Discipleship

I. Introduction: Good morning…

Today, we’re going to talk about discipleship.

If I do my job, we should leave here understanding more…we should better understand:

What does discipleship mean?

What does it look like to the church?

What does it look like to each of us individually?

I think it’s the individual impact that is most important - it’s not what we do together, but what we each do glorifies God the most.

I need you all to bear with me…can you be patient with me as I wrap my head around this?

What a burden I must be to you…week after week, you have to tolerate me…endure my shortcomings…carry the burden of my learning…

Well, good for you - in so doing, you are discipling me…I’ll come back around to that in a bit.

You see, as I often do, I realized as I prepared for today, that I really didn’t know enough about the topic…

I had a lot of learning to do…so that I could share with you all today.

That was part of God’s plan.

I assure you, my deficiencies and your toleration of them are just as divinely inspired as anything I’ve ever known.

I pray you see that today…I pray you understand the role you play in my life…in God’s plan for my discipleship along with your discipleship.

Trust me - if you’re saved, you’re a disciple…and you play a disciplinary role in my life…until you don’t - either by God’s plan or yours.

If we’re saved…you and I…I am, in part, your disciple and you, in part, are mine.

Listen, I hope you know this - I am continuously blessed by the opportunity I have in coming before you each time I do…and, I recognize that I might benefit more than you, but that is never my intent…it’s just our collective reality…it’s simply what God is up to.

I am being sanctified…I am a work in progress as I learn how live…how to be more like Jesus.

What I get out of our relationship…our fellowship…is eternally important…to me…and I suppose to you…and it seems, to God.

While we’re all on our own separate narrow road…I pray and I believe, we’re all on the narrow road that leads us to the same address.

My path might be longer or shorter than yours…I might encounter more obstacles than you, but our paths will eventually, or often, converge.

That’s the relationship we have together.

But, that’s probably a whole sermon in itself.

Discipleship - what a topic…as I studied this week…this month…over the course of the past couple of years, I am humbly amazed at what God is up to…I’m constantly amazed by the relationship I have with my Creator.

Have you ever thought about how much God cares about you?

This is a biblical fact - before time began, God knew that we would be talking about discipleship today…he knew we’d be talking about him today…he knew that we’d be talking about his Son today…and he knew that we need to…I believe it’s God-inspired and intentional, and I believe you’re not here by accident.

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV) - For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Again, your presence here today, and the joy and hope you get out of our time together is part of God’s plan.

God is in our midst.

I suppose you’ve heard that a time or two in church.

And, I bet most of you have heard this, as well…

The Great Commission - Matthew 28:16-20 (ESV) - Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Let’s PRAY -

I’ve always thought about the disciples as evangelizers.

I think some of you are evangelizers…that’s your gift…that’s your calling…that’s your job.

Has anyone else seen the job of Jesus’ disciples as a bit different than ours?

We all have our gifting, right?

Intentionally, we’re not the same…some of you are our hands (the hands of God), some of you are our feet, some of you are our eyes…we are the body.

Isn’t that the way it works?

We’re supposed to be different…but collectively we are a whole.

We are the body.

Some of us are the children…some of you are not the children.

And we all have a role to play in ministry.

Ephesians 4:11-14 - And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

God gave us each our own strengths…our own personalities…our own gifts.

When we read Ephesians 4, we can clearly see that some were tasked with making more disciples - apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, and teachers…and honestly, most of my life, I’ve often separated myself from the effort of building up the body of Christ…I felt others were far more qualified…I felt that I’d likely mess it up…but, as I reflect on the fact that I am standing before you today…and have a few times over the past couple of years…It’s pretty clear that I can’t ignore my job…I need to be building up the body of Christ until everyone lives in unity of faith and knowledge of Jesus.

But, listen - It’s not my nature to go out and evangelize…it’s not really my nature to stand here and evangelize…In my own mind, I’m more of the teacher-type…and I have to admit that I was comfortable in that understanding…until recently.

Truthfully, I don’t mind teaching…It’s become my comfort zone…not my safe zone…as you know my heart can overwhelm my brain sometimes…that is what I’ve come to understand…what I’ve learned about myself.

But, over the past couple of weeks, my job requirements seem to have changed…well, more accurately, my understanding of my job requirements changed…or became more clear.

I think I was lumping the disciples and evangelizers and what I saw as their tasks together…thinking they were the ones that were sent out…sent out to approach others…they were the ones that were meant to wander the mission field…even when that mission field was in my own neighborhood, or yard, or house.

You see, I was willing to let others do the discipling.

Anyone else guilty of that?

Don’t be convicted…I’m not.

