| Introduction The end of a year and the beginning of a new year provide a natural time of reflection on what has happened and what one has done and planning for the future. As I reflected on 2019, I became increasingly aware that I have not done a good job emphasize the importance of discipleship and in leading in that area. Like the AT&T commercial, I have been just ok in this area. But due to the importance to church of having a discipling culture, just ok is not enough. I want to change that in 2020 for myself. My goal is to make discipleship a point of emphasis in my teaching and ministry. And I hope that that will be helpful to you as we grow together in Christ. A. Let's start with three definitions from broadest to narrowest. 1. Doing life together as people who have been redeemed by Jesus and are following him every moment of their lives. 2. "Teaching biblical precepts, while modeling and guiding others toward living righteously as followers of Jesus Christ." allaboutfollowingjesus.org 3. "The intentional encouragement and training of disciples of Jesus on the basis of deliberate, loving relationships." 9marks.org B. In all these definitions, we can see that discipleship involves relationships and learning. 1. Discipleship is centered on communicating what the Bible teaches. 2. This communication is not always through lectures, but always with what the Bible says in mind. Ps. 78:1-8 – fathers à us à generation to come à their children – passing on the wonderful works God has done so that they can set their hope in God. 2 Tim. 2:1-2 (training pastors) – You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Christ à Paul à Timothy à faithful men à others. Col. 3:16 – Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. C. Another question that we need to ask and answer as we thinking about discipleship is this: what is a disciple? 1. Every Christian is a disciple. Acts 11:26 – And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. 2. As a Christian, disciple is something you are, not something you become. 3. Disciple = Christian = believer = follower of Christ à all these titles are the most basic titles for a person who has been redeemed by Jesus. a. They are not titles for the advanced in the faith. b. They are titles given to a person at the very second he/she believes in Jesus Christ for his/her salvation. 4. A disciple of Jesus loves him supremely. Lk. 14:26-33 – If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple. 5. So, we could add another definition of discipleship: discipleship is the mutual helping of one another in the Church of Jesus Christ in order to become more like the One who saved us and whom we follow. a. Discipleship involves discipling and being discipled (mutual). b. Most Christians should find themselves in both categories. 1) Those young in the faith should spend some time in the being discipled category only for a little while. 2) But not too much time. D. Discipleship must be important since it is the mission that our Lord gave to us, his Church. Mt. 28:18-20 – And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." 1. Evangelism (baptizing) happens in order for the church to accomplish her end goal – make disciples (the verb here is to disciple). 2. Notice that the mission is accomplished by teaching them (here the nations) all that Jesus commands. a. Just spending time with people is not discipleship. b. A Bible focus must be present. E. A disciple of Jesus loves other disciples of Jesus. Jn. 13:34-35 – A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. 1. This implies that discipleship is a display of this mutual love. 2. We want to see each other growing in Jesus Christ because that's the best thing for them. F. Discipleship involves … 1. learning and loving God's Word. Jn. 8:31-32 – Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." 2. pursuing peace and edifying one another. Rom. 14:19 – Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. 3. bearing with one another. Col 3:12-13 – Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 4. encouraging holy living. Heb. 3:12-13 – Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 5. lighting a fire for love and good works in our hearts. Heb. 10:24 – And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works…. G. The final point in trying to answer the question of what discipleship is is the goal of discipleship, 4:13. 1. The unity of the faith and knowledge of the Son of God. 2. The complete/mature person. 3. Growing into being all that Christ has for us (the fullness that comes from Christ). 4. We could say, then, that discipleship and sanctification go hand in hand, or even that the two terms are talking about the same process. II. Why Should a Church and Its Members Practice Discipleship? (Why is it necessary?) A. Of course, the primary reason is that God says in the Bible that you should do it, but sometimes that answer doesn't bring the satisfaction that it should. B. This week I was asking myself, "Why work so hard to grow in Christ in this life when we will be completely glorified at the coming of Jesus? It is going to happen anyway, why bother?" C. The answer is that the discipling process is a means by which we arrive at the day in which we will be glorified. 