Sermon on 19 January 2025 by Ps Justin
Introduction
A disciple is a learner of Christ. Be a disciple AND make a disciple to train a disciple.
Message
To be a disciple and follower of Christ is to:
(1) Love one another (John 13:34-35);
(2) Be fruitful by abiding in Him (John 15:8, John 8:32); and
(3) Shine the light of Christ by obeying (Matthew 5:16).
Discipleship is not about all works; it is about obedience. It is to imitate Christ. It is to inculcate and duplicate Christ. The light is in you. Let your light shine forth. Matthew 4:18-22 was the beginning of Jesus’ Galilean Ministry. Shortly after, he preached the message of repentance.
And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed Him. Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him. - Matthew 4:18-22
What is the cost of discipleship? What does it mean to be called into discipleship? Disciplement is about commitment and priority. It is not based on feeling. We commit every day to love, bear fruit, and obey.
Discipleship is without excuses
Jesus said to the Pharisees, who often justified themselves to others, that He knew their hearts. Discipleship is about purpose. That purpose is for others to see our light.
The call to discipleship is two-fold:
(1) Leaving behind what we know (Romans 13:12). It is not a call to physical abandonment but rather a spiritual and emotional one. Leave behind the things that are holding you back.
(2) Embracing the newness of life in Christ (Romans 12:1-2). Surrender our old lives to Jesus and follow Him wholeheartedly. Jesus is not an “add-on” to your life. It is all of Jesus, with all your life.
Discipleship is a call to radical transformation
Discipleship is not just about following Jesus; it is about becoming like Him and participating in His mission. Discipleship is a willingness to give up our will and submit to God’s will.
Discipleship is being intimate with God
The call to discipleship connotes a relationship with Jesus (John 14:23). The bible tells us that if we do not love one another, we do not know God, because God is love. If we want to have a relationship with God, we have to love, including those who are unlovable.
Closing
The call to discipleship is a call that every believer must answer.
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