Are You A Disciple Of Jesus?
Good evening. Tonight we are going to begin a new series that takes a look at having a closer walk with God. When I mention having a closer walk with God, what are some things that you can do that would accomplish that?
Well, over the course of the next several weeks, with the exception of a vacation week, and the revival week, we will be taking a look at some essentials when it comes to developing and maintaining a closer walk with God.
Before we begin tonight, allow me to open our time with a word of prayer. Pray!
Tonight, we are going to begin by looking at what a disciple is. So, as we begin, let me ask you this: are you a disciple of Jesus?
Well, in order to properly answer that question, I guess we first need to know what a disciple is. So, what do you understand a disciple to be?
What does it take to be a disciple of Jesus?
Well, let’s take a look at Matthew 28:19-20. In that passage, Jesus says to His group of follower,
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey all the things that I have commanded you, and surely I will be with you always, even to the very end of the age.”
Now, that statement was made by Jesus to His apostles shortly before He ascended into Heaven. That passage is best know as The what? (The Great Commission)
Notice what the main thought is in Jesus’ command. “Go and make disciples of all nations…” So, Jesus’ apostles’ goal was to make disciples of the whole world. But, that still doesn’t clarify for us what a disciple really is. So let’s spend some time trying to decide if we are Jesus’ disciples or not.
Does anyone know what the word disciple means?
Well, the word disciple means a learner. It is a person who follows the teachings of someone else. And it was for this reason that a disciple is often spoken of as an imitator of their teacher. And as we take a look at scripture, we find that this idea of imitating our teacher is a scriptural principle and not just something that people say.
In Matthew 10:24-25 Jesus Himself says that a disciple is to be like his teacher. Listen to what Jesus says.
Matthew 10:24-25 says, “A student (or a learner or a disciple) is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a student to be like his teacher, and a servant like his master…”
We need to be able to become like our teacher. And if we want to be Christ’s disciples, then we need to be like Christ. The Apostle Paul tells us that this is in line with what God wants us to do when it comes to salvation as well. In Romans 8:29 Paul tells us that we are to be conformed, or transformed into the image of Christ.
So, do you have a strong desire to follow Jesus and become like Him? Unless you do, then it cannot be said that you are truly a disciple of Christ. So, a disciple is one who is a leaner, and has a desire to be like Christ.
A disciple is also one who abides in the words of Jesus. Or better put, a disciple is a person who lives by the words of Jesus. In John 8:31 it says, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.” Jesus says, “Follow my commands, obey, or hold to my teachings, and then you will really be one of my disciples.” And in order to truly live by the words of Jesus, your lifestyle must reflect His teachings.
In II Timothy 2:15 it says, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, … who correctly handles the word of truth.” So there is a incorrect way, and a correct way to handle Jesus’ words. What is the correct way to handle the words of God?
Exactly! In order to be a disciple of Christ, it requires a Christian to be a doer of the word. In James 1:22 we are told, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” Now, in order to be a doer of the word, we need to study it in order to know what it has to say.
Let me ask you a personal question now, how long do you spend in God’s word, outside of church, on a usual day or week?
What are some of the excuses we give for not spending more time in God’s word?
Well, as Christians, we need to be spending time in God’s Word. We have to make sure that we take every opportunity to study about God, both in groups, and on an individual basis especially. You will never have a relationship with someone that you don’t spend quality time with. So we need to spend time with God, and one of the ways that this can be done is through studying His word.
A disciple is also on who loves others. In order to truly call ourselves His disciples, we have to be able to love one another. In John 13:34-35 it says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
So, because of that, a true disciple will make every effort to get to know and love those around them. They will take advantage of each moment to encourage each other, and to grow closer together. In doing this, we grow closer to God as well.
Now, we are to love one another, does that me that we to love people who are murderers, and terrorists, and other unlovable people?
Someone once told me while I was in Bible College, that we have been commanded to love one another, but we don’t have to like each other.
Another thing that is a characteristic of a disciple, is that a disciple is a person who bears much fruit. In John 15:8 it says, “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
What is the fruit that we bear as Christians?
So, in order to be a true disciple, we have to be productive for God. God is in the people business, and that means that we need to be bringing others to Him in all that we say and do. Jesus isn’t talking about an occasional good deed, but a lifestyle which causes others to glorify God.
I think the most important aspect or characteristic of a disciple, is that he or she is a person who will put God first. In Matthew 6:33 it says, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
How do we put God first?
Well, does this mean that we even put God ahead of members of our own family?
Yes, because in Mathew 10:37 it says, “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”
Does that mean that we have to put God ahead of ourselves?
Defiantly, because in Luke 9:23-24 it says, “Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.”
The best life, the most fulfilling life that a person can have is the one that God has laid out for them. So we even need to put God ahead of ourselves?
And finally this evening, a disciple is one who will be rewarded. You see, Jesus offers peace to us that the world cannot give us. In John 14:27 it says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
So He offers us a peace. What kind of peace is that?
We can also look forward to spending an eternity with God. Revelation 21:3-4 says that, “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be his people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
What does that verse mean to you, or what do you look forward to from that verse?
Now, before we close this evening, does anyone have anything that they would like to add?
Well, if there is nothing else, if you are a disciple of Jesus Christ, then the prospect of a closer walk with God should be a matter of the highest priority. And that is why for the next several weeks, we will be looking at further aspects, characteristics, and habits of having a closer walk with God. Let’s Pray!
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