It was Saturday, March 23, 2002. The following Monday my wife, Kim, and I would be celebrating our 14th wedding anniversary. I’ll have to say that year Kim made it very easy for me. She told me up front and very clearly what she wanted for our anniversary. She didn’t ask for anything store bought, but all she wanted was for me to build her the flower beds she had been wanting. The next week would be the perfect time to get it done since I would be off for a week of vacation. I agreed to do it and I wanted to get started right away, for I had already planned to use my vacation time to get my garden planted; a real garden…A garden that grows things for eating and not just for looking pretty. That morning I got real busy, tilling and breaking up the ground where the flower bed would go. I worked at it all morning under Kim’s close supervision. After a while, the phone rang. It was my mom. She was calling to invite us down to their house for the afternoon. I told her thanks, but explained what I was doing and told her I wanted to get as much done as I could. After I hung up, I felt a little guilty, but went back to work, only stopping to eat lunch. A short time later the phone rang again. This time it was my dad. He wanted the same thing. He said that he and momma really wanted us to come down so they could take us out to eat for our anniversary. I really did want to finish the flower bed so I could get to my garden, but a little voice in my head told me we needed to go, for I knew how much it would mean to my parents for us to come. Kim agreed that we should go and said we could finish working on the flower bed Monday. So we went down to their house and we had a great time. They did carry us out for supper and we had a wonderful visit. On the way back home, Kim and I agreed that it was a good idea that we stopped working and took the opportunity to spend the time with my parents. We were so glad we decided to go and could tell how much it meant to my mom and dad. Well, the weekend passed and the next Monday morning I got to work on her flower bed. I had been working for a couple of hours and was going strong when wouldn’t you know it, the phone rang. It was my mom again. We’ll come back to that story.
The most difficult choice we have to make in life is when we decide on our priorities. As a Christian, your number one priority is to put God first in your life. Once you do that, you’re able to mature in grace and live a more full and fruitful life in your personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Once you fully respond and commit to this relationship, you’re next step is to begin a life of discipleship, which is a life in grace.
So, what is a disciple? According to Webster, it’s a pupil or follower of a specific teacher or school of religion. Therefore, a disciple of Jesus is someone who has made a whole-hearted commitment to follow Him as Lord and Savior. Think of the men who were chosen by Christ as it’s recorded in Matthew 4:18-22, “As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers; Simon, called Peter, and his brother, Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 'Come follow me,' Jesus said, 'and I will make you fishers of men.' At once, they left their nets and followed Him. Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father preparing their nets, Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed Him." Did you hear that? At once! Immediately! They responded to the call with their whole being and gave up the lives they knew and followed Jesus with no hesitation. They made a life changing decision to devote themselves to Jesus Christ and His teachings. You, just like those fishermen, are called to be His disciple. Jesus gives three promises for those who choose to follow Him. We see these promises John 8:31-32. He tells us, “…If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Did you hear that? If you live by His teachings, you are His disciple; you will know the truth; and the truth will set you free. What does free mean to you?
A disciple gives his heart, his mind, and his hands and feet to God as he lives a life in grace. In giving your hearts to God in piety, you develop a closer relationship with Him. You become a friend to Jesus and are called into His inner circle. Jesus becomes all that a true companion can possibly be for he tells us in John 15:15, “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I call you friends, for everything I have learned from my Father, I have made known to you.” Jesus is my friend. Say that with me, “Jesus is my friend.” Now look to someone sitting next to you and say it to him, “Jesus is my friend.” Wow! Isn’t that great!
And just like any friend, you want to know more about Him. In giving your mind to God in study, you learn more about Him. You also learn who you are in God. In giving your hands and feet to God in Christian action, you act on what you’ve learned and become a partner in His ministry. You become a fisher of men and begin a lifelong journey of loving everyone and everything that Jesus loves. You begin receiving on the job training on a daily basis and are enabled to move forward with hope and joy, convicted and empowered, to fulfill the Great Commission.
Discipleship does not happen overnight. It’s an ongoing process of becoming who God calls you to be. God doesn’t call us to be perfect, but only faithful and obedient.
A disciple is a minister, or a priest, continuing the mission Jesus began during His time on earth. You are His ambassador here on earth, sharing His message of reconciliation. Remember, you are a member of a royal priesthood. You are given one task; the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.