I’ve been blessed with strong disciples in my life…those I recognized as more capable…more knowledgable…more bold and called.

Well, things have changed.

And, I’m glad that I see my job more clearly.

I see now that a practice of dividing believers - really, disciples into subgroups doesn’t seem appropriate now…it doesn’t even seem biblical now.

Because my Pastor asked me to speak today, I listened, learned, and showed up today…in part, I’ve learned that is a disciple does.

And, even if I am the only one in this room to lack clarity in who I am to be in Christ…in the Church…in your life…in the life of non-believers…

At least today’s conversation wasn’t a waste of time…at least it isn’t for me.

If I am the only one that benefits today, while that proves that I am your burden, please know that I’m growing.

Disciple - a learner that seeks to understand the teachings of Jesus and apply them to daily life.

No problem with that definition, right?

If I call myself a disciple…or if God calls me a disciple, all I have to do is learn and apply what I learn to my daily life…were that a true definition.

No doubt, the world will be a better place if I do that…no doubt, the more like Jesus I become, the happier those around me will be.

Can I get an amen to that?

If I become more like Jesus, I will be a much greater blessing to each of you than I am now.

But, don’t you agree that’s a bit Jess-centric?

While that might help me…and while it might even help you…and, even though that effort might bring me joy and peace…what does any of that have to do with growing the Kingdom?

Well, in my view, not enough…You see, I’m not eternally that important.

There’s much more to discipleship than how you and I personally benefit from my learning and ability to become more like Jesus….if it stopped there.

If it were all about me, God would have saved me and I would have immediately gone to heaven…because God needed me…or wanted me there…because, I was done here.

But, since I’m with you today, there must be more.

Don’t get me wrong, I know that I play a role in God’s plan…all believers do…when we believe as we should.

We are to be like Jesus - so that the body grows.

I am not to be like Jesus so that Jess grows…but that the body grows.

Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV) - Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

I know that we all work together for the functioning of the Church, but you would all likely make it to heaven if I weren’t here today…another in the body would be equipped to grow the body, right.

Well, that’s not what the Great Commission suggests.

Logically, if it’s not about me…and my learning…(I think we can rule that out)…maybe, it’s about you and your learning…or maybe, it’s about the learning of others.

Let’s see if we can unpack this idea.

I hope I’m not rambling too much…if I am, say a short prayer for us all.

A disciple - a follower or student who learns from and commits to the teachings, lifestyle, and mission of a teacher or leader.

My friend Daniel Madsen, in the back of the room, is a great teacher…but, before he became a teacher, he had to be a committed student.

Years ago, I watched him begin his study of martial arts and was honored by him and his teacher to witness him transition from student to teacher when he earned his black belt in kajukenbo. I personally recognize the challenge of his learning…I know that he had to give of himself to follow another…I know that it might not have been the most natural thing for him to pursue…as he is a gentle but capable warrior…and I know that commitment continues.

It is in the learning, that he gains the ability to teach.

It is a relationship formed through struggle, pain, and effort…it is the relationship that emerges from giving himself to the unquestionable desires or needs of his teacher, that gives him the ability to go out and teach others.

He first had to learn…but now is compelled to teach.

Earning his black belt brings brought him honor, but it also brought responsibility to share what he and few others understand.

While I’m not comparing his calling in kajukenbo to his calling as a disciple of Christ…one pales in comparison to the other…I am suggesting that when we understand the gospel like Daniel understands kajukenbo, we must be just as compelled to teach.

My comparison falls apart…as Daniel well knows…because he began teaching well before he earned his black belt.

My poorly constructed analogy was intentional though…I would consider some of you black belt Christians (my term - not in the bible)…and while I would learn much from you, I can’t wait to teach…I can’t wait to exercise the Great Commission…I can’t wait to share the truth of Jesus.

While a disciple is a student…discipling is teaching.

Discipleship - teaching - μαθητής (mathitís - math-ay-tes) - a disciple, a learner, a pupil - literally, it points to the “mental effort needed to think something through”…the teacher guides the student through the mental effort.

I know that teaching and learning is a mutual process…I can teach at you all day long, but if you were not ready to learn, no learning would occur.

And, we should embrace this idea as well…all the knowledge acquired in the world, when not shared…stays in the head of the learned…benefiting no one but the student…no one else.

It is the sharing of the knowledge…the teaching of what has been learned…that makes the difference for others.

That’s why God’s plan, Jesus’ plan for his disciples, is so important for us to understand.

When the first disciples went out into all the world to spread the gospel, their job was not to simply make converts, but instead to make more disciples…to make more learners…able to think through the full nature of the gospel - capable of thinking through everything that Jesus taught.

