Being a Disciple

Being a Disciple

April 15, 2007

Introduction

In Mat 28:19-20, we have these words: ""Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, {20} "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen." This passage is often referred to as the great commission. There are certain things that we emphasize about this passage, especially, “baptizing them.”

“Baptizing them” is very important, and I don’t want to take from that his morning, but let’s look at the verse from the very beginning, “Go therefore and make disciples.” What does it mean to be a disciple?

mathēteuō

Thayer Definition:

1) to be a disciple of one

1a) to follow his precepts and instructions

2) to make a disciple

2a) to teach, instruct

Body

I. What does it mean to be a disciple?

A. According to the dictionary, we have this definition:

a scholar, sometimes applied to the followers of John the Baptist (Matt. 9:14), and of the Pharisees (22:16), but principally to the followers of Christ. A disciple of Christ is one who (1) believes his doctrine, (2) rests on his sacrifice, (3) imbibes his spirit, and (4) imitates his example (Matt. 10:24; Luke 14:26, 27, 33; John 6:69). Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary

We associate disciples with Christians.

(Acts 11:26 NKJV) "And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch

II. What did Jesus say about discipleship?

A. He said there was a price to be paid

(Luke 14:27-33 NKJV) ""And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. {28} "For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it; {29} "lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, {30} "saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' {31} "Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? {32} "Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. {33} "So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple

1. To be a disciple means to live as He lived.

(Mark 10:43-45 NKJV) ""Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. {44} "And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. {45} "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."

2. He gave another example the night of His betrayal.

(John 13:12-17 NKJV) So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? {13} "You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. {14} "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. {15} "For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. {16} "Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. {17} "If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

B. What if we will not pay the price?

(Mark 8:34-37 KJV) "And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. {35} For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. {36} For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? {37} Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"

C. What do we gain if we follow Christ and His way?

(Mark 10:29-30 NKJV) "So Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, {30}"who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time; houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life

1. Christ speaks of two benefits:

"who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time; houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands,

a. A hundredfold in this case I associate with quality more than quantity.

b. We say things like, “I have a ton of things to do” – It’s not a ton, it’s an expression.

c. Jesus is emphasizing the quality of life that we have

d. As Christians, we experience,

§ Love

§ Compassion and concern

§ Joy

§ Tenderness

§ Trust in God and in others, especially those close to us.

(Gal 5:22-26 NKJV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, {23} gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. {24} And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. {25} If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. {26} Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

2. Then most important of all “and in the age to come, eternal life.”

D. Some never think of this one until they are at death’s door.

III. What is a disciple?

A. He is one who is as much like Christ as he can be.

B. He is one who lives a disciplined life.

(Heb 12:11-14 NKJV) Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. {12} Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, {13} and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. {14} Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:

Conclusion

I. Are you a disciple?

A. Are you willing to pay the price of discipleship?

B. The price is high, but what you get in return is worth far beyond what we have to pay.

(Rom 8:18 NKJV) For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

What price have you paid for the Lord?

1. Do you study the Bible for yourself?

2. Do you visit the lost?

3. Do you help others with their needs?

Sermons I have Preached Bible Study with Harley

Hit Counter