THE MEANING OF DISCIPLESHIP

Text- Matthew 28:18-20

Matthew 28:18-20  Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  19 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,  20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.  (NIV)

Introduction


Over the last few months our church has had several people join our church.  So far this year we have had fifteen people join our church.  That is the reason why I would like to speak to you this morning about discipleship.

What is it that comes to your mind when you hear the word "disciple?"  I am sure there are many different things that you probably think of, but do you think about yourself?  Do you consider yourself to be a disciple of Jesus Christ?

True discipleship is getting back to the Christian life the way Jesus intended it to be lived.  It is a radically different concept than the substitute many Christians and churches are accepting today.

Today there are many people who are Christians and even attend church every Sunday, but are still not disciples of Jesus Christ.  Every disciple is a believer, but not ever believer is a disciple.

We need to ask ourselves this morning, "Are we living the life of a disciple the way Jesus intended it to be lived?"

This morning our text is found in Matthew 28:18-20 and the title of my message is, "The Meaning Of Discipleship."

In this passage Jesus describes for us the responsibility that both the church and the individual Christian has in discipleship.  The role of the church in discipleship involves preaching the gospel, baptizing and teaching.  The role that the individual Christian has in discipleship is learning.

An African chieftain flew to London for a visit and was met at the airport by newsmen.  "Good morning, chief," one said.  "Did you have a comfortable flight?"  The chief began his speech with a series of noises--"honk, oink, screech, whistle, z-z-z-z-"--then added in perfect English, "yes, very pleasant, indeed." "And how long do you plan to stay?" asked the reporter. Again the chief prefaced his remarks with the same noises, "--"honk, oink, screech, whistle, z-z-z-z-"--then answered, "about three weeks, I think."  "Tell me, chief," inquired the baffled reporter, "where did you learn to speak such flawless English?"  After his standard "honk, oink, screech, whistle, and z-z-z," the chief said, "over the short-wave radio."

A disciple is one who desires to learn the ways of the Lord and is teachable.  This learning process not only involves acquiring knowledge, but also applying it in our lives so that it is manifested through our service to the Lord.

Colossians 3:10 You are living a brand new kind of life that is continually learning more and more of what is right, and trying constantly to be more and more like Christ who created this new life within you.  (LB)

This morning I would like us to consider three things that are involved in learning to be a disciple.