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Biblical Discipleship

Matthew 28:19-20

“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, 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." Amen.

What is a disciple?

What is the first scripture about disciples?  Isaiah 8:16 Since Israel was forsaking God, Isaiah is told to close up God’s Word for His disciples, whom He calls His children.  Referenced in Hebrews 2:13 as those who are saved by Jesus. 

Jesus had many disciples.  Luke 6:17; Acts 6:2

Where did they come from?  Matthew 4:18-22

How were they able to fulfill such a task?  Matthew 10:1

Just men?  Acts 9:36

Did it end with Jesus?  Acts 6:1, 7; 14:21-22

A biblical Christian is a disciple.  Acts 11:26

“Christian” mentioned 3X in the NT.  Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16

“Disciple(s)” mentioned ~260X in the NT.

A believer comes to Jesus to receive something: Eternal life Jn 3:16;  Healing Mt 9:27-28, Mk 9:17-24;  The Word Lk 8:11-15 (even verse 13 is a believer); Heb 11:6. 

A disciple comes to Jesus to give everything up and completely surrender to His will: Lk 14:27-33

 Jesus did not dedicate His power and authority to those He healed, fed, or even forgave, but to His disciples. Lk 9:1-2, Mt 28:16-20

Character of a Disciple

I.       Love The Lord

Mk 12:29-33, Lk 14:25-26 (Mt 10:37); Rev 2:2-4; 19; 1 Jn 2:15; Jn 21:15-17

II.      Love Others

Jn 13:34-35; 1 Thess 3:12; 4:9; 5:8; Eph 5:2; Jas 2:8; Mt 5:43-48; Lk 10:25-37; 1Pe 1:22; 1 Jn 3:11,23; 4:21

III.     Deny Yourself

Mt 16:24 (Mk 8:34, Lk 9:23)

Jesus—Phil 2:5-8; Heb 2:9; 12:2

Paul—Phil 3:4-11

Rivalry in the apostles:  Mt 18:1-3; Mk 9:33-37; Lk 22:24-30; Mk 10:35-45 (Mt 20:20-21); Jn 21:21;

This is the context behind the question of Acts 1:6

After Pentecost the rivalry ended: Acts 2:14 “with”; 3:1; 3:11; 4:3; 4:13; 4:19; 8:14

Jesus’ prayer in  Jn 17:11, 21-23 five times in one prayer He prayed for unity (Mt 6:7)

IV.     Take up the Cross

Mt 16:24; 10:38; Mk 8:34; Lk 14:27; 9:23; Heb 11:24-26; 13:12-13

Jesus suffered, disciples will join Him: Mt 10:16-17, 22-25; Jn 15:20; 2 Tim 3:10-12; Acts 9:15-16, 1 Peter 2:20-21

Jesus’ suffering had two parts: 

1)     Birth-Gethsemane (Satan and World)

2)       Gethsemane-Death (God’s Judgment)

We join with Him in the first part (Satan and World).

Not the second (God’s Judgment) Heb 1:3; 2:9; Rm 3:23-26

As a disciple, what kind of suffering did Jesus experience and therefore we must be prepared to join with Him?  (Don’t be overwhelmed Heb 2:18)

From John’s gospel

Rejection (inner pain) 1:11 (First sermon Lk 4:28-29)

Complaining against 6:41, 61, 7:12        

Quarreling about 6:52

Griping about what teaching (ridiculous, too hard) 6:60

Desertion/Abandonment 6:66

World Hated 7:7, 15:18

Try to kill 7:19, 25

Insults Mt 5:11

Possessed 7:20, 8:48, 52 

Sinner 9:24  

Crazy 10:20 (Even by His own family Mk 3:21)

Became angry against 7:23

Arrested 7:30, 32

Division 7:43, 10:19

“Planned” to stone 8:59, 10:31

Plotted to kill 11:53, 16:2 (think a sacrifice to God)

Peter —Acts 5:41, 1 Pt 2:21, 4:1, 12-13

Paul—Acts 14:19-22, Phil 1:29, 2 Cor 12:10, 4:7-12, 6:3-10, 2 Cor 11:23-30, Rm 5:3-4, 

Joy can be ours in the midst of this          suffering.  Jn 16:33, 15:11, Heb 12:2

Great eternal rewards await disciples in heaven.  Lk 6:20-23, Mt 5:10-12, Heb 2:9-10, 2 Cor 4:16-18, Rm 8:18

V.      A Mind to Serve

Jn 12:26, Lk 22:24-27, Mt 20:26-28, Mk 10:42-45, 1 Cor 9:19, 2 Cor 4:5, Gal 5:13, 1 Pt 4:10

