{"id":172,"date":"1994-02-27T08:08:27","date_gmt":"1994-02-27T16:08:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.teach4god.com\/Sermons\/?p=172"},"modified":"2014-02-09T10:47:52","modified_gmt":"2014-02-09T18:47:52","slug":"psalm-51-how-does-the-kingdom-grow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.teach4god.com\/Sermons\/psalm-51-how-does-the-kingdom-grow\/","title":{"rendered":"Psalm 51-How Does the Kingdom Grow?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n
<\/a>Dancing with Broken Bones-A Series on Psalm 51-How Does the Kingdom Grow?<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
February 27, 1994<\/a><\/td>\nSermon by DRW<\/a><\/td>\nPassage Psalm 51.10-12<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

How Does the Kingdom Grow?<\/p>\n

After we have turned back to God, after we have repented of our deeds and our ways; when the verbal confession is made complete, we must be about the King’s business. If we return to our former ways we will do our former deeds. We must finalize our verbal confession with the willingness and steadfastness in the Holy Spirit which we spoke of last week; this means, doing the work of God\u2014fulfilling our purpose on earth. Sometimes this obedience is difficult to follow through with because we have been in that rut for so long we naturally tend that way. This is why our next series of sermons will deal with the disciplines of a godly life. Things we can and should do to maintain our purity and not fall back into the same old rut. Today we will look into two areas where we need to focus our attention. Once repentance is made we must seek first His kingdom in quantity and quality; that is, evangelism and discipleship. This is what David said when in verse 13 he writes, “Then.” Let us look at this as we answer: “I have repented and turned from my former ways, what then?” That is, now that I am a disciple of God, what do I need to do?<\/p>\n

To put it another way, “What is my purpose in life?” If this question were asked in polite company many different answers would ensue. However, asked late at night over a cup of coffee in a small diner on the outskirts of a town called Lonesome and the truth will come like a piercing arrow. People find it increasingly difficult to find goals and objectives, purpose, worthy of the high calling that God has created in each person, that will sustain them through the heaviness of life and the reality of death. Dostoevski once wrote: “Man’s whole business is to prove that he is a man and not a cog-wheel.. . .” Or as Meatloaf once wrote: “I’m a man! I am not a number.”<\/p>\n

To many people, life leaves a bad taste in their mouth. Most people would prefer to be gone (no where in particular, just gone) than have to hear the faint whispers telling them life is merely a cruel joke. This is why it is important for us to listen to David on this point: He was a man who could cry out: Come taste the goodness of the Lord! God doesn’t leave a bad taste. What does David tell us to do in light of the goodness of our God, in light of the high calling of God. After everything has been said and done: “Did you show transgressors God’s way? Did you show sinners how to get back to God?” will be asked of us. David knew that any man or woman or child that wanted to live life with purpose, with the taste of victory, with God’s stamp of approval, had to live a life that called people to God in salvation and discipleship.<\/p>\n

For David this was a large step to consider. For us it is as-well. For David to come to the point of verse 13 is dramatic. He needed to admit a lot about himself, as we have seen in the first part of Psalm 51. He had to admit that God is Lord, and not King David. We must admit that too. Who is the master of your life? Are J-E-S-U-S the letters of His name or is it M-E? “David had learned that among all challengers, God alone was a sufficient master. This earthly king no longer needed to dazzle men with his own claims, but now longed for them to know the heavenly King whose grace had cleansed him” (91). This is where God calls us and this is where our text brings us.<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Who is your Master?<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It is not a question of if there will be a master; Matthew 6.24 tells us it is a given.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A purposeful life is not in what you conquer but really in who you are being mastered or conquered by<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the test of a worthy goal is whether it is a portal to another worthy goal or a dead end<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the astronaut who finished his mission only to ask, now what<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Rockefeller wanting just a little more<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0scientists tend to be mastered by goals and objectives that are worthy to some degree<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0they strive to find new and exciting things and end up making and re-making history<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Ray (Ira’s dad) committed suicide<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0outside of Christ even the noblest goals are fleeting<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Joe Muslin<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Smithsonian, you’ll see some of his work<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0His greatest work though<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0SBBC High school group of the 70’s<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0SBBC adult group of the 90’s<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Is it possible for us as Christians to have that?<\/p>\n

