True Discipleship: Beyond Words to Genuine Relationship
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound teachings of Jesus on the nature of true discipleship as found in Matthew 7:21-23. Jesus warns that not everyone who calls Him "Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of the Father. This passage challenges us to examine the authenticity of our faith and the sincerity of our discipleship. It's a sobering reminder that mere verbal confession or religious activity is not enough; what truly matters is a life that aligns with God's will.
Reflecting on a personal story, I shared an experience where I was deceived by someone who appeared genuine but was not. This story parallels the warning Jesus gives about false followers—those who may perform religious acts but lack a true relationship with Him. Jesus emphasizes that true discipleship is not about outward appearances or actions done in His name, but about a genuine, obedient relationship with Him.
The message calls us to self-examination, urging us to discern whether we are true disciples or merely false followers. It challenges the notion that a simple prayer or religious routine guarantees salvation. Instead, it highlights the importance of making Jesus Lord of our lives, doing the will of God, and practicing righteousness. True discipleship involves a transformation of the heart and a commitment to live according to Jesus' teachings.
We are reminded that Jesus desires a relationship with us, not a transactional interaction. He wants us to know Him and be known by Him. This relationship is marked by obedience, holiness, and a pursuit of righteousness. As we strive to be true disciples, we must continually judge ourselves, ensuring that our lives reflect the values and teachings of Jesus.
Key Takeaways:
- Authentic Discipleship: True discipleship is not about outward religious acts but about a genuine relationship with Jesus. It's about knowing Him and being known by Him, which requires obedience and alignment with His will. [07:01]
- Self-Examination: We must judge ourselves to ensure we are living as true disciples. This involves discerning whether our actions and beliefs align with God's will and making necessary changes to follow the path of righteousness. [16:56]
- The Importance of Obedience: Simply calling Jesus "Lord" is not enough. True discipleship requires doing the will of God, which means living a life of obedience and submission to His teachings. [27:15]
- Practicing Righteousness: To be a true disciple, we must practice righteousness consistently. This involves a commitment to holiness and living according to the teachings of Jesus, not just in isolated moments but as a lifestyle. [36:02]
- Relationship Over Ritual: Jesus desires a relationship with us, not a transactional interaction. Our faith should be marked by a sincere desire to know Him and be known by Him, which is demonstrated through our actions and obedience. [39:54]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:50] - The Deceptive Encounter
[04:41] - False Followers vs. True Disciples
[07:01] - Judging Ourselves
[08:22] - The Chilling Confession
[09:37] - The Shock of Judgment
[10:50] - Belief vs. Action
[11:47] - The Rich Young Ruler
[13:10] - Bargaining with God
[14:39] - The Practice of Lawlessness
[16:56] - Pursuing Peace and Holiness
[18:20] - Knowing God
[19:19] - The Narrow Path
[20:37] - Three Components of True Discipleship
[21:15] - Making Jesus Lord
[22:49] - The Conversation with Nicodemus
[24:11] - The Importance of Belief
[25:45] - The Path to Salvation
[26:46] - Doing the Will of God
[27:51] - Submission and Obedience
[29:44] - The Proof of Submission
[30:22] - Choosing God's Will
[31:47] - Learning from Mistakes
[33:34] - Obeying God's Word
[35:00] - Practicing Righteousness
[36:44] - Becoming Children of God
[37:39] - The Importance of Practice
[38:46] - Knowing and Being Known by God
[39:54] - The Difference Between Followers and Disciples
[40:40] - Making Jesus Lord
[41:30] - Doing God's Will
[42:16] - Practicing Holiness
[42:59] - Judging Yourself
[43:41] - The Choice is Yours
[44:36] - Invitation to New Life
[45:22] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: True Discipleship
Bible Reading:
- Matthew 7:21-23
- Hebrews 12:14-15
- John 3:16-21
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Matthew 7:21-23, what distinguishes those who will enter the kingdom of heaven from those who will not? [04:41]
2. In the sermon, what personal story did the pastor share to illustrate the concept of false followers? How does this story relate to the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 7:21-23? [02:50]
3. What does Hebrews 12:14-15 say about the importance of pursuing peace and holiness? How does this relate to the concept of true discipleship? [16:56]
