I had the wonderful privilege of preaching at Edwards Road Baptist Church’s DNOW 2020. The theme was “Set Apart.” Here are the notes from our sessions together.
Session 1 – Set Apart
- 1 Peter 1:13-16
- If God has provided necessary holiness, we should pursue practical holiness (1:13).
- One sign that we belong to Jesus is if we are fighting against the sin we used to accept (1:14).
- You don’t follow a holy God by embracing an unholy lifestyle (1:15).
- If you don’t want a part-time Savior, don’t seek a part-time Lord (1:15).
- To be holy means to be set apart (1:16).
- How is your life set apart from those around you?
- You are not “there” yet, but you should be getting “there.”
- Instead of wallowing in guilt, why don’t you prepare your mind for action (1:13)?
- Do you feel spiritually disappointing?
- What do you need to stop?
- What do you need to start?
Session 2 – Distinctive Discipleship (Part 1)
- Col. 1:27-28a
- If you feel spiritually stuck, it might not be a dedication issue but a discipleship issue.
- Salvation isn’t the finish line; it’s the starting line.
- Particular people require distinctive discipleship.Â
- What if you set apart the next year of your life to grow in specific ways?
- Delight – “Christ in you, the hope of glory”
- What is your greatest delight that threatens your joy in Jesus?
- Disobedience – “warning everyone”
- What is your most dangerous sinful leaning currently?
- Doctrine – “teaching everyone with all wisdom”
- What topic is critical for you to know the Bible’s stance?
Session 3 – Distinctive Discipleship (Part 2)
- Col. 1:28b-29
- Development – “present everyone mature in Christ”
- What area in your life could benefit from maturing?
- Discipline – “for this I toil”
- What is one spiritual discipline goal you could have?
- Dependence – “struggling with all His energy”
- What are you praying for God to do that only He could do?
- Using these categories, narrow down the most critical areas for you to address.
- Designing a plan will be good for an individual, better with a partner, but best with a mentor.
- The destination of discipleship is the same for every individual, but each unique journey demands specific directions.
Session 4 – Making Progress
- 2 Peter 1:1-9
- If you want to grow in Christ, you must set yourself apart for more than just this weekend.
- If there is a true profession of faith, there should be a true progression of faith.
- Your spiritual health at the end of your life will be greatly determined by how diligent you are right now.
- No Christian has a different standing before God than another (1:1).
- No Christian lacks anything necessary to live a godly life (1:2-4).
- Your faith is sufficient for salvation, but you must supplement it for sanctification (1:5-7).
- Every person’s discipleship could be categorized as either increasing or ineffective (1:8-9).
- The Christian life should be marked by gradual yet continual progress.
- Do you have a targeted plan for how you will be set apart in the next year?

Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.