Calvary Chapel: Disciple Makers

Matthew 28:19-20 - Bringing in the Harvest

Simon Lawrenson — Sun, 26 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Matthew 28:19-20 - Bringing in the Harvest

Series: Disciple Makers

Preacher: Simon Lawrenson

Sunday Morning

Date: 26th January 2025

Passages:

Matthew 28:19-20
John 20:21-22

-------------------

Simon begins his sermon by revisiting John 20:21-22, where Jesus commissions His disciples to go out and bring in the harvest. He focuses on the phrase, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you,” explaining that Jesus, as the first “apostle” or sent one, is now sending His followers to bring in the harvest.

The concept of harvest is tied to making disciples, as outlined in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). Simon breaks down the components of this commission:

Go: Simon explains that the Greek word for “go” is in the passive aorist tense, meaning “as you are going.” This implies that making disciples should be a constant part of a Christian’s life, not limited to specific times or places.

Baptise: This involves calling people to follow Jesus and baptising them as an outward sign of their faith.

Teach: Disciples are to teach others to observe all that Jesus commanded, which primarily involves loving God and loving others.

Simon challenges the congregation to consider whether calling people to follow Jesus is part of their normal daily life, stating, “If it’s not – how can you call yourself a Christian?”

He then connects this mission to God’s overarching plan throughout Scripture, from the creation mandate in Genesis 1:28 to God’s promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:3, and Israel’s role as a light to the nations in Isaiah 49:6. Simon emphasises that God’s desire has always been to reach the world through His people.

To encourage those who feel inadequate for this task, Simon turns to Acts 17:24-26. He explains that God has uniquely designed each person with specific abilities and placed them in particular locations and times for His purpose. He illustrates this point with a personal testimony of how he came to faith through a skateboarding friend who lived out his mission in everyday life.

Simon concludes by reminding the congregation that their placement in neighbourhoods, workplaces, and communities is intentional. God has positioned them so that those seeking Him can find Him. He challenges listeners to see beyond their immediate circumstances and recognise their role in God’s greater purpose of making disciples.

Throughout the sermon, Simon maintains a conversational yet passionate tone, frequently using rhetorical questions and personal anecdotes to engage his audience. He emphasises the practical application of living as one sent by God in everyday life.

John 13:31-35 - Biblical Discipleship

Simon Lawrenson — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

John 13:31-35 - Biblical Discipleship

Series: Disciple Makers

Preacher: Simon Lawrenson

Sunday Morning

Date: 13th January 2025

Passage: John 13:31-35

-------------------

Simon’s sermon focuses on the nature of true discipleship, centering on Jesus’ new commandment to love one another as He loved us. He begins by sharing an anecdote about chocolate-covered peanuts, illustrating that not everything is as it appears – including those who claim to be disciples of Jesus.

The pastor then draws attention to the contrast between self-love and Christ-like love, using the examples of Judas and Peter from John 13. He explains that self-love is governed by the flesh, while Christ-like love is powered by the Holy Spirit. Simon provides several examples of self-love, including pride, self-indulgence, envy, and perfectionism, cautioning listeners to be aware of these tendencies in their own lives.

Moving to the heart of his message, Simon unpacks Jesus’ new commandment in John 13:34-35. He emphasises that this love is new in nature and substance, not merely chronologically. The standard for this love is not loving others as we love ourselves, but loving as Christ loved us. Simon describes Christ’s love as forgiving, active, sacrificial, and committed.

The pastor highlights several key characteristics of this Christ-like love:

It’s forgiving, as exemplified in Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

It’s compassionate and understanding, recognising that everyone experiences both strength and struggle.

It’s sacrificial and servant-hearted, not based on the worthiness of the recipient.

It’s committed, not swayed by changing emotions.

Simon stresses that this love is the singular identifier of true disciples, quoting Jesus’ words in John 13:35: “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” He warns that in the last days, as prophesied in Matthew 24:12, “because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.” The pastor urges his congregation not to let this happen in their community.

