Journey of Discipleship: From Proclamation to Declaration

Devotional

Day 1: Proclamation: The Cornerstone of Faith

Understanding the importance of proclaiming Jesus as the Lamb of God is foundational to our faith journey. This initial proclamation is not merely about vocal declarations but deeply recognizing and affirming Jesus' identity as the cornerstone of our belief system. It sets the tone for the entire disciple-making process, emphasizing the necessity of a solid foundation in Christ. As believers, our first step in discipleship is to acknowledge and declare Jesus' divine nature and salvific role, which then propels us into deeper levels of spiritual growth and outreach. This proclamation is crucial as it aligns our understanding and sets the path for genuine transformation. [57:11]

John 1:29-31 (ESV): "The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, 'Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.'"

Reflection: How can you more effectively acknowledge and share Jesus' identity as the Lamb of God in your daily interactions?

Day 2: Observation: The Mirror of Our Faith

The journey of discipleship often begins with observation. Potential disciples start by scrutinizing the lives of current believers, looking for the reflection of Jesus' teachings and character in their actions. This stage is critical as it represents a silent testimony to the truth of the gospel. Our lives must embody the principles of Christ, serving as a living gospel that others can read and understand. This observational phase is not passive but actively engages the observer in weighing the authenticity and impact of our faith. It challenges us to live out our faith with integrity and transparency. [58:44]

1 Thessalonians 1:5-6 (ESV): "Because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit."

Reflection: In what ways can you improve the authenticity of your faith to better reflect Christ to those observing your life?

Day 3: Invitation: Beyond the Church Walls

Inviting someone into a relationship with Christ transcends mere attendance at church services; it involves inviting them into our lives and experiences. This personal approach helps dismantle barriers of skepticism and fosters trust, paving the way for deeper spiritual conversations and growth. The invitation to "come and see" is about sharing life together, demonstrating the transformative power of a relationship with Jesus through our actions, hospitality, and fellowship. This stage is crucial for moving individuals from mere curiosity about faith to a meaningful engagement with the gospel. [59:30]

Luke 5:27-29 (ESV): "After this he went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, 'Follow me.' And leaving everything, he rose and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them."

Reflection: Who can you invite into your life this week to experience the love and truth of Jesus through your personal fellowship?

Day 4: Realization: Recognizing the Messiah

The realization of Jesus as the Messiah is a pivotal moment in the disciple-making process. This stage involves a profound shift in understanding—from seeing Jesus as merely a great teacher to recognizing Him as the Christ, the anointed Savior. This recognition often comes through intimate fellowship, prayer, and studying the Scriptures, where the divine nature and mission of Jesus are revealed. This deepened understanding is essential for a disciple's commitment and willingness to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. [01:08:25]

Matthew 16:16-17 (ESV): "Simon Peter replied, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' And Jesus answered him, 'Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.'"

Reflection: How has your understanding of Jesus as the Messiah transformed your approach to discipleship and your daily life?

Day 5: Declaration: A Natural Response to Truth

Upon recognizing Jesus' true identity, declaring this truth to others becomes a natural and compelling response. This declaration is not just an outward proclamation but an expression of inner transformation and commitment to spreading the gospel. Like Andrew, who immediately shared the news of the Messiah with Simon Peter, a disciple's realization of Jesus' identity inspires them to invite others into the same transformative experience. This act of declaration marks a full circle in the disciple-making process, as each disciple becomes a herald of the good news. [01:24:30]

John 1:40-42 (ESV): "One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, 'We have found the Messiah' (which means Christ). He brought him to Jesus."

Reflection: What specific action can you take this week to declare Jesus' identity and mission to someone who has not yet heard or understood the gospel?

Sermon Summary

In this sermon series on disciple-making, I explored the profound journey of discipleship through the lens of the Gospel of John, focusing on the transformation from proclamation to declaration. The series began with the proclamation stage, where John the Baptist declares Jesus as the Lamb of God. This initial proclamation is crucial as it sets the stage for the entire disciple-making process, emphasizing the need to recognize and declare Jesus' identity as the foundation of faith.

Following proclamation, we delved into the investigation stage, where potential disciples begin to show interest and seek to learn more about Jesus. This stage is characterized by inquiry and observation, where the curious are looking at our lives as followers of Christ to see the truths of Jesus reflected in our actions and decisions.

The next phase, invitation, moves beyond mere curiosity to active engagement. Here, Jesus' invitation to "come and see" serves as a model for us. It's not about inviting others to a mere physical location like a church building but rather inviting them into a transformative relationship with Christ through personal interaction and fellowship. This invitation is crucial for moving from skepticism to belief.

The realization or revelation stage is where the true nature of Jesus as the Messiah becomes clear to the disciples. This stage is marked by a transition from seeing Jesus as merely a rabbi or teacher to recognizing Him as the Christ, the anointed one who delivers not just from physical bondage but also from spiritual enslavement. This realization compels a disciple to move to the final stage of the disciple-making process.

