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?
![](https://i0.wp.com/www.travisagnew.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Travis-2021-2.jpg?resize=100%2C100&ssl=1)
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.