Go! And Keep Growing in Christ
Introduction: The Journey of a Lifetime
The Christian life is not a moment—it is a movement. It is not a single decision—it is a lifelong direction. When you placed your trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour, you began the greatest journey of your life: the journey of discipleship.
The Apostle Paul captures this beautifully in Colossians 2:6–7 (NLT): “And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”
Here we see three movements of discipleship: continue to follow, grow deep, and be built up. This is what it means to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ: a growing faith, a transformed heart, a daily walk of humility, obedience, and maturity.
Point 1: Discipleship is a Lifelong Journey of Growth
Paul reminds us: “Continue to follow him.” The Greek word here for continue is peripateo, meaning to walk around, to live, to conduct one’s life. Discipleship is not a one-time event but an ongoing walk with Jesus.
Philippians 1:6 (NLT) says: “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
This verse reassures us: the journey is lifelong, but God Himself guarantees the outcome.
John Piper once wrote: “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” Growing in Christ is not about duty, but delight. It is not about mere survival, but about thriving in Him.
The Oak Tree - An oak tree does not reach maturity overnight. Year after year its roots dig deeper, its trunk grows stronger, its branches spread wider. In storms, the oak stands because of unseen roots. Likewise, the disciple grows strong by rooting deeply in Christ daily.
Are you expecting instant maturity? Or are you allowing the Spirit to shape you step by step, season by season?
Point 2: Discipleship Requires Humility, Obedience, and Transformation
Paul says: “Let your roots grow down into him.” Growth requires humility—recognising we have no strength apart from Christ.
Romans 12:2 (NLT) reminds us: “Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
The Greek word for transform is metamorphoo—the same root as metamorphosis. Just as a caterpillar becomes a butterfly, discipleship means radical change in thought, heart, and action.
R.T. Kendall once said: “The greatest test of humility is how we respond when God says no.” Obedience is not measured by how we act when God agrees with us, but by how we submit when God challenges us.
The Potter’s Hands - Picture a potter at the wheel. The clay resists, but the potter presses, shapes, and smooths until the clay becomes a vessel of beauty. God is the Potter, and we are the clay. Transformation requires yielding to His touch—even when it means being reshaped.
Are you willing to be challenged, stretched, and changed by the Word of God? Discipleship means saying: Lord, not my will, but Yours be done.
Point 3: Discipleship Involves Teaching, Mentoring, and Living Witness
Paul continues: “Let your lives be built on him.” Faith is not built in isolation but in community. Jesus modelled discipleship by teaching the crowds, mentoring the twelve, and sending them as witnesses.
2 Timothy 2:2 (NLT) says: “You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.”
This is generational discipleship—receiving, applying, and passing on the truth.
Charles Stanley once wrote: “Obey God and leave all the consequences to Him.” A true disciple lives a life of obedience that becomes a visible testimony to the watching world.
Who is mentoring you? And who are you mentoring? Who is seeing the Gospel lived out through your obedience?
Point 4: Discipleship Produces Maturity and Overflowing Witness
Finally, Paul says: “Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”
Hebrews 5:12–14 (NLT) challenges us: “You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again… Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.”
Maturity means moving beyond spiritual infancy into living witness. A mature believer doesn’t just attend church—they are the church, overflowing in gratitude and witness.
Tim Keller once wrote: “The gospel is not just the ABCs of the Christian life; it is the A to Z.” Every step of discipleship is centred in the Gospel.
Maturity is not measured by how much you know, but by how much you live out the Gospel in obedience, humility, and love.
The Gospel Presentation: The Foundation of Discipleship
At the heart of discipleship is the Gospel. Without the cross, there is no transformation. Without the resurrection, there is no new life.
The Gospel is this: Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came at the perfect time. He lived the life we could not live—sinless, holy, righteous. He died the death we deserved—taking our punishment, our sin, our shame. He was buried, but on the third day He rose again, victorious over sin, death, and the grave.
Now, through repentance and faith, we are forgiven, adopted, and given new life. This is the foundation of discipleship. We do not grow in faith to earn salvation—we grow because we have received salvation.
Call to Action: Go! And Keep Growing in Christ
So what does this mean for us?
Keep walking with Jesus—discipleship is daily.
Submit to transformation—be humble, obedient, and willing to change.
Engage in mentoring—be taught, and teach others.
Pursue maturity—grow strong in truth and overflow with gratitude.
Max Lucado once said: “God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be just like Jesus.” That is discipleship—becoming more like Christ.
Invitation to Salvation:
Perhaps today you have been trying to live better, grow stronger, or mature spiritually—yet without Christ at the centre. Friend, discipleship begins at the cross.
Acts 16:31 (NLT) says: “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.”
Repent. Believe. Receive Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Begin the journey of discipleship today—not in your strength, but in His.
Conclusion:
Beloved, discipleship is not easy, but it is worth it. It is a lifelong journey of faith, transformation, obedience, humility, and maturity.
So go this week—live as disciples, walk daily with Christ, teach and mentor others, and let your life overflow with gratitude as a living witness.
Benediction:
“May you grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.” (2 Peter 3:18, NLT)
