Rediscovering Discipleship: The True Essence of Church
Summary
In our journey of faith, it's crucial to understand the true essence of what it means to be part of the church. The church is not a fortress with keys held by a select few to keep others out. Instead, it is a living body built by Jesus, constantly growing and evolving around us. However, not everyone perceives this divine work due to confusion and misrepresentation. Satan's primary goal is to distort the message of the church, diverting people from becoming true apprentices of Jesus. Instead of making disciples, we often find ourselves making denominational followers, such as Baptists or Presbyterians, which was never the original intent.
The term "Christian" is mentioned only three times in the Bible, whereas "disciple" is used extensively. This distinction is significant because the early followers of Jesus were known as disciples before they were ever called Christians. In Antioch, the term "Christian" emerged as a way to describe the diverse group of believers who could no longer be seen as a mere Jewish sect. Over time, however, the term "Christian" has become detached from the concept of discipleship. This separation poses a challenge for us today: how do we ensure that being a Christian inherently involves being a disciple?
We must reflect deeply on how people are integrated into Christian communities. The process should not allow for a separation between being a Christian and being a disciple. Our focus should be on nurturing true discipleship, where individuals are committed to following Jesus in every aspect of their lives. This involves a conscious effort to align our practices and teachings with the original call to make disciples of all nations, transcending denominational boundaries and focusing on the heart of the gospel.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Church as a Living Body: The church is not a closed entity but a dynamic body built by Jesus, constantly growing and evolving. It is essential to recognize that the church's purpose is to welcome and nurture, not to exclude. This understanding challenges us to be open and inclusive in our approach to faith. [12:24]
2. Satan's Distraction Tactics: Satan's primary strategy is to distort the church's message, leading people away from true discipleship. By focusing on denominational identities rather than the core teachings of Jesus, we risk losing sight of our mission. We must remain vigilant and committed to the true essence of discipleship. [13:04]
3. The Distinction Between Christian and Disciple: The term "Christian" is used sparingly in the Bible, while "disciple" is prevalent. This highlights the importance of discipleship as the foundation of our faith. We must strive to ensure that being a Christian inherently involves being a disciple, committed to following Jesus. [14:05]
4. Historical Context of the Term 'Christian': The term "Christian" originated in Antioch to describe a diverse group of believers. Over time, it has become detached from discipleship. Understanding this historical context helps us realign our focus on nurturing true discipleship within our communities. [14:40]
5. Integrating Discipleship into Christian Identity: We must reflect on how individuals are brought into Christian communities, ensuring that discipleship is at the core of their journey. This involves a conscious effort to align our practices with the original call to make disciples, transcending denominational boundaries. [15:25]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[12:24] - The Church Built by Jesus
[12:41] - Confusion and Misrepresentation
[13:04] - Satan's Distraction Tactics
[13:26] - Denominational Diversions
[13:50] - Beyond Denominational Labels
[14:05] - Christian vs. Disciple
[14:23] - Origin of the Term 'Christian'
[14:40] - Historical Context of 'Christian'
[14:57] - Discipleship in Modern Times
[15:25] - Integrating Discipleship into Identity
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Matthew 28:19-20 (The Great Commission)
2. Acts 11:25-26 (The origin of the term "Christian" in Antioch)
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Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, how does Satan attempt to distort the message of the church? [13:04]
2. What is the significance of the term "Christian" being used only three times in the Bible compared to "disciple"? [14:05]
3. How did the term "Christian" originate in Antioch, and what was its initial purpose? [14:23]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between denominational identities and true discipleship? [13:26]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might the distinction between being a "Christian" and a "disciple" be important for modern believers? [14:57]
2. How can the historical context of the term "Christian" help us understand the challenges of discipleship today? [14:40]
3. In what ways might denominational labels distract from the core mission of making disciples? [13:50]
4. How does the concept of the church as a "living body" challenge traditional views of church membership and participation? [12:24]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own faith journey. Do you identify more as a "Christian" or a "disciple"? How does this affect your daily life and spiritual practices? [14:05]
2. Consider the ways in which your church community might unintentionally prioritize denominational identity over discipleship. How can you contribute to a shift in focus? [13:26]
3. How can you actively participate in making disciples in your community, transcending denominational boundaries? [15:25]
4. Think about a time when you felt excluded or included in a church setting. What can you learn from that experience to help create a more welcoming church environment? [12:24]
5. Identify one area in your life where you feel distracted from true discipleship. What steps can you take this week to refocus on following Jesus? [13:04]
6. How can understanding the historical context of the term "Christian" influence your approach to sharing your faith with others? [14:40]
7. What practical steps can you take to ensure that your identity as a Christian is deeply rooted in being a disciple of Jesus? [15:25]
Devotional
Day 1: The Church as a Dynamic Community
The church is not a static institution but a living, breathing body that Jesus Himself builds and nurtures. It is meant to be a place of growth, inclusion, and transformation, welcoming all who seek to follow Christ. This understanding challenges us to move beyond seeing the church as a fortress with barriers, and instead embrace it as a community that evolves and adapts to the needs of its members and the world. By recognizing the church as a dynamic entity, we are called to be open and inclusive, ensuring that our faith communities reflect the love and grace of Jesus. [12:24]
"For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another." (Romans 12:4-5, ESV)
Reflection: How can you contribute to making your church community more welcoming and inclusive this week?
