Four Spiritual Qualities Of A Disciple Series

The Discipleship of All Believers – Four Spiritual Qualities of a Disciple (Week Three) 11/16/2003

Introduction: We began our look two weeks ago at what is a disciple by looking at Mark 1:16- 18:

And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." They immediately left their nets and followed Him.

Remember what disciples are called to be:

1. Disciples are called to follow Christ and be fishers of men – Mark 1:16-18

2. Disciples are called to be a growing person, maturing in Christ – Ephesians 4:13-14

3. Disciples are Christian leaders called out to lead others in a new way.

a. The lost to a new life in Jesus Christ.

b. The new Christian to a fullness in Jesus Christ.

c. The mature Christian to greater walk with Jesus Christ.

Also, remember the five natural qualities of a disciple. Notice that these are natural qualities. These are not spiritual qualities or gifts. These are qualities that, with the help of God, we can develop in our lives. These are five qualities that are essential to being a disciple of Christ.

1. A Disciple knows his God designated priorities.

a. His relationship with God and his obedience to God comes first!

b. His relationship to his spouse is second only to his relationship with God!

c. His relationship with others comes second to these first two.

2. A Disciple has discipline to follow Jesus every day.

a. A Disciple dedicates himself daily to his following of Jesus.

b. A Disciple will deny his own self will to follow Jesus.

c. A Disciple will take up his Christian identity each day to follow Jesus.

d. A Disciple will discipline himself each day to learn from the teachings of Jesus.

3. A Disciple knows the reality of Jesus.

a. A Disciple is aware of people and circumstances around him and realizes that each is an opportunity to share the power, love and mercy of Jesus.

b. A Disciple looks at a situation and asks the question, “What can Jesus do for this situation?”

c. A Disciple not only asks the question, but believes that Jesus can make the difference.

4. A Disciple experiences empathy for those around him.

5. A Disciple lives a life of generosity.

Today, we’re going to look at four spiritual qualities that should be evident in the life of every disciple of Jesus Christ. These are the result of “following Him” and investing in His life.

I. Four Spiritual Qualities of a Disciple

A. A Disciple has Growing Faith – A Disciple believes not only in God but that all is possible with God!

1. Even the Disciples suffered from a faith that needed to be increased - And the apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith.” So the Lord said, "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ’Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. Luke 17:5-6

2. Paul spoke to the Corinthians in II Corinthians 5:7 about their faith, For we walk by faith, not by sight.

3. Jesus gave us the key in Mark 9:23, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes."

4. Faith must be a growing thing, you to not mature from a baby to full grown adult without experiences along the way…look at Peter:

a. Peter called to follow Jesus (Matthew 4:19)

b. Peter walks on the Sea of Galilee and sinks (Matthew 14:29-30)

c. Peter finds coin in fish’s mouth for taxes (Matthew 17:24-27)

d. Peter cuts off Malchus’ ear in Garden of Gethsemene (John 18:10-11)

e. Peter denies Jesus at High Priest’s palace (John 18:25-27)

f. Peter runs into tomb and sees empty burial cloth of Jesus (John 20:3-8)

g. Peter speaks with boldness on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2)

h. Peter used to heal Aeneas of the palsy (Acts 9:34-35)

i. Peter used to raise Tabitha from the dead (Acts 9:36-41)

j. Peter sees a vision from God (Acts 10:9-16)

B. A Disciple has humility – Knowing that you have not “arrived,” but being fertile ground for the Holy Spirit; not taking credit for what God is doing and has done.

1. Jesus Christ modeled the humility that we should demonstrate in Philippians 2:3-8,

Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.