The Path of Discipleship

I am Kyle Linville, the pastor of discipleship here at Grace. We are in our final week of a three week study on discipleship and intentional community. Two weeks ago, we talked together about what it means to be created in God’s image. Being created in God’s Image actually tells us about our purpose in life - we are the visible representatives of the invisible God. God sent Jesus as the perfect image of God and is using all things in our life to conform us into the image of God. Discipleship is how we grow to be more like Christ. God uses discipleship to restore us to our original purpose - representing him to the world!

Last week we saw that discipleship happens over time and it involves growing in three areas: knowing, loving and serving. We saw that Paul’s life was changed by a conviction that led to love that lead to action. We grow in Christ by knowing, loving, and serving.

We grow in Christ by knowing, loving, and serving.

This morning, I want to conclude our series by looking at the path of discipleship. Discipleship is a life long journey. We will never be completely conformed to the image of Christ on this side of heaven, but we can continue to grow towards that. There are four key characteristics of that path - of the journey of becoming more like Christ. I think that as we strive to grow in these areas, it will help us in our walk down that path together.

The Path of Discipleship is Progressive

The first characteristic of the path of discipleship is that it is progressive. The path of discipleship is progressive. Paul says in

2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV

18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

2 Corinthians 3:8 NKJV

8 how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious?

I shared this passage with you last week. This is a beautiful conclusion to a beautiful passage about the New Covenant in Christ. There is a lot more that could be said, but I want to focus on what this passage has to say about discipleship.

I want us to notice four things.

We are beholding the glory of the Lord (as in a mirror)

We are being transformed into the image of God

We are bring transformed into the image of God from glory to glory

by the Spirit

First, we are beholding the glory of the Lord. This passage describes an incredible life-altering, character-shaping transformation in our lives. We are being conformed into the image of God. And what is our main contribution to this transformation? We look. We look at what? Christ through the gospel - through the Word of God. And what do we see? The glory of God. Our primary role in this transformation is to keep our eyes fixed on God through his word.

In this passage, this is really the only thing we do. We look.

Next, we see that we are being transformed into the same image. What is the result of beholding the glory of God? We are transformed into the image of God. The incredible reality of the Scripture is that it changes people. We look to it, we see God and we are either hardened to God’s truth, or we become more like Christ. As we see God for who he is, we cannot help but want to be like him. John says this:

1 John 3:2 NKJV

2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

When we see Jesus in heaven we will be like him (completely). When we see him in his word (as in a mirror), we become a little bit more like him each time.

Third, We are being transformed into the image of God from glory to glory. That transformation is incremental. When we see Christ in all of his glory in heaven, we will be perfectly conformed into his image, but until then it is a growing process. We are being shaped, step by step, as we catch glimpses of his glory through his word.

Finally, we are being transformed into the image of God by his Spirit. This is not our work; we are not able to accomplish this on our own. The good news is that we do not have to! As believers, we have the Holy Spirit in our life. This gives us so much confidence in this process. I don’t have to rely on myself to get this done. I drop the ball. I am sinful. I am not that skillful. The Holy Spirit though? He is able! I am confident that God will accomplish this transformation because it is not resting in my power, but in the power of God.

This passage gives us a picture of the progressive nature of discipleship. First we see our goal; we are being transformed into the image of God. There is a clear goal of Christ-likeness and there is real progress being made along the way. There is noticeable movement towards that goal. We are growing towards something. Discipleship has an aim, a focus, a destination. The path of discipleship is a path of growth.

We are being transformed into the image of God.

There is a clear goal of Christ-likeness and there is real progress being made along the way. There is noticible movement towards that goal. We are growing towards something. Discipleship has an aim, a focus, a destination.

The path of discipleship is a path of growth.

So we ask ourselves, are we growing in Christ? Is our life characterized by growth in our spiritual lives? If you look back over your life as a believer, do you see yourself becoming more like Christ over time?

Do you keep the end goal in your mind? Do you think about how you are supposed to become more like Christ?

Having the end in mind can bring the steps into focus. Without a goal, the steps you take may feel like wandering aimlessly. So, the path of discipleship is progressive, and it is also disciplined.

The Path of Discipleship is Disciplined

1 Timothy 4:7–8 NKJV

7 But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.

1 Timothy 4:10 NKJV

10 For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.

When we looked at the message in , the emphasis was on God’s work in our transformation. And God is at work in our transformation, but we also respond to him. We put ourselves in the path of his transformation. Discipleship is something we also participate in and work for. After Paul’s big discussion on, we are saved by grace through faith, not of works so that no one may boast he say this,

Ephesians 2:10 NKJV

10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

God has called us to good works. What we do matters. And growing in Christ involves skills that we must develop.