1. Discipleship is a means that God uses to preserve us till the return of Jesus Christ. Heb. 10:23-25 – Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. 2. The steaks are very high when it comes to discipleship. III. How Should We Disciple One Another? A. Discipleship only happens where people want to be discipled. 1. We often think of how we should/could disciple others, but we are less likely to think that we need to be discipled. 2. Yet, every last one of us needs to be discipled. B. As I read the Bible, I see discipleship centered around two things: 1. The Lord's Day with public + private worship and relationships – Heb. 10 brings these two aspects together. Heb. 10:23-25 – Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. 2. It is not so much organized programs as it is the people of God worshiping him and doing life together. C. The method Paul provides in Ephesians includes at least three things and none of them are how-to's as we think of how-to's. 1. Speak the truth in love with the purpose of blessing those around you with growth in Jesus, 4:15. 2. Every last member of God's community doing his/her part to ensure that every and all in the church are growing in Jesus, 4:16. 3. Be filled with the Sprit, 5:18 – not a mystical/subjective experience, but actions that lead to growth in the Body of Christ as described in the following verses. a. Speak with one another in terms of the Word of God, 5:19 – in Col., Paul says that the Word of Christ dwells richly in us when we share it with our brothers and sisters. Col. 3:16 – Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. b. Living a thankful life, 5:20. c. Being humble toward one another demonstrated through mutual submission in the fear of God, 5:21. D. Let's consider some how-to's that may be helpful as practice discipleship in everyday life – as we do that, notice that the only limitations are the Ten Commandments and our imaginations. 1. The Bible establishes some natural discipling relationships. a. Older saints/younger saints – Titus 2, Proverbs. b. Husband/wife – Eph. 5. c. Parent/child – Eph, 6. d. Pastor/congregation – Eph. 4:11. e. Pastor/future pastors and teachers – 2 Tim. 2. f. But, really every relationship in the church is a natural discipling relationship when we consider all the one another's of the Bible. 2. The Lord's Day is the focal point of growth in Christ and discipleship. a. Spending a few hours together with each other hearing the Word of God preached, worshiping together, singing the same songs, praying the same prayers, talking with each other. b. God has given us this entire day for us to delight in it and to help us grow in him. 3. Other organized church activities are good means for discipleship. 1) Prayer meeting – praying is essential to discipleship. 4. But discipleship goes beyond the organized activities at the church since it is doing life together. 5. Some suggestions on doing life together in the context of discipleship. a. Have you ever thought about just scheduling lunch together with somebody in the church or just another believer during the week? 1) It doesn't have to be at a restaurant or cost anything. 2) Just microwave the lunches you brought from home together – I'm generally here at the church Tuesday-Friday if you want to use our microwave. b. How about reading the Bible together? 1) Literally just reading the Bible together. 2) You don't need a lot of preparation for that – One to One Bible Reading, David Helm. c. Get together to pray and to learn how to pray from one another. d. Work out together and talk about what you have been reading in the Bible during your private devotions. e. When the weather permits, meet at the park for the kids to play and talk about a book that you have been reading together, or the application of last Sunday's sermon. f. Have people over to your house for a meal – there is no need for great fanfare – The Gospel Comes with a House Key (Rosaria Butterfield). 6. You can see that only our imagination and the law of God are the limitations to what you can do in terms of discipling and being discipled.
God has redeemed you through Jesus Christ. He has called you into a Body, a Family, a Community, a Church. And he called us into relationships of mutual discipleship in order for all of us to grow into the maturity of Jesus Christ. Under President George W. Bush, the Department of Education launched the campaign No Child Left Behind. My desire for 2020 is that no disciple be left behind. No one left outside of this constant discipling/being discipled dynamic, so that we all "may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ…."
http://olympiabp.blogspot.com/2020/01/growing-together-as-disciples-of-jesus.html
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