The Lifestyle Of An Apprentice

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Romans 12:2a)

A. The Three Meanings of "World" in the Bible

1. "World" can be used in reference to the ENTIRE UNIVERSE.

"God made the world and everything in it." (Acts 17:24)

2. "World" can be used in reference to HUMANITY,

to the entire HUMAN RACE.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son..." (John 3:16)

3. "World" can be used in reference to a CORRUPT SYSTEM of values, priorities, and attitudes that are HOSTILE to God's ways.

"If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." (John 15:19)

"Don't let the world squeeze you into its mold." (Romans 12:2; J.B. Phillips Translation)

B. The Four Stages in a Christ-Follower's Journey

1. Stage One: A DISSATISFACTION with the STATE of your life...

2. Stage Two: The INTRODUCTION of Christ's MESSAGE into your life...

3. Stage Three: The ACCEPTANCE of Christ's OFFER in your life...

4. Stage Four: The APPLICATION of Christ's PRESENCE in your life...

C. The Importance of Recognizing Jesus as a Rabbi

"As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 'Come, follow me,' Jesus said, 'and I will send you out to fish for people.' At once they left their nets and followed him.

When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him." (Mark 1:16-20)

1. In the New Testament, the title "Rabbi" meant "MASTER".

2. The ultimate dream, the ultimate prize, was to APPRENTICE under a Rabbi.

3. Your life as an apprentice was consumed with accomplishing three things:

a. To BE WITH your Rabbi...

b. To BECOME LIKE your Rabbi...

c. To DO AS your Rabbi DID...

4. Jesus, the Rabbi, turned everything upside down. HE pursued THEM. He took the initiative. He offered them the opportunity to experience what they had NOT EARNED. What they could have never achieved on their own.

5. What Jesus, the Rabbi, (the Master, our God who took on flesh) offered to THEM, he is also offering to YOU.

Today's "Big Idea"

WHO or WHAT is FORMING you?