If we want to develop a skill, we know we are going to have to practice. If we want to learn to play an instrument, we know that we will have to practive a lot in order to be good at it. To compete in a sport, an athlete doesn’t just show up on competition day.

1 Tim

[Olympic discipline?]

For an athlete regular training is imperative. The same is true for the Christian life as well. We need to be disciplined about looking into God’s Word and to applying what we see there. We are disciplined in some areas of our lives, but often we struggle with discipline in our spiritual lives. Maybe we haven’t ever really thought of it as necessary. Maybe it just never registers as a high enough priority in our lives. But Paul encourages us to strive towards discipline. He says

1 Timothy 4:7–8 NKJV

1 Timothy 4:10 NKJV

10 For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.

Paul tells Timothy to “exercise yourself toward godliness.” Exercise is training and physical preparation, and Paul is using that same imagery for spiritual training and preparation. The wording of discipline and exercise might make us a little uncomfortable. Discipline, and exercise are difficult, and they involve sacrifice. True, but they also involve gain. Donald Whitney, in his book Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life gives this example,

“Tom Landry, coach of the Dallas Cowboys football team for most of three decades said, ‘The job of a football coach is to make men do what they don’t want to do in order to achieve what they’ve always wanted to be.’ In much the same way, Christians are called to make themselves do something they would not naturally do — pursue the Spiritual Disciplines — in order to become what they’ve always wanted to be, that is, like Jesus Christ.” - Donald Whitney

(Whitney, pg. 20)

Note the purpose or goal of the exercise — godliness — that is to become like Christ. This discipline is one of the means of God restoring our purpose to our lives. That is why discipline is so important! This is a key component to God’s work and purpose for your life. So what is it that we do in order to grow in godliness? What are the exercises?

The Christian life is made up of beliefs and practices. There are truths that we know, and things that we are called to do in response to the things that we know. Its not possible for us to expound all of these disciplines here, but I want to list some for you as well as give you some Scripture references that show their importance. Take some time this week to review this list. Read the verses and pray through each one.

Spiritual Disciplines:

Reading the Bible (, , )

Memorizing Scripture (, , , , )

Prayer (, ; , , , , , )

Repentance (, , )

Worship (, , )

Evangelism (, , , )

Serving (, , )

Stewardship (

These are all exercises that help the believer grow in godliness. Paul then explains the value of this spiritual training or discipline. While bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable in all things, WHY? because it has a promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.

Paul then explains the value of of this spiritual training or discipline. While bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable in all things, WHY? because it has a promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.

In other words, physical exercise and training is profitable, but is only profitable for now. Spiritual exercise and training, on the other hand, is profitable during the course of our lives now, but also for eternity. It is like investing. Many of us make sacrifices now by putting away money for the future. We do it because we know that making those sacrifices now will be a great benefit in the future. Spiritual disciplines are a longer term investment. They are beneficial for eternity. That sure beat my 401K, doesn’t it?

Doing the good works that God has called us to do () is eternally significant.

Why is spiritual discipline so important? I do not just accidently become more godly

Committed to spiritual discipline. We are training in godliness. There are skills that we must learn to do. How do we pray, how do we learn from God’s Word? Memorize scripture. Share the gospel.

Respond to the Holy Spirit who transforms us.

The Path of Discipleship is Progressive, it is disciplined and it is also relational.

The Path of Discipleship is Relational

Acts 8:29–31 NKJV

29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.

We have all had people who have invested in our lives to help us know God more. Disciples need guidance from other disciples. Perhaps you can think of someone in your life who has been hugely influential in your salvation and your growth as a Christian. Maybe it was a grandparent or a parent. Maybe it was a friend, or a neighbor, youth leader or pastor. But likely there is someone who has had a dramatic effect in your spiritual life.

Luke records this moment in the early church:

Acts 8:29–31 NKJV

In this exchange between Philip and the Ethiopian eunich, the eunich admits that he does not understand what he is reading. He needs help. He needs someone to walk alongside him and help him understand the Scriptures. Its ok to struggle to understand the Bible. Its even ok to admit that. Peter says that Paul’s writings are hard to understand sometimes (). Philip came up into the chariot alongside the man and helped to explain the passage to him and also the gospel. And it was through this encounter that the man was saved, and likely, the Ethiopian church was born. We often need the help of others to understand the Bible.

Philip came up into the chariot alongside the man and helped to explain the passage to him and also the gospel. And it was through this encounter that the man was saved, and likely, the Ethiopian church was born.

