Embracing Discipleship: A Call to Follow Christ

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we focused on the profound call to discipleship, emphasizing that following Jesus is more than just believing—it's about transformation and commitment. We began by acknowledging that our journey is not about our abilities or appearances but about surrendering to God and becoming more like Christ each day. This transformation involves dealing with our inner selves and interceding for those in need, trusting in God's promise to care for us as we cast our burdens upon Him.

We explored the distinction between being a mere believer and a disciple, highlighting that discipleship requires active following and commitment. The Great Commission calls us to make disciples, not just converts, and this involves a deeper engagement with our faith. We reflected on the parable of the sower, recognizing that the cares of the world can choke the word of God in our lives, making us unfruitful. However, when the word is planted in good soil, it bears abundant fruit.

The call of the first disciples, as recounted in the Gospels, illustrates the radical commitment required to follow Jesus. These men left everything to follow Him, driven by a deep conviction and understanding of who He was. This was not blind faith; they had evidence and a personal encounter with Jesus that solidified their decision. We are invited to "come and see" for ourselves, to examine the evidence of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, and to find our own reasons to follow Him.

Discipleship is not without its challenges. It demands personal sacrifice and prioritizing Jesus above all else. Yet, it offers a purpose greater than ourselves, transforming the mundane cycles of life into a mission to bring others into the kingdom of God. As disciples, we are called to make other disciples, building lasting relationships and strengthening the church as a family united in Christ.

Key Takeaways:

- Transformation Over Appearance: Our journey with God is about becoming more like Christ, not about our skills or appearances. This transformation involves dealing with our inner selves and interceding for others, trusting in God's promise to care for us. [00:00:00]

- From Believer to Disciple: Discipleship requires active following and commitment beyond mere belief. The Great Commission calls us to make disciples, emphasizing the importance of engaging deeply with our faith and bearing fruit in our lives. [00:10:00]

- The Call to Follow: The first disciples left everything to follow Jesus, driven by a deep conviction and understanding of who He was. This was not blind faith; they had evidence and a personal encounter with Jesus that solidified their decision. [01:07:59]

- Invitation to "Come and See": We are invited to examine the evidence of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, finding our own reasons to follow Him. This personal encounter with Jesus is crucial for genuine discipleship. [01:21:10]

- Purpose and Sacrifice in Discipleship: Discipleship demands personal sacrifice and prioritizing Jesus above all else. It offers a purpose greater than ourselves, transforming the mundane cycles of life into a mission to bring others into the kingdom of God. [01:38:52]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:02:00] - Surrender and Transformation
- [00:05:00] - Intercession and Trust
- [00:08:00] - Discipleship vs. Belief
- [00:12:00] - The Great Commission
- [00:15:00] - Parable of the Sower
- [00:20:00] - Call of the First Disciples
- [00:25:00] - Evidence and Faith
- [00:30:00] - Invitation to "Come and See"
- [00:35:00] - Purpose in Discipleship
- [00:40:00] - Sacrifice and Commitment
- [00:45:00] - Building the Kingdom
- [00:50:00] - Closing Prayer and Worship
- [00:55:00] - Discipleship Class Invitation

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Mark 1:16-20
2. Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
3. Matthew 28:19-20

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Observation Questions:

1. In Mark 1:16-20, what actions did Simon, Andrew, James, and John take when Jesus called them to follow Him? How did they respond to His invitation? [01:07:59]

2. According to the parable of the sower in Matthew 13, what are the different types of soil, and how do they affect the growth of the seed? [01:17:02]

3. What does the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 instruct believers to do, and how does it relate to the concept of discipleship? [01:38:01]

4. How does the sermon describe the difference between being a believer and a disciple? [01:07:59]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. What might be the significance of the disciples leaving everything behind to follow Jesus, and how does this illustrate the level of commitment required for true discipleship? [01:07:59]

2. In the parable of the sower, what do the thorns represent, and how can they impact a believer's spiritual growth and fruitfulness? [01:17:02]

3. How does the Great Commission challenge believers to move beyond personal faith to actively engage in making disciples? [01:38:01]

