What is a Disciple?

Intro:

Matthew 28:19–20 NKJV

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

A recent survey of over 2000 Christians focused on the topic of discipleship. As we begin a study on becoming disciples, I’d like to share a few of the results.

Only 20% of Christians are involved in some sort of discipleship activity.

Of those who are involved in some type of discipleship or spiritual growth program:

43% attend Sunday School or fellowship group

33% study the bible with a group

25% read or discuss Christian books with a group

17% meet with a spiritual mentor

The struggle with these statistics go back to what we call the Great Commission. Jesus instructed His disciples to go into all the world and make more disciples.

Jesus did not say to go and make Christians or church members, He instructed us to go and make disciples.

Before we look at intricacies of discipleship, let’s ask:

What is a disciple?

A few definitions I found that I like are:

A disciple is the kind of person who becomes the kind of person Jesus was.

A disciple is someone who is follwoing Jesus, being changed by Jesus, and is committed to Jesus’ Kingdom mission.

A disciple is an intentional learner from Jesus.

To summarize, a disciple is an apprentice.

What would have happened if Jesus had gone to Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon, or Judas and said, COME FOLLOW ME.

Only to follow that with, if you want to follow me or become my apprentice/disciple, say yes now, and in three years meet in a room in Jerusalem. By that time I will have died and risen from the dead.

I will come into the room and speak to you, showing you the scars from the nails that were placed in my hands. I will walk with you a little for forty days and then I will ascend to my Father.

Then I will send the Holy Spirit for you during the feast of Pentecost, you will speak in tongues, and I will use you to do supernatural exploits in my name. Oh, by the way, I am Jesus, nice to meet you.

Just so you know, follow me will eventually require your life. In fact all of you will die because of your association with me, except John, he will be boiled in hot oil, and serve out a sentence of hard labor well into his nineties.

Who thinks they would have willingly followed Him?

Of course not. Instead, He invited them to follow Him. They answered yes, and then He worked with them, or discipled them.

Jesus has the same desire for each of us. He wants to disciple us, making us more like Him. What is involved in becoming a disciple? We will answer that question by looking at the book of .

1. Disciples Respond to the Gospel

Mark 1:14–15 NKJV

14 Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

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After 400 years of silence from God, the remnant of faithful Jews who looked for their coming Messiah rejoiced when John the Baptist announced he prepared the way for the Coming One.

Jesus came on the scene where John baptized Him and then He spent forty days in the wilderness fasting and praying, all while Satan tempted Him.

When He left the wilderness, He began to preach the gospel of the Kingdom. His message included repentance and believing in the gospel.

Long before the disciples followed Jesus, they heard about this man who preached the gospel.

What is the gospel?

Long before we can determine if we will become disciples, we have to know where we will place our trust.

The gospel in its purest form is the “good news.” The good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is the simple message that God sent His Son to die for our sins. When we accept Him as our Savior, He forgives us an accepts us as His children.

The effects of the gospel extend beyond simply believing in Him. Wherever the gospel is preached, God will confirm Him word with signs following.

Notice the timing of Jesus’ message of preaching the gospel, it took place when John was imprisoned. While John sat in prison, he had a lot of time to think, did I get it right?

He sent his disciples, or apprentices, to Jesus to ask, are you the coming one or do we look for another? Listen to Jesus’ answer.

Matthew 11:2–6 NKJV

2 And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples 3 and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” 4 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: 5 The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

Matthew 11 NKJV

1 Now it came to pass, when Jesus finished commanding His twelve disciples, that He departed from there to teach and to preach in their cities. 2 And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples 3 and said to Him, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” 4 Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things which you hear and see: 5 The blind see and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. 6 And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” 7 As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. 10 For this is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, Who will prepare Your way before You.’ 11 “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear! 16 “But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, 17 and saying: ‘We played the flute for you, And you did not dance; We mourned to you, And you did not lament.’ 18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.” 20 Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent: 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.” 25 At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. 26 Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. 27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Every follower/disciple of Jesus responded to the fact that in Jesus, everything can change, physically, emotionally, and most important, spiritually.

