Embracing the Journey of True Discipleship

 

Summary

In Romans 6:3-11, we are reminded of the profound transformation that occurs when we become disciples of Jesus. Baptism symbolizes our identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, marking the beginning of a new life in Him. This journey of discipleship is not just about conversion but about embracing a life that reflects the character and mission of Jesus. As we conclude our series on "What is a Disciple?", we reflect on the essential aspects of discipleship: cost, character, cultivation, community, and commission.

Firstly, being a disciple means embracing the cost. Jesus calls us to love Him above all else, even above our closest relationships. This love for Christ should be paramount, and while it may seem harsh, it ultimately enriches our other relationships. The story of the rich young man illustrates the challenge of prioritizing Jesus over worldly possessions. Discipleship demands that we place Christ first in our hearts, recognizing that true fulfillment comes from Him alone.

Secondly, a disciple embodies the character of Jesus. The goal of our faith is not merely church attendance or outward appearances but growing into the likeness of Christ. This transformation is evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. As we mature in our faith, we should increasingly reflect these qualities, demonstrating that we are being conformed to the image of Christ.

Thirdly, disciples cultivate spiritual growth through disciplined engagement with Scripture. Understanding and obeying God's Word requires perseverance and dedication. Just as physical fitness demands regular exercise, spiritual growth necessitates consistent study and application of the Bible. This discipline transforms our lives, enabling us to live out the truths of Scripture and become more like Jesus.

Fourthly, disciples live in loving community with other believers. The church is God's design for our growth, providing accountability, encouragement, and opportunities for forgiveness. Despite the imperfections of the church, we are called to engage in deep, honest relationships, practicing forgiveness and pursuing unity. This community is essential for our spiritual development and for fulfilling our mission as disciples.

Finally, disciples share in fulfilling Jesus' commission to make disciples of all nations. Our lives should be a testimony to the transformative power of the Gospel, and we are entrusted with the privilege of leading others to Christ. This mission is not about coercion but about living authentically as followers of Jesus and seizing opportunities to share our faith.

Key Takeaways:

- Embracing the cost of discipleship means prioritizing our love for Jesus above all else, which ultimately enriches our relationships and fulfills our deepest needs. [11:11]

- True discipleship involves embodying the character of Christ, evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit, as we grow in our faith and reflect His likeness. [13:42]

- Cultivating spiritual growth requires disciplined engagement with Scripture, transforming our lives and enabling us to live out the truths of God's Word. [24:24]

- Living in loving community with other believers is essential for our spiritual development, providing accountability, encouragement, and opportunities for forgiveness. [34:57]

- Sharing in Jesus' commission to make disciples involves living authentically as followers of Christ and seizing opportunities to share our faith with others. [41:07]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:45] - Opening Prayer
- [06:07] - Baptism and New Life
- [08:53] - Embracing the Cost
- [11:11] - Loving Jesus Above All
- [13:42] - Embodying Christ's Character
- [16:03] - Growing in Christ
- [18:37] - Cultivating Spiritual Growth
- [22:39] - The Discipline of Scripture
- [24:24] - Perseverance in Faith
- [26:32] - The Role of Community
- [28:28] - Accountability and Forgiveness
- [32:09] - The Imperfect Church
- [34:57] - Loving Community
- [37:34] - Sharing the Great Commission
- [41:07] - Living Authentically
- [43:52] - Feeding the Good Nature
- [46:21] - Difference Between Convert and Disciple
- [49:15] - Invitation to Discipleship
- [51:46] - Closing Remarks

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 6:3-11

Observation Questions:
1. What does baptism symbolize according to Romans 6:3-11, and how does it relate to our new life in Christ? [06:07]
2. How does the sermon describe the cost of discipleship, and what example from the Bible is used to illustrate this point? [11:11]
3. What are the characteristics of Jesus that a disciple should embody, as mentioned in the sermon? [13:42]
4. How does the sermon explain the role of community in a disciple's life? [34:57]

Interpretation Questions:
1. Why is it important for a disciple to prioritize their love for Jesus above all other relationships, and how does this affect their other relationships? [11:11]
2. How does the sermon suggest that embodying the character of Jesus goes beyond mere church attendance? [13:42]
3. What does it mean to cultivate spiritual growth, and why is discipline necessary for this process? [24:24]
4. How does living in a loving community with other believers contribute to a disciple's spiritual development? [34:57]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current relationships. How can you prioritize your love for Jesus in a way that enriches these relationships? [11:11]
2. Identify one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit that you struggle with. What specific steps can you take this week to cultivate this characteristic in your life? [13:42]
3. Consider your current engagement with Scripture. What changes can you make to develop a more disciplined approach to studying the Bible? [24:24]
4. Think about your involvement in your church community. How can you deepen your relationships with fellow believers to foster accountability and encouragement? [34:57]
5. Identify one person in your life who does not know Christ. How can you authentically share your faith with them this week? [37:34]
6. Reflect on a time when you were hurt by someone in the church. How can you practice forgiveness and pursue reconciliation in that relationship? [34:57]
7. What specific distractions in your life are preventing you from focusing on Jesus? How can you minimize these distractions this week? [43:52]

Devotional

Day 1: Prioritizing Christ Above All
Embracing the cost of discipleship means placing Jesus at the center of our lives, even above our closest relationships and worldly possessions. This prioritization may seem challenging, but it ultimately enriches our relationships and fulfills our deepest needs. The story of the rich young man serves as a poignant reminder of the difficulty in choosing Christ over material wealth. True discipleship requires a heart that recognizes fulfillment comes from Christ alone, and this commitment to Him transforms every aspect of our lives. [11:11]

Matthew 10:37-39 (ESV): "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 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."