Making more learners isn’t enough…it would stop at one generation…or one lecture.

The spreading of the gospel can only occur if the students then become the teachers.

This is why we are all important…and what we do with our learning is important.

If we remained learners…and let others disciple…we leave at least one teacher out of the equation.

If I chose to know Jesus, but not tell anyone about Jesus…would I honestly be able to call myself a believer…which really means disciple?

If I’m not a teacher…a spreader of the knowledge…am I really a believer?

If that’s what a disciple is…am I one?

Are you one?

When I teach, I often use the word believer, or saved…but, I recognize that I should always use the word disciple - a follower of Jesus, who after being saved, intentionally continues to grow in faith and is compelled to go out and make more disciples.

Jesus taught his disciples…and then empowered them…so they could actively and passionately fulfill the Great Commission.

The students had to become the teachers…and they were driven to be so.

There is an important truth here…if you are saved…if you are a disciple, then you will be compelled to go out and make more disciples.

This is where I drop the mic…if you’re not compelled to go out and make more disciples, does that mean you are not truly saved?

Some would argue maybe you’re not.

Listen, you know if you’re saved…you can recognize that you are a different person than you were before…you can’t receive the Holy Spirit and not be changed.

Most of you know that I argue…once saved, always saved…but the big important question might be “what is stopping you”…or preventing you from feeling truly “compelled to go out and make more disciples”?

This is an important question we have to answer as a church…as a family…and each of us individually…in relation to our place in the body of Christ…the body of believers…the body of disciples.

Now, if you’re feeling a bit challenged right now, I’m going to ask you to just be calm and let’s walk through this together.

These are not intended to be fighting words…and remember, Daniel’s on my team…

I’m not hoping to challenge you as to whether you are or are not a disciple…I’m arguing that you are a disciple…however, I was personally a bit challenged when thinking about how often I “go out and make more disciples”.

I’ll be honest, I could do that a bit more…that’s the compulsion.

I am compelled.

But, I’m saying that I can honor and react more positively to being compelled to make disciples.

You see, being a disciple causes one to “make” more disciples.

The bible says it’s so.

And I think we live in a time where making more disciples would benefit us all…When Jesus sent out the first disciples, we should notice that their world was a lot like ours - filled with skeptics, filled with idolatry, and rampant with an noticeable opposition to the truths found in the gospel…but, like ours, it was also a world filled with hurting non-believers…and it was a world graciously filled with people whom God had already prepared to hear, learn, and be transformed into a functioning disciple.

God knew of people he prepared to receive the gospel…and Jesus cared about saving them…and disciples were needed.

Today, I believe the unsaved are waiting for the disciples…which means they are waiting for us…for each one of us…for one of us…for all of us…

As a church, and individually, we have to really understand that being a disciple was never intended to be completed at salvation…that is not what Jesus needed…not what his church needs today.

There is a normal progression or progress…it’s the same today as it was when Jesus called his first disciples.

Let’s walk through the process…or the progression.

1st Step - The Call to Follow Christ - Justification

Scripture Reading: Matthew 4:18-22 (ESV) - “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. And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.' Immediately they left their nets and followed him."

Opening Statement: Discipleship begins with a divine call, a call that is both personal and purposeful. It is not merely about learning from Christ but about living for Christ. This call is immediate and demands an immediate response.

There is an underlying truth - before Jesus called, he knew that his future disciples were ready to say yes and follow him.

Jesus’ disciples were ordinary people when he called them.

He spent years training them, in relationship with them, loving them, empowering them.

Then he sent them out.

The Great Commission - Matthew 28:16-20 (ESV) - Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Many years ago, I was asked - “If Jesus walked up to me and told me to follow him, would I?”

It is in that moment that maybe I began to believe that I would never be called to be a disciple…you see, I had kids at home, I had obligations, I had things I didn’t want to give up…andI suppose at the time I didn’t know what I’d be gaining…that’s my excuse.

Maybe, I’m an example of the “but some doubted”.

I have no problem worshiping Jesus, but when asked the question of whether I would follow…I had doubt.

It’s not doubt in my belief…it’s doubt in my understanding of the bigger picture…a doubt in the understanding of how Jesus could love me so much that I should never fear what he asks me to do.

Scholars don’t agree what Matthew meant when he said some doubted. It could be that some doubted they could follow and be a true disciple…some say the doubt came from doubting what they had witnessed…the death, resurrection, and calling…but, just like the disciples who doubted that day (and it was more than one)…just like those doubters, we should listen to what Jesus said…he declared in his calling, “All authority in heaven and on earth” stood behind the calling.

That same authority is what we stand on when asked to disciple others.

