Brushy Creek Baptist Church Men's Retreat - January 2011

1. Brushy Creek Baptist Church, Taylors, SC Brushy Creek Baptist Church, Taylors, South Carolina Brushy Creek Baptist Church, Taylors, SC

2. 7 Reasons why youMIGHT NOT want to Participate in Discipleship

3. Discipleship: My first 180 days

4. Reason #7 It will cause you to give up things in your life to make more time to spend with God.

5. June 23, 2006 – Matt 7:24-29 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

6. Spiritual Insight / Prayer / Application Everyone who hears the words of Christ and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man. Lord, I confess that for so long I built my house on the sand. Please help me now as I build it on your rock. My quiet time is the cornerstone of my new house. Let me never leave it unprotected.

7. June 27, 2006 – Matt 8:18-22 18 When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. 19 Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” 21 Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 22 But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

8. Spiritual Insight / Prayer / Application To truly follow Christ, we must forsake all of our worldly attachments and put God first! Lord, I know that I have not put you first in my life for so long – help me to stay committed to doing that now. Whenever I take up a task let me ask myself If God would be glorified in it.

9. Reason #6 It will make you examine your life and bring to light characteristics and habits you were perfectly comfortable leaving hidden and unchanged.

10. June 17, 2006 – Matt 7:1-6 1 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. 6 “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

11. Spiritual Insight / Prayer / Application I need to examine my own faults before looking at someone else’s. Lord, I confess that I have a self-righteous and critical spirit that has primarily caused me to compromise my witness. I will not be critical of actions or words this weekend and evaluate what the outcomes are.

12. June 5, 2006 – Matt 5:21-26 21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. 23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. 25“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

13. Spiritual Insight / Prayer / Application I should not keep grudges in my heart, but settle them quickly. Lord, help me to be fearless in admitting my faults, accepting responsibility, and settling my conflicts with others. I will work this week to settle any misunderstanding that arises before the end of the day.

14. July 17, 2006 – Matt 12:33-37 33 “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. 34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.35 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

15. Spiritual Insight / Prayer / Application Words are far from meaningless – “for the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” Lord, I confess that I have said many things that hurt and do not yield good. I will not make a comment today if it is not good. I will reflect on my successes tonight.

16. Reason #5 It will cause you to change your focus from gaining biblical knowledge to gaining spiritual wisdom.

17. July 1, 2006 – Matt 9:9-13 9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. 10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

18. Spiritual Insight / Prayer / Application The Lord does not seek righteousness – He seeks compassion, love, and mercy. Lord, I confess that my righteousness has oft trampled my compassion, love, and mercy When faced with a principle conflict today, let me display compassion, love, and mercy.

19. Reason #4 It will cause you to start praying passionately, specifically, and consistently.

20. July 1, 2006 – Matt 6:6 5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

21. Spiritual Insight / Prayer / Application Prayer is a treasure, that should be guarded and not flaunted. Lord, help me to be humble in my prayer and not try to show-off or preach. I will keep my prayer life as a treasured secret.

22. June 24, 2006 – Matt 8:1-4 1 When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. 2 A man with leprosycame and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. 4 Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

23. Spiritual Insight / Prayer / Application Recognize that God is able to do all things. We should petition his willingness. Knowing God is able = faith Lord, you are able to do all things! When I petition God, I will affirm his ability and then call on his willingness.

24. June 11, 2006 – Matt 5:43-48 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighborand hate your enemy.’ 44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

25. Spiritual Insight / Prayer / Application Our mercy and love should be boundless, as is the Lord’s. No eye for an eye! Lord, I confess that I have not shown mercy and love in so many ways. Please forgive me and correct my path. I will abandon retaliation and embrace prayer in my dealings with family, friends, and co-workers.

26. Reason #3 It will cause you to see yourself as (and become) the spiritual leader of your family.

27. June 2, 2006 – Matt 5:17-20 17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

28. Spiritual Insight / Prayer / Application Whoever practices and teaches will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Lord, help me learn to teach your commands. I need to not only practice, but teach, and I need to always be conscious of how my sin may teach others.

29. Reason #2 It will cause you to start seeing the brokenness and spiritual need around you, and make you want to do something about it, instead of just complaining about it.

30. Sept 19, 2006 – Matt 21:28-32 28 “What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work today in the vineyard.’ 29 “‘I will not,’ he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. 30 “Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I will, sir,’ but he did not go. 31 “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” “The first,” they answered. Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32 For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

31. Spiritual Insight / Prayer / Application Words without action has no value in the eyes of the Lord. Our love for God is the fuel and catalyst for our work. Lord, make me into a man of action, driven by my love for you and my allegiance to your word. Be a man whose words are followed by actions.

32. Oct 17, 2006 – Matt 25:34-40 34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

33. Spiritual Insight / Prayer / Application Christ does choose! Not everyone will bask in his glory. He will know his people by their ministry. Lord, I am thankful for my inheritance, but often feel that I don’t deserve it. Make me that person you would have me be. Have compassion for the least – those who hunger, thirst, are alone, sick, unclothed, and imprisoned.

34. Oct 29, 2006 – Matt 27:27-44 27 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. 39Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” 41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42 “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

35. Spiritual Insight / Prayer / Application Christ had compassion for everyone, even for those who mocked him. Lord, you died for all of us, even those who mocked you. Your mercy is without limits. Let me not pass judgment on those who mock Christ, for it is only by his grace that I am not among them. Christ is the only judge.

36. Reason #1 It will change your relationship with God.

37. Nov 4, 2006 – Matt 28:16-20 16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

38. Spiritual Insight / Prayer / Application Christ has called us to not just be disciples, but to make disciples. Lord, thank you for making a disciple out of me. Help me fulfill the duties of a disciple and understand them fully. I will take up the responsibility of disciple-making.

39. Discipleship: My first 5 years

40. Ask Yourself These Questions Are you comfortable in your spiritual life today? Are you a believer or are you a disciple? Are you making converts or are you making disciples?