1. JESUS’ CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP!

2. This lesson is to designed to impact you as to the extremely high demands of being a true disciple of Jesus. you are to see the level of commitment YOU should have made as a part of YOUR conversion experience. Did you commit to the high demands of true discipleship?

3. JESUS’ CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP Mat
JESUS’ CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP Mat. 28:18-20 “Go & make disciples…” (Baptize them – disciples) 1. “Teach them to observe EVERYTHING…” (Chain reaction!) 2. Is this God’s way to save people? (What will those taught be doing?) 3. Does this teach that God uses people in His plan to save people? 4. If the early disciples didn’t obey this command what would have happened? 5. Does this scripture apply to us today? Who has this responsibility today?

4. GW Acts 11:26 The disciples were called Christians for the first time in the city of Antioch. (After 10 years – 1000’s only called disciples) 1. Word for disciple (Greek: mathetes) is used OVER 250 times in the N.T. (Christian 3 times) 2. DISCIPLE = CHRISTIAN = SAVED 3. If we use the predominate term for God’s saved people would we use the word Christian? 4. What term for a follower of Christ would we use?

5. John 14:6 JESUS IS “THE WAY” (Path or road) Is He a way or THE WAY. A
John 14:6 JESUS IS “THE WAY” (Path or road) Is He a way or THE WAY? A. Disciple is the Greek word: μαθητής mathētēs (mathetes - pronounced: math-ay-tes) 1. What does this word mean? Is it limited to a follower or student or does it have a more significant meaning? It was the most common word used in Jesus’ day for people training to be a skilled tradesman, craftsman, or artisan. 2. What is an apprentice? What would you be training to be as a apprentice of Jesus? 3. How do you learn best? – By someone describing to you or by example? 4. Can you think of trades, occupations or professions where people are trained this way? Tailors, Carpenters, Electricians, Physicians are all trained to do their work this way. 5. What have you learned by being taught this way?

6. If we are disciples of Jesus – then the meaning of this word demands that we be training to do the work ofChrist. 1. NIrV John 14:12 … "What I'm about to tell you is true. Anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. (Is this how you exhibit faith in Him?) 2. NIrV Luk 19:10 The Son of Man came to look for the lost and save them." (Are you looking for lost people to try to save them?) 3. Mat. 20:28 … came to serve and give his life… (Did you commit to give your life following Jesus’ example?) 4 1Pe 2:21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. (Have you been following like this?) 5. NIrV 1 John 2:6 Those who claim to belong to him must live just as Jesus did. Do you claim to belong to Him? (Are you living as Jesus did?)

7. Jesus Calls the First Disciples Mar 1:16 One day Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee. There he saw Simon and his brother Andrew. They were throwing a net into the lake. They were fishermen. Mar 1:17 "Come. Follow me," Jesus said. "I will make you fishers of people." Mar 1:18 At once they left their nets and followed him. Mar 1:19 Then Jesus walked a little farther. As he did, he saw James, son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat preparing their nets. Mar 1:20 Right away he called out to them. They left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men. Then they followed Jesus.

8. Mark 1:16-20 1. “Follow me” – The heart of a disciple
Mark 1: “Follow me” – The heart of a disciple. Are you willing to follow the Lord like this? 2. Jesus expects obedience. Are you attempting to follow the Lord in complete obedience? 3. “NIV: Immediately” – indicates what? Are there things which keep Jesus from being #1 in your life? 4. “They left their nets” – indicates what? Is there anything you know that you must leave? Is there anything that you are NOT willing to give up?

9. Luk 5:1-11 One day Jesus was standing by the Sea of Galilee
Luk 5:1-11 One day Jesus was standing by the Sea of Galilee. The people crowded around him and listened to the word of God. 2 Jesus saw two boats at the edge of the water. They had been left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into the boat that belonged to Simon. Jesus asked him to go out a little way from shore. Then he sat down in the boat and taught the people When he finished speaking, he turned to Simon. He said, "Go out into deep water. Let the nets down so you can catch some fish." 5 Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets."

10. Luk 5:6-11 When they had done so, they caught a large number of fish
Luk 5:6-11 When they had done so, they caught a large number of fish. There were so many that their nets began to break. 7 So they motioned to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. They came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees. "Go away from me, Lord!" he said. "I am a sinful man!" 9 He and everyone with him were amazed at the number of fish they had caught. 10 So were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who worked with Simon. Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid. From now on you will catch people." Luk 5:11 So they pulled their boats up on shore. Then they left everything and followed him.

11. SUBMISSION Luke 5:1-11 A. V.5 “Because YOU say so, I will”- Does the Lord knows what’s best for you? Are you saying this to Jesus? B. If it doesn’t make any sense to you, to your pride, etc., will trust Jesus enough to obey him anyway? C. Will Jesus be pleased with a “conditional” faith? Can you choose when and if you will obey the Lord? (Answer: Yes) But will Jesus save you if you don’t allow Him to be your Lord/master/ruler?

12. THREE CHARACTERISTICS OF A DISCIPLE - #1 Hold to His Teaching NIV John 8: To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.“ CEV Joh 8:31  …If you keep on obeying KJV CONTINUE Greek: μένω menō men'-o A primary verb; to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy): - abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry

13. THREE CHARACTERISTICS OF A DISCIPLE - #1 Hold to His Teaching 1
THREE CHARACTERISTICS OF A DISCIPLE - #1 Hold to His Teaching 1. HOLD TO JESUS’ TEACHING - John 8:31-32 A. What does hold to Jesus’ teaching mean? Will you “stick with & live out” the teaching of Jesus? Jn 8:43 -The only part of God’s Word that you can ever understand it the part that you are willing to obey.

14. THREE CHARACTERISTICS OF A DISCIPLE - #1 Hold to His Teaching B. Mat
THREE CHARACTERISTICS OF A DISCIPLE - #1 Hold to His Teaching B. Mat. 7: NLT Mat 7:21  “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22  On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ 23  But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ 

15. THREE CHARACTERISTICS OF A DISCIPLE #2 LOVE LIKE JESUS LOVED – John 13:34-35 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." A. How much did Jesus love? Is this a suggestion or a command? Is it optional? ( See also: 1 John 3:16) B. Are you loving like Jesus loved? How do people know that you are REALLY his disciple?

16. THREE CHARACTERISTICS OF A DISCIPLE #3 BEAR MUCH FRUIT – John 15:4-8 Joh 15:4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

17. THREE CHARACTERISTICS OF A DISCIPLE #3 BEAR MUCH FRUIT – John 15:4-8 1
THREE CHARACTERISTICS OF A DISCIPLE #3 BEAR MUCH FRUIT – John 15: John 15:4 Is it possible to bear fruit without remaining closely united to Christ? 2. John 15:5 What does God promise you if you maintain an intimate relationship with Christ? 3. John 15:6 What will happen to the person who doesn’t maintain this close relationship? 4. According to 15:8 What shows or proves that you are really his disciple? 5. How’s your fruit? What efforts have you made or are you making to reach the lost for Christ? 6. John 15:4-8 Does this describe your life? Is your life proving that you truly are a disciple of Christ?

18. JESUS’ DEFINITION OF A DISCIPLE – Luke 9: Luk 9:23 Then he said to them all: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? 26 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

19. JESUS’ DEFINITION OF A DISCIPLE – Luke 9:23-27 A
JESUS’ DEFINITION OF A DISCIPLE – Luke 9:23-27 A. Deny myself…(What are you doing each day that proves you are denying yourself?) B. Take up my cross… What is your cross? What does it mean for you to take up His cross? C. Follow Jesus…Describe what you are doing to follow Jesus. D. Lose my life…Are you losing or giving up your life for Christ's sake? – In what ways? E. Not be ashamed of Him. How can we deny Jesus? Do you talk to others about Jesus?

20. CONCLUSION: Following Jesus requires a complete surrender of your life, no rational person makes a lifelong, difficult, life-changing decision without 1st understanding what they are committing to. Did someone explain this commitment of discipleship to you? Did you crucify yourself in baptism rise to live a new life as a true disciple of jesus christ?

21. CONCLUSION 2: JESUS SAYS - A TRUE DISCIPLE: 1. Follows Christ’s example. 2. Walks as Jesus did. 3. Obeys Jesus immediately. 4. Holds to Jesus’ teachings. 5. Loves like Jesus loved. 6. Bears much fruit.

22. CONCLUSION 3: JESUS SAYS - A TRUE DISCIPLE: Mat 28:20 Proves by his life that he is a true disciple of Jesus Christ God wants us to GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES this way – by teaching them to obey everything that He commanded us to do! You cannot make a true disciple if you are not a truly committed disciple! You can’t call people to a standard of commitment that you have not made.

23. Only true disciples: Can make True disciples Can bear much fruit Will hear the lord say – “well done, welcome good and faithful servant!” The only real question that you need to ask yourself: am I a true disciple of Jesus Christ?