Reflection: What is one thing you are holding onto that competes with your love for Jesus? How can you begin to let go of it today to prioritize your relationship with Him?


Day 2: Reflecting Christ's Character
A disciple embodies the character of Jesus, striving to grow into His likeness. This transformation is not about outward appearances but is evidenced by the fruit of the Spirit—qualities like love, joy, peace, and patience. As we mature in our faith, these attributes should become more evident in our lives, demonstrating that we are being conformed to the image of Christ. The journey of discipleship is about allowing the Holy Spirit to cultivate these qualities within us, reflecting the character of Jesus to the world. [13:42]

Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."

Reflection: Which fruit of the Spirit do you find most challenging to exhibit? What practical steps can you take this week to cultivate this quality in your life?


Day 3: Engaging with Scripture
Cultivating spiritual growth requires disciplined engagement with Scripture. Just as physical fitness demands regular exercise, spiritual growth necessitates consistent study and application of the Bible. This discipline transforms our lives, enabling us to live out the truths of God's Word and become more like Jesus. Perseverance in faith is essential, as understanding and obeying God's Word requires dedication and commitment. Through this engagement, we are equipped to navigate life's challenges and grow in our relationship with Christ. [24:24]

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV): "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

Reflection: How can you create a consistent routine for engaging with Scripture? What specific time and place can you set aside each day for this purpose?


Day 4: Living in Community
Disciples live in loving community with other believers, as the church is God's design for our growth. This community provides accountability, encouragement, and opportunities for forgiveness. Despite the imperfections of the church, we are called to engage in deep, honest relationships, practicing forgiveness and pursuing unity. This community is essential for our spiritual development and for fulfilling our mission as disciples. By participating in a loving community, we experience the support and growth that God intends for His people. [34:57]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: Who in your church community can you reach out to this week for encouragement or accountability? How can you actively contribute to fostering unity and support within your community?


Day 5: Sharing the Gospel Authentically
Disciples share in fulfilling Jesus' commission to make disciples of all nations. Our lives should be a testimony to the transformative power of the Gospel, and we are entrusted with the privilege of leading others to Christ. This mission is not about coercion but about living authentically as followers of Jesus and seizing opportunities to share our faith. By living out the Gospel in our daily lives, we become witnesses to the hope and love found in Christ, inviting others to experience the same transformation. [41:07]

1 Peter 3:15-16 (ESV): "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame."

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear about the hope you have in Christ? How can you share your faith with them in a genuine and respectful way this week?

Quotes


The goal of this message is to simply bring together all of the different things that we've said about what it means to be a disciple and to be able to leave here with a concise understanding of what exactly that means. And I truly believe this is a needed thing in the modern church. Because I really believe that we are unclear in the modern church as to exactly what a disciple is and what a disciple does. [00:04:22] (26 seconds)


The first aspect that we talked about, about being a disciple of Jesus is this. A disciple embraces the cost. We intentionally started there. Because so much of the Christianity of our day leads with the benefits of being a believer. We like benefits, don't we? Everybody say yes. We like it when people give us stuff, right? [00:07:32] (28 seconds)


We'll discover that when we do love Jesus more than we love any of those other relationships, it doesn't diminish our love for those other relationships. It actually makes it better. I'm a better husband. Because I love Jesus more than I love my wife. I'm a better father because I love Jesus more than I love my daughters. [00:11:19] (28 seconds)


The second aspect that we looked at being a disciple of Jesus is this. A disciple embodies the character of Jesus. You know, the goal of Christianity, the goal of Christianity, the goal of goal of the faith is not for you to come to church. Isn't that a shocking statement for the pastor to say? [00:13:08] (22 seconds)


There is an expectation in Scripture that as we become Christians and as we begin following Jesus, we begin to become more like Him. Paul describes this as the fruit of the Spirit coming out of our lives. You know, the love, the joy, the peace, the patience, the kindness, the goodness, the faithfulness, the gentleness, and the self-control, those nine qualities. [00:13:57] (24 seconds)


The third aspect that we see in this series, in this definition, the third C is cultivate. And the aspect of being a disciple is this. A disciple cultivates spiritual growth. That means that that disciple is dedicated to growing... Wink! Wink! in knowledge and obedience to the Bible. [00:18:17] (24 seconds)


Friends, a disciple of Jesus cultivates spiritual habits that help you grow in your understanding and obedience to the Word of God. We don't study Scripture as Christians just so we can win the Bible trivia. How many of you enjoyed pre-service, the trivia that was on the screens? How did you do? Did you do pretty well? Did you miss some of them? It's okay. [00:24:40] (28 seconds)


The fourth aspect of a disciple is a disciple lives in a loving community with other disciples. That means that disciples are growing in love for one another as we develop deep, honest relationships with one another in the church. God created the church for a purpose. He never anticipated that we would somehow believe that we could be a growing Christian apart from other Christians. [00:31:10] (40 seconds)


The fifth and final aspect of being a disciple of Jesus is a disciple shares in fulfilling Jesus' commission to make disciples of all nations. We saw that illustrated today in that tank. I told you the connection between Philip and Amber and Brianna and Kristen and how God used that relationship and those relationships to bring all of them to Christ. That's how it works. [00:36:58] (36 seconds)


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Transcript
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