4. How does the pastor describe the difference between a transactional relationship with Jesus and a genuine relationship? [18:41]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does it mean to "do the will of the Father" as mentioned in Matthew 7:21-23, and how does this relate to the concept of true discipleship? [27:15]
2. How does the pastor's story about the deceptive encounter illustrate the danger of relying solely on outward appearances in our faith journey? [02:50]
3. In John 3:16-21, Jesus speaks about belief and condemnation. How does this passage challenge the notion of a simple verbal confession being sufficient for salvation? [24:11]
4. What role does self-examination play in ensuring that one's faith aligns with the teachings of Jesus, according to the sermon? [07:01]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you might be relying on religious routines rather than a genuine relationship with Jesus? How can you shift your focus to deepen your relationship with Him? [18:41]
2. The pastor mentioned the importance of practicing righteousness consistently. What specific actions can you take this week to align your daily life more closely with the teachings of Jesus? [36:02]
3. Consider the concept of self-examination discussed in the sermon. How can you regularly assess whether your actions and beliefs align with God's will? What tools or practices might help you in this process? [07:01]
4. In what ways can you ensure that your faith is not just about outward appearances but reflects a true transformation of the heart? Identify one area of your life where you can work on this transformation. [04:41]
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of obedience to God's will. Think of a recent decision you made. Did you seek God's guidance in that decision? How can you make seeking His will a more integral part of your decision-making process? [27:15]
6. Reflect on the pastor's story about the deceptive encounter. Have you ever been in a situation where you misjudged someone's sincerity? How can this experience help you discern true discipleship in yourself and others? [02:50]
7. Hebrews 12:14-15 speaks about pursuing peace and holiness. What steps can you take to pursue these qualities in your relationships and personal life this week? [16:56]
Devotional
Day 1: Authentic Discipleship: A Heartfelt Commitment
True discipleship is not about outward religious acts but about a genuine relationship with Jesus. It's about knowing Him and being known by Him, which requires obedience and alignment with His will. Jesus' teachings in Matthew 7:21-23 remind us that not everyone who calls Him "Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of the Father. This passage challenges us to examine the authenticity of our faith and the sincerity of our discipleship. It's a sobering reminder that mere verbal confession or religious activity is not enough; what truly matters is a life that aligns with God's will. [07:01]
"Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’" (Matthew 7:21-23, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your relationship with Jesus today, ensuring that your faith is not just a series of actions but a heartfelt commitment?
Day 2: Self-Examination: Aligning Actions with God's Will
We must judge ourselves to ensure we are living as true disciples. This involves discerning whether our actions and beliefs align with God's will and making necessary changes to follow the path of righteousness. Jesus emphasizes that true discipleship is not about outward appearances or actions done in His name, but about a genuine, obedient relationship with Him. This self-examination is crucial in discerning whether we are true disciples or merely false followers. [16:56]
"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV)
Reflection: What specific actions or beliefs in your life need realignment with God's will, and how can you begin to make those changes today?
Day 3: The Importance of Obedience: Living Out God's Will
Simply calling Jesus "Lord" is not enough. True discipleship requires doing the will of God, which means living a life of obedience and submission to His teachings. This involves a transformation of the heart and a commitment to live according to Jesus' teachings. Jesus desires a relationship with us, not a transactional interaction. He wants us to know Him and be known by Him, marked by obedience, holiness, and a pursuit of righteousness. [27:15]
"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." (James 1:22-23, ESV)
Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you struggle with obedience to God's will. What practical steps can you take to submit this area to Him?
