Embracing Discipleship: The Church's Mission and Journey
Summary
In our gathering tonight, we delved into the essence of discipleship and the purpose of the church, as outlined in Matthew 28:19-20. The church's primary mission is to make disciples, which involves teaching and nurturing believers to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. This process is not just about spreading the gospel but also about embodying the teachings of Christ in our daily lives. A disciple is someone who has a devoted allegiance to the teachings of Jesus, and this requires being a student of His word. We explored what it means to be a disciple in today's world, emphasizing the importance of having a personal relationship with God, fostering relationships with other believers, and reaching out to the lost.
Being a disciple is a lifelong journey of learning, applying, and teaching the word of God. It requires us to be students who are constantly learning and growing in our faith. This journey is not meant to be walked alone; it is essential to have fellowship with other believers. Our relationships with one another are powerful and can exponentially increase our spiritual strength. We are called to love God and love our neighbors, and this love is the foundation of our discipleship.
We also discussed the challenges of maintaining these relationships, especially when faced with offenses. It is crucial to overcome offenses and seek reconciliation, as our relationships with others are just as important as our relationship with God. The process of discipleship involves not only learning and applying the teachings of Jesus but also sharing them with others. We are called to reach the lost and share our testimonies, as our stories of transformation can be powerful tools for drawing others to Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- Discipleship is a lifelong journey of learning, applying, and teaching the teachings of Jesus Christ. It requires a devoted allegiance to His teachings and a commitment to being a student of His word. [16:19]
- A disciple must have a personal relationship with God, which goes beyond attending church services. This relationship involves daily communication with God and living out His teachings in our everyday lives. [25:25]
- Relationships with other believers are vital for spiritual growth and strength. Fellowship with others provides accountability, encouragement, and support, which are essential for maintaining our faith. [27:42]
- Overcoming offenses and seeking reconciliation are crucial aspects of discipleship. Our relationships with others are just as important as our relationship with God, and we must strive to maintain unity and love within the body of Christ. [29:50]
- Sharing our testimonies and reaching out to the lost are essential components of discipleship. Our stories of transformation can be powerful tools for drawing others to Christ and fulfilling the Great Commission. [57:14]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:10] - Opening Prayer
[05:14] - Midweek Bible Study Introduction
[08:09] - Revisiting Matthew 28
[10:59] - Purpose of the Church
[14:46] - What is a Disciple?
[18:07] - Becoming a Student of Christ
[22:20] - Learning and Teaching as Disciples
[25:25] - Relationship with God
[27:42] - Fellowship with Believers
[29:50] - Overcoming Offenses
[34:56] - Obedience Over Sacrifice
[45:15] - Mind Over Emotions
[54:35] - Reaching the Lost
[57:14] - Sharing Testimonies
[01:03:37] - Inviting to God First
[01:06:22] - Closing Remarks and Announcements
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT): "Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Observation Questions:
1. According to Matthew 28:19-20, what are the specific actions Jesus commands His followers to take in making disciples?
2. In the sermon, what was described as the primary mission of the church? ([14:46])
3. How does the pastor describe the relationship between being a student and a disciple? ([18:07])
4. What are the three key areas mentioned in the sermon that define a disciple in 2024? ([25:05])
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of being a lifelong student of Jesus' teachings challenge or affirm your current understanding of discipleship? ([18:07])
2. What might be the significance of having a personal relationship with God beyond attending church services? ([26:38])
3. How does the sermon suggest we handle offenses within our relationships with other believers? ([29:50])
4. In what ways can sharing personal testimonies be a powerful tool for discipleship, according to the sermon? ([57:14])
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current relationship with God. What steps can you take this week to deepen that relationship beyond Sunday services? ([26:38])
2. Think of a time when you were offended by another believer. How did you handle it, and what could you do differently in the future to seek reconciliation? ([29:50])
3. Identify a fellow believer with whom you can strengthen your fellowship. What specific action can you take this week to encourage and support them? ([27:42])
4. Consider your personal testimony. How can you share your story of transformation with someone who is not yet a believer this week? ([57:14])
5. Reflect on your role as a student of Jesus' teachings. What is one area of your life where you can apply what you have learned more effectively? ([19:23])
6. How can you ensure that your relationship with God and others remains a priority in your daily life? What practical steps can you take to maintain these relationships? ([30:28])
7. Think of someone in your life who is curious about faith. How can you engage them in a spiritual conversation this week, and what support might you need from your small group to do so? ([56:31])
Devotional
Day 1: The Church's Mission to Make Disciples
The church's primary mission is to make disciples, as outlined in Matthew 28:19-20. This involves not only spreading the gospel but also nurturing believers to develop a deep, personal relationship with God and with fellow believers. Discipleship is a lifelong journey that requires teaching, learning, and applying the teachings of Jesus Christ. The church serves as a community where believers can grow in their faith, support one another, and work together to fulfill the Great Commission. [14:25]
"And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." (Ephesians 4:11-13, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively participate in your church's mission to make disciples this week? What specific steps can you take to nurture your relationship with God and others in your community?
