Living as True Disciples: Beyond the Label
Summary
In today's sermon, I explored the profound difference between merely claiming the title of a Christian and truly living as a disciple of Jesus Christ. I began by reflecting on the cultural context of discipleship during Jesus' time, where being a disciple meant an immersive apprenticeship, learning intimately from a rabbi and adopting his way of life. This historical backdrop set the stage for understanding Jesus' call to discipleship as an invitation to a transformative journey, not just a superficial acknowledgment of His divinity.
I emphasized that true discipleship is more than an ambitious start; it's a commitment to continue in Jesus' teachings, embodying His truth, and experiencing the freedom that comes from living according to His ways. I challenged the congregation to consider whether our lives truly reflect the teachings of Jesus, or if we are merely content with the label of Christianity without the substance of His transformative power.
I confronted the stark reality that many who claim to be Christians do not live in a way that aligns with Jesus' teachings. I pointed out that Jesus Himself made it clear that our habits and lifestyles are the true indicators of our discipleship. If we claim to be followers of Christ, our lives should mirror His—marked by love, sacrifice, and obedience to God's will.
I also addressed the deception of the enemy, who seeks to distract and dissuade us from the narrow path of true discipleship. I urged the congregation to be vigilant against the lies that downplay the importance of following Jesus' way, reminding us that the stakes are high—eternal life with Jesus.
Finally, I called for a personal and communal commitment to discipleship, emphasizing that it starts with individual hearts and decisions. I expressed my desire for our church to be known as a church of "The Way," a community of disciples who live out the teachings of Jesus in such a way that it brings radical transformation to ourselves and those around us.
Key Takeaways:
- True discipleship requires more than just intellectual assent to Christian doctrines; it demands a life that is continually shaped and transformed by the teachings of Jesus. As we walk in His ways, we experience the freedom and life that He promises. [49:33]
- The evidence of our discipleship is not found in our words or titles but in our actions and lifestyle. If we claim to follow Jesus, our lives should bear the fruit of His teachings, reflecting His character and love in every aspect of our existence. [51:03]
- We must be aware of the enemy's tactics to deceive and distract us from the path of discipleship. The lies of the enemy are subtle and often appeal to our comfort and convenience, but they lead us away from the life-giving presence of Jesus. [59:33]
- Discipleship is not a solitary endeavor but a communal pursuit. As a church, we are called to support and encourage one another in our journey to become more like Christ, fostering an environment where transformation is not only possible but expected. [01:28:50]
- The call to discipleship is urgent and personal. Each of us must decide whether we will be content with a nominal Christian identity or whether we will wholeheartedly pursue the way of Jesus, allowing His teachings to penetrate every area of our lives. [01:30:05]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- John 8:31-59
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus say is the true mark of His disciples in John 8:31-32?
2. How do the Jews respond to Jesus' statement about freedom, and what is Jesus' reply? (John 8:33-36)
3. According to Jesus, what is the relationship between sin and slavery? (John 8:34)
4. How does Jesus describe the devil in John 8:44, and what does He say about those who follow him?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to "continue in Jesus' word" as a true disciple? How does this differ from merely believing in Him? [40:39]
2. Why does Jesus emphasize that knowing the truth will set us free? What kind of freedom is He referring to? [43:54]
3. How can we discern whether our actions and lifestyles align with Jesus' teachings or with the lies of the enemy? [49:13]
4. What does Jesus mean when He says, "Before Abraham was, I am"? How does this statement affirm His divinity? [21:13]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily habits and lifestyle. Do they reflect the teachings of Jesus, or are there areas where you are merely content with the label of Christianity? How can you make changes to align more closely with Jesus' teachings? [48:34]
2. Jesus calls us to be vigilant against the lies of the enemy. What are some subtle lies or distractions in your life that might be leading you away from true discipleship? How can you address these distractions this week? [59:00]
3. Discipleship is a communal pursuit. How can you support and encourage others in your small group or church community to live out the teachings of Jesus? What specific actions can you take to foster an environment of transformation? [01:28:50]
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of personal commitment to discipleship. What steps can you take this week to deepen your personal relationship with Jesus and commit to His way? [01:30:05]
5. Think about a recent situation where you had to make a decision. Did your choice reflect the character and teachings of Jesus? How can you ensure that future decisions are more aligned with His way?
6. Identify one area of your life where you struggle to embody the love, sacrifice, and obedience that Jesus exemplified. What practical steps can you take to improve in this area?
7. Jesus' teachings often challenge our comfort and convenience. Is there a specific comfort or convenience in your life that you feel called to sacrifice for the sake of true discipleship? How will you go about making this sacrifice? [01:09:27]
Devotional
Day 1: Living Beyond Intellectual Assent
True discipleship transcends mere agreement with Christian principles; it involves a dynamic and ongoing process of being shaped by Jesus' teachings. This transformation is not a one-time event but a continuous journey of growth and change. As disciples, individuals are called to not only understand the teachings of Jesus intellectually but to allow these teachings to penetrate their hearts and influence their daily actions and decisions. This means that every aspect of life, from personal relationships to professional conduct, should be informed by the values and principles taught by Jesus. The freedom and life promised by Jesus are experienced through this active and intentional pursuit of His ways, which often requires courage and perseverance, especially when faced with challenges or opposition. The path of true discipleship is marked by a willingness to be molded and guided by the teachings of Jesus, leading to a life that is increasingly reflective of His character and love. [49:33]
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing." - James 1:22-25 ESV
Reflection: What is one specific way you can move from merely agreeing with Jesus' teachings to actively applying them in your life today?
