The Goal Of Discipleship

Dr. Roger W. Thomas, Preaching Minister

First Christian Church, Vandalia, MO

The Goal of Discipleship:

Know-Grow-Show

Introduction:

1. Sometimes we get the wrong answers because we ask the wrong questions. The main question of the Gospel is not “Do you want to go to heaven?” “Do you go to church?” “Do you want to be baptized?”

2. The question on the table when you first came to Christ was: Do you want the Lord to come into your life and begin the life-long process of making you more and more like Jesus so that you will be ready for heaven when the time comes?”

a. A make-over/remodeling

b. Extreme Makeover—the Soul Edition

3. That’s what the Christian life is about. That’s what the purpose of the church—to help one another become more and more like Jesus.

a. Note how these scriptures present these themes

i. Romans 8:29

ii. 1 John 1:5-2:6

iii. 2 Peter 1:3-11

4. Why are here? What’s this church trying to accomplish?

a. Some incomplete answers/common ideas

i. Go to church

ii. Get people baptized

iii. Know the Bible

iv. Do good deeds

b. Jesus points in the right direction: Mt 28:18-20

c. Acts provides a picture of the church at work: Acts 14:21-23/Acts 20:28-32

5. Let me summarize our goal for all: three words—know/grow/show

6. We want every participant in the ministries of First Christian Church to—

I. Know that: (starting point---sola fidei; not works; faith with content)

2 Timothy 1:12 Benefit: Assurance

a. God is real. Hebrews 11:1-6

b. Jesus is alive. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

c. The Bible is true. 2 Timothy 3:14-17

II. Grow in faith in: (not static/progressive; contra idea just get saved; issue whether a disciple or not; dangers of non-growth—cf parable of soils/sower 1 Peter 2:1-3 Benefit: Satisfaction

a. Head—Knowledge: A biblical worldview—how God’s Word and God’s World intersect. Romans 12:1-2

b. Heart—Passion: Love for God and one another in community.

Romans 12:3-16

c. Hands—Ministry: Service in the church and to the community for the glory of God. Romans 12:3-8, 17-21

III. Show through: (not about us/him; part of something bigger)

Matthew 5:13-16 Benefit: Purpose

a. Talk—words that honor God and promote the Gospel.

Ephesians 4:17-32

b. Walk—personal and social behavior that demonstrates Christ-likeness.

Ephesians 4:17-32

c. Wallet—values, spending, and giving that flow from faith in Christ.

Ephesians 4:17-32

Conclusion: So what—

1. Basis for self-examination: am I on the right path? Do I have a basis for assurance, confidence, and direction.

2. Leaders have a criteria for need meeting ministries.

3. Newer folk have advance idea about what is expected and attempt to accomplish.

***Dr. Roger W. Thomas is the preaching minister at First Christian Church, 205 W. Park St., Vandalia, MO 63382 and an adjunct professor of Bible and Preaching at Central Christian College of the Bible, 911 E. Urbandale, Moberly, MO. He is a graduate of Lincoln Christian College (BA) and Lincoln Christian Seminary (MA, MDiv), and Northern Baptist Theological Seminary (DMin).