A disciple is a full-time Christian. It’s not a part-time profession, but a lifestyle of discipline and grace. You’re living in God’s grace and must discipline yourself to answer His call when he says, “Come, pick up your cross and follow me.” The scripture reveals this in Ephesians 2:10. Paul writes, “It is God Himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives through Christ Jesus; and long ages ago He planned that we should spend these lives in helping others.” When you work for Christ, you work until retirement from life on earth and just imagine the eternal benefits.
A disciple is a witness to Christ…A living testimony of God’s amazing grace and the saving power of Jesus Christ. A life marked by a transformation that has taken place. In Acts 1:8, Jesus promises us power from the Holy Spirit to be a witness to the ends of the earth. To be an effective witness, all you have to do is share your story…The Holy Spirit will do the rest. There’s a song from the ‘80s by Bruce Springsteen called, “Glory Days” and it’s about reliving old times. We all like to reminisce and recall good times, but we must always remember that those days are gone. When we tell stories about the old times, we are sharing about our past, past, but when we share our testimony, the story of our salvation, we talking about our future; and that my friends will be our real glory days. Jesus gives you the privilege and authority to tell others what He has done in your life. He wants you, no, He commands you to share your testimony with others. It’s an essential part of your call to be a disciple.
A disciple is a Christian leader. Jesus called His disciples out, saying, “follow me”, and spent three years teaching and training them to become leaders. The same is true for today. A disciple must answer the call to step out from the crowd and lead the way in the work of Christ. By their devotion, Christian leaders set the example to be followed. Hebrews 13:7 tells us, “Remember our leaders, who spoke the word of God to us. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith." Are you living a life for others to see and imitate?
There are certain natural qualities one must possess to fulfill the role as a disciple of Christ to be ready to fulfill God’s challenging mission on the front lines of battle. In Matthew 28:19-20, God commissions us to go out and spread His gospel to the ends of the earth. It is a command. It’s not called, the Great Suggestion. Think on this: “It takes a great commitment to the Great Commission to make a great disciple.” I’ll say that again. “It takes a great commitment to the Great Commission to make a great disciple.”
It takes discipline. A disciple accepts the call to follow Christ every hour of every day. He lives by the example Jesus set and lives by the words He spoke in John 9:4, “As long as it is day, we must do the work of Him who sent me.” A disciple doesn’t follow Christ only when it’s convenient or acceptable, but remains faithful through his thoughts, words, and deeds. Someone wrote the following:
Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; they become your destiny.
When you chose to follow Christ, discipleship became your destiny.
A disciple knows reality and is aware of the world around him, knowing that each day is full of opportunities to witness. He has the responsibility to discern and meet the needs of others; whoever they are, wherever they are, and by whatever means possible. You do have a purpose. God placed you in this world to have an impact on others. Your Christian lifestyle will expose God to everyone you come in contact with. They will be able to see God working in your life.
A disciple shows empathy. He identifies with others in times of sorrow as well as in joyful times. You’ve heard the old saying, “Laugh and the world laughs with you; cry and you cry alone.” Well that just ain’t true for a disciple of Christ. God is the Father of compassion. He comforts us in our troubles so we can comfort others in theirs.
A disciple takes initiative. He stands ready, with his eyes wide open and his heart full of love, ready to spread the love of God to all who are receptive. Always be on the lookout for ways to help others. Opportunities can pass by so quickly and are too often missed because of the lack of initiative or spontaneity. Take advantage of every situation to share the love of Christ in word and deed.
A disciple is generous; acting out of gratitude for all that God has done and gives to others in return. God expects you to bless others as you have been blessed. When you receive a blessing from God, He doesn’t expect you to pay Him back, but to pay it forward. God wants you to be a re-gifter. We are all pilgrims passing through this world on our way to a better land and it’s our duty to help others along the way. A disciple is nothing more than one traveler helping another traveler to find his way.
Through the work of the Holy Spirit, God gives His disciples certain spiritual qualities; expressions of His grace. It’s by these qualities a disciple reveals Christ in his or her life.
Humility…A disciple is humble, knowing that he himself is powerless, but by the power of the Holy Spirit, can be a useful tool for God. A true disciple puts away any false pride or need of recognition and humbles himself before God for service when called. A disciple doesn’t promote himself, but instead wears the apron of humility serving others in anonymous fashion. Jesus demonstrated the perfect example of humility; for although He was God in the flesh, He took the nature of a servant and became obedient, even when it meant death on the cross. This should be our goal…to humble ourselves before God so that anything we do will bring glory to Him and His kingdom.
