“HOW TO MAKE DISCIPLES” Luke 9:23-26
FBCF – 1/30/22
Jon Daniels
INTRO – Mama’s handwritten recipes
- Necessary ingredients
- Necessary process
- Necessary time
All to get to end product - food that her family enjoys.
Jesus told us in Great Commission that we are to “make disciples.” Over course of this “Discipleship 101” sermon series, we’ve looked at some of the ingredients, processes, & time that are needed to accomplish the disciplemaking job that He’s given to us. Quick review:
- “Win 1: Disciple 1” – Philip & Ethiopian eunuch –Be obedient, engage the person, look for open doors, & share the Gospel
- “Biblical Basis for Discipleship” – God’s got a plan, He uses people, & He gives us power
- “Both/And” – Evang & discipleship: Both/And. It’s a total church thing. Both happen when we are devoted to biblical teaching, fellowship, & prayer; church strengthened; church grows.
- “Multiplication, Not Addition” – We can truly impact the world as we make disciples who make disciples.
- Wrap series up today by briefly looking @ Jesus’ relationship w/ His disciples & how that impacts the way we make disciples.
“Jesus did not expect more from His disciples than they could do, but He did expect their best, & this He expected always to be improved as they grew in knowledge & grace. His plan of teaching, by example, assignment, & constant checkup, was calculated to bring out the best that was in them.” (Robert Coleman) Let’s take a look at the Word & see what Jesus did to make disciples & bring out the best in them.
EXPLANATION – Luke 9:23-26
The feeding of 5000 (Luke 8:10-17) marks end of what is known as the “Great Galilean Ministry” of Jesus, 18 months of preaching, teaching, & healing. After this, He begins His journey to Jerusalem where He would ultimately be crucified. Verse 22 was a major turning point in His instruction to His disciples. From this point on, He began teaching clearly & specifically about what was going to happen to Him & what they could expect as His disciples. It was a shocking statement to them that they didn’t completely understand at this point.
But His relationship w/ His disciples was one of revealing more & more truth to them to prepare them to do the work of the Great Commission after He was gone.
Based on Jesus’ model, what are the necessary ingredients to make disciples?
APPLICATION – We need to model our disciplemaking after Jesus’ disciplemaking.
BE INTENTIONAL – Matthew 6:24 – “Then Jesus told HIS disciples…” Mark 8:34 – “And calling the crowd to Him with His disciples…” Luke 9:23 – “And He said to all…”
Jesus was intentional & clear to the 12 disciples & to anyone in the crowd who was contemplating & considering following Him – If you want to follow me & be my disciple, here’s what’s required:
- Deny yourself – Not just denying certain things in your life – give up something for Lent – but denying personal control of your life. Yielding your will to Him
- Take up your cross – Make a commitment that will very well lead to ridicule, rejection, & even death.
- Follow Jesus – His example, teachings, commands
BUILD PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS – Jesus had different levels of relationships. The multitudes – the crowds – the 12 – Peter, James, & John - & John, the beloved disciple – Each level getting deeper & more personal & more intentional.
You & I have those same levels of relationships. And evangelism & discipleship works best in the context of personal relationships.
BE HONEST ABOUT THE COST – Very clear from Jesus’ words here – “Deny yourself, take up your cross, follow me” – that following Him as a disciple is a high-cost endeavor.
- Luke 14:25-28, 33
It is absolutely true that salvation is a free gift offered to us. But it is also absolutely true that it will cost us everything. To deny oneself & take up one’s cross is an act of complete commitment & sacrifice. The cross was & is an implement of death. The disciples hearing that statement is akin to you & me hearing, “take up your electric chair…lethal injection…firing squad…guillotine...hangman’s gallows.”
“Salvation is both absolutely free & yet it costs you your very life. You receive it freely at no expense to you, but once you receive it, you have just committed everything you are & have to Jesus Christ.” (Pastor Steven Cole)
BUILD SPIRITUAL MATURITY – Purpose of discipleship is to build your soul.
- Deepen your commitment to Christ.
- Strengthen your walk w/ Christ.
- Equip you to serve Christ.
- Prepare you to face Christ when He comes again.
There will come a day of judgment. Need to be preparing for that day – v. 26.
- “Every moment, every word, every choice is a deposit, either heavenly or earthly.” (David Nasser)
CONCLUSION/TAKEAWAYS – Commitment cards for discipleship
