Sermon Tone Analysis

What is a disciple?

That may sound like a silly question to ask in a setting like this.

We've all heard the term before.

We all think we know what it means.

But what really is a disciple as it would have been understood by the Jewish audience Jesus was speaking to?

And what did Jesus really mean when He said "follow me"?

So, what we're going to do over the next few weeks is dive into a study in Scripture to see what it means to be a disciple of Christ and what it means to make disciples.

We're going to see what it looks like practically so we can figure out how we could make disciple-making at the center of everything we do here at Faith, and know how to do it.

And if you ever get asked that question, "what is a disciple", you will be able to provide a biblical response.

So here we go.

When you look in the New Testament you see the word disciple mentioned about 269 times.

Just by way of contrast or comparison, you see the word Christian mentioned three times.

“Disciple” is mentioned over and over and over again.

What is a disciple?

When the New Testament talks about disciples, it talks about disciples in different ways.

I want you to see three main categories.

A casual listener

First of all when you see the New Testament talk about disciples sometimes it is referring to the casual listener—people who are in the crowds following Jesus, listening to what He is saying, the casual listener.

Then you take a step deeper and see...

A convinced listener

By that I mean they are not just casually listening.

There is some “buy-in” there.

Okay, I believe what this guy is saying.

I am embracing what he is saying.

I am convinced He is who He says He is.

So, you have got convinced listeners.

Then you've got a deeper level beyond that not just casual or convinced listeners...

A committed life-long learner and follower

What is interesting is that in the New Testament when we see all these references to disciples, the greatest number of people that are called disciples fall into one of those first two categories; either casual listeners or convinced listeners—thousands of people that would follow Christ.

Many that had some “buy-in”.

But when you take that third step and you get to committed life-long learners and followers, the group gets really, really small.

As a matter of fact, in Acts 1:15, it says is that after Jesus left this life on earth, ascended into heaven, there is only 120 people that are left.

Thousands of people had followed Him during His life here but only 120 people that are actually doing what He told them to do, committed life-long learners and followers.

Now, that is the picture in the New Testament.

When you think of the average church in the Western World, which category you think the largest number of people fall into?

I can say with pretty good confidence that the majority, even of those who call themselves Christians could be classified as casual listeners and just go along with what Jesus said.

Or even more so here in the south, convinced listeners.

Christianity has become a cultural religion.

I believe we've created an atmosphere where it's okay to become a Christian without being a disciple.

I am convinced when it comes to the need in the church today, it's not more money, more power, more prestige, or even more people.

It is not more education.

It is not more political influence.

I believe the greatest need in the church today is more men and women and young people who believe in Jesus Christ and embrace Him, to rise up and be the disciples Scripture teaches us to be.

I am convinced it is not only the greatest need in the church.

I think it is the greatest need in the world.

I think Dallas Willard said it best.

Listen to this.

He said:

"The greatest issue facing the world today with all its heartbreaking needs is whether those who by profession or culture are identified as Christians, if they will become disciples, students, apprentices, practitioners of Jesus Christ, steadily learning from Him how to live the life of the Kingdom of heaven into every corner of human existence.

Will they break out of the churches to be His church, to be His mighty force for good on earth, drawing the churches after them toward the eternal purposes of God and on its own scale, there is no greater issue facing the individual human being, Christian or not."

Let's take a look at what that means and to consider what it costs to be a disciple of Jesus.

Let's look at Matthew 4:18-22.

This is a passage that I am guessing is familiar to many of us.

I pray that God will give us fresh eyes this morning to see and understand the awesome truths that are located in this passage.

Now Jesus comes on the scene here.

This is probably not the first time these guys have met Jesus.

A lot of people think that John 1 gives us the initial picture of these guys being introduced to Jesus.

This may have been the second or third occurrence where they interacted with Him.

But Jesus comes to them and he says two words: follow me.

Literally, come after me.

In those two words, we begin to unpack what it means to be a disciple of Christ.

What Does It Mean To Follow Jesus?

Complete Abandonment for the Glory of Christ

What does it mean to follow Jesus?

First of all, it means complete abandonment for the glory of Christ.

Now in order to see that, we need to look at the context that Matthew 4:18 and following comes in.

So, back up with me to verse 12 and I want you to read with me there what leads up to this picture of Jesus initiating this follow-ship with these guys.

[Read Matthew 4:12-17]

From the very beginning of Jesus' ministry, one message resounds.

Repent for the Kingdom of heaven is near.

That phrase is used, not just the whole phrase, but especially the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of heaven and is repeated over and over and over again throughout the book of Matthew.

It is not a kingdom as in a place.

It pictures the rule and the reign and the dominion and the authority of God.

Wherever His rule and reign is acknowledged and submitted to, there we see a picture of the Kingdom.

That is what we see all throughout the book of Matthew.

Now, where do you get complete abandonment for the glory of Christ from there?

Over and over again as the Kingdom is mentioned, it is always accompanied by great cost, by great abandonment and sacrifice for the King.

I want you to see that.

Let me take you on a little tour.

Turn one chapter over to Matthew 5. Maybe circle a few different times in the book of Matthew where you see the word Kingdom.

I want you to see the abandonment, the sacrifice that it is associated with.

Look in Matthew 5:3,

Look down in verse 10,

If you want the Kingdom of heaven you are persecuted because of righteousness.

That is a sacrifice.

There is a cost there.

Well, it continues on.

Look over in Matthew 13 and we are skipping over tons and tons of incidences where the Kingdom is mentioned.

Do you see the picture there in that parable?

The Kingdom is worth selling everything you have got in order to get it—leaving everything behind.

Let me show you a practical picture of that.

Go over to Matthew 19.

You mean literally give everything up, leave everything behind, and abandon everything to have the Kingdom?

Look at Matthew 19:21.

This is a story known as the rich young ruler or the rich young man.

It is a man who had great wealth, many possessions.

He comes up to Jesus and says how can I inherit the Kingdom?

How can I have eternal life?

What does Jesus say in verse 21? “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.

Then come, follow me” (Matt.