4. The sermon mentions that discipleship involves personal sacrifice and prioritizing Jesus above all else. What are some practical ways this might manifest in a believer's life? [01:38:01]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you feel called to leave something behind to follow Jesus more closely? What steps can you take to make this change? [01:07:59]

2. Consider the "thorns" in your life that might be choking your spiritual growth. What specific distractions or worries can you identify, and how can you address them this week? [01:17:02]

3. The Great Commission calls us to make disciples. Identify one person in your life who you can engage in a spiritual conversation with this week. What approach will you take? [01:38:01]

4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of personal sacrifice in discipleship. What is one area of your life where you can prioritize Jesus more? How will you implement this change? [01:38:01]

5. Reflect on the difference between being a believer and a disciple. In what ways can you deepen your commitment to actively following Jesus? [01:07:59]

6. How can you create a routine that allows you to spend more time with Jesus, similar to how the disciples spent time with Him? What changes can you make to your daily schedule? [01:21:06]

7. The sermon invites us to "come and see" for ourselves. What steps can you take to explore the evidence of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection more deeply? [01:21:06]

Devotional

Day 1: Transformation into Christ's Likeness
Discipleship is a journey of transformation, where believers are called to become more like Christ. This transformation is not just for personal growth but also for the benefit of others, as disciples are tasked with making more disciples. By submitting to God, individuals invite Him to cleanse them from within, shaping them into His image. This process involves a deep, personal relationship with Jesus, where one is continually molded into His likeness. As disciples grow in their faith, they are equipped to share the gospel and build lasting relationships that strengthen the kingdom of God. [01:07:59]

"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)

Reflection: In what specific ways can you submit to God today, allowing Him to transform you into His likeness for the benefit of others?


Day 2: The Simplicity and Power of Jesus' Call
The call to follow Jesus is both simple and profound, requiring trust and obedience. Jesus' invitation to His first disciples was not accompanied by detailed explanations or promises of an easy path. Instead, it was a call to leave behind the familiar and embrace a new purpose. The disciples responded with faith, informed by the testimony of John the Baptist and their own encounters with Jesus. This call to discipleship is an invitation to trust in Jesus and obey His commands, even when the path is uncertain. [01:17:02]

"And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.' Immediately they left their nets and followed him." (Matthew 4:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: What familiar things in your life might Jesus be calling you to leave behind in order to embrace a new purpose with Him?


Day 3: The Cost of Discipleship
Discipleship demands personal sacrifice and prioritizing Jesus above all else. It involves taking up one's cross daily, denying oneself, and following Him. This path is challenging but leads to a deeper understanding of God's kingdom and one's role within it. As disciples, individuals are called to share the gospel, build lasting relationships, and strengthen the kingdom of God. This journey requires a willingness to endure hardships and make sacrifices for the sake of following Jesus. [01:21:06]

"And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." (Matthew 10:38-39, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific area of your life where you need to make a personal sacrifice to prioritize Jesus above all else?


Day 4: Faith Rooted in Evidence and Experience
In the pursuit of discipleship, believers are encouraged to examine the evidence of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, seeking the truth for themselves. This journey is not about blind faith but about a faith that is rooted in evidence and personal experience. By exploring the biblical narrative and reflecting on personal encounters with Jesus, disciples can strengthen their faith and deepen their understanding of God's kingdom. This process involves a willingness to change perspectives when confronted with the truth. [01:28:10]

"Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." (John 20:30-31, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively seek evidence and personal experiences that will strengthen your faith in Jesus today?


Day 5: Actively Participating in Jesus' Mission
As disciples, believers are called to share the gospel, build lasting relationships, and strengthen the kingdom of God. This involves moving from being mere believers to committed followers of Jesus, actively participating in His mission to make disciples of all nations. By embracing this calling, individuals can contribute to the growth of God's kingdom and help others experience the transformative power of the gospel. This mission requires dedication, perseverance, and a willingness to invest in the lives of others. [01:38:01]

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: Who is one person in your life that you can intentionally invest in and disciple, helping them grow in their relationship with Jesus?

