September 13, 2015

What Does It Mean to Be a Disciple?

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Series: Follow Me Scripture: Matthew 4:18–22

Follow Me
What Does It Mean To Be A Disciple?
Matthew 4:18-22

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“Go therefore 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 observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19–20)

What is a Disciple?

  • A Casual Listener
  • A Convinced Listener
  • A Committed Lifelong learner and follower

“In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120)” (Acts 1:15)

What Does It Mean To Follow Jesus?

1. Radical Abandonment for the glory of Christ

  • The Costs: We are to be willing to Leave Behind all things

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” (Matthew 13:44–46)

“And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Matthew 19:23–30)

  • The Contrast:

Western Christianity tends to be radically Self-Centered

Biblical Disciple- Making is radically God-Centered

2. Radical Dependence on the grace of Christ

  • He takes the initiative to Choose Us
  • He provides the power to Use Us
  • He gets the glory Through Us

Prayer: “Lord make me a trophy of your grace.”

3. Radical Trust in the authority of Christ

“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18)

  • He is the master of every Domain in our lives
  • He is the Lord of every Detail in our lives

4. Radical Obedience to the mission of Christ

  • The Unconventional plan of Jesus
  • The Unhesitant response of the disciples
  • The Ultimate questions for the church:

Will we obey His plan?

Will we follow Him so that we can say to others, “Follow me as I follow Christ”?

Will We Follow Christ?

1. Consider the costs of Discipleship

2. Consider the costs of Non-Discipleship

  • For us
  • For our community and nation
  • For our world

other sermons in this series

Oct 18

2015

The Disciple's Mission

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Scripture: Matthew 9:35–38 Series: Follow Me

Oct 11

2015

The Disciple's Relationships

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Scripture: Colossians 3:1–17 Series: Follow Me

Oct 4

2015

The Disciple's Will

Pastor: Jeff Bedwell Scripture: Galatians 2:20 Series: Follow Me