Sonship . . . then discipleship . . . Mark 1:9-11, Matthew 28:18-20

From time to time . . . I use phrases about Sonship like "In Christ the Hope of Glory" that indicates a Bible truth that is sometimes missed or not made a priority. . . Colossians 1:27

1. Learned Behavior Management . . . Matthew 7:21
   1. Much of what is called discipleship today is .  . . Learned Behavior Management.
   2. Discipleship cannot begin where Sonship has not been established.
   3. You cannot train someone to walk as a son . . . if they still believe they are a servant hoping to perform to be accepted.
   4. Jesus did not come to improve our performance . . . He came to restore our position. . . Galatians 4:6
2. Relationship . . . before responsibility . . . Mark 4:11
   1. Adam . . . From the beginning, God WALKED with Adam before . . . He ever asked him to WORK in the garden.
   2. Israel . . . . was DELIVERED from Egypt . . .before THE LAW was given.
   3. Jesus . . . was baptized and AFFIRMED AS THE BELOVED SON . . .before He performed a single miracle.
3. Sonship . . . removes control. . . John 17:3
   1. People come into church and learn to do something. . . without being someone.
   2. We do not follow Jesus to become sons . . . We follow Jesus because we are sons.
4. In Sonship . . . Truth Matters. . . John 8:31-32
   1. Truth is a person . . . Jesus Christ! . . . . John 15:4
   2. I am not following Jesus to be loved . . . I am following Jesus because I am loved.
   3. I am not trying to EARN my place.  I am learning how to live from a position as a son or a daughter!
   4. From that place, everything changes.   Sonship . . . First.  Then . . . Discipleship.  Always in that order!

All the Men say . . . I AM A SON!

All the Women say . . . I AM A DAUGHTER!