Discipleship: A Lifelong Journey of Imitating Christ
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, Main Street Church. Today, we gathered to pray for Pastor Sean, who is currently in the hospital. We also continued our summer series, "You Asked For It," where we address questions from the congregation. Today's focus was on how to stay passionate for Jesus, become more like Him, live missionally, and share our faith practically.
The core of our discussion centered on discipleship. Just as a restaurant's primary goal is profit, the church's primary goal is to make disciples. Discipleship is not merely about attending church or calling oneself a Christian; it is about a lifelong apprenticeship under Jesus. This involves imitating His life, values, and teachings. Discipleship is costly and requires a daily commitment to die to oneself and live for Christ.
We explored what it means to be a disciple, emphasizing that it is more than just a transfer of information. It is about a relational and holistic approach to learning from Jesus. Discipleship involves taking on Jesus' character, thinking the way He thinks, and loving the way He loves. It is a lifelong process of sanctification, where we continuously strive to become more like Jesus.
We also discussed the importance of living missionally. Jesus came to seek and save the lost, and as His disciples, we are called to do the same. This means being the hands and feet of Jesus in our communities, caring for the lost, the broken, and the marginalized. We shared examples of how members of our church are living out this mission, such as the Little Red Wagon ministry and our efforts in building homes for the homeless in Mexico.
In conclusion, discipleship is about imitating Christ and living on mission. It is a serious commitment that requires us to take on Jesus' character and mission. As we grow in our discipleship, we will see citywide impact and transformation, bringing glory to God and leading lost people to faith.
### Key Takeaways
1. Discipleship as a Lifelong Commitment: Discipleship is not a one-time event but a lifelong journey of becoming more like Jesus. It involves daily dying to oneself and living for Christ, taking on His character, and imitating His life. This commitment is costly but essential for true spiritual growth. [37:30]
2. Holistic and Relational Learning: In Jesus' time, discipleship was a holistic and relational process. It was not just about acquiring knowledge but about imitating the teacher's life and values. Modern discipleship should also focus on relational learning, where we follow Jesus closely and let His teachings shape our worldview. [33:04]
3. Living Missionally: Being a disciple of Jesus means taking on His mission to seek and save the lost. This involves actively engaging with our communities, caring for the marginalized, and sharing the gospel. Our mission is to be the hands and feet of Jesus, bringing His love and hope to those around us. [51:42]
4. Counting the Cost: Jesus emphasized the importance of counting the cost before committing to discipleship. It is a serious and costly decision that requires us to give up everything we own and follow Him wholeheartedly. This means prioritizing our discipleship journey above all else. [39:39]
5. Apprenticeship Under Jesus: Discipleship is akin to an apprenticeship, where we learn from the Master by closely following Him. Just as an apprentice learns from a skilled craftsman, we learn from Jesus by studying His life, teachings, and character. This apprenticeship is a continuous process that shapes us into little Christs. [44:01]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[27:06] - Prayer for Pastor Sean
[28:00] - Introduction to Summer Series
[29:00] - Leadership Principle: Simplicity Creates Clarity
[30:59] - Why Does the Church Exist?
[31:40] - Prioritizing Discipleship
[32:15] - Defining Discipleship
[34:01] - Discipleship vs. Being a Christian
[35:27] - Counting the Cost of Discipleship
[37:30] - Jesus' Teachings on Discipleship
[38:52] - Daily Commitment to Die to Self
[41:08] - Lifelong Apprenticeship
[44:01] - C.S. Lewis on Discipleship
[45:44] - Importance of Apprenticeship
[48:42] - Seriousness of Discipleship
[49:52] - Jesus' Mission to Seek and Save the Lost
[51:42] - Living Missionally
[53:47] - Jesus' Mandate to Reach the Lost
[55:21] - Examples of Missional Living
[57:18] - Jesus' Empowerment Through the Holy Spirit
[59:03] - Discipleship at Main Street Church
[01:01:37] - C.S. Lewis on the Church's Purpose
[01:04:35] - Vision for a Gospel-Centered Church
[01:06:17] - 2 Corinthians 5: Mandate of Reconciliation
[01:08:09] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 14:25-33 - "Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 'If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’ Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.'"
2. Galatians 2:20 - "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
3. Matthew 28:18-20 - "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Luke 14:25-33, what does Jesus say is required to be His disciple?
