The Necessity of Discipleship

Ephesians 4:11-16

No Discipleship, No Christ

Our first Commander in Chief, George Washington once said, “Discipline is the soul of an army. It makes small numbers formidable, procures success to the weak, and esteem to all.”

During Hegseth’s confirmation hearing this week, he spoke about the readiness of our armed forces being compromised by political distractions, lowered standards, and little accountability.

Could the same be said of the Church?

George Barna, in his book Growing True Disciples writes, “Most Christians know that spiritual growth is important, beneficial, and expected… but few believers have relationships that hold them accountable for spiritual development. Most believers, it turns out, are satisfied to engage in a process without regard for the product.

Perhaps the greatest single weakness of the contemporary Christian Church is that millions of supposed members are not really involved at all and, what is worse, do not think it strange that they are not.

The Necessity of Discipleship in the Church

Bonhoeffer, “Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ.” If you are not growing in your understanding, trust, and maturity in your life of faith, you are not walking with Christ. Today - What discipleship looks like, what the Church looks like without discipline, and how we can faithfully approach discipleship in the body of Christ.

What Church Discipleship Looks Like

Two key elements

Teaching/Instruction

The offices mentioned - (Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastor/Shepherds, Teachers) all ministries of the word.

The authority of the church is ministerial and declarative. To ,proclaim the word of God and give counsel according to the Word.

Proclaiming the gospel to the lost, calling all to repent and believe in Jesus Christ for salvation

Declaring the whole counsel of God, equipping the saints for the work that God has given the church.

Correcting and Exhorting, holding the light of the word of God before the people that we might walk according to it.

Practical Education -

Sunday School, preaching, Bible Study, reading - growing in knowledge of God’s word and of Christ

Correction

Self-Correction -

By the working of the Spirit, through the witness of the word read and preached, coming under conviction, seeing the error of your ways, repenting and turning to righteousness

Concrete example - learning to pray, convicted over lack of tithing, committing to witnessing.

Peer Discipline

When one brother is caught up in sin, and is confronted by another. Rebuking or admonishing the sinner for their sin, calling them to repentance, leading them in righteousness, in order to maintain the purity of the church and to bring glory to God.

Matt 18:15 - If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone.

Gal 6:1 - if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness…

Galatians 2:11-14 - Paul opposed Peter, because he acted one way with Gentiles, and another with the Jews, “conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel.”

Approaching a brother who is caught in sin

Discipline from the Elders

When interpersonal discipline does not bring about restoration, when someone persists in sin, it is brought before the elders of the church

The Church is the tender mother, correcting her children for their good, that everyone may be presented faultless in the day of the Lord

1 Cor 5:1 - “A man has his father’s wife,” and the church did nothing about it, was even arrogant in their attitude about it.

Dr. John and Chris: Elder was a widower, engaged to be remarried, her landlord sold the house, and he offered to let her move in for a few months before wedding - Was grateful because he hadn’t thought how his decision would affect others.

A Christian Without Discipline

The alternative to discipline is disaster.

Havner, Vance

Children tossed to and fro

Having a childlike faith…

1 Cor 14:20 Do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.

Childlike faith is a faith that is dependent upon God for everything, learning, growing, and loving.

Tossed by every wave, wind of doctrine; corruption of man, deceitful scheme…

Not knowing what you believe or why you believe it, or influenced by every latest trend, easily led astray - making shipwreck of your soul.

Fruitless branches

Disconnected from the vine, a wild grape

Losing our witness, living in such a way, so inconsistent with the truth we proclaim, that no one will listen or believe

Or giving the wrong message, echoing the talking points of the world.

The Disciplined Christian

Grow up into Christ

Study - having the knowledge of who Christ is, what he has done, and who he has called you to be

Strive toward Christlikeness. The purpose of the christian life is to be more like Christ, do you look more like him, or more like the world?

Establish relationships with people who will speak the truth of God’s word into your life.

Be Strong in Faith and Service

Exercise, training makes us strong. Do you have a spiritual exercise plan?

Pray, read, witness, serve… strength comes through service, doing more than you are able, and resting in the work of God’s Spirit to bring you success.

Exercise is better with a partner

Do you have someone in your life who will hold you accountable, who knows your struggles and can speak the word of God into your life.

Establish relationships with people who will speak the truth of God’s word into your life.

Built up in love

Speaking the truth in Love

Be sure that you are operating out of a love for Christ, and a love for your brother or sister, and not just the love of being right

Allow the Word of God to be a shepherds staff, to guide, direct, and pull one another out of danger; not a bludgeoning tool to beat others down.

Let your words be seasoned with grace, humility, and prayer

Jude 22–23 And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.

The goal of all discipline and discipleship

Your aim in addressing one another in their sin should always be:

A Sinner’s restoration

Heaven delights over the salvation of one sinner, so should we.

The Unity of the Church

Sin will divide us, reconciliation and righteousness will hold us together.

There can be no peace, no unity in the church unless there is purity in the church.

The Glory of God

As his word is honored, his righteousness proclaimed, and the salvation found in Jesus Christ transforms sinners into saints

Conclusion - If you are united to Christ by faith, you will be growing up in the likeness of Christ through the teaching and correction of His word. Grow up into Christ, being strengthen in faith and service, as you build one another up in love