RE:Membership

Week 5. My Story and The God of All Creation

hotchpotch [ˈ], hodgepodge
n
1. a jumbled mixture
2. (Cookery) a thick soup or stew made from meat and vegetables
3. RE:Membership Week 5

Sacraments
Q. It is by faith alone that we share in Christ and all his blessings: where then does that faith
come from?
A. The Holy Spirit produces it in our hearts* by the preaching of the holy gospel,** and confirms it
through our use of the holy sacraments.***
   * John 3:5; 1 Cor. 2:10-14; Eph. 2:8
   ** Rom. 10:17; 1 Pet. 1:23-25
   *** Matt. 28:19-20; 1 Cor. 10:16

Q. What are sacraments?

A. Sacraments are holy signs and seals for us to see. They were instituted by God so that by our use
of them he might make us understand more clearly the promise of the gospel, and might put his seal
on that promise.* And this is God's gospel promise: to forgive our sins and give us eternal life by
grace alone because of Christ's one sacrifice finished on the cross.**
   * Gen. 17:11; Deut. 30:6; Rom. 4:11 ** Matt. 26:27-28; Acts 2:38; Heb. 10:10

Q. Are both the word and the sacraments the intended to focus our faith on the sacrifice of Jesus
Christ on the cross as the only ground of our salvation?
A. Right! In the gospel the Holy Spirit teaches us and through the holy sacraments he assures us that
our entire salvation rests on Christ's one sacrifice for us on the cross.*
* Rom. 6:3; 1 Cor. 11:26; Gal. 3:27

Q. How many sacraments did Christ institute in the New Testament?

A. Two: baptism and the Lord's Supper.*
* Matt. 28:19-20; 1 Cor. 11:23-26
Baptism
In Baptism we learn in a very clear way that God washes and God washes us and that God unites us
with Jesus in his death and resurrection.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Hebrews 10:19-22
John 1:7-10
Romans 6:3-4
Colossians 2:12

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
Communion
In communion, we feast in a special way with God and with one another. We remember in the bread
and wine, the body and blood of Jesus poured out for us.

1 Corinthians 11:23-26
1 Corinthians 10:16-17
Mark 14:22-25

Jesus said “Do this in remembrance of me.”

RE:Leadership
Pastor - Shepherding Godʼs People
Within the New Testament, leaders are called elders (Titus 1:5), pastors (Ephesians 4:11), &
overseers (1 Tim 3:1). While various words are used, they refer to a different aspect of the same
office. As Elders we are given authority to rule and govern, as bishops/overseers the
responsibility to protect, and as pastors, the high honour of caring for Christians and
evangelising non-Christians. We want to consider the role of pastor/shepherd and how it effects
all they do.

Called To Shepherd
Elders are called to pastor the flock... Here are some important words from the New Testament:

“So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ,
as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that
is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have
you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being
examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading
crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves,
all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to
the humble.” 1 Peter 5:1-5 ESV

“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those
who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that
would be of no advantage to you.”
Hebrews 13:17 ESV

“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made
you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know
that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and
from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the
disciples after them. ”
Acts 20:28-30 ESV

“When he ascended on high he led a host of captives,

and he gave gifts to men.”
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to
equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all
attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to
the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children,
tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human
cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to
grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body,
joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working
properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Ephesians 4:8-16 ESV

Deacons
Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the
Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily
distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not
right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers,
pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom
we will appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of
the word.”
Acts 6:1-4 ESV
RE:Leadership
Pastor - Shepherding Godʼs People.
Jesus The Good Shepherd
In 1 Corinthians 11:1 Paul says “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” This drives us to two
considerations; firstly, that those under the leaders care will follow their example. Secondly,
good Shepherds need to be ‘good sheep’ and follow Jesus example as the perfect shepherd. Look
at a few pictures of Jesus as shepherd, noting influence upon our eldership:

(a) Ruling Like Jesus

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from
you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of
old, from ancient days. And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the
LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now
he shall be great to the ends of the earth. And he shall be their peace.” Micah 5:2 & 4 ESV
Jesus fulfills this prophesy (Matt 2:1-6). Shepherds carry authority. This authority comes from
knowledge. The shepherd knows the green pastures, the still waters, the way home etc. The
shepherd leads for the good of the sheep. Therefore, ruling authority is protective, nurturing and
sustaining. Shepherds are to be courages leaders for the peace & safety of the flock.

(b) Compassion Like Jesus

Jesus is moved in his heart (greek. &guts) when he sees people lost, and helpless...
“When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they
were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.”
Mark 6:34 ESV
Jesus goes on to teach them (Jeremiah 3:15), pointing them to salvation, in himself. As
shepherds, our hearts must be fixed on the people under our care, this starts with our families (1
Tim3:4), and then our church, drawing them to Jesus.

(c) Guard, Know & Suffer Like Jesus

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.He who is a
hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves
the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a
hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my
own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life
for the sheep. ” John 10:11-15 ESV
Jesus shows us the shepherd who owns the sheep will respond differently to the hired hand who
thinks little of the sheep. The good pastor will guard and defend the sheep. To know the sheep
makes all the difference, leaders can only care for people well, if they know them well. Jesus also
shows us that shepherding will lead to great suffering at times. If leaders worry about being hurt,
they will neglect those in our care.

(d) Feed Jesusʼ Sheep.

Jesus reinstates and encourages Simon Peter after the resurrection. He leaves Peter in no doubt
as to what he should do as an apostle, and pastor.
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you
love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to
him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He
said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was grieved because
he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know
everything; you know that I love you.” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.
John 21:15-17 ESV
RE:Membership
Week 5. Your story

Elevator Testimony
In business schools candidates are told to have the perfect pitch of their product or service ready.
Just incase they get a two and a half minute opportunity to ‘pitch’ it to an important CEO in a lift
to the top floor. This method of pitching has become known as the ‘Elevator Pitch”. It focusses the
mind of the candidate to make the most of the opportunity if it ever arises.

We are not saying that sharing the gospel is anything like making a life changing pitch to an
influential individual, a mere rags to riches opportunity, a matter of lifetime of success... It’s
much more important than that. It’s important that we get our story straight!

Paul says
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always
be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Colossians 4:5-6 ESV

Paul tells his own story in Acts 26. He looks to his past, his conversion, his current and future
with Jesus as Lord.

And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” And
Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me
this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.”
(Acts 26:28-29 ESV)

RE:Your Story
Elevator Testimony
Imagine you were taking a two and a half minute
journey with someone to the top floor. Could you tell
them why you are a Christian? Have you ever crafted
your story? Here is the ABC...D’s to help:

a. Life before I encountered Jesus d. My Life Since I Became a

1. What things were most important to you? Christian
2. What did your life revolve around
1. What changes have occurred in your life?
3. Why were they so important
2. How do you know Christ is in your life?
4. what basic need were you attempting to fulfill?
3. What ways are you serving God today?
5. How did you Satisfy that need?
4. Why should someone think about becoming a
Christian?
b. When I realised I needed Jesus
1. When did you first hear the message of Jesus Christ and
what was your reaction? Also Remember
2. When did you first begin to feel positive towards the Be Honest
gospel and why? Be Relevant
3. What was your biggest fear about becoming a christian? Be Simple
Be Christ Centred
Be Prayerful
c. How I became a Christian Be Conscious of Time
1. Where were you when you made the decision?
2. Why did you make the decision to trust Christ? Look for opportunities to share your story.
3. How did you specifically do that?
4. How did you feel at the time? (HT - Crown Jesus Ministries)
5. What did you pray?