The Disciple's Call

Introduction

Last week we discussed a strategic plan for the ministry of High Plains Baptist Church. It consists of three steps:

Connecting people to Christ and to His church

Helping them to Grow in grace and knowledge

Equipping them to Engage in the work of ministry

The goal of this step by step process is to produce disciple of Christ who are capable of making an impact in this world.

This process is one which each and every one of us must pursue personally as well because...

“It takes a disciple to make a disciple”

With that in mind, this morning we are going to begin a ten week series on “The Making of a Disciple.”

Throughout this series we will follow the greatest disciple maker,Jesus Christ, throughout His earthly ministry as He develops His disciples.

Today we are going to begin with “The Disciple’s Call” as Jesus walks along the shore of the sea of Galilee and begins to call His disciples to Himself.

The Disciple’s Call is a call to...

Faith

As Jesus walks along the shore of the sea of Galilee, He turns His attention to two simple fishermen, Simon Peter and Andrew.

Jesus speaks to them and instructs them to follow Him, and that in turn they shall be made fishers of men.

It is important to note that this is likely not the first encounter that these men had with Jesus, it seems that in John 1:35-42 is recorded the first encounter that these men had with Jesus.

Jesus was not asking them to blindly follow someone they knew nothing about but was now calling them to become devoted disciples.

This would yet require faith on the part of these men who were already engaged in ordinary lives.

The call to faith begins with the call to salvation but it certainly does not end there for those who will be disciples.

The disciple must come to believe that the life of a disciple is truly to be valued above the life of the average believer.

We must admit that the reason that there are so few devoted disciples may be traced ultimately to a lack of faith. Many continue to believe that the life of the disciple is too difficult and not worth the risk or the sacrifice that it requires.

We can be certain that these men did not fully grasp what lay ahead for them in embracing the life of a disciple of Christ, but their faith led them to respond to Jesus’ call to become His disciples.

Will you step out on faith today and respond to the call to be a disciple? Will you move beyond the mediocrity of the life of the average believer to embrace a higher purpose and calling?

Not one of us know where this call to be a disciple may take us, but by faith, we do know that it will be the most rewarding life that we can possibly live!

The disciple’s call is first and foremost a call to faith and the disciple of Christ will often be called upon to walk by faith and not by sight. II Corinthians 5:7

Forsake

We find that the disciples respond in the affirmative to Jesus call to become disciples by faith trusting that following Jesus is best.

Once they responded in faith to the call, they then made the deliberate choice to forsake much of their former life. The disciple’s call is also a call to forsake.

These men left behind a promising career and their family in order to follow Jesus. They were willing to forsake these things because they were fully invested in their decision to follow Christ.

When you and I answer the call to become a disciple there will necessarily be some things that we must forsake. It may not be our job or our family, but if there are things that are hindering us from following Christ then we must be willing to let them go.

It has been often stated that “The good is the enemy of the best.” The disciple is willing to lay aside even good things in favor of the best thing which is to be a disciple of Christ. The disciple is willing to forsake the “good life” in favor of the “best life.”

These men knew well that they could not continue to be fishermen and also be devoted disciples so they laid aside the family business to respond to Jesus’ call.

Hebrews 12:1–2 KJV 1900

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

If there are relationships, careers, habits, or any other thing that would hinder our development as a disciple, let us determine today that we will forsake it.

If in the future as we continue to develop as disciples, the Lord would point out some thing in our life that has become a hinderance, let us at that moment be ready to forsake it in order that we may continue to follow Christ.

Matthew 19:21–22 KJV 1900

Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

Sadly we see many believers who respond as the rich man did and who are unwilling to forsake that which has become a hindrance to becoming a disciple.

Follow

The disciple’s call is not only a call to forsake that which would be a hindrance, but it is a call to commit to following Christ.

These men not only responded in faith and forsook their nets and their former lives, but they were committed to following Jesus wherever He would lead them.

The emphasis of these verse is that these men were willing to leave everything in order to commit themselves to following Christ. They followed Him when things were going well and Jesus was popular, but they also followed Him when Jesus became unpopular and they became the target of criticism and persecution.

Those who followed Jesus were witness to the many miraculous works that He performed, but they were also witness to His arrest and ultimately to His trial and crucifixion.

They witnessed the crowds praise and also witnessed much of the same crowd turn away and walk with Him no more.

There are many who initially decide to follow Jesus, but when trials come, opposition arises, or they feel that the cost is too great, they no longer follow Him.

How many have committed themselves as disciples, and then have refused to follow Christ when the way grew rough and steep.

Many choose to follow Jesus motivated by the blessing they hope to receive at His hands but when they have trials and hardship instead they turn and follow no more.

It is easy to be a disciple when the demands are low and the praise and the blessings are high, but what will we do when Jesus demands much and instead of being praised for our sacrifice, we are mocked and ridiculed?

John 6:60-68- turned and walked with Him no more

Is it worth it? Matthew 19:27-29

Luke 18:28–30 KJV 1900

Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee. And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.

Fundamental Change

Notice again the statement that Jesus makes to these men. “I will make you fishers of men”

The decision to become a disciple of Jesus Christ will bring about a fundamental transformation in our lives. We will not be what we once were.

Those men who decided to follow Jesus would never be the same and this is still true of all who will become His disciples today.

You and I must understand that in following Jesus our lives, our hearts, and our minds, will be transformed.

It is Jesus desire to make us into what He would have us to be, and it is our responsibility to simply yield to His transforming power.

No one who commits themselves to following Jesus will remain unchanged. Jesus Christ will mold and shape you into what He would have you to be.

Conclusion

Do you want to be a disciple?

Will you step out in faith today and answer the call to follow Jesus?

Will you forsake whatever it is that stands in the way of your becoming a devoted disciple?

Will you commit to following Jesus when it’s easy and even when it’s hard?

Will you let Jesus Christ fundamentally change you into what He would have you to be?