2. How does Galatians 2:20 describe the life of a believer in Christ?
3. What command does Jesus give to His disciples in Matthew 28:18-20?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. In Luke 14:25-33, Jesus talks about "hating" one's family and even one's own life. What do you think He means by this? How does this relate to the cost of discipleship? [39:39]
2. Galatians 2:20 speaks about being "crucified with Christ." How does this concept of dying to oneself daily align with the idea of discipleship discussed in the sermon? [38:08]
3. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 calls for making disciples of all nations. How does this mission align with the idea of living missionally as discussed in the sermon? [51:42]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflecting on Luke 14:25-33, what are some personal sacrifices you might need to make to follow Jesus more closely? How can you start making those sacrifices this week? [39:39]
2. Galatians 2:20 talks about living by faith in the Son of God. What are some practical ways you can remind yourself daily that "Christ lives in you"? How can this change your daily actions and decisions? [42:28]
3. The sermon emphasized the importance of living missionally. Identify one specific way you can be the hands and feet of Jesus in your community this week. How can you make this a regular practice? [51:42]
4. The concept of discipleship as a lifelong apprenticeship was highlighted. What steps can you take to deepen your apprenticeship under Jesus? Consider joining a study group, finding a mentor, or dedicating more time to prayer and Bible study. [41:08]
5. The sermon mentioned the importance of counting the cost before committing to discipleship. What are some areas in your life where you need to count the cost and make a deeper commitment to following Jesus? [39:39]
6. How can you practically engage with and care for the marginalized in your community, as Jesus did with Zacchaeus and other sinners? Think of one specific action you can take this month. [50:42]
7. Reflect on the examples of missional living shared in the sermon, such as the Little Red Wagon ministry. How can you contribute to or start a similar initiative in your own context? [55:51]
Devotional
Day 1: Discipleship as a Lifelong Journey
Discipleship is not a one-time event but a lifelong journey of becoming more like Jesus. It involves daily dying to oneself and living for Christ, taking on His character, and imitating His life. This commitment is costly but essential for true spiritual growth. Discipleship requires a daily commitment to die to oneself and live for Christ. This means prioritizing our relationship with Jesus above all else and allowing His teachings to shape our lives. It is a continuous process of sanctification, where we strive to become more like Jesus in our thoughts, actions, and character. This journey is not easy, but it is rewarding as we grow closer to Jesus and experience His transformative power in our lives.
Jesus emphasized the importance of counting the cost before committing to discipleship. It is a serious and costly decision that requires us to give up everything we own and follow Him wholeheartedly. This means prioritizing our discipleship journey above all else. As we grow in our discipleship, we will see citywide impact and transformation, bringing glory to God and leading lost people to faith. [37:30]
Luke 14:27-28 (ESV): "Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 2: Holistic and Relational Learning
In Jesus' time, discipleship was a holistic and relational process. It was not just about acquiring knowledge but about imitating the teacher's life and values. Modern discipleship should also focus on relational learning, where we follow Jesus closely and let His teachings shape our worldview. Discipleship involves taking on Jesus' character, thinking the way He thinks, and loving the way He loves. It is a lifelong process of sanctification, where we continuously strive to become more like Jesus.
This relational approach to discipleship means that we must engage deeply with Jesus' teachings and allow them to transform our lives. It is not enough to simply attend church or read the Bible; we must actively seek to live out Jesus' teachings in our daily lives. This involves building relationships with other believers, learning from their experiences, and encouraging one another in our faith journeys. [33:04]
Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
Reflection: Think of a close relationship in your life. How can you intentionally incorporate Jesus' teachings into your interactions with this person today?
Day 3: Living Missionally
Being a disciple of Jesus means taking on His mission to seek and save the lost. This involves actively engaging with our communities, caring for the marginalized, and sharing the gospel. Our mission is to be the hands and feet of Jesus, bringing His love and hope to those around us. Jesus came to seek and save the lost, and as His disciples, we are called to do the same. This means being the hands and feet of Jesus in our communities, caring for the lost, the broken, and the marginalized.
Living missionally requires us to step out of our comfort zones and engage with those who are different from us. It means being intentional about building relationships with people who do not know Jesus and sharing the hope we have in Him. As we live out this mission, we will see lives transformed and communities impacted by the love of Christ. [51:42]
Matthew 25:35-36 (ESV): "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me."
Reflection: Identify one person in your community who is marginalized or in need. How can you practically show them the love of Jesus this week?