Day 2: Fruit-Bearing Discipleship
The authenticity of one's discipleship is not demonstrated through words or self-assigned labels but is evident in the actions and lifestyle that flow from a heart transformed by Jesus. To claim to follow Jesus means to exhibit the fruits of His teachings in every area of life. This includes showing love to others, even when it's difficult; making sacrifices for the sake of the gospel; and living in obedience to God's will, even when it contradicts personal desires or societal norms. The life of a disciple should be a mirror reflecting Jesus' character, where His love is not just spoken of but actively demonstrated through tangible acts of kindness, generosity, and service to others. This reflection of Christ's love is what sets disciples apart and reveals the transformative power of the gospel at work within them. [51:03]
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." - John 13:34-35 ESV
Reflection: How does your daily life reflect the character and love of Jesus, and what is one area where you can grow in this reflection?
Day 3: Vigilance Against Deception
Disciples must be acutely aware of the enemy's schemes to deceive and lead them astray from the path of true discipleship. The enemy's lies are often cloaked in the guise of comfort and convenience, tempting believers to take the easier path that leads away from the life-giving presence of Jesus. It is crucial to remain vigilant, constantly evaluating whether one's choices align with the teachings of Jesus or if they are being subtly influenced by deceptive ideologies that prioritize self-interest over the gospel. The stakes are high, as the enemy's goal is to prevent believers from experiencing the fullness of life that comes from walking closely with Jesus. Disciples are called to resist these deceptions and to cling to the truth of Jesus' way, which leads to eternal life. [59:33]
"See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ." - Colossians 2:8 ESV
Reflection: What is one lie or distraction that you need to resist in order to stay focused on following Jesus' way?
Day 4: Community in Discipleship
Discipleship is not a solitary journey but one that is meant to be walked in community with other believers. The church is called to be a supportive and nurturing environment where individuals can grow in their faith and become more like Christ. This communal aspect of discipleship involves encouraging one another, holding each other accountable, and fostering a culture where transformation is not only possible but expected. As members of the body of Christ, believers have a responsibility to contribute to the spiritual growth of their community, recognizing that their own discipleship journey is interconnected with the journeys of those around them. The collective pursuit of discipleship within the church can lead to a powerful witness of God's transformative work in the world. [01:28:50]
"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: How can you actively contribute to the discipleship journey of someone else in your community this week?
Day 5: The Urgency of Personal Discipleship
The call to discipleship is a personal and urgent one, requiring a decision to either settle for a nominal Christian identity or to wholeheartedly pursue the way of Jesus. This decision is not to be taken lightly, as it involves allowing Jesus' teachings to penetrate every aspect of one's life. The urgency of this call is rooted in the reality that the choices made today have eternal significance. Each person must examine their heart and decide if they are willing to embrace the cost and joy of discipleship, committing to a path that may not always be easy but is always worth it. The pursuit of discipleship is a journey of surrender, where every area of life is submitted to the lordship of Jesus, resulting in a life that is rich in purpose and meaning. [01:30:05]
"Therefore, brothers and sisters, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." - 2 Peter 1:10-11 ESV
Reflection: What does it mean for you to wholeheartedly pursue the way of Jesus today, and what is one step you can take to deepen your commitment to discipleship?
Quotes
1) "Jesus is teaching a way of life, he's not coming so that people can just simply affirm that he is the light of the world or the Messiah and move along. In fact, that kind of seems to be the case... Jesus helps us to start to differentiate that they believe, and Jesus says I know you believe, but are you my disciple? Are you an apprentice of me? Are you willing to come to me and study my ways?" [41:19]
2) "Jesus says if you really are my disciples you will walk in my ways, you will keep my word, you will obey my Commandments, you will prove your love for me in that fashion if you are truly my disciples. And not only that, but then you will start to see that my ways actually produce freedom and life in this world." [45:14]
3) "Jesus Christ is God of the universe, he is the one who wrote the laws of the universe, who described how things are to function, who set about the principles of the way things would operate in good and lifegiving ways. He's the one who created and authored all things, and he now calls people to be his disciple, to be shaped into his image." [01:22:31]
4) "Jesus our physician, our healer, is showing up to us and speaking to our hearts and saying look you are in this constant state of spiritual warfare where the father of Lies is enshrouding you with all of these lies... Jesus this passage just confronts that mentality and it's not confronting it in way to bring condemnation, it's confronting us in a way to bring us life." [59:00]
5) "Jesus said to them if God were your father, you would love me because I came from God and I am here for I didn't come on my own but he sent me. So Jesus says if you really are my disciples you will walk in my ways, you will keep my word, you will obey my Commandments, you will prove your love for me in that fashion if you are truly my disciples." [45:14]
6) "Jesus says, 'If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.' Now if you remember, we read about Jesus in chapter one, he is full of grace and truth... that truth it's not just intellectual... it's truth embodied, it's truth in a person, faithfulness." [43:54]
7) "Jesus is not calling us to just come and have nothing laid on us, instead what he's saying is look, you have all of these different yolks that are placed upon you... and it's going to fix all your problems and make you happy and give you energy and do all of these things to give you life, and we chase them." [01:08:43]
8) "Jesus said, 'Truly I tell you, before Abraham was, I am.' So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus was hidden and went out of the temple. Here's the thing, there are many people that you were going to have in your life who are trying to convince you of a way of living, they will all die. Jesus Christ is God of the universe." [01:21:53]
9) "Jesus says, 'I am the way.' This is Jesus looking at us saying, 'Look, Thomas, I've shown you the way. You have been covered in my dust as we traveled around this country of Israel. You have sat up under my teachings, you have heard me speak about the ways of believing, behaving.'" [01:00:58]
10) "Jesus says, 'You are of your father the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires.' He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in truth because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature because he is a liar and the father of lies." [25:47]
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