own eye.
That list is not a checklist for heaven. Jesus was telling followers where they were going and how they would relate to the world.
Second, all the words of God in the whole Bible. Jesus stamped his approval on Old and New Testaments; red-letter font is not the only part you obey.
Some laws are not your laws — you are not under Israel's covenant — which is why God gives every church teachers.
Third and summing up: a disciple's whole life is ruled and governed by Jesus' words.
Two things are incompatible with calling him Lord: ever saying no to him, and ignoring him. With a boss you can quit; with a Lord you cannot.
Take-home questions: Is there anything in your life right now where you are saying no to Jesus? Are you in the Word enough to even know what he asks of you?

The New Testament warns of three storms. First, trials: sickness, lost jobs, unanswered prayer, mockery, relational conflict.
Second, false teaching. In Matt's experience emotions pave the way — young men are often led astray by anger, young women by love, often a boyfriend.
The best armor against the devil's lies is knowing God's word and keeping God's word.
Third, the wrath of God — the final storm, pictured in the seventh bowl of Revelation with lightning, thunder, and an unprecedented earthquake.
Every word you obey now prepares you for coming trials; everything you ignore is a crack in the foundation, leaving you one piece of bad news from crumbling.
True disciples still doubt (Thomas, John the Baptist) and fail greatly (Peter's denials, David's murder) — but they keep God's words.
The Lone Cypress pictures a foundation in the rock, but it is a terrible picture of the Christian life. Christians are groves whose roots overlap and sustain each other.

Calling Jesus "Lord" is where discipleship begins, not where it ends.
You know you are a disciple, and you grow as one, the same way: you obey his words.
Storms do not create your foundation; they reveal whether you had one.
Jesus stood perfectly faithful where we could not, then hung and fell in our place to give us resurrection life.