Day 4: Counting the Cost
Jesus emphasized the importance of counting the cost before committing to discipleship. It is a serious and costly decision that requires us to give up everything we own and follow Him wholeheartedly. This means prioritizing our discipleship journey above all else. Discipleship is not a casual commitment; it requires us to be willing to sacrifice our own desires and ambitions for the sake of following Jesus. This may involve giving up material possessions, personal comfort, or even relationships that hinder our walk with Christ.
Counting the cost of discipleship means recognizing that following Jesus will not always be easy, but it is worth it. As we surrender our lives to Him, we will experience the joy and fulfillment that comes from living in alignment with His will. This commitment to discipleship will also have a ripple effect, impacting those around us and drawing them closer to Jesus. [39:39]
Luke 9:23-24 (ESV): "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.'"
Reflection: What is one thing you need to give up or change in your life to follow Jesus more closely? How can you take a step towards making that change today?
Day 5: Apprenticeship Under Jesus
Discipleship is akin to an apprenticeship, where we learn from the Master by closely following Him. Just as an apprentice learns from a skilled craftsman, we learn from Jesus by studying His life, teachings, and character. This apprenticeship is a continuous process that shapes us into little Christs. As apprentices of Jesus, we are called to imitate His life and values. This means studying His teachings, observing His actions, and seeking to emulate His character in our own lives. It is a process of transformation that requires us to be intentional about our spiritual growth and development.
This apprenticeship under Jesus is not something we do alone; it involves being part of a community of believers who support and encourage one another. As we grow in our discipleship, we will become more effective in our mission to make disciples and bring glory to God. [44:01]
2 Timothy 2:2 (ESV): "And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also."
Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can mentor or disciple? How can you begin to invest in their spiritual growth this week?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Why did Jesus come? To seek and save those who are lost. He just told us. If I am an apprentice under him, this has to become part of my passion. Why do I care about lost people? Because my King cares about lost people. So to become missional means to enter into a serious apprenticeship program where we take on Christ. And you cannot take on Christ without taking on his mission. To make and multiply disciples." [51:42] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Brothers and sisters, it's a dying to self every day. Wake up in the morning and before you get out of bed to say, today is an apprenticeship day. Jesus, would you just, by your Holy Spirit, just remind me of that. That I want to come under your authority. I want to apprentice under you." [42:28] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I want to emulate Jesus. I want to think like him, act like him. I want to see people the way he sees people. I'm going to make this my daily priority." [38:08] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The point is, without apprenticing, it's really hard to be able to do something well. Your passion, you call yourself a Christian. What you mean to say is that you're a disciple. If you want to be a disciple, you're not going to be a very good one unless you're in the apprenticeship program. It is serious business, brothers and sisters." [48:42] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I love the kind of our mission statement at Main Street Church we say that our mission is to help people experience wholeness in Christ and this is our everyday mantra." [01:03:08] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "My encouragement to you this morning, church, is to press deeper into discipleship. Who in the room would consider themselves a disciple of Jesus? All right, good. Some of you. You're thinking, yes, Gord, that's rhetorical. We're all disciples of Jesus. The three things I want to focus on, and I'm just going to take the first bullet, but the first one is that I want to encourage you to determine to make discipleship a priority in your life. That you're going to say to yourself, there is nothing more important in my life than my discipleship journey with Jesus." [31:40] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Discipleship meant much more than just the transfer of information. It referred to imitating the teacher's life, including his values, reproducing his teachings. Therefore, Christian discipleship connotes a relationship with a master teacher, following them and adhering to their way of life because their teaching shapes your own world view. So it's an imitation. We want to study Jesus, take on his character, his personality, think the way he thinks, love the way he loves." [33:04] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own. That's Jesus. We don't actually like to talk that way, think that way. Being a disciple, it's costly. It's an all-in game. You can't play Christianity." [39:39] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "To be a fully devoted follower of Jesus is to emulate, to imitate, to put on Christ. He goes on to say salt's good for seasoning. It's like whoa what's this we're talking about discipleship you're telling people the cost of discipleship what does salt have to do with anything but if it loses its flavor how do you make it salty again flavorless salt is good neither for soil or the manure pile it's thrown away." [39:39] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "At Main Street our passion is for us and you to continuously be transformed into the likeness of Christ who in this room would consider themselves a disciple of Jesus who in this room would like to go deeper and press into life long apprenticeship yeah me too thank you Lord that you are continuing to teach us shape us." [01:02:22] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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