A Model For Discipleship Part 4

Introduction:

As Christians we will need to emulate three primary people in the pursuit of discipling others:

Apostle: carrying the message of the good news of Christ and living it out.

What this means is to disciple others in the way God desires, being an example, staying faithful to the mission, carrying the gospel with clarity and courage, and taking that message where others might not want to.

Mother: care for their disciple with gentleness and affection.

It doesn’t matter if you are a male or female, disciples need to have a spiritual mother who is tender, nurturing, and who with cherish them. This isn’t push to effeminate Christianity or biblical discipleship. Gentleness and affection is needed for the spiritual growth in a spiritual child.

Father: (it isn’t that the gentleness or affection is done away with, but there is a moving and push toward maturity) lead with truth, challenge, rebuke, and exhortation.

Biblically fathers are to instruct, guide, correct, and challenge their children to help foster and grow in maturity. Ever disciple needs a father to bring truth, strength, correction, and challenge them to grow more into Christ’s likeness and walk worthy of their calling.

To become a biblical disciple, you must first be born again.

To become a biblical disciple, you need a mother. 

As a growing disciple, you need a mother who leads gently; therefore, you must be willing to be led. 

As a growing disciple, you need a mother who feeds you milk, and weans you as you grow; therefore, you must be willing to be fed. 

As a growing disciple, you need a mother who matures you in the Lord; therefore, you must be willing to grow. 

As a growing disciple, you need a mother who selflessly imparts her soul unto you; therefore, you must be willing to receive it!

vv. 10–11) To be a biblical disciple-maker, you must disciple others “as” a Father.

v.11) As a disciple-maker, you need to model fatherhood in by setting expectations for your children.

1 Thessalonians 2:11 NKJV

11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children,

If you aim at nothing you will it that every time. We know the worst type of father is an absent father. Second to that is a silent father. A father who has no words for his children.

1. A good father exhorts his spiritual children.

Exhort= to admonish, to encourage, to strengthen:

Acts 15:32 NKJV

32 Now Judas and Silas, themselves being prophets also, exhorted and strengthened the brethren with many words.

Titus 1:9 NKJV

9 holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.

2. A good father comforts his spiritual children.

[comfort from my father]

Paul is able to comfort his spiritual children because he went through some serious hardships.

2 Corinthians 11:23–30 NKJV

23 Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, in deaths often. 24 From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods; once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness—28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation? 30 If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity.

2 Corinthians 1:3–6 NKJV

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 6 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

Through the Holy Spirit:

John 14:26 NKJV

26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

John 15:26 NKJV

26 “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.

Through the faith of others:

1 Thessalonians 3:6–7 NKJV

6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you—7 therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith.

Through the restoration from sin:

2 Corinthians 2:6–7 NKJV

6 This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man, 7 so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow.

3. A good father charge his spiritual children.

Charge = to testify unto, to adjure (urge or request solemnly, or earnestly to do something.

1 Timothy 6:13–14 NKJV

13 I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing,

2 Timothy 4:1–2 NKJV

1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

4. A good father charges all of his children- “every one of you.”

Just like everyone needs the gospel, everyone here needs to be a disciple of Christ… Some of you are not, but you should. You might think these concepts of discipleship do not able to you, you are sadly mistaken.

v. 12 As a disciple-maker, you need to model fatherhood in your children’s walk.

[Video]

There is nothing better than to be walking with my children, and both of my girls want to hold my hand. And this reminded me of this point. We need to care how our children walk. Of course I’m speaking spiritually.

1. A father desires his spiritual children to walk worthy with him.

John 5:19 NKJV

19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.

1 Corinthians 4:15–16 NKJV

15 For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me.

Romans 2:17–24 NKJV

17 Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, 18 and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, 19 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law. 21 You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? 22 You who say, “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? 24 For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” as it is written.

2. A father desires his spiritual children to walk worthy in, humility, unity, and love. Eph 4:1–3

Ephesians 4:1–3 NKJV

1 I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

3. A father desires his children to walk worthy in bearing fruit. Col 1:10

Colossians 1:10 NKJV

10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

4. A father desire his children to walk worthy to see a reward.

Revelation 3:4 NKJV

4 You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.

To be a biblical disciple, you need a Father.