Quotes



"You see, believers believe. Disciples follow. You know, but you can't be a disciple without being a believer first. So you believe, and then you follow. You know, that's the progression. So we invite you to become more than just an attender, more than just a hearer of the Word, but somebody who is saying, you know what? I really want to follow Jesus. And today, my theme or my topic is following Jesus or follow me." [00:48:48] (25 seconds)


"Throughout scripture, we see God progressively reveals himself to us. In Hebrews chapter 11, verse 6, it says, he that cometh to God. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. He that comes to God must believe that he is and that he's a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. In other words, when we understand faith and we come to God, we come to him, we will say, no, I don't have all the answers. I don't know everything." [01:02:57] (26 seconds)


"Now, again, we talk about the fact that they didn't follow blindly because they wanted to know who they were following as well. Now, there are some people who doubted sometimes and sometimes we doubt the message. And we know in the Gospels, we see after the resurrection, Jesus appeared to his disciples. And there was one man, his name was Thomas, who was not around. And afterwards, he came back on all this stuff. Hey, Thomas, you know what? Jesus came, man. He came. He saw him. We saw him in flesh and blood." [01:15:26] (31 seconds)


"So Jesus was on the shore of Galilee, and the scripture says that he came there, he saw two boats lying idle. And in these boats, one, they belong to Peter, and maybe James and John, and he went into one of the boats that was lying idle, and he used it as a pulpit. He says to Peter, he says, kind of push out a little bit out into the water, so I can preach to the crowd here. I don't want to be, you know. And so he went in there, and he preached the word of God to them." [01:25:34] (28 seconds)


"So the miracle of the great care, Jesus showed the disciples that there's something greater in life. There's something better in life. And that is to bring others into the glorious kingdom of Jesus. You know, discipleship is not easy. I want you to understand that. You know, Jesus also made it very clear that discipleship comes with some challenges. It's going to be a little bit difficult. In fact, in Luke, he says, if anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, his own life also, he cannot be my disciple." [01:35:52] (38 seconds)

"You must be willing to say that I am first over everybody else, your wife, your children, your family, everything else. You see, that's what he wants. He said, your life must not be as important as the cause of the gospel of Christ. And you may say, well, wow, that's, that's heavy. And Jesus said, you have to be able to deny yourself, take up your cross daily and follow me. Now, as we go into our disciple classes, we're going to be talking a little bit more about that today." [01:38:01] (28 seconds)


"So we need to understand, we need to come to that place. So discipleship brings us to that place. And he says, if you're not willing to do that and get to that place, you really can't be a disciple. Now here's the thing about it. There are some people who will become disciples, fully committed followers of Jesus. There are some people who may just come from belief and acceptance of Jesus, and they may stay out there. Doesn't mean that they're going to go to hell when they die if they don't become disciples." [01:41:51] (28 seconds)


"So what does discipleship do for you? I'm going to close with this and give you four things. And number one, opens up opportunities for you to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. We all want to have to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. We're all called to do that. All right. Secondly, it helps us to build lasting relationships with people within our circles, whether it's family members, whether it's friends, whether it's other members of the church. It helps us to build lasting relationships with them." [01:45:11] (25 seconds)


"It's people who are connected to one another. People who care for one another. People are willing to pray for one another. People are willing to lift up one another. That's what makes a strong church. It teaches you how to learn the Bible more because you have to study the scriptures and go deeper into the word of God if you want to lead people in the discipleship. And finally, it builds up and strengthens the kingdom of God. And the kingdom of God moves like a mighty army into this world." [01:47:25] (26 seconds)

"Say, God, make me a disciple. I want to be a follower of Jesus. I want to lead others to follow you. Stand with me this morning. Hallelujah. I looked at the time. I said, it's only 10, 7 minutes after 10. And I said, wow, you preach very short. All right? You haven't changed the clock, just so you know that. How many of you want to be disciples of Jesus now?" [01:50:34] (28 seconds)


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Transcript
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