In conclusion, Simon reminds his listeners of the profound nature of Christ’s love for them – a love that died sacrificially, continues to intercede, and will return for them. He challenges the congregation to reflect on what their own love looks like in light of this example. The sermon ends with a call to embody this Christ-like love as a testimony to the world and a fulfilment of their calling as disciples.

Matthew 4:18-22 - Rediscovering Biblical Discipleship Part 2

Simon Lawrenson — Sun, 05 Jan 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Matthew 4:18-22 - Rediscovering Biblical Discipleship Part 2

Series: Disciple Makers

Preacher: Simon Lawrenson

Sunday Morning

Date: 5th January 2025

Passage: Matthew 4:18-22

-------------------

In this profound exploration of Biblical discipleship, the pastor begins by posing a challenging question: “If we say that we are following Jesus and we love Jesus – how would others know?” This question frames the entire sermon, which focuses on unpacking the church’s mission statement of developing a living faith in Christ.

Drawing from Matthew 4:18-22, the pastor identifies two essential aspects of discipleship. The first, discussed in a previous sermon, involves “leaving their nets” – abandoning old ways, customs, and allegiances to follow the true King, Jesus. The pastor emphasises the difficulty but necessity of this process, quoting John 12:24: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.”

The second aspect, which forms the core of this sermon, is “following Him.” The pastor contrasts Jesus’ approach to discipleship with that of rabbis in first-century Israel. While rabbis focused on teaching information and laws, Jesus invited people into a personal relationship with Him. This relationship is not about improving our old selves but about Christ’s life living within us.

To illustrate this transformative relationship, the pastor cites several scriptures, including Galatians 2:20, John 15:4-5, Romans 8:10-11, and 2 Corinthians 3:18. These passages highlight the exchange that occurs when we follow Christ – our old self is crucified, and Christ’s life becomes our life. The Holy Spirit, dwelling within believers, is the agent of this ongoing transformation.

The sermon then shifts to the relational aspect of discipleship. Following Jesus isn’t just about our individual relationship with Him; it’s also about relationships with others. The pastor points out that Jesus immediately involved His first disciples in calling others, demonstrating that discipleship is inherently communal and multiplicative.

Addressing the modern context, the pastor acknowledges the world’s craving for genuine relationships in an age of isolation and surface-level connections. He challenges the congregation to meet this need not by creating more organisations or clubs, but by offering themselves, filled with the life of Christ, to others.

The sermon concludes with a powerful analogy of the Dead Sea, warning against the danger of receiving Christ’s life without sharing it with others. The pastor exhorts the congregation to let Christ’s life flow through them, emphasising that the degree to which Christ’s life is in us will be reflected in our love for others.

Throughout the sermon, the pastor maintains a conversational yet challenging tone, frequently using rhetorical questions and scripture references to engage the audience and support his points. His message is a call to a discipleship that goes beyond information to transformation, and from individual growth to community impact.

Matthew 4:18-22 - Rediscovering Biblical Discipleship Part 1

Simon Lawrenson — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Matthew 4:18-22 - Rediscovering Biblical Discipleship Part 1

Series: Disciple Makers

Preacher: Simon Lawrenson

Sunday Morning

Date: 30th December 2024

Passage: Matthew 4:18-22

-------------------

This sermon is the first in a series looking at the topic of discipleship. Simon begins his sermon by sharing the two questions that have driven their ministry for 21 years: What would happen if God’s Word became central and authoritative in believers’ lives, and what if God’s Spirit radically transformed them for His mission? He introduces the church’s vision statement, “Every person developing a living faith in Christ,” which will be explored over the next six weeks.

Using Matthew 4:18-22 as a foundation, Simon describes Jesus calling His first disciples and explains the significance of the command “Follow me.” He then outlines three types of disciples found in the New Testament: seekers (the crowds following Jesus), believers (those embracing some of Jesus’ teachings), and transformers (committed followers actively shaped by Jesus and inviting others to meet Him).

