Introduction

Good morning, dear brothers and sisters in Christ. It's a delight to be here with you today, sharing in the fellowship of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We are gathered together in His name, in His presence, and for His glory. Isn't it a joy to be part of the family of God, to share in the abundant life He offers, and to have the privilege of serving Him?

Today, we are turning our hearts and minds to the book of Philippians, specifically Philippians 4:9, which reads, "Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."

This verse, penned by the apostle Paul, speaks to the heart of discipleship, the process of learning from, following, and becoming more like Jesus. This is the core of the Christian life, the heart of our calling, and the essence of our identity in Christ. We are disciples, learners, followers of Jesus. And as disciples, we are called to put into practice what we have learned and received from those who have gone before us in the faith.

This call to discipleship is not a call to a life of ease or comfort, but to a life of dedication, discernment, and dynamic living. It's a call to a life that is marked by a deep commitment to Christ, a discerning understanding of His Word and His ways, and a dynamic engagement with the world around us.

Dedication to Discipleship

When we consider the life of the Apostle Paul, we see a man who was utterly dedicated to the cause of Christ. His life was not marked by half-hearted attempts or lukewarm commitments. Instead, he was all in. He was fully committed. He was dedicated. This is the kind of dedication that is required in discipleship. It's a total surrender, a complete dedication, a whole-hearted devotion. This kind of dedication is requires sacrifice. This is the kind of dedication that Paul had. And this is the kind of dedication that we are called to have as disciples of Jesus.

The first aspect of this dedication is a dedication to learning. As disciples, we are learners. We are students of Jesus, seeking to understand His teachings, His character, and His ways. This requires a dedication to studying the Scriptures, to spending time in prayer, and to engaging in fellowship with other believers. It's not about gaining knowledge for the sake of knowledge, but about growing in our understanding of who Jesus is and how we can live in a way that honors Him.

The second aspect of this dedication is a dedication to obedience. As disciples, we are not just called to learn about Jesus, but to live like Him. This means obeying His commands, following His example, and aligning our lives with His teachings. This can be challenging, uncomfortable, and even costly. But it is also essential. Obedience is the evidence of our faith, the fruit of our love, and the demonstration of our dedication.

The third aspect of this dedication is a dedication to service. As disciples, we are not just called to learn and obey, but to serve. This means using our gifts, our resources, and our time to serve others in the name of Jesus. It's not about earning favor or gaining recognition, but about expressing our love for Jesus and our gratitude for His grace. Service is not a burden, but a blessing.

The fourth aspect of this dedication is a dedication to perseverance. As disciples, we are not just called to learn, obey, and serve, but to persevere. This means remaining faithful in the face of trials, standing firm in the midst of challenges, and pressing on in the pursuit of Christlikeness. Perseverance is not about gritting our teeth and bearing it, but about relying on the strength of God and the hope of the gospel. It's not about our ability, but about God's faithfulness.

Discernment in Discipleship

Discernment, as Charles Spurgeon so eloquently put it, is not merely distinguishing between right and wrong, but between right and almost right ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO