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Abide in the Vine

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Truth that sets men free, can only be experienced when the Word of God is constantly obeyed and practiced.

TEACHING

LAYING AN EXCELLENT FOUNDATION

 

 

Session 5

 

 

Making Disciples

Part 1

The Basics

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What is a true disciple?

Since we have seen that the Word must be our standard in life, let’s go and see what the life of a disciple was and what Jesus’ defenition was for a Christian?

Disciples are Christians

Acts 11:25-26 [Barnabas] went on to Tarsus to hunt for Saul. 26 And when he had found him, he brought him back to Antioch. For a whole year they assembled together with and were guests of the church and instructed a large number of people; and in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.

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  • [Barnabas] went on to Tarsus to hunt for Saul.

  • And when he had found him, he brought him back to Antioch.

  • For a whole year

    • they assembled together with and

    • were guests of the church

      • and instructed a large number of people;

      • There was a large number of people in the church in Antioch

  • and in Antioch

    • the disciples were first called Christians.

      • This happened +/- 8 years after Jesus’ resurrection and after the first church began.

      • The members in the Antioch church were disciples

      • It was for the first time in Antioch that disciples became known as Christians

      • The word disciple = 276 times in the NT

      • What is your definition of a disciple of Jesus?

      • What does disciples do?

      • What the definition of a Christian?

      • The word Christian appears only 3 times in the NT

      • What do you think is the difference between a disciple and a Christian?

      • What where these people know as before they were called Christians?

Come follow Me

Mark 1:15 – 20 And saying, The [appointed period of] time is fulfilled (completed), and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent (have a change of mind which issues in regret for past sins and in change of conduct for the better) and believe (trust in, rely on, and adhere to) the good news (the Gospel). 16 And passing along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon [Peter] and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net [to and fro] in the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, Come after Me and be My disciples, and I will make you to become fishers of men. 18 And at once they left their nets and [yielding up all claim to them] followed [with] Him [joining Him as disciples and siding with His party]. 19 He went on a little farther and saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who were in [their] boat putting their nets in order. 20 And immediately He called out to them, and [abandoning all mutual claims] they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and went off after Him [to be His disciples, side with His party, and follow Him].

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  • And saying, The [appointed period of] time is fulfilled (completed), and the kingdom of God is at hand;

    • Jesus wanted to prepare people to enter the kingdom of God

    • Jesus started to preach and demonstrate the authority of the kingdom of God

    • What is needed to enter the kingdom of God?

      • repent (have a change of mind,

        • which issues in regret for past sins

        • and in change of conduct for the better) and

        • Repentance is nothing but changing your mind and making 180 degree turn

        • We must change the way we used to think!!!

      • believe (trust in, rely on, and adhere to) the good news (the Gospel).

        • We can’t do something if we do not believe!

        • We must be fully convinced of what the heart of God and Jesus is regards something

        • The way to get have faith and believe God is by reading His Word (Rom 10:9-10)

  • And passing along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon [Peter] and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net [to and fro] in the sea, for they were fishermen.

    • Jesus went out and found people

  • And Jesus said to them,

    • Come after Me

      • Jesus gives an open invitation to follow Him

      • What does it practically mean to follow Jesus?

        • These people literally changed their lifestyle from fishermen to fishers of men!

        • When we follow Jesus we live and become like Jesus Christ

        • When we follow someone they become a role model to us

        • We leave our way we were doing things and start doing the way they will do it

      • Why did Jesus call people to follow Him?

        • He wanted to teach and show them a new lifestyle

    • and be My disciples,

      • When a person really follow Jesus they are His disciples

      • What was the purpose for which Jesus called these disciples?

    • and I will make you to become fishers of men.

      • What does a fisher of fish do?

      • What would a fisher of men do?

      • What would the lifestyle be of a fisher of men?

  • And at once they left their nets and

    • [yielding up all claim to them]

    • followed [with] Him [joining Him as disciples and siding with His party].