Even if you believe…I’m compelled to help you become a disciple…and please help me be one, as well.

A believer is someone who has faith in Jesus Christ, accepting his as Lord and Savior, and trusting in His death and resurrection for salvation.

This belief involves knowledge acknowledging who Jesus is and placing one’s trust in him.

In this sense, all disciples are believers, but it seems, not all believers fully live as disciples.

A believer learns (or believes what they have learned).

A disciple goes beyond belief. A disciple is a committed follower of Jesus who seeks to learn from Him, live according to His teachings, and grow in maturity and Christlikeness.

Discipleship involves not only faith but also active obedience, self-denial, and a transformational lifestyle that reflects Jesus' teachings (Luke 9:23).

Luke 9 (ESV) - And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”

A true believer…a disciple must go after Jesus…I must deny the things that make me pause in following him.

I have to deny the things that I want to hold onto instead of following him.

You see, a disciple first learns, and then follows, truly committed.

Charles Spurgeon spoke of the urgency and totality of the commitment.

He often remarked that when Christ calls, there should be no hesitation.

Spurgeon would say, “Delayed obedience is disobedience.”

I suppose he must be right.

Yet, that’s a lot to ask of us, right?

No hesitation…how can we get there?

Well, it takes time and what we call sanctification.

II. The Nature of Discipleship: Following Christ Fully

Scripture Reading: Luke 9:23-24 (ESV) - “And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.’”

Discipleship involves a daily commitment to self-denial and cross-bearing.

It's not an occasional activity but a lifelong pursuit, and it requires surrendering personal ambitions and aligning one’s life with Christ’s will.

John MacArthur wrote that true discipleship is characterized by a life of obedience and not a superficial attachment to Christ.

Discipleship is a deep, transforming relationship that touches every area of life.

MacArthur - ”True discipleship is not about what you can gain but what you are willing to give up."

This isn’t intended to bum you out and propose that you have to be unhappy to become a disciple…but there is a cost…but ultimately the cost is worth it.

III. The Cost of Discipleship: Counting the Cost

Scripture Reading: Luke 14:26-27, 33 (ESV) - “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple... So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.”

Jesus never hid the cost of following Him.

Discipleship requires a willingness to put Christ above all else, even above family and personal comfort.

It’s a radical call to prioritize Christ in every aspect of life.

R.C. Sproul taught that the cost of discipleship is high because the value of the gospel is immeasurable.

Sproul - “Discipleship is not for the faint-hearted but for those who are willing to see Christ as their greatest treasure, worth more than all they have."

And believing that takes faith…but, it’s so worth it.

A true believer is compelled to be a disciple…anything short of that should make us pause and question what is going on…we know the gift in front of us.

IV. The Joy of Discipleship: Finding True Life in Christ

Scripture Reading: John 10:10 (ESV) - “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

Though discipleship involves cost, it leads to true and abundant life.

The paradox of the gospel is that in losing our lives for Christ, we find the life that is truly life—eternal and fulfilling.

John Piper teaches that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.

He argues that the joy of discipleship is found in delighting in Christ above all else.

It is in seeking true joy and peace…the joy and peace that only comes through a relationship with Jesus, that compels the disciple.

Piper - “The pursuit of joy in God is not optional but essential to true discipleship."

And, we have to be compelled…the Great Commission directs us…that is our calling.

V. The Mission of Discipleship: Making Disciples of All Nations

Scripture Reading: Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV) - “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’”

Discipleship is not just personal; it is missional.

Christ commands us to go and make disciples, teaching them to obey all that He has commanded.

If you aren’t listing to Christ, who are you listening to?

This is the great commission, and it is the responsibility of every believer.

Discipleship is about replication—making more disciples.

MacArthur - "A disciple is not merely a follower but a reproducer".

So, what do we do with this.

I know what I’m going to do…I’m no longer going to be limited in learning…I’m going to exercise what I’m compelled to do. When the Spirit prompts me, I’m going to listen. I do that now, but I think I can do it more.

I ask you to reflect on your own discipleship.

Are you following Christ fully?

Have you counted the cost?

Are you finding your joy in Him?

And are you committed to making disciples?

We’re going to spend some time in the fellowship of communion and worship - just like the disciples did.

Follow their teaching and worship Jesus for who is is and for what he’s done for you.

Ask him for the ability to be a disciple.

Ask him to help you learn and then share what you’ve learned.

Ask him to compel you in ways that expose his love for you as you listen to him and glorify him.

Remember, God is most glorified when we do as he commanded.

Go out and teach those who God has already prepared for you to share the gospel.

Go out and teach - they are waiting for you.

You may be the only disciple they know.

Let’s pray -