Let’s explore what it means to be a disciple and how strong disciples build a strong church. In this post, we will focus on who we are following, and next post, we will delve into what we are focused on. Our theme scripture for these two posts is 1 Peter 2:21, which reminds us that Christ left us an example to follow.
Discipleship is not about comfort; it involves stepping out of our comfort zones, just as Jesus did.
Jesus never asked anyone to be a Christian; He called us to be disciples. Being a disciple means being yourself while following Jesus. It’s not about copying Jesus exactly but about bringing your unique self into the journey of following Him. You will face challenges and think you are not good enough, but Jesus wants you to follow Him as you are.
We often let little things become big issues, leading us to complain and lose sight of who we are following. Instead, we should use God’s Word as our guide. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that all scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. As disciples, we should be Spirit-led, which means listening to the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to guide us in sharing Christ boldly, even in difficult situations.
To be a disciple, we must follow Jesus wherever He goes, even into uncomfortable places. This includes carrying our cross, facing persecution, and living a life that reflects Jesus’ resurrection and ascension. Following Jesus means living where He is now—seated at the right hand of God, victorious over sin and death.
As stated in Ephesians 4:1, we are called to live a life worthy of our calling. This means living a resolved, excuse-free life. We often make excuses for not following Jesus fully, but true discipleship requires us to be obedient and faithful, even when it’s uncomfortable. We must change our vocabulary and mindset to reflect our commitment to Jesus.
Being a disciple also means using God’s Word in every aspect of our lives. James 1:22 tells us to not merely listen to the Word but to do what it says. This involves applying, inspiring, and revealing God’s Word in our daily lives. We must be grateful for what we have and follow Jesus with respect and honor.
When we say yes to Jesus, we are making a covenant to follow Him fully. Communion is not just a ritual; it is a commitment to be in common union with Jesus. By taking the bread and the cup, we are symbolizing that Jesus is in us, pushing out our comfort and concerns, and sealing our commitment to be His disciples.
Key Takeaways
1. **Discipleship Requires Stepping Out of Comfort Zones**: Jesus left us an example of stepping out of comfort to follow God’s will. Discipleship is not about living a comfortable life but about following Jesus even when it involves suffering and challenges. We must be willing to step out of our comfort zones to truly follow Him. [02:50]
2. **Use God’s Word as Your Guide**: All scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness. As disciples, we should rely on God’s Word to guide our actions and decisions, ensuring that we are aligned with His will. [44:08]
3. **Be Spirit-Led**: Being Spirit-led means listening to the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to guide us in sharing Christ boldly, even in difficult situations. The Holy Spirit empowers us to speak about Jesus, gives us strength when we are weak, and fills us with hope. [45:29]
4. **Live a Resolved, Excuse-Free Life**: To be a disciple, we must live a life worthy of our calling, free from excuses. This involves changing our vocabulary and mindset to reflect our commitment to Jesus, being obedient to His commands, and following Him faithfully. [36:18]
5. **Communion as a Covenant**: Taking communion is a commitment to be in common union with Jesus. It symbolizes that Jesus is in us, pushing out our comfort and concerns, and sealing our commitment to be His disciples. This covenant requires us to follow Jesus fully and faithfully. [49:21]
YouTube Chapters
1. [0:00] – Welcome
2. [01:09] – Introduction to Discipleship Series
3. [02:50] – Stepping Out of Comfort Zones
4. [04:18] – Following Jesus
5. [05:48] – Being Unique in Discipleship
6. [36:18] – Living a Resolved, Excuse-Free Life
7. [44:08] – Using God’s Word
8. [45:29] – Being Spirit-Led
9. [49:21] – Communion as a Covenant
10. [50:30] – Commitment to Follow Jesus
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