A Compassionate Call to Discipleship

(Luke 24:36-53)

A Compassionate Call to Discipleship

The Ecclessia or “The Church” always referred to:

• Citizens who had royal accountability

• People on whom the king could count

• Men and women who- though scattered throughout the kingdom- could be told the King’s desires and would faithfully carry them out.

A Compassionate Call to DiscipleshipJesus’ description of the church and its

purpose in our world today is highly significant to us for three reasons:

Jesus is fully alive today and will one day judge his “called out ones” for how well we

carry out His command to us…so we better be clear on what he expects from

us.

A Compassionate Call to Discipleship

 Jesus is the highpoint and climax of human history…so no other voice

should speak into our ears and hearts with such urgency and weight.

 

A Compassionate Call to Discipleship

 The church has been given a message

that can literally change the eternal destiny of any person…so we better

make sure we have that message right.

A Compassionate Call to Discipleship

The Church is Jesus’ WitnessYou are witnesses of these things.

Luke 24:48

We are witnesses…

• that Jesus is Really Alive, 24:36-43

• that Jesus is the Highpoint of Human history! 24:44-46

• to the necessity of Repentance and the availability of Forgiveness V. 47

A Compassionate Call to Discipleship

We are Witnesses…that Jesus is really alive!

VV 36-43

Acts 4:1-4

They were greatly disturbed because the apostles were teaching the people

and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.

A Compassionate Call to Discipleship

Acts 4:32-33All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they

shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to

testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon

them all.

A Compassionate Call to Discipleship

1 Corinthians 15:22-26 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all

will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him….The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

A Compassionate Call to Discipleship

A Compassionate Call to Discipleship

We are Witnesses… that Jesus is the Highpoint of

Human history!VV 44-46

1. The Bible contains the history of mankind from God’s perspective.

2. Mankind’s story is ultimately about Jesus

3. Jesus fulfills all that was written about the promised Messiah

A Compassionate Call to DiscipleshipThree Key Insights:

Psalm 119:18 Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.

A Compassionate Call to Discipleship

1 John 5:20 We know also that the Son of God

has come and has given us understanding, so that we may

know him who is true. And we are in him who is true--even in his Son

Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

A Compassionate Call to Discipleship

A Compassionate Call to Discipleship

We are Witnesses… to the necessity of Repentance

and the availability of Forgiveness V. 47

Acts 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God,

so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of

refreshing may come from the Lord,

A Compassionate Call to Discipleship

2 Corinthians 7:10 Godly sorrow brings

repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no

regret…

A Compassionate Call to Discipleship

Luke 5:31-32 Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a

doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous,

but sinners to repentance."

A Compassionate Call to Discipleship

2 Timothy 2:25-26 Those who oppose him he must

gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,

and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of

the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

A Compassionate Call to Discipleship