Day 2: Guarding Against Distraction
Satan's primary tactic is to distort the message of the church, leading believers away from true discipleship. By focusing on denominational identities and divisions, we risk losing sight of the core teachings of Jesus. It is crucial to remain vigilant and committed to the essence of discipleship, which transcends denominational boundaries. By focusing on the heart of the gospel, we can resist the distractions that seek to divide us and instead unite in our mission to follow Christ. [13:04]
"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8, ESV)
Reflection: What denominational or cultural distractions might be hindering your focus on true discipleship, and how can you address them today?
Day 3: Rediscovering the Meaning of 'Disciple'
The term "Christian" is used sparingly in the Bible, while "disciple" is prevalent, highlighting the importance of discipleship as the foundation of our faith. The early followers of Jesus were known as disciples, committed to learning from and emulating Him in every aspect of their lives. Today, we must strive to ensure that being a Christian inherently involves being a disciple, fully devoted to following Jesus. This requires a conscious effort to align our practices and teachings with the original call to make disciples of all nations. [14:05]
"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: In what ways can you deepen your commitment to being a disciple of Jesus in your daily life?
Day 4: Understanding the Historical Context of 'Christian'
The term "Christian" originated in Antioch to describe a diverse group of believers who could no longer be seen as a mere Jewish sect. Over time, however, it has become detached from the concept of discipleship. Understanding this historical context helps us realign our focus on nurturing true discipleship within our communities. By recognizing the original intent behind the term, we can work towards integrating discipleship into our Christian identity, ensuring that our faith is rooted in following Jesus. [14:40]
"And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians." (Acts 11:26, ESV)
Reflection: How does understanding the historical context of the term 'Christian' change your perspective on your own faith journey?
Day 5: Integrating Discipleship into Christian Identity
To ensure that discipleship is at the core of our Christian identity, we must reflect on how individuals are brought into our communities. This involves a conscious effort to align our practices with the original call to make disciples, transcending denominational boundaries. By focusing on nurturing true discipleship, we can create communities where individuals are committed to following Jesus in every aspect of their lives. This requires intentionality in our teachings and practices, ensuring that our faith is not just a label but a way of life. [15:25]
"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." (Matthew 28:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: What steps can you take to ensure that your Christian identity is deeply rooted in discipleship, and how can you encourage others to do the same?
Quotes
"what's keys now some of our religious groups have actually translated it into something to keep others out religious monopoly oh you can't get in because I have the keys unless I let you in but that's not God's idea God's idea is that the church is built by Jesus and that's what he's doing now among other things as he's building his church and that's going on right around you and me all the time" [00:12:00]
"not everyone is responding not everyone understands not everyone is able to see that God is good because of the people they meet so there's a lot of confusion and if I may say so Satan's main project is to mess up the message then he works full-time at that you may not have much attendance at church but you can be sure the devil is there that's history that's his main focus is to mess up the church" [00:12:41]
"one of the ways he does it is to divert people from apprenticeship to Jesus and getting people instead of making disciples to make Baptists go ye therefore into all the world and make Baptists now I can pick on Baptist because I'm a Baptist so I know some of you are too so don't worry about it you could be Presbyterian and get the same treatment" [00:13:26]
"they didn't say he will make Presbyterians or Catholics and lo and behold he didn't even say as you go make Christians now you may have a little hard time with that but you need to think about that Christian is a word that occurs three times in the Bible compare the times that disciple occurs and it is disciples who were called Christians" [00:13:50]
"in Antioch they could no longer think of them as a Jewish sect so they had to come up with another name because now you had Gentiles and Jews and all kinds of people the cutting edge of the kingdom movement was going on there and so they what are we going to call these people well little Christ Chris Christ people of something of that sort" [00:14:23]
"and so then we got Christian but then as history goes along Christian gets divorced from disciple and one of the things that we really have to think about intensively in this intensive is how we handle that today what does that mean today how do people get brought into Christian churches how does that work so that you don't have to be a disciple to be a Christian" [00:14:57]
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