Simon challenges the common misconception that there are different levels of Christianity, asserting that true Christians are true disciples. He quotes Acts 11:26 to support this claim, emphasizing that “disciples” and “Christians” refer to the same group of people. The sermon then addresses the concerning trend in Western Christianity of being content with church attendance without transformation.

The first essential component of Biblical discipleship, according to Simon, is leaving what is behind. He examines Matthew 4:20, where the disciples immediately left their nets to follow Jesus, as an example of repentance. Simon explains that repentance involves abandoning old customs, ways of thinking, and allegiances to embrace the kingdom of heaven.

Throughout the sermon, Simon provides numerous Biblical references to illustrate the radical nature of discipleship, including Matthew 5:3, 13:44-46, 19:27-29, Luke 9:23-25, and 9:57-60. He emphasizes that Jesus calls disciples to reorient their lives, bringing family, relationships, career, and possessions under God’s authority.

Simon challenges the cultural emphasis on self-promotion and self-preservation, contrasting it with Jesus’ call to “deny himself” (Luke 9:23). He encourages listeners to consider what it means to leave behind all they know, including their focus on self, to follow Jesus as true disciples.

The sermon concludes with a powerful quote from C.S. Lewis about repentance and a thought-provoking question for the congregation: If someone new came to their church, what would they observe about each individual that would indicate they are part of a community of disciples? Simon’s message serves as a call to action, urging believers to move beyond surface-level faith to become transformative disciples of Jesus Christ.

Acts 1:4-8 - We Need the Holy Spirit

Simon Lawrenson — Fri, 20 Jan 2017 00:00:00 +0000

Acts 1:4-8 - We Need the Holy Spirit

Series: Disciple Makers

Preacher: Simon Lawrenson

Sunday Morning

Date: 20th January 2017

Passage: Acts 1:4-8

-------------------

Simon’s sermon, centred on John 20:21-22, explores the vital role of the Holy Spirit in discipleship and mission. He begins by setting the emotional context of the passage, describing the disciples’ fear and confusion following Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Simon then focuses on Jesus’ words, “Receive the Holy Spirit,” connecting this to the promise of the Father mentioned in Acts 1:4-8 and the idea of discipleship and mission.

The speaker traces the Holy Spirit’s work throughout Scripture, from the Old Testament to Jesus’ teachings, emphasising that the Spirit’s coming Marks a new era for believers. Simon cautions against neglecting the Holy Spirit in favour of an overemphasis on Scripture, quoting Francis Chan’s warning about the church becoming irrelevant when it’s “purely a human creation.”

A key point in the sermon is the need for continual filling of the Holy Spirit. Simon cites multiple examples from Acts where disciples were repeatedly filled with the Spirit, including Peter in Acts 4:8 and 4:31. He relates this to Paul’s instruction in Ephesians 5:18 to “be filled with the Spirit,” explaining that this is an ongoing process due to our tendency to “leak,” as D.L. Moody put it.

Simon strongly connects the Holy Spirit’s power to the mission of spreading the Gospel. He emphasises that the Spirit’s anointing is not for personal benefit or show, but for empowerment to bring God’s Kingdom wherever believers go. The speaker provides historical examples of Spirit-filled revivals and movements that led to significant social change, such as the Welsh revival and the Jesus Movement.

The sermon concludes with a challenge to yield control to the Holy Spirit. Simon stresses that this is the only condition for receiving the Spirit’s anointing, citing Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:24 about serving only one master. He urges listeners to present themselves to God as “instruments for righteousness” (Romans 6:13), making a decisive step to allow themselves to be used for God’s purposes.

Throughout the sermon, Simon maintains a tone of urgency and conviction, frequently using rhetorical questions to engage his audience. He balances theological depth with practical application, encouraging believers to seek a daily, fresh filling of the Holy Spirit and to surrender control in all aspects of their lives.