Is it possible to have a goal that reaches out from beyond limits, beyond space and time, drawing us and fulfilling us? Is it possible to have a sense of purpose and meaning, independent of circumstances and levels of achievement, that satisfies us completely? (93)<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The hint of the infinite in Christ’s voice captured the heart and attention of many people<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the eternal living water (John 4.10-14)<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the eternal bread of life (John 6.35)<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the eternal heavenly treasure (Matthew 19.21)<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the eternal fruit of being fishers of men (Matthew 4.19)<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0In light of the infinite, the eternal words of Jesus,<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0how tragic that many Christians find themselves mastered by the urgent, the small.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0we read, study, attend church services and yet nothing tastes as good as David said it should, “good,” for we are mastered by the wrong lord.<\/p>\n

If God’s people fail to find an overall principle for integrating every segment of life, they will find themselves fragmented over a host of secular and badly diluted Christian agendas (93).<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Christ is calling us to the heroic<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0France (WW II)<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0struggled against the Nazi regime<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0average people took incredible risks to fight a terrible evil<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0little old ladies -> pickpockets<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0salesmen and chefs -> explosive experts<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0not a part time affair, something done on the side but something which mastered and transformed them<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0God has called us to be like them, heroic (Matthew 6.33)<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0throwing your entire life into His kingdom work is an incredible risk in fighting the terrible foe<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0you will address your sin (as David did), your friendships, your hobbies, your career, your failures, your ambitions, your life in light of the Kingdom<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0you will address poverty, hunger, pollution<\/p>\n

As Elton Trueblood said in\u00a0The Company of the Committed:<\/p>\n

A Christian is a person who confesses that, amidst the manifold and confusing voices heard in the world, there is one Voice which supremely wins his full assent, uniting all his powers, intellectual and emotional, into a single pattern of self-giving. That voice is Jesus Christ. . . . He believes in Him with all his heart and strength and mind. Christ appears to the Christian as the one stable point or fulcrum in all the relativities of history. Once the Christian has made this primary commitment he still has perplexities, but he begins to know the joy of being used for a might purpose by which his little life is dignified [and, I add, made heroic] (23).<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0The heroic is allowing God’s life to be manifest through you.<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0An interesting aspect of all history is how people have sought and still seek after a hero.<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Israel’s literature seeks after the ultimate hero, is written of heroes by heroes<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Greek mythology is crowded with the heroic.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0those who have studied sociology or anthropology understand the concept of the heroic is embodied in Germany’s \u00dcbermann, or as he is called here, “Superman”.<\/p>\n

*\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A god-like person with the possibility of failure (for superman it was kryptonite, some say it was also Lois Lane)<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0When we are mastered by the King of kings and Lord of lords we are heroic.<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0God can never be a hero, He would never have the chance of failure.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Man without God could never be heroic, he’d fail all the time.<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0It is only the one who is wrapped in God’s calling that can be truly called heroic<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0his or her life will never grow stale, nor dull because their eyes are always on Jesus<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the ultimate satisfaction and purpose in life is knowing that in Jesus I have been called and equipped for the heroic<\/p>\n

We were made for more exquisite things than trying to fill our empty days with our own thunder. But we must all choose. Will I go on tinkering on my own agenda and my own kingdom, which will pass away when I do? Or will I tie my life and destiny to His life, His cause, His Kingdom? Only Christ offers the calling whereby we can harness our lives to a source of purpose that lasts forever (96).<\/p>\n

Seeking first His Kingdom restores the fervor of the heroic in our lives, knowing we must do the work of God that only a child of His could do. God’s children who follow after Him are always a hero. And a hero always has purpose, life and vigor when he is pursuing the Voice of his Master.<\/p>\n

What does that voice cry for us to do?<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Discipleship<\/p>\n

Allow me to illustrate the heroic life that God has called us to. A life of meaning and purpose. What would this life look like? When we bag the old ways and do the God ways, what would we look like? Well, manifesting God to the world. To put it another way, it is essentially evangelism and discipleship.<\/p>\n