      • What was the response of these men when Jesus called them to follow Him?

      • Why did they respond like this?

      • Would you have done what they have done?

  • He went on a little farther and saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother,

    • who were in [their] boat putting their nets in order.

  • And immediately He called out to them,

    • and [abandoning all mutual claims]

    • they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and

      • How do you think these men’s father felt when they just left the fishing business?

      • It might be very challenging to others around you when you decide to really follow Jesus Christ

      • We must expect opposition, because people might not understand why we react so radical and change our entire lifestyle

    • went off after Him [to be His disciples, side with His party, and follow Him].

The definition of a disciple

Luke 14:25-35 Now huge crowds were going along with [Jesus], and He turned and said to them, 26 If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his [own] father and mother [in the sense of indifference to or relative disregard for them in comparison with his attitude toward God] and [likewise] his wife and children and brothers and sisters--[yes] and even his own life also--he cannot be My disciple. 27 Whoever does not persevere and carry his own cross and come after (follow) Me cannot be My disciple. 28 For which of you, wishing to build a farm building, does not first sit down and calculate the cost [to see] whether he has sufficient means to finish it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid the foundation and is unable to complete [the building], all who see it will begin to mock and jeer at him, 30 Saying, This man began to build and was not able (worth enough) to finish. 31  Or what king, going out to engage in conflict with another king, will not first sit down and consider and take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand [men] to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32  And if he cannot [do so], when the other king is still a great way off, he sends an envoy and asks the terms of peace. 33 So then, any of you who does not forsake (renounce, surrender claim to, give up, say good-bye to) all that he has cannot be My disciple. 34 Salt is good [an excellent thing], but if salt has lost its strength and has become saltless (insipid, flat), how shall its saltness be restored? 35 It is fit neither for the land nor for the manure heap; men throw it away. He who has ears to hear, let him listen and consider and comprehend by hearing!

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  • Now huge crowds were going along with [Jesus], and He turned and said to them,

  • If anyone

    • Jesus is directing this statement to ANYONE

    • Does that include you and me?

    • comes to Me and

      • What does comes to Me mean? To come and follow Jesus Christ!

      • does not hate his [own] father and mother

        • Jesus makes a very strong and nearly offensive statement

          • He tells his disciples to HATE their loved one

          • What does it mean?

        •  [in the sense of indifference to or relative disregard for them in comparison with his attitude toward God] and

          • How does your attitude towards your loved ones influence your decisions?

          • Who do you want to please the most in life?

      • [likewise] his wife and children and brothers and sisters--[yes] and even his own life also—

        • Your loved ones and those closest to you

        • he cannot be My disciple.

          • Jesus clearly declares what He requires from those who wants to follow Him

          • Jesus knew how important it was to always put God first and to love Him first

  • Whoever

    • does not persevere and

      • To follow Jesus Christ is going to take perseverance

      • We must first have deep word based conviction on what God. In His love, desires for us

      • Perseverance = longsuffering

    • carry his own cross and

      • Each of us will have a cross to carry to follow Jesus Christ

      • It will cost you something – It cost Jesus everything!

      • What are you willing to do for the sake of the loving price Jesus paid for you?

    • come after (follow) Me

      • cannot be My disciple.

        • Again Jesus clearly declares what He requires from those who wants to follow Him

  • For which of you, wishing to build a farm building,

    • Jesus uses a parable of a project to explain a spiritual truth!

    • When we begin to follow Jesus Christ your life should and will radically change

    • When you start to follow Jesus Christ to start to peruse a Godly project in your life

    • does not first sit down and calculate the cost

      • Jesus want us to FIRST think about what it will cost me to live the way He had called me to live!

      • We cannot make an emotional decision, but rational decision, taking stock and calculating what it will cost me?

      • We must make a decision whether we want to follow Jesus at all cost!

      • What are you not willing to give up to follow in Jesus’ footsteps?