Day 2: Embodying the Teachings of Christ
A true disciple is more than just a believer; they are a committed student of Jesus, striving to embody His teachings in every aspect of life. This commitment requires learning, listening, studying, obeying, and applying His word consistently. Disciples are called to be both students and teachers, sharing what they have learned with others and helping to guide them on their spiritual journey. This process of discipleship is transformative, shaping individuals to reflect the character and love of Christ in their daily lives. [19:23]
"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you more fully embody the teachings of Christ in your daily life? Identify one area where you can grow as a student and teacher of His word.
Day 3: Cultivating a Personal Relationship with God
A disciple must have a personal relationship with God that extends beyond church services. This involves daily communication and communion with Him, ensuring that our faith is active and alive. A vibrant relationship with God is characterized by prayer, meditation on His word, and a continual seeking of His presence. This personal connection with God is foundational to our spiritual growth and empowers us to live out our faith authentically. [26:02]
"But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." (Matthew 6:6, ESV)
Reflection: How can you deepen your personal relationship with God this week? Consider setting aside specific times for prayer and reflection to strengthen your connection with Him.
Day 4: The Importance of Fellowship with Believers
Relationships with other believers are crucial for accountability, support, and spiritual growth. Our collective strength is exponentially greater when we are united in purpose and love. Fellowship provides a space for encouragement, sharing of burdens, and mutual edification. As members of the body of Christ, we are called to build one another up and work together to advance God's kingdom. [28:50]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your community can you reach out to for support and encouragement this week? How can you contribute to the spiritual growth of others in your fellowship?
Day 5: Reaching the Lost with God's Love
Discipleship involves sharing our personal testimonies and the transformative power of God's love with those who have yet to experience it. This is a vital part of fulfilling the Great Commission. Reaching the lost requires a heart of compassion and a willingness to step out of our comfort zones to share the hope and love of Christ. Our personal stories of faith can be powerful tools in drawing others to God and demonstrating the reality of His love. [56:31]
"For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'" (Acts 13:47, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear about the transformative power of God's love? How can you share your personal testimony with them in a meaningful way this week?
Quotes
The purpose of the church is to equip the Saints for work. We're also supposed to be equipped to go out into the highways and hedges and compel men to come. The purpose also is to make disciples, to create disciples of those who once did not believe, to cause them to believe in Jesus Christ. [00:13:58]
A disciple has a devoted allegiance to the teachings of one chosen as a master or teacher. The scripture tells us to go and make disciples of all Nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, teaching these new disciples to obey all the commandments I have given you. [00:16:03]
As a disciple, if we claim to be disciples, these are foundational things that we have to have as a part of our everyday life because a disciple is not a part-time student. Some universities you can enroll, they have part-time enrollment. This course of Salvation is one that you only graduate from once you get to heaven. [00:19:45]
As the senior pastor of this church, I am more student than teacher, to be honest with you. I have to be more student than teacher because I have to learn. One, Pastor, is something you got to learn all by yourself, but then learning and diving deeper into the word, getting fresh revelation in your own life. [00:21:31]
A disciple is one that not only is a student but one that participates in the sharings of the teachings of the teacher. You may not have to teach it like I teach it in front of you all, standing up in Bible study, but if you encounter somebody that's going through something and learn something about God that could help them as a follower of Jesus Christ, you're obligated to share. [00:22:54]
First and foremost, they have to have a relationship with God. You cannot be a disciple of something you have no relationship with because when you are a disciple of something, you start becoming what you teach, what is being taught to you. You become engrafted with what is being taught to you. [00:25:16]
There is no such thing as an isolated disciple. There is no Christian that can successfully walk this life on their own. So many places in scripture it admonishes us to fellowship. How good and pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell together in unity. It is like the oil that came down from Aaron's beard. [00:27:32]
The importance of our relationships with one another is exponentially powerful. If we walk and agree, we have more power than each of us on our own. We have 10 times more power when we're together. That is the challenge as a believer. Scripture tells us that just as important as your relationship with God is your relationship with one another. [00:28:48]
With the mind that we serve the Lord, not with our emotions and not with our feelings, but it is with the mind that we serve the Lord. Meaning I'm going to think before I do, I'm going to think before I open my mouth, I'm going to think before I respond, I'm going to think before I react. [00:40:10]
If you are reading your word and you're praying and you have a relationship, that thing is going to manifest out of you. So you will make better choices, you will use wisdom in how you deal with other folk. God will bring it to your mind when you need to fix something with someone because he won't let you rest on it. [00:43:12]
Part of discipleship is our need for one another. That's where the strength comes in because discipleship really looks like a big long chain where we're all bound together. If one piece of the chain is fallen, the rest of us is there to pull them back up. Scripture tells us that if we find our brother or sister in a fault, it's our responsibility to help restore them. [00:54:35]
Reaching the lost is where we go back and we teach what we've learned. If you're a true disciple, you ain't got to do that by yourself because you got a brother and a sister with you that can help be a witness and a testimony to all that you have been through and all that you have overcome and to the goodness of God. [00:56:31]
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