You need a father to follow.

Philippians 2:19–22 NKJV

19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state. 20 For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus. 22 But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he served with me in the gospel.

Proverbs 15:20 NKJV

20 A wise son makes a father glad, But a foolish man despises his mother.

You need a father to receive and restore you when you fall.

[Parodical son]

Luke 15:17–24 NKJV

17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’ 20 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.

God has a heart for the fatherless.

We need to understand before we are too critical of other Christians. God has a heart for the fatherless. There a lot of Churches that don’t have what we have cultivating here. And there are saints that are fatherless, wondering around. Without a mother who will nurture them and a father who will encourage, comfort, and charge them. By God’s grace, let us have a heart for them too.

Exodus 22:22–24 NKJV

22 “You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child. 23 If you afflict them in any way, and they cry at all to Me, I will surely hear their cry; 24 and My wrath will become hot, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.

Zechariah 7:9–10 NKJV

9 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Execute true justice, Show mercy and compassion Everyone to his brother. 10 Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, The alien or the poor. Let none of you plan evil in his heart Against his brother.’

James 1:27 NKJV

27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

vv. 13–14) The house where it all happens!

1 Thessalonians 2:13–14 NKJV

13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe. 14 For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans,

1 Thessalonians 1:1 NKJV

1 Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Key: Global churches are the biblical result of evangelism and discipleship.

Home is where you bring your children.

Home is where you can find rest, peace, protection.

Not about the physical but the spiritual. A foundation.

What makes a house a home is the family.

The one primary place where we must accomplish the ministry of discipleship: the house of God.

There is no shortage of disagreements on this topic among Christians.

There are those who are not connected with a house… a local church. Wanting to have and raise spiritual children. However, there is no home associated with their ministry. A problem I see when discipleship isn’t connected with the local church is is there is not accountability.

Wanting the blessing a benefit of spiritual children without the burden of accountability.

1. To be a Biblical Disciple-Maker, you must raise spiritual children in God’s house.

We are followers because we are the family of God!

Ephesians 3:14–15 NKJV

14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

2 Corinthians 6:16–18 NKJV

16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people.” 17 Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.” 18 “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

Galatians 4:26 NKJV

26 but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all.

Revelation 2:1 NKJV

1 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands:

The best place to raise spiritual children is in the house of God with spiritual mothers and fathers.

We are followers because the church of God is the house of God.

1 Timothy 3:14–15 NKJV

14 These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; 15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Galatians 6:10 NKJV

10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Ephesians 2:19 NKJV

19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,

We are followers because God’s house is guaranteed to be built.

Matthew 16:18 NKJV

18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.

1 Corinthians 3:9–10 NKJV

9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.

We are followers because God’s house has the right foundation.

Ephesians 2:19–21 NKJV

19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,

1 Corinthians 3:11 NKJV

11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 28:16 NKJV

16 Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily.

We are followers because God’s house has the right support.

The pillar- the stability of God’s truth which you need.

Genesis 28:17–19 NKJV

17 And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!” 18 Then Jacob rose early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put at his head, set it up as a pillar, and poured oil on top of it. 19 And he called the name of that place Bethel; but the name of that city had been Luz previously.

Proverbs 9:1 NKJV

1 Wisdom has built her house, She has hewn out her seven pillars;

Galatians 2:9 NKJV

9 and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.

The ground- the place of God’s truth is where you must labor.

1st mention:

Genesis 2:5 NKJV

5 before any plant of the field was in the earth and before any herb of the field had grown. For the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the earth, and there was no man to till the ground;

Genesis 2:15 NKJV

15 Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.

John 17:17 NKJV

17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

We are followers because we have the right roles to raise spiritual children.

Pastors: lead

Ephesians 4:11–12 NKJV

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

1 Timothy 3:5 NKJV

5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?);

Deacons: serve

Acts 6:2–4 NKJV

2 Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. 3 Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; 4 but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

To be a Biblical Disciple, you must submit yourself to a local church structure and authority.

You need a house because you are a part of God’s family.

You need a house because you need to be built up.

You need a house because you need a sure foundation.

You need a house because you need the right support in your life.

You need a house because you need the right roles in your life.