What a Disciple Becomes

Introduction

Review:

What is a disciple? A disciple (a Christian) is someone who is actually following Jesus in life.

I respond when Jesus calls.

My identity is found in Christ.

I am living on mission for God.

How do disciples grow? Disciples grow through abiding, not achieving.

Let God take control.

Let God’s words be at home in your heart.

Love one another like Jesus loves.

Personal: How can you tell if you’re growing as a disciple? What does a disciple become?

Biblical: Galatians 5:16, 22-23 (ESV).

Big Idea: Walk by the Spirit, and God will make you grow to be more like Jesus. Listen to God, and he will turn you into a reflection of Christ.

Body

LOVE is devoting yourself to the highest good of another.

Explanation: Love is not just a feeling. It’s a commitment you choose to make.

Illustration: Moms are one of the greatest examples of love in the world today.

Application: When you love someone, you put them first, you think of that person before you think of yourself. That’s hard to do, but we can do it when we are filled with Jesus’s love.

JOY is being filled with hope in Jesus, even when times are hard.

Explanation

Joy is not the same as happiness. Happiness depends on good things happening, but you can find joy in Christ even in the hardest moments of life.

The culture around us says happiness is the most important thing in life. And the way to be happy is to take away rules and add more things to your life. But that’s a lie. Happiness is NOT the most important thing in life. Jesus is. And Jesus gives us joy.

Illustration: Pouring water through your hand… The more you try to hold onto it, the less you have.

Application: The fastest way to lose your joy in life is to make your own happiness more important than Jesus… Instead, fill your life with Jesus, and he will fill your life with joy.

PEACE is resting in the confidence we have in Jesus.

Explanation:

Peace is being filled with trust in Jesus, knowing that he is always with you and will always watch over you.

If I don’t have confidence in Jesus, then I don’t have peace. I have to depend on myself, and what if I get it wrong? But, Rom 8:31 — “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Application: The way to have peace is to pray about everything.

PATIENCE is being willing to wait for God’s timing.

Explanation: Patience requires trust—I trust God to give me what I need when I need it. I don’t try to get what I want right now. I’m willing to wait on God.

Illustration: Three Kinds of Waiting

You know something will happen, and when it will happen (e.g., your birthday).

You know something will happen, but you’re not sure when (e.g., waiting in line for a roller coaster).

You don’t know if it will happen or not (e.g., getting married). This is when you really have to trust God—he knows what’s best for you.

Application: What do you do while you wait? Pray and get ready for God’s next move.

KINDNESS is seeing people through God’s eyes.

Explanation: Instead of seeing all the things they do wrong, and all they ways they’re annoying, see that person the way God sees them: as a beautiful human being made in the image of God. He loves them with all his heart. And he sent Jesus to save them.

Application: Pray: “God, help me to see others with your eyes, and love others with your heart.”

GOODNESS is reflecting God to others.

Explanation: “God is good.” All the time. “All the time.” God is good. Goodness means being like God.

Illustration: Kids often look like their parents. If God is our Heavenly Father, we’ll start to resemble him.

Application:

I want to reflect God, like a mirror. When other people see me, I want them to see a reflection of God—his love. His kindness. His patience. His joy. His peace.

When you ask God to grow the fruit of the Spirit, he does. He brings friends into your life so you can love them. He fills you with joy as you draw close to him. His love brings you peace. He makes you wait in line, so you learn to be patient. And he shows you people you can treat with kindness and goodness.

FAITHFULNESS is being someone others can trust.

Illustration: Imagine a baseball team with a pitcher who sometimes shows up but sometimes doesn’t. Or a friend who say’s he’ll be there, but never comes. Or a coworker who says she’ll fill out the reports, but doesn’t.

Explanation: A faithful person says what they mean and means what they say.

Application: Even the most faithful people sometimes fail—we’re not perfect! But one person will never fail you. He will never leave you. He keeps every promise. He is ALWAYS faithful. His name is Jesus. Trust him.

GENTLENESS is using your strength to help rather than hurt.

Explanation: Gentleness is not weakness but controlled strength.

Illustration: Something fragile…

SELF-CONTROL is the power to choose what is right, even when it’s hard.

Illustration: Magic for Humans, kids w/ a marshmallow

Conclusion

Walk by the Spirit, and God will make you grow to be more like Jesus. We can’t make the fruit of the Spirit grow in our lives—that’s God’s work. But, we can walk by the Spirit. Here’s how:

Fill your life with Jesus (Scripture, prayer, fellowship, worship). — Let his words be at home in your heart.

Let God take control. Pull the weeds in your life.

Love others like Jesus does. Show the world what Jesus is like (serving, giving, sharing).