Let me tell you a story, a tragedy, after the story you will see what is not heroic and understand what God has called us to. It is the story told by Oz. Not “the wonderful wizard of” but one of the first American missionaries to Taiwan. He recounts a true story that went something like this:<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0When China was overrun by Communism many fled to Taiwan<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Shantytowns were built overnight<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0overcrowding<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0huts built to the very edge of the street<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Oz feared driving down these streets for he thought he’d run over a child at play<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0he drove by one day<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0saw a boy hit by a truck, dead<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0heard a woman wailing, running to the boy<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0fell on him<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0picked him up sobbing<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0then strangely smiling<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0heard her say, Oh, its all right,\u00a0it’s\u00a0not mine.”<\/p>\n

Not too heroic, not the Kingdom life, not purposeful. If it were so she would have continued to mourn and weep with the boys mother instead of depersonalizing (“it”) and walking away. We have all done this in one way or another, haven’t we?<\/p>\n

What would a disciple of Jesus, one who has tasted and seen that the Lord is good, one who is mastered by Jesus, look like?<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A concern for all that grows from knowing God<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0we need to know what is going on around us politically, spiritually, economically, globally<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Did you read the article Joe gave called Kairos. It is interesting and illuminating reading of how God is in the rest of the world.<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A dreamer of God’s dreams<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0when we see the world through God’s eyes He will provide dreams of how we can participate in His work<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0World Impact (large task only God could do)<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0God never calls us to do things that we could do without Him for it wouldn’t be heroic<\/p>\n

And what about you? Your dream should raise important questions in your mind. How will this dream stretch you to trust God in a greater way? Will it galvanize other Christians into a living force for God’s Kingdom? Will it reveal Christ to lost men? Will it help to reverse the fragmentation sin has caused at every level of human existence? (103) If it will, then follow that dream<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A sacrifice for God not<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0school, work, etc<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Christian growth costs in ultimate figures. Some tough questions must be stared down if we want to mature\u00a0God’s<\/em>\u00a0way rather than our own. What will it take to solidify your spiritual disciplines? How can you sharpen your spiritual gifts? Will it mean going to school or taking up correspondence study? Are you prepared to view aggravation and pain, both past and present, as finishing tools? What legitimate pursuits and pleasures may have to be foregone in making any of the above happen? Are you willing to work to maintain the primary relationships (God, spouse, kids) during all this? (105). It is indeed a sacrifice.<\/p>\n

5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0An embracing of the pain of others, even strangers<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0we have become dulled to the needs around us<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I know a man who reaches out to the homeless despite the pains it cost him<\/p>\n

6.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A call to the underground, the uncommon way<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Every area of a Christian’s life, every thought and action, must be evaluated in light of whether it helps or hinders us in fighting for God’s Kingdom. It includes our spare time, the substance of our daydreams, professional advancement, and our relationships with other people (106).<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Anything that interferes with our fighting for the Kingdom, no matter how innocuous or respectable it may seem, must go (107).<\/p>\n

7.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0A daily reminding of our calling<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0we have all been called<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0we must take orders from God and not give them<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0we are necessary and important<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Evangelism<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Churches grow by evangelism and multiply by discipleship<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Evangelism must happen<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0training is good but incomplete (there are so many Christians trained but don’t witness)<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0motivation is needed<\/p>\n

When you’ve been where David has been, the truth about God’s forgiveness doesn’t have to be yanked from your throat like tonsils. It explodes. . . . [it] motivates (112).<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0show them they are sinners (John 16.8-9)<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0show them God wants to take care of that (2 Corinthians 5.17)<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0He works it<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0we live it<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0How?<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0develop a healthy fear of God not man<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0cure for cancer<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0cure for sin<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0develop compassion (as we are concerned our compassion grows)<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0not a four step approach that is memorized, but people to talk with<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0not an argument to be won, but one who needs to be restored<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0realize God wants back what’s His<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Joy follows<\/p>\n

1.<\/p>\n

While the New Testament commands the church to evangelize, it doesn’t do so in a negative, critical way. The early Christians never seemed to think of anything else to do with their faith but to give it away. It was the natural overflow of loving Jesus (119)<\/p>\n

