Can Anything Good Come from Nazareth?

A Picture of Biblical Discipleship

ONE of the key things that must be at the forefront of our relationship with Jesus CHrist, has to be discipleship. If you follow Jesus there should be a desire within you to reach out and share the good news that is within you. It is a birthmark of a true follower of Jesus Christ. Yet there is one theme that exist in Southern Baptist life… when i attend pastor conferences, and training events there is always a discussion… or several that all revolve around the issue of the lack of discipleship within churches.

As a whole Christians are not leading people to Christ. This is the statement that stunned me the first time I heard it, but after a few years the Lord began to reveal to me that when it came to bringing people to Jesus Christ and then walking along side of them as they got on their own two feet so to speak there is a major disconnect between our mission and our practice.

The word disciple take on two forms the first way disciple is used is the word Mathetes this word can be translated learner or pupil. The other times the word disciple is used it is the word akoulouthein which means to walk behind, or near.

Most people either knowingly or unkowingly believe that being a disciple is to be a pupil of Jesus, but they never make the connection that in order to be a pupil of Jesus you must actually follow after Jesus.

The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary Disciple, Discipleship

The disciple is not there merely to learn from the teacher but to share his whole life with him without reservation.

Discipleship is characterized by establishing a fundamental life relationship to the person of Jesus (and not merely to his teaching).

To say I am a disciple of Jesus Christ is to say I walk with Jesus, I go where Jesus goes, I love what Jesus loves, I put priority on what Jesus places priority on.

This is crucial

There are many who think that merely doing what Jesus would do makes them a Christian, (WWJD) while there are others who are void of faithfully walking with Jesus Christ the risen living Savior and instead spend all their time learning the Bible.

Which is kind of an oxymoron because i dont see how a person can study the bible diligently and not work out their salvation through service, since that is the essence of the Christian life.

It is hard wired into us once we are born again. We desire to serve...

The new nature within a new believer compels us to give, serve, and share.

I have often asked people who are struggling with the assurance of their salvation:

Have you had a moment in your life where you knew God was speaking to you?

Yes

Did you repent (turn from) your sin and throw yourself upon the mercy offered through the cross?

Yes

Do you believe in the resurrection of Jesus CHrist?

YEs

DO you have any desire to read your Bible?

YEs

Do you have a desire to do something for the Lord?

Yes

DO you feel an overwhelming push to share your faith?

Yes

If all of these things are true then you are a born again child of God.

But Jesus told His followers: to make disciples

I would like to share the best example of this I have ever seen in the scriptures.

It all revolves around 3 men: Phillip, Nathanel, and Jesus

The Seeking Savior

John 1:43 ESV

The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Follow me.”

Phillip was a follower of John the Baptist, he served with John as JTB prepared a way for the Lord. John stood boldy declaring that there was someone coming who would be the long awaited Lamb of God who comes to take away the sins of the world.

John 1:43

Phillip wasnt seeking JEsus, Jesus was seeking Phillip. DO you see the love of almighty God?

Then one day Jesus came walking into town upon seeing Jesus John the Baptist called out: “BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD WHO TAKES AWAY THE SINS OF THE WORLD!

As a lost individual sits not thinking at all about the Lord the Lord both chose Phillip and called phillip. Phillip wasn’t seeking JEsus but Jesus was seeking him. The same is true with us even today if your in here and deep within your heart you question your salvation, you need to understand that Jesus is seeking you.

The other thing i find interesting here is the simplicity of JEsus’ message.

Jesus didn’t come and preach a sermon, Jesus simply said Follow ME, the power that flowed through him was the unhindered holy spirit and Phillip got up and followed Jesus.

Once Phillip had given of Himself in order to follow Jesus I want you to see:

The Natural Byproduct of a follower of Christ

John 1:44–45 ESV

Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

John1 :44

Phillip immediately went to his hometown and began with someone he loved dearly his friend NAthanel.

Nathanel was a spiritual man he sought the Lord. we can see this by what we find in the latter portion of this story but even though he was someone who was interested in learning the law of God he had not yet surrendered his life to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Notice His reaction:

John 1:46 ESV

Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

Can anything good come from Nazareth?