People of Grace: Why is Discipleship so Difficult - June 22, 2025

Welcome to today's sermon podcast, where we dive deep into understanding the challenges discipleship faces in our modern world. Drawing from Acts 2:44-47, we explore how secularization, privatization, and pluralism act as metaphorical riptides challenging the grace of God and our mission as His disciples. We reflect on the importance of maintaining our focus on God's kingdom, regardless of the cultural pressures to conform.

We journey through scriptural insights and personal anecdotes, examining how cultural trends threaten to obscure the truth and grace we are called to live and share. Join us as we discover how to live counter-culturally, prioritize our heavenly citizenship, and ensure that our lives are a testament to God's abundant life and everlasting grace.

with Pastor Mike Curry

WHY IS DISCIPLESHIP SO DIFFICULT?

Challenges to Grace

Acts 2:44-47

Main Idea: Discipleship may not be easy, but it is essential to God’s mission on earth, and God has promised to help us.

Introduction: Three Cultural Rip Currents

Secularization – Church losing influence as shaper of life and thought in the wider social order.

Privatization – Spiritual things are being confined to the private arena of life.

Pluralization – An unending buffet of ideologies and faith options competing for attention.

 

Three vital principles for living as a disciple in today’s age.

1. I. Principle #1: Maintain the priority between your primary and secondary cultures.

• Primary culture = Christian community of faith
• Secondary culture = The world in which we live.
• Matthew 6:33 – “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God”

1. Principle #2: Remind yourselves that our true citizenship is in heaven.

• We have dual citizenship (Phil. 3:20).
• We may use the things of the world, but we should not become “engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away” (1 Cor. 7:31).

III. Principle #3: Live as a counter-culture.

• Jesus said we must be in the world but not of it (John 17:16-18).
• Jesus calls us to be salt, light, and yeast (Matt. 5:13-16; 13:33), and that requires us to challenge the incorrect beliefs and corrupt practices of our age.

Conclusion

• We must pass our faith to the next generation through discipleship. We are citizens of heaven living and working for Him on this earth, busy making Christlike disciples in his name.

Action Step:

• Examine Acts 2:44-47 this week. What daily practices shown there do you exhibit in your daily life?  What disciplines listed in the passage seem difficult for you to practice daily?  Pick one and work on incorporating it into your life this week. Enlist the help of others in your family or church to do so.

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