But more than just help with understanding the Bible, we need people who will show us what it looks like to live out the Scriptures. We need people who will show us what it looks like to live out the Christian life. Two weeks ago we talked about how Paul often asked Christians to imitate him.

1 Corinthians 11:1 NKJV

1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

We are ultimately called to follow Christ, but the reality is that we need people to help us along the way. We need help to understand the word, and we need help to figure out how to apply it. What does it look like to live the Christian life?

Paul offers to serve as an example of what it means to imitate Christ. He serves as an example in specific ways. In he serves as an example of how believers should work.

2 Thessalonians 3:7 ESV

7 For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you,

2 Thessalonians 3:7–9 NKJV

7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; 8 nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, 9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.

2 Thessalonians 3:9 ESV

9 It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate.

The gospel calls us to live a new life in Christ. Living our lives for Christ affects every area of our life. Paul thought that Thessalonians needed not only to hear what the Bible taught about work, but they needed to see his example of it as well. So, while he may have been supported in other cities so that he could devout more of his time to ministry, in Thessalonica he did not accept their support because of a greater need.

He encourages them to find others who can also serve as examples . It surprised me to see just how frequently the New Testament called his readers to imitate or follow (or avoid) someone’s example (, , , , , , , ,, , , , , , , , , ). At least 18 times the New Testament uses the word imitate or example in this way. There are even more times where the concept is present though not those specific words, for example and later in the chapter with the examples of Timothy and Epaphroditus.

It seems that there is an important emphasis in relationships in our spiritual growth. In our western, individualistic culture, we just don’t want to need other people, but that’s what the Bible shows. We need each other. We need people to point out our sins and weaknesses. The Bible warns us of the deceitfulness of sin. The first person that my sin deceives is me. I need other people to help me see the sin in my life. I need other people to help me understand the Scriptures and how they apply to my life. The reality is that God designed us to need each other, like the different parts of our physical bodies require the other parts to function.

Heather and I have had the blessing of meeting with a couple of people on Wednesday evenings for a smaller, personal discipleship time. They come to our house on Tuesdays for small group, and they are brave enough to come back on Wednesdays for this time of discipleship. As I was thinking about the relational aspect of discipleship, I decided to email them to ask them about the role of relationship in discipleship. Jacob Even said, “It can allow for deeper personal growth than meeting in a group setting does. Growing deeper and deeper with a close few can provide such great strength and dependancy for grace.” How does that happen? Jordan Gilbert gives some good examples of that, “There are things I have learned with and by Heather that I wouldn't have discovered in any book. There's a type of authenticity and transparency that comes with discipleship and that's good because God calls us to be relational. Real people sharing real prayers to a real God. It hits me every time Heather and I pray together how the same God is so personal to each of us, that He meets our needs big and small and without discipleship I don't think I would have ever seen or experienced that firsthand.” And that encouragement goes both ways!

We need to see the gospel lived out. We need relationships with others who will help us to see what it looks like to apply the Bible, and others need to see that from us. Which brings us to our final point this morning, the path of discipleship is replicable.

The Path of Discipleship is Replicable

Disciples are supposed to pass on what they have learned. Disciples should become disciple-makers.

Finally, I want us to see that the path of discipleship is for all of us.

Paul tells Timothy:

2 Timothy 2:2 NKJV

2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

Discipleship is also replicable. It is not something for a few leaders, but it is a process that is handed down from one generation of believers to another. In this verse, we see four generations of disciplers. Paul has discipled Timothy, Timothy then entrusts what he has learned to “faithful men” who will in turn be able to teach others. And those others? They were to make disciples also.

Jesus called his disciples. They were not the most well educated, the most skilled, the most promising. He simply called them, and they followed.

Matthew 4:19 NKJV

19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

And that is what he did. He trained them, taught them, invested in them and shaped them. And that’s what he did. He turned this fishermen into fishers of men. They did not start that way.

In fact their opponents said this about them:

Acts 4:13 NKJV

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.

When they are called “untrained men” it means that they were laymen - they had not been trained as priests or pharisees. In our terms, they had no seminary training. What had made the difference in these men’s lives? They had been with Jesus. They went from simple fishermen, to his disciples, and when he left them, he graduated them from his training program as disciple-makers.

Matthew 28:19–20 NKJV

19 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, 20 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.

This is the path that we are all called to. Jesus moved his disciples from ground zero starting place to disciple-makers. And they made disciples who, in turn, made disciples.

It does not take a seminary training to make disciples - it takes time with Jesus. Time in his Word. Time hearing his word proclaimed. It takes following Jesus. And as we are transformed into the image of God, from one degree of glory to another, we are being equipped to lead others through that same journey.