These men did not spread their message because it was advisable for them to do so, nor because it was the socially responsible thing for them to do. . . . They did it because of the overwhelming experience of the love of God which they had received through Jesus Christ. The discovery that the ultimate force in the universe was Love . . . had an effect on those who believed it which nothing could remove. . . . Conversion and joy are closely related in the Acts of the Apostles, and it remained a characteristics thing about the early Christians which attracted others into their company. Their new faith did not make them miserable. Often outward circumstances were unpleasant enough, but that could not rob them of the joy which was their Christian birthright (Green, 1970).<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0People in Christ who are fulfilling His purpose in life do not have dead eyes. I remember hearing some people discussing this the other day . . . (Robert Lee)<\/p>\n

CONCLUSION<\/p>\n

One more story to illustrate the purposeful, heroic life that God has called us to.<\/p>\n

Arlie and Tommy<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Arlie poor, Tommy rich<\/p>\n

4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0orange peels and orange slices<\/p>\n

6.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0teacher saw<\/p>\n

8.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Christmas time, snow and teacher coming with a bagful of toys and oranges.<\/p>\n

10.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Arlie peeled and ate the peels, teacher showed him the slice and broke one open<\/p>\n

12.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Juice squirted, laughter rose, taste buds swelled, air filled with orange perfume<\/p>\n

14.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0tasted and saw it was good<\/p>\n

16.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0we are heroic when we take the gospel that is in our lives and show how fine it tastes to those who have only tasted the rind of this life<\/p>\n

More than a few of us have asked that question: “Why am I here, what’s my purpose?”<\/p>\n

David reminds us: it is to tell others of God and bring them closer to Him. This is seen in concern and compassion. It is heroic. It is dreaming God’s dream, doing God’s will. It is even failing and growing despite it.<\/p>\n

It is saying: Hey, above all else I want to be a disciple, one who repents and turns to God and then desires to tell others of God’s goodness.<\/p>\n

If you are interested in being discipled of being trained up in the godly values of life, to understand the basics and live them. I will ask you to fill out this sheet of paper and turn it in as the ushers pick them up. This is not a commitment to be discipled but a commitment to talk with me about what we would do if you decided to follow through with God’s call to discipleship.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n
Name: ________________________\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Date: _____\/_____\/_____<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n
\u25a1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Yes, I am interested in learning about my God and my faith. I am available to talk with you on _____________ about a study.<\/p>\n

\u25a1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I am currently being discipled by _______________.<\/p>\n

\u25a1\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I am not interested at the moment, but will talk with you when I am.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

\n

\u00a92012 Teach for God Ministries. Used by Permission.<\/p>\n

Permissions: You are permitted and encouraged to reproduce and distribute this material in any format provided that you do not alter the wording in any way and do not charge a fee beyond the cost of reproduction. For web posting, a link to this document on our website is preferred. Any exceptions to the above must be approved by Teach for God Ministries.<\/p>\n

Please include the following statement on any distributed copy: By David R Williamson. \u00a92012 Teach for God Ministries. Website:\u00a0www.teach4god.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Dancing with Broken Bones-A Series on Psalm 51-How Does the Kingdom Grow? February 27, 1994 Sermon by DRW Passage Psalm 51.10-12 How Does the Kingdom Grow? After we have turned back to God, after we have repented of our deeds and our ways; when the verbal confession is made complete, we must be about the … Continue reading Psalm 51-How Does the Kingdom Grow?<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":159,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"gallery","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5,46,3],"tags":[20,102,33,100,101],"class_list":["post-172","post","type-post","status-publish","format-gallery","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-old-testament","category-psalms","category-sermons","tag-god","tag-king","tag-life","tag-purpose","tag-talk","post_format-post-format-gallery"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.teach4god.com\/Sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/172","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.teach4god.com\/Sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.teach4god.com\/Sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.teach4god.com\/Sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.teach4god.com\/Sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=172"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.teach4god.com\/Sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/172\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":323,"href":"https:\/\/www.teach4god.com\/Sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/172\/revisions\/323"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.teach4god.com\/Sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/159"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.teach4god.com\/Sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=172"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.teach4god.com\/Sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=172"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.teach4god.com\/Sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=172"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}