Walking the Path: The Call to Discipleship

Application: This sermon will encourage listeners to reflect on their personal commitment to follow Christ, considering the sacrifices and changes that true discipleship requires in their everyday lives.

1. Commencement: First Steps and Leaving All Behind

Matthew 4:18-22-

English Standard Version Chapter 4

Jesus Calls the First Disciples

18 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. 19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 Immediately they left their nets and followed him. 21 And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

In everyone’s walk with Christ there is a first step.

Different for everyone. Age and type of life lived so far.

Billy Graham said the cross of Christ is offensive.

This passage illustrates the immediate response required when Christ calls, bringing a transformative shift in priorities.

These men took the first step of faith and in this instance showed a willingness to put their personal interests to rest to follow Jesus.

That begs the question to the church. Have you taken that step and left it all behind? That can mean different things for different people, but you will no what that means for you.

2. Commitment: Bearing Your Cross

Luke 9:23-25-

English Standard Version Chapter 9

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? 26 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. 27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”

Verse 23- Who should deny himself and take up their cross? Anyone who wants to pursue Christ.

This is a non negotiable.

Verse 24 is self explanatory. Church this is real. What a pleasure.

Each of these verses address being selfish over the life that God gave you over being kingdom minded.

Ill come back to 27 in a bit.

3. Connection: Abiding in Christ

John 15:5-8-

English Standard Version Chapter 15

5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

Abiding in Christ is essential for fruitful discipleship. This passage emphasizes the dependence on Jesus for spiritual growth and effectiveness. Consider encouraging your audience to stay connected to Jesus through spiritual disciplines like prayer, reading Scripture, and fellowship. Stress that sustaining a vibrant relationship with Christ empowers believers to lead lives that bear witness to God’s love and grace.

4. Commission: Making Disciples Everywhere

Matthew 28:18-20-

English Standard Version Chapter 28

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 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, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

And then there’s this, probably the most important aspect of discipleship and the thing we do the worst.

There is a group of pastors in this county that understand that the church has failed in this area for the last 50 years.

People are waking up to the knowledge you cant just get people saved, baptize then forget about them.

There are so many scritpures that speak of the on going process of sanctification.

Hagiasmos- to make Holy

Salvation is an event and also a process.

Romans 13:11-

English Standard Version Chapter 13

11 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.

Billy Graham said that salvation is free, but discipleship costs everything we have.

Our Lord made discipleship hard and lost many prospective followers because he called them to a pilgrimage, not to a parade—to a fight, not to a frolic.

Havner, Vance

Maybe you want to reassure your audience of the promise embedded in discipleship—that some will taste the Kingdom's glory. This serves as a reminder of the hope and assurance in Christ's return. Hence, despite current sufferings or trials, embracing the cross leads to experiencing God's Kingdom manifestly.