      • [to see] whether he has sufficient means to finish it?

  • Otherwise, when he has laid the foundation and

    • Who is the foundation? Jesus Christ!

    • When have you started to lay your foundation?

    • Did you count the cost before you started to follow Jesus Christ?

    • is unable to complete [the building],

      • Many Christians have started to radically follow Jesus Christ many years ago, but they became overburdened and tired of living the life of a true disciple of Jesus Christ!

    • all who see it will begin to mock and jeer at him,

      • We as Christians have a responsibility to represent Christ accurately, otherwise our lives will cause people to have the WRONG perspective of God

    • saying, This man began to build and was not able (worth enough) to finish.

  • Or what king,

    • going out to engage in conflict with another king,

      • will not first sit down and

        • Another parable to explain the SAME principle of discipleship!

      • consider and

      • take counsel

        • whether he is able with ten thousand [men]

        • to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?

    • And if he cannot [do so],

      • when the other king is still a great way off,

      • he sends an envoy and asks the terms of peace.

        • When a weaker king come to fight against a stronger king, who will win the war? The weaker one!

        • Can the weaker set the terms that is necessary to bring peace with the stronger? No!!! That would be arrogant and proud!

        • The weaker must unconditionally accept the terms of the stronger king

        • Who does the stronger and the weaker kings represent? Jesus and you?

        • What is Jesus’ terms of peace in this context? Hate…take up your cross and follow Me…!

    • To whom does Jesus offer His terms of peace?

  • So then,

    • any of you who does not forsake

      • (renounce, surrender claim to, give up, say good-bye

      • to) all that he has

        • We must be willing to give up anything for Jesus?

        • When we understand the LOVE of God and Jesus Christ for us we can’t help but giving up everything in our lives

        • Be careful of trying to die and trying to give up you life

        • cannot be My disciple.

  • Salt is good [an excellent thing],

    • We are ALL called to be the SALT OF THE WORLD!

      • Why salt? Gives taste to blunt food

      • We can do the same thing, without having an understanding of God’s love!

    • but if salt has lost its strength

      • How does a Christian loose his saltiness?

        • Not being what he was supposed to be – A disciple of Jesus Christ

    • and has become saltless

      • (insipid, flat),

    • how shall its saltness be restored?

      • It is fit neither for the land nor for the manure heap;

      • men throw it away.

      • When we live a life of Christianity and it was never what God intended we have lost the purpose we actually called to life, following Jesus Christ!

  • He who has ears to hear, let him listen and consider and comprehend by hearing!

The True Motive of Discipleship: WHy do I want to be a dsiciple?

Mark 8:34-38 And Jesus called [to Him] the throng with His disciples and said to them, If anyone intends to come after Me, let him deny himself [forget, ignore, disown, and lose sight of himself and his own interests] and take up his cross, and [joining Me as a disciple and siding with My party] follow with Me [continually, cleaving steadfastly to Me]. 35 For whoever wants to save his [higher, spiritual, eternal] life, will lose it [the lower, natural, temporal life which is lived only on earth]; and whoever gives up his life [which is lived only on earth] for My sake and the Gospel's will save it [his higher, spiritual life in the eternal kingdom of God]. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life [in the eternal kingdom of God]? 37 For what can a man give as an exchange (a compensation, a ransom, in return) for his [blessed] life [in the eternal kingdom of God]? 38 For whoever is ashamed [here and now] of Me and My words in this adulterous (unfaithful) and [preeminently] sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when He comes in the glory (splendor and majesty) of His Father with the holy angels.

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  • And Jesus called [to Him] the throng with His disciples and said to them,

    • If anyone

      • Again – this is addressed to ANYONE

      • intends to come after Me,

        • let him deny himself

          • Put his own interest second

          • Do you think is was easy for Jesus to go and die for us on the cross?

        • [forget, ignore, disown, and lose sight of himself and his own interests]

          • Discipleship is calling us to an unselfish life

            • This is NOT a receiving life, but a giving life!