Therefore, to become a disciple of Jesus, we have to respond to the Good News that comes by placing faith in Him.

Included in the gospel is the promise of forgiveness of sin. But we also have hope that Jesus will walk with us throughout the rest of our lives.

To become a disciple, we respond to the gospel.

2. Disciples Require a Discipler

Mark 1:16–17 NKJV

16 And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 17 Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”

As I mentioned, in the first century, a disciple was a student or a teacher, specifically in religious or philosophy. The disciple was to learn study, and pass along the sayings and teachings of their master.

When someone selected their disciples they were intentional. They did not want just anyone to follow them, for their followers were a reflection on them.

It was a tremendous honor to hear the words of a prestigious teacher make the statement, follow me. Many people, including the Pharisees, John the Baptist, and even Moses had disciples.

It only makes sense that Jesus had disciples. However, who He selected said a lot about His desire for future ministry.

Jesus did not look the for the smartest or most impressive people. He selected everyday people to fulfill His will.

Those with the proper training and desired background wanted nothing to do with Jesus. However, each of the disciples, though unique in their traits and personality, all had one thing in common, they needed Jesus.

To be a disciple, we need someone to disciple us.

Why is Jesus the best discipler?

Jesus looked at the men in their boat. As fisherman, they were likely dirty, with an undesired job. But Jesus did not look at their present.

He knew what these ordinary men could do if they would but follow Jesus. He planned to work with them and make them into the people He wanted them to become.

3. Disciples Realize Necessary Changes

Mark 1:18–20 NKJV

18 They immediately left their nets and followed Him. 19 When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets. 20 And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him.

After the disciples responded to the gospel, they understood the requirements to be discipled meant having a discipler. But there is a common theme, everyone who followed Jesus left everything.

It is not as though they were day laborers, catching fish on the side. Fishing was their source of income and their means of providing for their families.

However, something lacked in their lives. They realized they needed change, and Jesus offered the change they desired.

Upon hearing the gospel, which included repenting and believing, they wanted to follow Christ. However, here is the dilemma, does the gospel we preach align with the gospel Jesus preached?

However, here is the dilemma, does the gospel we preach align with the gospel Jesus preached?

The gospel Jesus preached involved believing in Him. Then letting Him transform us to become more like Him.

It is true that believing in Jesus provides forgiveness of sin. However, He saves us so that He might change us and make us who He wants us to be.

In the United States, much is made about confessing our sins. However, confession should lead to conversion.

Convert means to change in form, character, or function.

Convert means to change in form, character, or function.

Acts 3:19 NKJV

19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,

When each disciple determined to follow Jesus, He converted them. No longer were they fishers or tax collectors, they became children of God.

As children, God does not expect instant maturity. Instead, maturing in Christ means allowing Him to change us, removing what does not belong and replacing it with what does.

Conversion requires change. However, we do not make the changes, God does.

What changes does Jesus make in His disciples?

The changes God wants to make occurs in the discipleship process. Jesus takes us and teaches us how to live for Him.

We accepted Christ because we knew our lives needed a change. However, in our walk with God, we need to let Him make the daily changes, transforming us into His image.

Close:

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, German pastor who was killed by the Nazis during World War II explained, “Christianity without discipleship is always Christianity without Christ.”

It cost God everything to send His Son Jesus to die for our sins. Therefore, His purpose in coming to earth is fulfilled in our salvation.

Salvation is more than a one-time prayer. It is a commitment to live for Jesus everyday. We must draw near to Him and allow Him to disciple us.

Does the gospel make discipleship optional?

Jesus still looks for disciples. Of the 261 times we read the word disciple, 233 times occur in the gospel. Jesus paints a picture of the type of relationship He wants with His followers.

Does the gospel make disciplship optional?

He did not save us only to say, hope you make it until you die. No, He wants to walk with us on a daily basis, leading, guiding, directing, encouraging, and helping us through this life.

Let’s respond to the gospel, ask Jesus to disciple us, and realize our need for Him to make the necessary changes in us.

Next time someone asks, what is a disciple, our answer should be, you’re look at one!