Day 4: Practicing Righteousness: A Lifestyle of Holiness
To be a true disciple, we must practice righteousness consistently. This involves a commitment to holiness and living according to the teachings of Jesus, not just in isolated moments but as a lifestyle. True discipleship involves a transformation of the heart and a commitment to live according to Jesus' teachings. It's about making Jesus Lord of our lives, doing the will of God, and practicing righteousness. [36:02]
"Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous." (1 John 3:7, ESV)
Reflection: What daily habits can you incorporate into your life to ensure that you are consistently practicing righteousness and living a lifestyle of holiness?
Day 5: Relationship Over Ritual: Knowing and Being Known by Jesus
Jesus desires a relationship with us, not a transactional interaction. Our faith should be marked by a sincere desire to know Him and be known by Him, which is demonstrated through our actions and obedience. This relationship is marked by obedience, holiness, and a pursuit of righteousness. As we strive to be true disciples, we must continually judge ourselves, ensuring that our lives reflect the values and teachings of Jesus. [39:54]
"And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." (John 17:3, ESV)
Reflection: How can you prioritize your relationship with Jesus over religious rituals today, ensuring that your faith is genuine and transformative?
Quotes
Here are the selected quotes with timestamps:
"And here's the thing, it's possible to call on the name of the Lord, to call Jesus Lord and to do works in the name of the Lord and still not enter into heaven. Did you see that it's possible to say, oh, Lord, I believe in Jesus and I did work in the church or I did good deeds in Jesus name and still fall short of the grace and glory of God. And that's a scary thing. That should be a sobering thing. If Jesus is saying this, we should pay attention to what he has to say." [00:04:08] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Becoming religious is not enough. Just because you go to church and you serve and you got to, and listen, you need to serve. You ought to be on a ministry team. If you're a regular attender of a church, you should be serving. That's a value of kingdom people. That's something Jesus talks about, but that won't save you. That's not enough." [00:05:44] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"When we can learn the difference between false followers and true disciples, we can judge ourselves properly. And make sure that we're in the faith and following the path of righteousness into the kingdom of heaven and ultimately to the presence of God. See, when you know what to look for, you can tell whether or not you're doing that. Right? Amen." [00:07:26] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"So if we can examine what Jesus said about false followers, then we can look at three critical components of true disciples. So if you're taking notes, and I highly encourage that you do, so you can check on what I'm preaching and make sure I'm preaching the gospel. Amen. Praise God." [00:20:37] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"To make Jesus Lord, you have to know who he is. You have to trust his word. You have to believe that he is the Son of God. You have to believe that he is the one that was sent by God to deliver us from sin and to recreate all things. He's not just a teacher, he's not just an ethical man, he's not just a person in history, he is the Son of God. The Redeemer of humanity." [00:22:01] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"See, making Jesus, Lord, means that you're submitting to his will and choosing to obey him. This is where we get it wrong, because Lord to us is just a title. It's like Sir Jesus. Colossians chapter 2, verse 6 in the Amplified Bible says, As you have therefore received Christ, even Jesus the Lord." [00:27:43] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Do you choose God's will over your comfort? Because if we're honest, most of us don't. Do you obey God's word in all areas of your life? Your sex life? Bible says, don't have sex before you get married. Oh, pastor, that's old. That's old. That's what Jesus says. I mean, you fight with him." [00:33:31] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Receiving Jesus our Lord gives us the authority and power and privilege to become children of God. But becoming requires that we grow. It implies that we change, that we develop, right? You're born as a baby, but you're to become an adult. And that's a process. We were all sinners. We were all lost. We were all dead in our trespasses and sins." [00:36:50] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"The difference between a false follower and a true disciple is, does God know you? Do you know God? It's easy to go to church. Jesus said, behold, there'll be people go to church. There'll be wolves in sheep's clothing. They'll know how to raise their hand and say hallelujah. They'll say praise Jesus." [00:39:36] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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