        • and take up his cross,

        • and [joining Me as a disciple and siding with My party]

        • follow with Me

          • [continually, cleaving steadfastly to Me].

            • Jesus called us to a NEW LIFESTYLE of following Him

            • What will your new life style consist out of?

    • For whoever

      • wants to save his [higher, spiritual, eternal] life,

        • Maybe we could make excuses to do other things that has a higher priority in our lives

        • What is your highest priority at this point in your life?

        • What is you highest dreams and desires in life?

        • What do you live for?

      • will lose it [the lower, natural, temporal life which is lived only on earth];

        • What did Jesus say? Seek first the kingdom of God AND its righteousness

        • How must time do you use to follow Jesus Christ?

        • Two perspectives: Giving God a slice out of the pie vs. the entire pie belong to God and I happen to life in it!

    • and whoever

      • gives up his life [which is lived only on earth]

        • Jesus calls us to give up our lives – This is NOT going to be easy

        • People do not like to make changes to their lives when they are comfortable

        • for My sake and the Gospel's

          • God calls us to give up our lives for Jesus’ sake

          • God also calls us to give up our lives for the gospel’s sake

          • How do I practically give up my life for Jesus’ sake?

            • I must change the way I am in character and nature to become like Jesus

            • I must become love!

          • How do I practically give up my life for the gospel’s sake?

            • We are called to be fishers of men.

            • This will take up our time!

            • This will take us out of our comfort zone, calling us to GO out and make fishers of men!

          • will save it [his higher, spiritual life in the eternal kingdom of God].

    • For

      • what does it profit a man to gain the whole world,

      • and forfeit his life [in the eternal kingdom of God]?

    • For

      • what can a man give as an exchange

        • Why does Jesus ask this question?

        • Do you want to be a fisher of men?

        • Why do you want to be a fisher of men?

        • What drives you?

        • What is the true motive to be a disciple of Jesus Christ?

        • (a compensation, a ransom, in return)

          • If there is an exchange we get something for something done!

          • What was done for us?

        • for his [blessed] life [in the eternal kingdom of God]?

    • For

      • whoever is ashamed [here and now]

        • Why do people not want to be true disciples of Jesus Christ?

        • They are more concerned about what people think that what God thinks

        • They do not realize the love of God for them

        • They are too busy – Let me first!

        • of Me

          • Why would people be ashamed of Jesus Christ?

          • They see him as religious / weakling

          • How do you see Jesus?

        • and My words

          • We do not have Jesus today, but we have His Word

          • When we do not want to live according to the Word of God we are ashamed of the Word of God

          • in this adulterous (unfaithful) and [preeminently] sinful generation,

            • What is spiritual adultery?

              • Having an intimate relationship with another person not your spouse

            • If we love or put anything else before Jesus we are in idolatry

        • of him will the Son of Man

      • also be ashamed when He comes in the glory (splendor and majesty) of His Father with the holy angels.

Disciples are known for their Love

John 13:34-35 I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another. 35 By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves].

  • I give you a new commandment:

    • What was the old commandment? Love your neighbor as yourself!

    • that you should love one another.

      • Just as I have loved you,

        • How did Jesus love us? He gave up His life for us!

        • WHY did Jesus give up Hid life for us? Because He so dearly and intimately loves us

    • so you too should love one another.

  • By this shall all [men] know

    • For what will true disciples or followers of Jesus Christ be know?

    • that you are My disciples,

      • if you love one another

        • Disciples love others, BECAUSE they were first loved by God

        • This love was demonstrated IN Jesus Christ, through the crucifixion of Jesus Christ

        • Therefore they love others above themselves

      • [if you keep on showing love among yourselves].

The great commision: GO and make disciples

Matt 28:18-20 Jesus approached and, breaking the silence, said to them, All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Go then and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20  Teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all the days (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion), to the [very] close and consummation of the age. Amen (so let it be).

