Discipled or Indoctrinated?

Text: Luke 14:15-35

I. Introduction

What does it mean to be a Disciple of Christ? Is there any difference between an Indoctrinated Christian and a Discipled Christian?

II. What is the Difference?

A. Common view of Discipleship (www.thefreedictionary.com/disciple):

i. one of the personal followers of Christ (including his 12 apostles) during his earthly life

ii. one who embraces and assists in spreading the teachings of another.

iii. an active adherent, as of a movement or philosophy.

iv. a follower of the doctrines of a teacher or a school of thought

a) Exodus 21: 1-6

b) Deuteronomy 5:17-20

B. Disciple—(μαθητής) mathētēs—“student”

i. Many different types of students

ii. Student A:

a) Does homework on time

b) Pays attention in class, takes notes

c) Studies for tests

d) Not disruptive

e) Gets straight A's

f) Actively engaged: asks questions/for help when needed

iii. Student B:

a) Does all the above

b) Desires knowledge for knowledge's sake, not just a grade

c) Asks questions outside of the required material

d) Strives to retain the material, rather than regurgitate

e) Looks to apply the material in his/her life; achieves lifelong learning skills

iv. As a teacher, which student would you rather have?

C. The difference is in the commitment and motivation

i. Dr. Bradshaw's “Commitment” speech

a) have to decide what's important to you

b) do the right things (ie. Follow the “doctrine”)

c) make sacrifices, and learn how to study

ii. Student B is a disciple—requires sacrifice and commitment

iii. It's the difference between dating and marriage

a) the commitment and cost are both higher

b) The dating vows: “I _____, take you ______, to be my hot date. To have and to hold, at least for today, for better, for best, for richer, for fame, in beauty and in health, to like and to look at, 'till you anger me or I find someone better. And hereto I pledge you my temporary faithfulness.”

c) your motivation cannot come from physical attraction or money, it has to be true love

iv. The irony is that Student B (and the married person) does better on the tests than Student A, by not focusing on the tests, but instead on the learning process.

III. How does a Discipled Christian's life differ from an Indoctrinated Christian's life?

A. Case Study #1: Luke 14:15-35

i. “...they all alike began to make excuses...”

a) all legitimate excuses,

b) but excuses don't get people saved

c) God may send someone else, but you will answer for your excuse

d) Story of Ester: “If you don't, God will bring us deliverance from somewhere else...But who knows if you were sent to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

ii. Someone else received the blessing of the banquet

a) Those who serve themselves and make excuses reap unhappiness and discontentment

b) Those who serve God and others reap joy and contentment

iii. Characteristics of the Disciple:

a) They've counted the cost (v. 28)

· The cost is large: family, status, comfort, etc.

· Don't make an emotional commitment without considering the cost, or you will not make it

b) They've chosen to follow regardless

· Missionary in Kenya

· Chose to take his family, b/c they're “safer in Africa, in the center of God's will than in America outside of God's will.”

B. Case Study #2: Prakash Yadav

i. Hindu background

ii. Converted to Christianity at about age 22

iii. Pastors small missions in Delhi, India

iv. Lived in a one room apartment

v. Beaten by his townspeople for distributing tracts and Bibles

C. Case Study #3: Stephen Curtis Chapman

i. Wrote song named “Yours”

ii. Added a verse after his daughter's death

D. The difference is in the attitude

i. “What is the least I can do to get by?”/“How far can I go before it's a sin?”

ii. “What else can I be doing to further God's Kingdom?”/“How close can I get to the life God wants me to live?”

iii. The difference between Student A and B, between one who is Indoctrinated and one who's Discipled is their attitude and commitment.

IV.Conclusion

What would your life look like as a Disciple? What would you have to give up? Where/what is your comfort zone? What excuses are keeping you from committing? Are you willing to make sacrifices to advance the Kingdom of God? Prakash's “deciding verses” Hebrews 13:5-8. God will equip those he calls.

“Yours” by Steven Curtis Chapman

I walk the streets of London And notice in the faces passing by Something that makes me stop and listen My heart grows heavy with the cry Where is the hope for London? You whisper and my heart begins to soar As I'm reminded That every street in London in Yours I walk the dirt roads of Uganda I see the scars that war has left behind Hope like the sun is fading They're waiting for a cure no one can find And I hear children's voices singing Of a God who heals and rescues and restores And I'm reminded That every child in Africa is Yours

(CHORUS)

And I walk the sidewalks of Nashville Like Singapore, Manila and Shanghai I rush by the beggar's hand and the wealthy man And everywhere I look I realize That just like the streets of London For every man and woman, boy and girl All of creation This is our Father's world

(CHORUS)

I've walked the valley of death's shadow So deep and dark that I could barely breathe I've had to let go of more than I could bear And questioned everything that I believe But still even here in this great darkness A comfort and hope come breaking through As I can say in life or death God we belong to you.

Chorus: And its all Yours, God, Yours, God Everything is Yours From the stars in the sky To the depths of the ocean floor And its all Yours, God, Yours, God, Everything is Yours You're the Maker and Keeper, Father and Ruler of everything (All the Greatness and Power, Glory and Splendor, and Majesty)

It's all Yours