Men’s Breakfast - Apprentice Under Jesus
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We have started a brief new series for TSM and I’ve been excited at just going back to the basics and being reminded of what a disciple is. So for some of our high schoolers and leaders, some of this will be a good review, and we will see how much you were paying attention.
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Todays brief message and probably a reminder, is the importance of being a disciple of Jesus.
Opening Question: Who is someone you look up to and why?
Opening Question: Who is someone you look up to and why?
For many of us, it might be our parents, our fathers. I know that is the same for me. Those that we look up to, we often follow and try to imitate. It spends time with them, talks with them, and thinks about them and what they would do and why they would do it.
In many ways, we actually are disciples of our Father’s or mentor figures in our life, at least from a young age.
The word "disciple" comes from the Latin word discipulus, which means "student" or "learner." It is derived from the root word discere, meaning "to learn."
For those that we look up to in our life, we are hopefully with them constantly, become like them as we try to imitate their qualities and be like them, and in many case do what they did. Whether that be a job that they’ve taught us to do but also more as a person. How would this person have reacted or behaved in a certain situation? What do they do for their family or loved ones?
We all are all a disciple or follower of something or someone, intentionally or unintentionally. Whether that be our dads, pastors, older wise men, Joe Rogan.Whether that be the culture through social media, ourselves in always pursuing what we want to do, or simply laziness.
This word disciple makes sense for us as Christians but this word does seem more odd in a modern day context.
Back in the day, 2000 years ago, disciple was a common word used, especially in Jewish Tradition. Rabbi’s were often treated as one of the most honorable job or title someone could ever be in. Rabbi’s would select only the best of the best to let some of the students move on from just basic learning and education that was required but to truly apprentice under them. They would were with them constantly. They would eat, sleep, work, and fellowship with one another to basically become like them one day.
A more modern day word association would be apprentice.
If you had to list the 3 basic steps of what an Apprentice does with their master, it would like like the following 3 steps:
1. They would be with their master
2. They would be like their master
3. They would do as their master did
Now you may only relate this to your vocation, but imagine your whole life. That was how it was for these disciples 2000 years ago.
Following Jesus is very similar except on a much larger and grand scale. Here are the 3 steps to being a follower of Jesus, an Apprentice of Jesus will
Be With Jesus
Become Like Jesus
Do as He Did
This word disciple makes sense for us as Christians, but I would still say we have softened the word and lowered the expectation, but what does the bible say?
What does a follower or disciple of Jesus look like?
What does a follower or disciple of Jesus look like?
Let’s look at some differences of now what a follower of Jesus looks like compared to just being a fan of him.
A follower of Jesus remains with Him and everything they do stems from Him.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
A follower of Jesus is filled with action.
14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
A follower of Jesus imitates their leader.
Ephesians 5:1–2 (ESV)
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love
A follower of Jesus will die for Him, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually
24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
What Jesus is showing us time and time again that we are called to follow Him. Not ourselves, anyone else, or anything else, but Him and Him alone. What you will see is that I think we all have had this misconception at what does it mean to really believe that Jesus is our Lord and Savior. Is it just head knowledge? Or more?
It’s more. Don’t get me wrong, you are saved through the grace of God and through the work of what He has done on the cross. But it’s more than I think you think. Jesus has asked us to believe that He is our savior, the son of God, the only way, truth, and life and our hearts and lives should and will look like an apprentice, a disciple.
Be with Jesus
Be with Jesus
We often underestimate the call that Christ has made us alive in. When He asked His disciples to follow Him, they knew what it meant. They understood the implication of not just a mental understanding, but a total change in living.
18 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
They left everything. Their vocation, their family, their friends, to go and apprentice under Jesus.
This is the point of Christianity. It’s not a religious assembly, a nighttime ritual, or even just thinking how cool He is.
The point of Christianity, the point of what Jesus wanted us to do is to know Him.
There is a scary verse that says this:
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
Do you see the connection? This verse that can be scary for I think all of us but it is simply a reminder of what Jesus truly wanted us to do. To be with Jesus. To know Him so then He will say I knew you. Not the opposite.
You’re saved through the grace of God and what He’s done for you on the cross. But a true heart that has been justified, a true soul that has been sanctified and saved, will follow their master.
I’m not saying if that yo udon’t spend time with Christ 24/7 you’re going to hell. I’m helping you see what Jesus is truly asking for us to do and what He meant when He said to believe that He is lord and savior. Faith in Jesus Christ, results in this.
Discussion Question: What does it mean to you to "be with Jesus" in your daily life?
Become Like Jesus
Become Like Jesus
Being with Jesus should now stem into something more though. An apprentice isn’t just with their master and that is it. An apprentice starts to become like their master, day by day. Being with Jesus will and should lead you to a change of heart in becoming more like Jesus, becoming more holy. The process of sanctification. Let’s read some verses.
22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Think of this step as character qualities, next one will go into more actions, responsibilities, etc.
Discussion question: In what ways or areas have you noticed you have become more like Jesus?
Do as Jesus Did
Do as Jesus Did
And the last point to discuss and talk about is the last point of doing as Jesus did.
15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you.
16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
As disciples, we have a task. Reminder, you are doing all of this because you are saved. Not to be saved. I taught last time on the beauty of work and how it was created before the fall. As men, work is built within our nature and Jesus has given us all work to do. To do as Jesus did.
Now this will look a little different based upon the person, gifts, and the holy spirit will guide you unto this as you pray and read His word. If part of you doesn’t know what to do? Then you are missing the first step. Be with Jesus.
Discussion Question: How or what can you do as Jesus did?