The declaration stage is where the disciple, now fully aware of Jesus' identity and mission, begins to proclaim the truth to others. This stage is exemplified by Andrew, who, upon realizing who Jesus is, immediately goes to his brother Simon Peter to declare, "We have found the Messiah." This act of declaration is both a personal affirmation of faith and a call to others to come and experience the transformative power of Jesus Christ.

Throughout this series, I emphasized that disciple-making is not a linear process but a cyclical one, where each stage feeds into the next, continually expanding the kingdom of God through new disciples who themselves become disciple-makers. This dynamic process highlights the active role each believer plays in the great commission, not merely as recipients of God's grace but as active participants in spreading the gospel.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was John the Baptist's proclamation about Jesus in John 1:29, and why is it significant for the disciple-making process? ([57:11])
How does 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 describe the condition of unbelievers and the role of believers in addressing this condition?
In John 17:22-23, what does Jesus say about the glory given to Him and its connection to believers?

Interpretation Questions

Why is the proclamation of Jesus as the Lamb of God considered the foundation of the disciple-making process? ([57:11])
How does the investigation stage, where potential disciples observe the lives of believers, impact their journey towards faith? ([58:44])
What does the invitation to "come and see" signify in the context of disciple-making, and how does it differ from merely inviting someone to church? ([59:30])
How does the realization of Jesus' true identity as the Messiah transform a disciple's understanding and actions? ([01:08:25])

Application Questions

Reflect on your own journey of faith. How did the initial proclamation of the gospel impact you, and who was instrumental in that stage for you? ([57:11])
Think about someone in your life who is observing your faith. How can you ensure that your actions and decisions reflect the teachings and character of Christ? ([58:44])
Identify a person you know who is curious about faith. How can you invite them into a deeper relationship with Christ beyond just attending a church service? ([59:30])
When did you first realize Jesus' true identity as the Messiah? How did that realization change your perspective and actions? ([01:08:25])
Consider the people in your life who may be spiritually blind. What steps can you take to shine the light of Christ into their lives, helping them see the truth of the gospel? ([01:33:40])
How can you move from being a recipient of discipleship to becoming an active disciple-maker? What practical steps can you take this week to start this process? ([01:24:30])
Reflect on the cyclical nature of disciple-making. How can you ensure that you are continually engaging in this process, both as a disciple and a disciple-maker? ([01:28:33])

Sermon Clips

1. "The alcohol that we went to to deal with our anxiety or our stress doesn't actually deal with the anxiety of stress. It puts on another chain. So I came to it with anxiety and stress. I took a shot thinking it would take these chains off, and all it did was put another chain on." [01:35:11]( | | )

2. "Patience is not tolerance. Okay? You've got to know when to press with the person you're discipling. You've got to know when to identify, I'm not dealing with that today. But you've also got to know when to be like, it's time that we deal with this." [01:36:52]( | | )

3. "Jesus isn't lost but he's lost to those who are blinded by deceit so they can't see him right and this is another deliverance that occurs right because Christ comes according to John 939 Jesus said I came came into the world for judgment, right?" [01:32:00]( | | )

4. "We think weed is our Messiah. We think alcohol is our Messiah. We think relationships is our Messiah. We think a better job is our Messiah. We are chasing after all of these things. Trying. Hoping and praying that they will free us." [01:16:58]( | | )

5. "I'm going to be a Christian. You may leave me. But I'm so connected to the Father. I'm never alone. I'm never alone. That doesn't mean you don't want real people to come around. I'm not saying that. But I'm just saying. At the end of the day. You do got Jesus." [01:17:55]( | | )

6. "The invitation stage never stops when revelation happens. Discipleship is not a catch and release. Okay? That's why I have this little phrase that I use. I always have phrases that I connect with stuff to always keep me remembering that discipleship is not a catch and release." [01:38:36]( | | )

7. "Enter into that space and begin to proclaim from there. Right? Then my goal is from interest, that's proclamation, to conversion, that's the seed. So I'm trying to move that person who was just interested, investigating, to actually making an Andrew confession." [01:40:37]( | | )

8. "The only reason we know that Andrew had a revelation of who Jesus is was by his declaration of who Jesus is meaning because he was fully convinced he went and declared it and we know by his declaration that he had a revelation." [01:24:30]( | | )

9. "If the gospel has not been proclaimed, you may be mentoring somebody, but you have not yet entered them into this disciple making process. Right. Then in week two, we talked about the investigation stage." [57:11]( | | )

10. "And he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, you are Simon, the son of John, and you should be called Cephas, which means Peter. Right. Cephas, which means Peter. And so Andrew comes out of this invitation time, this spending time with Jesus, and he has a revelation or a realization." [01:01:20]( | | )

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