VI.     A Witness of Jesus

Mk 16:15, 19-20, Acts 1:8, 2:32, Isa 43:10-11, Rm 10:14-17

Ex:   Legion Mk 5:19-20 with 6:53-56

        Samaritan Woman Jn 4:28-30 with 39

        Paul—Acts 18:9-10, 23:11-13, 28:30-31,       Rm 1:16 (Mk 8:38, Lk 9:26),

        1 Cor 9:16-17

VII.    Humbleness

Mt 18:4, Phil 2:5-8 (Jn 4:10), Prov 16:18-19, Isa 57:15, Lk 14:7-11

VIII.   Submission

God  James 4:7

Elders 1 Pt 5:5-6

Husbands  1 Pt 3:1-2

Parents Eph 6:1-3, Lk 2:51-52

Church Leadership 1 Tim 5:17, Heb                 13:17

Government  Rm 13:1-2, 1 Pt 2:13

Employer  1 Pt 2:18-21

IX.      Teachable spirit

        Willing to be rebuked:

Commanded to rebuke privately Mt 18:15-17.  But not always going to be private.   We need to have a spirit that can receive it publicly Mt 16:23, 1 Tim 5:20. 

Commanded to rebuke gently Gal 6:1 But not always going to be gentle.  We need to have a spirit that can receive it harshly Mt 23, Acts 15:36-39 (with 2 Tim 4:11) and Ga 2:11-14. 

Jesus was teachable Isa 50:4, Lk 2:51-52, Jn 5:30

Those who follow Him have to be teachable Lk 9:59-60, Mt 11:29. 

X.      Without Shame

Mk 8:38 (Lk 9:26 ), Rom 1:16, 2 Tim 1:8

XI.     Hard Work

Physical kingdom in the OT (under David, 2 Sam 5:12). 

Spiritual kingdom in the NT (under the Son of David Lk 17:20-21, Mt 22:41-46).

Isa 9:6-7  How expand?  See VI.  Easy? 

In the OT the kingdom expanded by the effort of those who followed David.   

Who were they?  1 Sam 22:2

Through hard training they became very useful.  Competent with right and left hands 1 Chron 12:1-2.

        NT cross-reference 1 Cor 9:19-23

Trained for battle, shield and spear, swift as gazelle 1 Chron 12:8

        NT cross-reference 1 Cor 9:24-27

Tenacious 1Chron 12:15

        NT cross-reference 2 Tim 4:6-7

They would not give up, but instead reflected their leader 2 Sam 23:8-23

David killed a lion 1 Sam 17:34-35,  so they had to kill a lion.  David killed a giant without a sword 1 Sam 17:43-50, so they had to kill a giant without a sword.  David killed ten thousands 1 Sam 18:7, so they had to kill 800 at one time.

How hardworking is our King?  Mk 1:21-39, 6:31-36, Jn 4:31-34. 

Paul said 1 Cor 11:1, Heb 6:11-12, Col 1:28-29

XII.    Ready to Lose Life

2X Matthew (10:39, 16:25) again in Mark (8:35), Luke (9:24), John (12:25)

This marks a disciple of God.

David—1 Sam 19:4-5

David’s men—1 Chron 11:17-19

Jonathan’s servant—1 Sam 14:4-6 (set the scene from 1 Sam 13:5-6, 22 and 14:13-15)

Esther—Esther 4:16

Barnabas—Acts 15:24-26

Epaphroditus—Phil 2:29-30

Thomas—John 11:16

Peter—John 13:37

Stephen—Acts 7:59-60

Paul—Acts 20:22-24, 21:13, Rm 8:36, 1 Thess 2:8, Phil 1:21

Tribulation Saints—Rev 12:11

XIII.  Forsaking All

Lk 14:33, Mk 10:17-28, Mt 4:18-22

XIV.   Discipline Ourselves

We all have human desires, but they must not control our lives 1 Cor 6:12-14

Esau—Gen 25:29-34 (Heb 12:16-17)

Amnon—2 Sam 13:1-5

Paul—1 Cor 9:24-27

Jesus—Mt 4:1-4

               Us—1 Tim 4:7-8

XV.    Wise

Mt 10:16, Lk 12:42-43, Ecc 10:10

Wisdom comes from:

Recognizing the shortness of our lives      Ps 90:12, Lk 16:1-9

Realizing the awesome nature of God       Ps 111:10

Being humble Pr 11:2 (see VII)

