What Is A Disciple (According To Jesus)?

MAIN IDEA:

Jesus’ last words to his followers in Matt. 28:18-20 were to go and make disciples. If we are ever to MAKE disciples, we first need to BE disciples. But if we are to BE disciples, we need to first KNOW what it means to be one.

What is a disciple (according to Jesus)?

1. A disciple is one who submits his/her entire life to God’s leadership. (Luke 14:28-33)

2. A disciple is one who follows Jesus’ teachings. (John 8:31-32)

3. A disciple is one who loves other disciples. (John 13:34-35)

4. A disciple is one who bears spiritual fruit. (John 15:5-8)

OBJECTIVES:

1. Listeners will come away understanding the high bar of obedience Jesus calls us to.

2. Listeners will examine their own level of commitment to see if they are truly a disciple.

3. Listeners will be motivated to step up their level of commitment to Jesus.

INTRO:

It is so good to be here! CTK Oak Harbor was started by CTK Mount Vernon in the fall of 2000. Part of our vision as a church is to see believers, small groups, and worship centers multiply so that we can transform the spiritual landscape of Whidbey Island (OH, Coupeville, and beyond…) We began praying for God to provide the people we needed to start this church over 2 years ago – and you are a part of the answer to those prayers!

Our Mission:

To create an authentic Christian community that effectively reaches out to unchurched people with love, acceptance, and forgiveness so that they may experience the joy of salvation and a purposeful life of discipleship.

This morning I want to talk about our end product – a purposeful life of discipleship. What does this mean – and how can we know if we’re hitting the mark? This part of our mission statement comes from the Great Commission.

Matthew 28:18-20

18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

What is it that Jesus tells them they are to spend the rest of their life doing? GO and MAKE DISCIPLES. He didn’t say – “Go and bring people to pray a prayer accepting me as their Savior.” He didn’t say – “Go and create an institution named after me.” He didn’t say – “Go and build beautiful buildings to worship me.” He said GO and MAKE DISCIPLES.

However, in order to make disciples, we first have to know what a disciple is. And then, we’ve got to take the next step and ask ourselves – “Am I a disciple?” And the only way to answer that question is to take a look at the places in scripture where Jesus defines this term. So, today we’re going to look at 4 passages of scripture where Jesus defines what it means to be his disciple. 4 places where He said “my disciples are those who do this…”

As we look at these passages, the most important thing we need to do is NOT to just gain knowledge about what Jesus meant when he called people to be His disciples, but to evaluate our lives in light of these teachings, and to strive to live up to the high calling we’ve been given in Christ. So let’s get started!

1. I am a disciple if I submit my entire life to God’s leadership. (Luke 14:28-33)

Luke 14:28-33 (NIV)

28"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? 29For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, 30saying, ’This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’

31"Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

What amazes me about a lot of altar calls – you know – times in church services where people are asked to commit their lives to Christ – is how easy it is made to sound. “It’s a free gift.” “Just pray this simple prayer with me.” “It will only take a minute”.