Monday, May 31, 2010
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Discipleship
Discipleship
by Pastor Rick Holland (The Fisherman of Christ Fellowship Camp, 27 May ‘10)
Definition of discipleship:
Matt 28:18-20
18And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
- To make followers; Christians (followers of Christ)… To Evangelise
- To follow-up… To help them mature
*Nowadays, people/churches are better at evangelizing than following-up
1. Its about proclaiming Jesus Christ
Col 1:28
28Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
- others will then learn about Jesus
- these are achieved through others looking at our actions; e.g. forgiving others, showing kindness/Christ-likeness
- we are not telling others about a plan of salvation, but a person instead
- “every man” is used 3 times; emphasis is that we are to scatter seed everywhere. We shouldn’t be selecting outrightly.
*The irony is that we are afraid of sharing the gospel that should cast out all fear
2. Christ is formed in those who believe in discipleship
Galatians 4:19
19My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
- Christ is to be living through us for others to see
3. Disciple-making: To make them independently dependent on Christ
John 14:18, 21
18I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
21He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
- Get to enjoy the presence of Jesus
How Should We Disciple?
- You are supposed to be a disciple-maker and a disciple
- You must be willing to be discipled – you have to be teachable and this means making and cultivating spiritual friendship; edification, iron sharpening iron
The 3 ‘I’s
1. Instruction
2 Tim 2:1-2
1Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
2. Imitation
Heb 13:7, Heb 11:1, Luke 6:40, 1 Cor 15
3. Involvement
1 Thess 2:1-8
1For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:
2But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
3For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
4But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
5For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
6Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
7But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
8So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.
- Entrusting your life to investment of life into other lives.
- This involves the formal and informal aspects of your life (your disciple must be able to see your bad habits, your less serious side of you)
* You are discipling all the time, and others are always watching
Who Should We Disciple?
- Reflect on your relationships with your current friends or people you know
- Satan is trying to get us to be alone; so we can be defeated easily. He does not want discipling work to continue.
- That is why discipleship is so important
Can you spend a few moments thinking of those few good men/women whom you can invest your life in?
