What is a Disciple?

Introduction

General: My kids were recently talking about different stages of development: infant, toddler, pre-schooler, child, tween, teenager, young adult, middle-age adult, older adult, elderly adult.

Personal: Sometimes, we think of spiritual growth and development in similar ways. A newer (less mature) believer is a Christian, and a seasoned saint (a mature believer) is a disciple. But that is not correct.

Theological: A disciple is NOT a “spiritually mature Christian.” Disciple is not a destination—it is a journey.

A disciple is “someone who follows another person or another way of life and who submits himself to the discipline (teaching) of that leader or way.” —Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible

A Christian is “a disciple of Jesus Christ,” a CHRIST-ian.

A Christian disciple is someone who is actually following Jesus in life.

Subject: What does “actually following Jesus” mean? What does it mean to be a disciple? In Mark 1:16-20…

I respond when Jesus calls.

I have a new identity in Christ.

I am living on mission.

Body

As a disciple, I respond when Jesus calls. I answer the invitation.

Exposition: “Follow me…”

Their response was immediate and costly.

Sometimes we can’t say, “Yes,” to God because we can’t say, “No,” to self.

Illustration: When God calls us out of our comfort zone — moving from Pontiac to Stoughton.

Application: What is God calling you to do? The most important step you can take is the next one. What is your next step?

As a disciple, I have a new identity in Christ. I am defined by Jesus.

Exposition (Mark 1:17)… “I will make you become…” I will turn you into something you’re not.

We cannot follow Jesus and remain the same. Being a Christian WILL change you (2 Cor 5:17).

I love that Jesus said, “I will make you become…” It’s not an immediate change but a lifelong transformation. There are no microwaves in Jesus’s kitchen, only crockpots.

Illustration: I used to think that being a Christian was about bringing Jesus into my life so that he could help me become the best version of me. But what I have learned is that I’m following Jesus—he’s not following me. It’s not about adding Jesus to my life but adding my life to Jesus. It’s not about me becoming the best version of myself but me becoming who Jesus intended me to be (which also happens to be the best version of me).

Application: Who are you? In Christ, you are a new creation. Are you living out of that identity?

As a disciple, I am living on mission. I have devoted my life to sharing Jesus with others.

Exposition (Mark 1:17)… “fishers of men.”

Sharing Christ with others is part of my own spiritual growth and development… If I don’t take this step, I’ll plateau.

“But, I don’t feel equipped to share my faith with someone else.”

Illustration: “Jesus did not call professionally trained rabbis to be his disciples. He called ordinary people and encouraged them that the skills they already had were serviceable in the kingdom. If God called shepherds like Moses and David to shepherd his people, Jesus could call fishermen to be gatherers of people.” —Craig Keener

Application

What skills, life experiences, and relationships do you already have that are serviceable in God’s kingdom? Daily prayer: “Here am I, and here’s what I have to give. Use it.”

If you’re not comfortable talking about what God’s doing in your life with an unsaved neighbor, practice with each other.

Conclusion

A Christian disciple is someone who is actually following Jesus in life.

They respond when Jesus calls.

They have a new identity in Christ.

They are living on mission.

This morning I prayed with a team from LakeView that is going to North Carolina on mission for the glory of God and the common good.