Matthew 28:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
Luke 14:33 NLT So no one can become my disciple without giving up everything for me
Luke 14:25-28 NLT Great crowds were following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, “If you want to be my follower you must love me more than your own father, mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters – yes, more than your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. And you cannot be my disciple if you do not carry your own cross and follow me. “But don’t begin until you count the cost…
News Flash! Counting the cost is not simply saying a prayer while everyone in the room has their eyes closed and head bowed.
A Disciple: mathetes (math-ay-tes’); a learner, student, a follower. (of whom you are learning, a student of, or following)
According to this definition we could say that everyone is a disciple in one way, shape or form. A disciple is simply a learner, a student, or a follower.
We could be a disciple of our teacher at school, our boss or supervisor at work, our parents, our big brother or sister, our athletic coach or personal trainer, etc. If you read and write really well, you most likely were discipled by a good what? Teacher. If you are very good at your job, you most likely were discipled by a good what?… Boss or Supervisor. If you are a standout basketball player, most likely were discipled by a good what?… Coach.
Everyone is a disciple of someone. Everyone one of us is currently being influenced, taught, and following someone at some capacity. Some of us are a disciple for good, and others for evil.
Note: Many times the type of disciple we are is made very evident by the way we talk and act towards other people.
Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.
3 Characteristics of a Disciple of Jesus
1. Offends The Religious
Luke 13:10-14 Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, “There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.”
Matthew 23:15 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte (disciple), and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.
I am convinced that religious people keep more people from God than the Devil himself!
2. Befriends Sinners
Matthew 9:9-11 Now it happened, as Jesus sat at the table in the house, that behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Him and His disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.
I am convinced that instead of spending all of our time inside the church walls being filled, we should empty ourselves into our communities.
3. Compassionate Towards Others
Luke 10:25-37 And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?” So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and ‘your neighbor as yourself. And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.” But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” And he said, “He who showed mercy (compassion) on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
I am convinced that we need to take the church to the people instead of waiting for people to come to church. True ministry isn’t about trying to build a big church, it’s about ministering to people!