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  • Jesus approached and, breaking the silence, said to them,

    • All authority (all power of rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.

      • ALL authority in HEAVEN and on EARTH has been given to Jesus Christ

    • Go then

      • Out of Jesus’ declaration of authority He gives us a mandate to GO!!!

      • Out of Jesus’ LOVE He urges us to GO!!!

      • Out of Jesus EXAMPLE He leads us to GO!!!

      • and make disciples of all the nations,

        • Who was the first disciple maker? Jesus Christ

        • How did Jesus make disciples?

          • He walked with His disciples and taught them while in He was in the process of obeying the will of the Father

      • baptizing them

        • We must baptize ONLY disciples who have made the commitment to follow Jesus Christ

        • We cannot baptize babies who have not been able to make a decision to follow Jesus Christ

        • We cannot just raise a hand in the sky and say accept Christ – there is no commitment

        • Parents can’t baptize the child and say it is a promise to raise up the child

        • We do not become a disciple by being accepted when you become confirmed in a church at 17 years of age

        • All these are traditions that have made the word of God to no effect

        • These are man-made traditions of man and NOT Jesus command

        • into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

          • The NAME of Jesus Christ = the authority He was given

          • Into that which He has accomplished by His death, burial and resurrection

      • Teaching them

        • The New young followers of Jesus Christ must be taught after baptism

        • This teaching process we call – discipling!

        • New disciples are hungry to learn and open to and teach able

        • Especially ‘religious people’ must unlearn many things they were wrongly taught!

        • Disciples are taught THROUGH example – this is apprenticeship

        • to observe everything that I have commanded you,

          • What must the new baptized disciples be taught? EVERYTHING Jesus taught His disciples

          • Are we allowed to do our own thing our own way? No! (Matt 10:24)

          • We can only do what we have seen our MASTER have done!

            • He is our blue print and perfect example!

          • This is truly acceptance of the Lordship of Jesus Christ in my life!

    • and behold, I am with you all the days

      • We will not need to do these things out of our own strength

      • God will give us the Holy Spirit to help us live the life of following Jesus Christ

      • Always remember Jesus is with you when you GO!

      • (perpetually, uniformly, and on every occasion),

      • to the [very] close and consummation of the age.

        • When shall this process, Jesus called His disciples to live end? When He comes back

        • Has he come back yet? No! Thus we must still do this today!

  • Amen (so let it be).

The Power of the process of making disciples

Acts 6:1 NOW ABOUT this time, when the number of the disciples was greatly increasing,…

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Acts 6:7 And the message of God kept on spreading, and the number of disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem; and [besides] a large number of the priests were obedient to the faith [in Jesus as the Messiah, through Whom is obtained eternal salvation in the kingdom of God].

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  • God, in His great wisdom, send Jesus to come and show to make disciples of all who want to follow Him

  • When we make disciples who make disciples the Word of God will expand exponentially

    • First church – 12 – 70 – 120 – 3000 – 5000 – greatly increased – multiplied greatly

    • Theoretically helping one person in one year – 1 + 1 = 2 – 4 – 8 – 16 – 32 – 64 ext How long to save 6 billion people

    • 30 – 250 000 disciples in every country in the world in 20 years (1979 – 1999)

Practical

Continue reading the gospels for in them the example and life of Jesus Christ is revealed

Read Matt 10 and see how Jesus sent out the first disciples!

Go and start to read the book of the Acts of the believers

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Find all the places where the word disciple appears

  • Write down what kind of lifestyle the disciples in Acts lived and what they did?

  • Compare your life with their lives and make the changes needed to live the life of a disciple and fisher of men

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Go and think about the implication of discipleship in your life and count the cost

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Make yourself available and go out with someone as they go and pray for the sick and preach and demonstrate the kingdom of God (Matt 10)

Invite people to also study the bible and start to learn how to make disciples

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