Are You A Disciple
Are You A Disciple Of Jesus?
Text: Matthew 21:6
INTRODUCTION: Are you a disciple of Jesus? More than likely you believe in Jesus... You might even be one to attend church services regularly -- But is that what it means to be His disciple?
I. THE DEFINITION OF A DISCIPLE
A. THE WORD "DISCIPLE"...
1. The word "disciple" literally means A LEARNER
2. According to Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, it denotes "one who follows another's teaching"
3. But a disciple was not only a learner, he was also AN ADHERENT
4. For this reason disciples were spoken of as IMITATORS of their teachers.
B. THE GOAL IN BEING A DISCIPLE...
1. Stated by Jesus himself: to be like the teacher –
Luke 6:40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.
2. To be Christ's disciple, then, is to strive to be like Him!
3. According to the apostle Paul, this coincides with God's goal in the redemption of mankind, that they be conformed to the image of His Son –
Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
4. Do you have a strong desire to follow Jesus and become like Him?
5. Unless you do, it cannot be said that you are truly His disciple!
II. THE MARKS OF A DISCIPLE
A. A DISCIPLE IS "ONE WHO ABIDES IN JESUS' WORDS"
John 8:31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
1. This would imply being a diligent student of the teachings of Christ
2. It also requires one to be a "doer" of the Word
Matthew 7:21-27 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 24Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: 25And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: 27And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
James 1:21-25 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
3. In view of this, a true disciple would not...
a) Fail to study the Bible diligently
b) Willingly refrain from opportunities to study with others (e.g., Bible classes, church services, gospel meetings).
B. A DISCIPLE IS ALSO "ONE WHO LOVES THE BRETHREN"
John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
1. With a love patterned after the love of Jesus ("as I have loved you")
2. With a love that is visible to the world ("by this all will know")
3. Therefore, a true disciple would...
a) Make every effort to get to know his brethren
b) Take advantage of occasions to encourage and grow closer to them (e.g., attending services on Sunday and Wednesday nights)
4. Remember, a disciple is one who wants to become like his teacher
a) Was Jesus willing to sacrifice time and effort for His brethren?
b) Of course, and so will we... IF we are truly HIS disciples!
C. A DISCIPLE IS "ONE WHO BEARS MUCH FRUIT"
John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
1. Notice the word "much" (also found in verse 5)
a) Jesus is not talking about an occasional good deed
b) But a lifestyle which prompts people to glorify God!
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
2. This is so important, that failure to bear much fruit will result in being severed from Christ –
John 15:1-2 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
3. How can one be a disciple if he or she is cut off from Christ?
D. The point should be clear: to be a disciple of Jesus Christ means more that just a casual church member.
1. It requires COMMITMENT,
2. Especially in regards to:
a) The teachings of Christ
b) The love of brethren
c) Bearing fruit to the glory of God
III. THE COST OF BEING A DISCIPLE
A. JESUS MUST COME FIRST
Luke 14:26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
1. Before anyone else, including members of our own family
Matthew 10:34-37 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. 35For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. 36And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. 37He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
2. Even before one's own self
Luke 9:23-25 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
B. WE MUST BE WILLING TO SUFFER FOR CHRIST
Luke 14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
1. Trying to live godly lives in an ungodly world, we may find that following Christ sometimes involves ridicule and persecution –
2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
2. Even if we are blessed to escape such things, we must still be willing to expend time and effort in promoting the cause of Christ in positive ways
C. PUTTING IT SIMPLY, WE MUST FORSAKE ALL TO FOLLOW CHRIST
Luke 14:33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
1. In other words, Jesus must be KING and LORD of our lives
2. Nothing can take precedent over Him and His Will for us
IV. THE REWARDS OF BEING A DISCIPLE
A. THERE IS THE PROMISE OF "FUTURE BLESSINGS"...
1. We shall be saved from the wrath of God which is yet to come upon the world for its sins
Romans 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
2. We can look forward with joyful anticipation of eternity with God, free from sorrow, pain and death –
Rev. 21:1-8 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 6And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
B. THERE ARE ALSO "PRESENT BLESSINGS"...
1. Jesus offers a PEACE the world cannot give to calm the troubled heart
John 4:27 And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her?
2. His words inspire JOY to lift our spirits out of any depression
John 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
3. He also offers to those who follow Him the ABIDING LOVE OF GOD, which can cast out fear
John 15:9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
4. And he makes it possible for us to be members of THE FAMILY OF GOD, which is able if need be to replace our physical family
Mark 10:28-30 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. 29And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, 30But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
V. THE BEGINNING OF A DISCIPLE
A. Acknowledge that you are a sinner
B. Receive Christ as Saviour
C. Follow the Lord in Baptism
D. Remember the goal of discipleship: to be like Jesus
1. He was holy and sinless, yet we are to be like Him
2. It is also the means by which one "puts on Christ"
E. TEACHING AND OBEDIENCE MUST FOLLOW
Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
1. This brings us back to the very definition of discipleship
2. For Jesus clearly states:
a) We are to be TAUGHT (that is, to be LEARNERS)
b) We are to OBSERVE (that is, to be ADHERENTS or DOERS)
c) In this way we embark on a life devoted to learning and doing all that Jesus has commanded us to do
CONCLUSION: Only those demonstrating the "marks" of discipleship, despite the "costs," can truly be called disciples of Jesus! Only they can realistically look forward to the "rewards" of discipleship, and take consolation in the promise of Jesus: "and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world" Matthew 28:20