WHAT IS A DISCIPLE?

INTRODUCTION

Just before Jesus ascended to heaven he gave us the Great Commission, commanding us to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations (Mt. 28:18-20) . So what really is a disciple according to Jesus’ definition?

DICTIONARY DEFINITION OF A DISCIPLE

A learner; a student; someone who follows another person.

We meet some disciples like this in John 6.

They were followers, they listened to Jesus teach so they were learners. But, they were consumers. When Jesus told them what it really meant to acquire the Bread of Life many of them left and didn’t follow Him any longer.

They were offended by Jesus words that they must eat His flesh and drink His blood.

JESUS DEFINITION OF HIS DISCIPLES

John 8:31-32 His Disciples Abide in His Word

John 8:31–32 ESV

31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

WHAT IS HIS WORD?

Not only the words Jesus spoke, recorded for us in the gospels, but all scripture is God’s word.

John 1:1–2 ESV

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God.

John 1:14 ESV

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 ESV

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Matthew 5:17–20 ESV

17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

HOW DO WE ABIDE IN HIS WORD?

KNOW HIS WORD

Study it

Apply it

KNOW HIM! HE IS THE WORD.

John 14:6 ESV

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 13:34-35 His Disciples Love One Another

John 13:34–35 ESV

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

THE GREATEST COMMANDMENT MATTHEW 22:35-40

WHAT IS HIS DEFINITION OF LOVE?

1 Corinthians 13:4–7 ESV

4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

John 15:8 His Disciples Bear Good Fruit

John 15:8 ESV

8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

WHAT IS GOOD FRUIT VS BAD FRUIT?

Galatians 5:22–24 ESV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Bearing these kinds of fruit affects those around us, and some will also desire the Source of our love, our joy, our peace, our patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness. And when we speak to them about the Kingdom of God it will have the ring of authenticity.

WE CAN ONLY BEAR GOOD FRUIT BY ABIDING IN HIM, NOT IN OUR OWN WISDOM OR STRENGTH.

JESUS WARNED THAT HIS FOLLOWERS WILL HAVE OPPOSITION

Matthew 10:16–25 “16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. 19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, 22 and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. 24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.”

SO, WHY WOULD ANYONE CHOOSE TO FOLLOW JESUS?