What It Takes To Be Christ's Disciple

What It Takes To Be Christ’s Disciples

John 17:6-10

INTRO: Read Text

‒ What is a “disciple?” What is involved in being a disciple of Jesus?

‒ “Disciple” in N.T from the root word for “mathematics.” Means a learner, or a pupil.

‒ Ancient Philosophers had disciples who often paid large sums of money to be their pupils.

‒ Prospective disciples would seek out teachers.

‒ The relationship between teacher (master) & disciple was often very close.

‒ Jesus had 12 close disciples, & others also.

‒ One of the unique features about Jesus’s disciples was the Lord’s disciples did not seek him - HE sought them & called them!

Trans - Jesus is still calling disciples today (thru gospel).

‒ (Galatians 1:6 NCV) God, by his grace through Christ, called you to become his people....”

Answer the question “What is involved in being a disciple?

1. A DISCIPLE LIVES AS ONE WHO HAS BEEN “CALLED OUT” OF WORLD!

1. (John 17:6 NCV) ""I showed what you are like to those you gave me from the world....” The words “from the world” mean a calling out of the world.

1. (1 Peter 2:9 NCV) But you are a chosen people, royal priests, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession. You were chosen to tell about the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

2. George asked his friend to come to a party to which his friend replied, “Sure, but only if I can bring a friend.” George said, “Oh, who is your friend?” He said, “Jesus.” George quickly replied, “I don’t think He would be welcomed at this party.” His answer, “Then neither would I be.”

3. Don’t you think that it is time we decide that if Jesus couldn’t be there, or do that, or see something, then we shouldn’t either? An answer like that takes courage.

4. We have allowed too much of the world in us.

1. Someone has said - “The Ship’s place is the sea, but God pity the ship when the sea gets into it. The Christian’s place is the world, but God pity the Christian if the world gets into him!”

5. (1 John 2:15-19 NCV) "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If you love the world, the love of the Father is not in you. {16} These are the ways of the world: wanting to please our sinful selves, wanting the sinful things we see, and being too proud of what we have. None of these come from the Father, but all of them come from the world. {17} The world and everything that people want in it are passing away, but the person who does what God wants lives forever. {18} My dear children, these are the last days. You have heard that the enemy of Christ is coming, and now many enemies of Christ are already here. This is how we know that these are the last days. {19} These enemies of Christ were in our fellowship, but they left us. They never really belonged to us; if they had been a part of us, they would have stayed with us. But they left, and this shows that none of them really belonged to us."

1. The disciple is all-together-other than the world.

2. He is the light in darkness.

3. He is the seasoning in a world of bitterness.

1. The only way to accomplish this is to be different.

2. A DISCIPLE ACCEPTS & OBEYS THE WORD OF GOD.

1. (John 17:6-8 NCV) ""I showed what you are like to those you gave me from the world. They belonged to you, and you gave them to me, and they have obeyed your teaching. {7} Now they know that everything you gave me comes from you. {8} I gave them the teachings you gave me, and they accepted them. They knew that I truly came from you, and they believed that you sent me."

1. Note “They have obeyed.”(verse 6) and “they have accepted them.” (Verse 8)

1. He did not say they thought about them.

2. He did not say they were perfect. (We know that they weren’t).

2. They were men of faith who accepted Jesus by faith.

1. Put simply, they “Practiced What They Preached!”

2. Listen to the following verses and think about our own faith and trust.

1. (Matthew 6:33-34 NCV) "The thing you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what God wants. Then all these other things you need will be given to you. {34} So don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will have its own worries. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

2. (Galatians 6:1 NCV) "Brothers and sisters, if someone in your group does something wrong, you who are spiritual should go to that person and gently help make him right again. But be careful, because you might be tempted to sin, too."