The Four Invitations To Discipleship

The Four Invitations to Discipleship

Matthew 16:24-26

24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Introduction: What would be your definition of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? I’m afraid that for many millions of professing Christians their only interest in discipleship is in “punching their ticket to heaven.” Jesus call to discipleship is a calling to deny self, crossing and following him. Discipleship to Jesus is the process of engaging in the practices that produce Christlikeness.

The first thing I want you to notice is…

I. The Invitation to Come and See

This is a call to investigate the claims of Christ. “If any will come after me…”

The call to discipleship includes an invitation to be a “learner” which is what the word disciple means. The Lord invites us to “learn of me…” for I am meek and lowly of heart and this call to discipleship includes a command that we invite others to come and see. When we find Jesus our response should be to invite others to “come and see.”

John 1:39 He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour.

40 One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.

41 He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ.

The Samaritan women whom Jesus met at the well drank of the “living water” and then went into town and invited the townspeople to “come and see…” a man that told me all about my life. Is not this the Christ?

John 4:29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?

II. The Invitation to Come and Follow

This is a call to abandonment. “Let him deny himself…”

Luke 14: 16 Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:

17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.

19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.

20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.

Jesus called multiple individuals to “follow him.” Follow me he told Peter and his fellow fishermen and I will make you to become “fishers of men.”

Levi (Matthew) is seated at the seat of custom, and Jesus sees him and commands him to “follow me.”

ILL: Mark Batterson said in his book: “All In” – “Most people in most churches think they are following Jesus, but I’m not so sure. They may think they are following Jesus, but the reality is this: they have invited Jesus to follow them.”

Too many times I want Jesus to follow me, to serve my purposes, to do my will. But, I want you to join me in saying: “God, I want you to revive my life. I want to follow you. Help me to get out of the way. Navigate my life into following your will.”

ILL: "If you want to follow Jesus," remarked the activist priest Berigan, "you had better look good on wood."

III. The Invitation to Come and Die

This is a call to surrender. “…and take up his cross…”

Verse 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Abraham laid down his Isaac. Lay down your Isaac today and remember the words of Andrew Murray: God is ready to assume full responsibility for the life wholly yielded to Him.

ILL: Bruce Larson tells how he helped people struggling to surrender their lives to Christ:

"For many years I worked in New York City and counseled at my office any number of people who were wrestling with this yes-or-no decision. Often I would suggest they walk with me from my office down to the RCA Building on Fifth Avenue. In the entrance of that building is a gigantic statue of Atlas, a beautifully proportioned man who, with all his muscles straining, is holding the world upon his shoulders. There he is, the most powerfully built man in the world, and he can barely stand up under this burden. 'Now that’s one way to live,' I would point out to my companion, 'trying to carry the world on your shoulders. But now come across the street with me.'