2 Peter 1:16–19 NKJV

16 For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17 For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” 18 And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. 19 And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts;

Pastor Jerry has taught on which says:

Ephesians 4:11–12 NKJV

11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,

In this passage we see that God has given some gifts and roles within the church for the sake of equipping the church for the work of the ministry. In other words, pastors aren’t here to DO the work of the ministry for the church, but to train everyone to do the work of the ministry.

For the sake of clarification, let me say that Pastors also do ministry, but pastors or leaders are not the only ones who do the ministry. We should model the work of the ministry, but the church can do SO MUCH MORE if we are all working together as God has called us.

I’d like to invite you this morning to consider how you can be involved in discipleship. What can you do to intentionally grow in Christ-likeness? How can you help others grow?

It does not always mean we have an official discipler - disciplee relationship. Maybe we are just two friends who point each other to Christ. We can do that by asking questions to get to know people and their spiritual life (this is something we grow into with people. Don’t be discouraged or frustrated that it takes time to develop a relationship with someone else where you can ask these questions).

Relational - intentionally getting to know people.

Think of the little things:

How can we point other people to Jesus in our daily life?

For parents, our first calling as a disciple maker is to disciple our kids. So many of you are actively discipling little people all the time. I would encourage you in the hard moments that God is pleased with the hard work you are investing in the kids. I would encourage you to keep your eyes fixed on what is most important for your kids in the long term. There are so many things we COULD do in our time with our kids that it can keep us from doing the most important thing - helping them to know and walk with Jesus.

We learn so that we can pass what we learn on to others. Its not just for pastors to pass on to others, we are all called to be a part of helping others know Christ and grow in Christ.

Conclusion

The past three weeks we have looked at the role of discipleship in our lives. Through discipleship, God is conforming our lives into the image of his Son. The transformation does not begin with an outwardly changed life, it does not begin by changing what we do, it begins by changing what we know to be true, and what we love. And the path of discipleship is progressive, disciplined, relational and replicable.

Our prayer at Grace is that you will walk down this path of discipleship, and that you will be conformed to the image of Christ. It is the very purpose that God has created us all for from the very beginning. Being a disciple and a disciple maker is God’s call for all our lives. That is what our giant banner here is all about. We want to help you grow in your knowledge of God through his word, your love for God and others, and your service - your daily practice of living a life devoted to God.

We’ve designed our ministries with this goal in mind. So when you participate in ministries like our Adult Bible Electives, Life Groups, Heart 2 Heart, we hope to give you opportunities to grow in these areas. Our upcoming events are also targeted at creating opportunities to help you know, love and serve.

Relational - intentionally getting to know people.

Asking questions to get to know people and their spiritual life.

Think of the little things:

How can we point other people to Jesus in our daily life?

It does not always mean we have a discipler - disciplee relationship. Maybe we are just two friends who point each other to Christ.

Discipleship Workshop next Saturday, Jan. 20th. I hope that we have raised some questions about what it means to be a disciple who makes disciples the last few weeks and this workshop will target some practical ways that we can fulfill that calling.

The Family Apologetics conference with Carl Kerby next week will be a great investment in your family.

Our Work as Worship conference on Friday, Feb 23. For those of us who are working at a job, we spend a big portion of our lives doing that. It may not be immediately obvious how our work life relates to our church life, but that is exactly the place that we are called to be a light and to live out our Christianity. I am excited about this conference and I hope you will consider being a part of it.

We want to create opportunities for you to walk down the path of discipleship

Grace wants to create opportunities for you to walk down the path of discipleship. But ultimately, that is a choice that each individual has to make. Being transformed into the image of Christ is a disciplined, taking up our cross daily walk with God.

Relational - intentionally getting to know people.

Asking questions to get to know people and their spiritual life.

Think of the little things:

How can we point other people to Jesus in our daily life?

It does not always mean we have a discipler - disciplee relationship. Maybe we are just two friends who point each other to Christ.

God I thank you that you love us so much that you are unwilling to leave us where we are. I thank you that you love us so much that you were willing to send Jesus, in order to restore the purpose for which you created us. God, I pray that you will give us a love for Christ that compels us to follow you. I pray that you will open our eyes so that we might see the wonderful things in your Word. Help us to be intentional in striving towards Christ, be disciplined in our efforts to know you, be willing to let others speak truth from your word to us, and to be willing to help others walk with you to. I pray that this year you will do great things at Grace to conform us to the image of your Son, so we might better point the world to you!

Related Media

Related Sermons