Listening to counselors Pr 13:10, Pr 23:9

Parental discipline Pr 29:15

XVI.  A Heart for Reconciliation

Mt 5:9, 23-24, Rm 12:17-18, Lk 17:3-5, Mt 18:21-35, 2 Cor 5:18-19

XVII. Purity

Mt 5:8, Rm 6:19, James 1:27,

1 Tim 4:12, 2 Tim 2:20-21,

2 Cor 6:14-18, 1 Cor 15:33,

Ecc 10:8-9, 2 Tim 3:1-5, Ps 119:9-11 (by abiding in the Word Jn 8:31-32, Eph 5:26-27), Rev 22:10-12,

1 Thess 3:12-13, 2 Peter 3:11-14

XVIII.  Faithful

Lk 16:10-12, 1 Cor 4:1-2, 2 Tim 2:2, Ps 101:6 

Moses—Num 12:7

David—1 Sam 22:14

Hananiah—Neh 7:1-2

Daniel—Dan 6:4

Timothy—1 Cor 4:17

Tychicus—Eph 6:21 (Col 4:7)

Paul—1 Tim 1:12

Antipas—Rev 2:13

Jesus—Heb 3:1-2, 1 Thess 5:23-24

The household of an elder—1 Tim 3:11 (Wives), Titus 1:6 (Children)

Those with Jesus—Rev 17:14

Faithfulness:

Doesn’t turn back Lk 9:61-62, Heb 10:38-39

Completes “little” things Lk 16:10, Zech 4:9-10, Mt 25:23 (Lk 19:17)

Does not gossip Pr 11:13

Tells the truth Pr 14:5

Serves others Pr 25:13

XIX.  Not a Hypocrite

1 Peter 2:1-2, Mt 23:15-33 (especially 25-28), James 3:17

Ananias/Sapphira—Acts 5:1-11

Achan—Josh 7:1-4, 16-26

Hypocrisy wants to be seen by men Mt 6:1-2, 5, 16

A disciple is concerned about what God sees 1 Sam 16:7, 1 Cor 4:3-4, 2 Tim 2:15

XX.   Controls the Tongue

James 1:26, 3:9-12, Mt 12:33-37, 1 Pt 3:10-12

XXI.  Is Content

Lk 3:14, 1 Tim 6:6-11, Heb 13:5,

        Paul—Philip 4:11-13

        Jesus—Lk 9:57-58

XXII. Prays Fervently

Eph 6:18, Mt 26:40-41, Mk 13:28-33, Lk 18:1-8, Rm 12:10-12, Col 4:2, 1 Thess 5:17, 1 Tim 2:1, John 15:7-8, James 5:16-18

      Jesus—Lk 3:21, Mk 1:35, Mt 14:22-23, Lk 9:28-29, John 17 (1, 9, 15, 20) Mt 26:39, 42, 44

      Disciples—Acts 4:23-31

XXIII.  Loves Christ’s Appearing

2 Tim 4:8, 1 Cor 15:50-58, Phil 1:23, 3:20-21, 1 Thess 1:9-10, 3:13, 4:16-18

XXIV.  A Spirit Filled Life

Eph 5:15-20, Col 3:16-17, Jude 20

XXV.   Spend time in the Word

            1 Tim 4:13, 2 Tim 3:14-17, Joshua 1:7-8, Ps 1:1-2

XXVI.  Ready for War

            2 Cor 10:3-6, Eph 6:10-18

XXVII.  A Mind to Share Wealth

            Lk 3:9-11, 2 Cor 8:13-14, Eph 4:28, 1 Tim 6:17-19

                     Jesus—2 Cor 8:9,

The Result of Being a Disciple

He will make you a fisher of men Mt 4:19

You shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life Jn 8:12

You shall inherit a hundredfold and eternal life Mk 10:29-30

Joy  Jn 15:10-11

Abundant life Jn 10:10

Peace  Philip 4:6-7

Eternal treasure Lk 12:33

The kingdom of God Lk 12:32

Jesus’ throne Rev 3:21

An incorruptible crown 1 Cor 9:5, 2 Tim 4:8, James 1:12, 1 Peter 5:4, Rev 2:10, Rev 3:11

Conclusion

Romans 13:14 [P]ut on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

Philippians 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.

Psalm 139:1-12  O LORD, You have searched me and known me.  You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off.  You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways.  For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.  You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it.  Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?  If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.  If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me.  If I say, "Surely the darkness shall fall on me," Even the night shall be light about me; Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You.

1 John 2:15-17  Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world.  And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

Matthew 28:19-20

“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, 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." Amen.