A disciple has faith…A strong trust in the power of God; and that with God, all things are possible. When you commit your life to following Jesus, only good can come of your works; just as Paul’s encouraging words in Romans 8:28, “…God works for the good of those who love Him, and live according to His purpose.” It takes an unwavering faith in God in all circumstances; even when you don’t have complete understanding. It’s letting go of your own thoughts and living by the words of Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” It’s a living faith that instills an overflowing joy and fills us full of excitement just to be used as a holy instrument of grace.
Hope. What keeps us going in today’s world when everything seems so discouraging? Well, when human hope ends, that’s when hope in God begins. A disciple does not dwell on the vision of the cross, but remembers the empty tomb. It’s a strong hope in what Christ promised and knowing what lies ahead. It helps us to endure through all the trials and tribulations we suffer here on earth. It’s hope for tomorrow.
A disciple knows how to love. Love is what makes you a valid witness for Christ and it’s made complete when you demonstrate love for others. For many people in today’s world, the only evidence of the God’s love may be what you say and what you do. It’s more than just a sweet sentiment or a warm fuzzy feeling, but a natural outflow of God’s presence in your life. It’s a supernatural love…the same precious love Paul writes of in the 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians: A love that’s patient and kind and does not envy or boast. It’s not a self-seeking love, but a love that always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. Love is the greatest of all spiritual qualities. Jesus makes it so simple for us in John 5:12 when He says, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” He even repeats it again in verse 17, “This is my command: Love each other.” How can it be any clearer? To love God is to love others.
In closing I’d like to share a poem with you. The name of it is simply, Commission. It gives us our command for discipleship. The author is unknown, but the words speak volumes.
Give us a watchword for the hour,
A thrilling word, a word of power;
A battle cry, a flaming breath,
A call to conquest or to death;
A word to rouse the church from rest,
To heed the Master’s high behest.
The call is given, ye hosts arise,
The watchword is EVANGELIZE!
To fallen men, a dying race,
Make known the gift of Gospel grace.
The world that now in darkness lies,
O Church of Christ, EVANGELIZE!
Wow! What a powerful sounding word. Evangelize. Say it with me, “Evangelize!” Now look to someone sitting next to you and say it to him, “Evangelize!” And all it really means is to share the wonderful Gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone. It means to respond faithfully to the two commands Christ gave us, “Follow Me.” and “Feed my sheep.”
Remember the phone call I received from my mom on the morning of my anniversary as I was working on Kim’s flower bed? Well, this call was different from the call just two days before. This time she was in hysterics. She said my dad had collapsed and was unconscious on the floor and wasn’t responding. She had already called the ambulance and they were on their way. I immediately stopped what I was doing and headed down to their house and by the time I arrived, there was a crowd of folks already gathered. I rushed through the group of people and fell at my dad’s side pushing my way through the paramedics and grabbed him, trying to hug him back to life. But it was no use…He was gone. I wasn’t worried about where he was for I knew without a doubt where he stood in his relationship with the Lord; I just wanted one last chance to say goodbye and let him know I loved him. But he knew; for I got to see him just two days before when I dropped what I was doing so my family and I could go down and spend that Saturday afternoon and night with him and my mom. By the grace of God, I listened to that voice in my head, or should I say, that presence in my heart that said, “Go and be with him.” I’m so glad I did. For now I’ll never have to answer the nagging question, “Why didn’t I go when I was called?” One would think that since my dad died on my wedding anniversary, it would be a sad reminder on what’s supposed to be a day of celebration for my wife and me. Well it’s not. It’s a strong and happy reminder of the wonderful opportunities God puts in front of us to make a difference in someone else’s life. God is always presenting us with many opportunities; we just have to keep our eyes, ears, and hearts open to hear the call.
What about you…Is your phone ringing? Are you being called by your Father…your Heavenly Father? Are you ready to follow Christ and share His gospel message? Don’t pass up the opportunity to go when you’re being called. Be ready to act when Christ says to you, “Come, pick up your cross and follow Me.” Listen and respond to that presence in your heart. For it could be the one and only opportunity you may ever have to touch that someone.
