Baptism Sunday

Redefined: Disciple
Mt 28:19; Lk 6:40, Mt 4:19-20
I. Introduction:
A. Jim Putman the senior pastor at Real Life Ministries holds discipleship
conferences yearly where literally hundreds of church members have been trained
in intentional and relational discipleship. At these conferences he asks ministry
teams two questions:
1. First, what is the mission of the church? He said almost everyone answers
that question right since they know it is a conference on discipleship –
discipleship!
2. But the second question he said in all of his years of doing these conferences
only two entire teams of leaders agreed upon the same definition. The
question was, “What is a disciple?”
3. Putman goes on to say, “Think through what problems can be created if
everyone in the same church has a different definition of a mature disciple!”
4. I could not help but wonder how we would do as a church, as a leadership, as
a staff with that second question and how having different definitions would
impact MVC desire to become more of a disciple making church!
B. So today the goal of my sermon is very simple define a disciple
1. But, it really is not that simple as there is much said in Scripture about being
a disciple. So to be true to the Bible means there are many things to consider.
2. But, on the other hand, if we make our definition too complex and include
everything then no one will ever remember specifically what we are trying to
do.
3. So my hope today is to capture the heart of what the Bible says about who a
disciple is and yet say it as simply as possible. If I can accomplish that then
we have a goal, which is Biblical enough to build our ministry and lives
around!
C. The way I want to accomplish that goal this morning is simply by looking at two
key things:
1. The definition of a disciple
2. Look at Jesus’ call to become a disciple
3. Then I will try to put it all together into a simple and remember-able yet
biblically accurate phrase!
D. Let’s start by reading Mt 28:19-20 again where we see this as the heart of our
mission – to make disciples! Read
• Let’s start with
II. Definition of a disciple
A. As you know disciple is not a common word in our culture but it was in theirs at
the time of the New Testament
B. For the definition of the word disciple, as found in Mt 28:19 I went to seven
different Greek dictionaries to see how they defined the word - mathētēs
(μαθητής). Here are some highlights of a few things I found.
1. Most use the word “disciple’ or ‘follower’ to describe this Greek word.
2. But when you break down the Greek word itself - it means to learn, a learner,
a pupil.
a) Listen to Lk 6:40
b) The word pupil is the exact same Greek word here as disciples in Mt 28
– only difference is that in Matthew it is a verb and here it is a noun!
c) And we see here that the goal of discipleship is to become like your
teacher. As disciples of Jesus, our goal is to become more and more like
Jesus. Less of me and more of Jesus
3. Vines dictionary says this word indicates thought accompanied by endeavor,
hence it denotes one who follows one’s teaching,
a) He goes on to say “a disciple was not only a pupil, but an adherent
b) Or simply someone who binds himself or herself to observing or obeying
what they learn!
C. So bottom line the definition of a disciples has two aspects to it - first they are a
learner and secondly they follow or obey what they learn
1. So a “Disciple of Jesus” is one who is learning from Jesus how to live life
and following or obeying what they learn from Him about how to live life.
2. Our key verse for discipleship in Mt 28 even further validates this definition
as you remember that the three ways we make a disciple are revealed in this
passage and the third way has to do with teaching.
a) Read
b) Teaching them to obey everything Jesus has taught us to do!
• And that really leads us right into Jesus’ call to discipleship that helps us understand
what a disciple is.
III. Jesus’ call to discipleship
A. Turn to Mt 4:19 and Read v19-20
1. Jesus called them to follow Him in v19, and v20 tells us that they followed
Him.
2. This takes us back to what we already have established about a disciple
a) Jesus is inviting them to be His pupils, to learn from Him and obey what
they learn from Him.
b) Jesus is saying simply I will take the lead in determining the direction of
your life, I will teach you how to live life God’s way and I am inviting
you to follow, to live out, to obey the way I teach you to live!
B. But Jesus adds something onto to this call that further develops what a disciple is.
1. Listen again to v19.
2. If you follow Him then He will make you a fisher of men!
3. In other words, you are called for a purpose! Now you will join Jesus on His
mission to seek and save the lost and to teach believers to obey everything
Jesus taught us!
C. When we follow Jesus and his teachings, He will make us into a person that
influences others for the sake of the kingdom of God. We will not only follow
Jesus’ teachings but we will also join Him in His mission!
• So let me now try to summarize all that we have heard and come up with a …
IV. Simple definition of a Disciple
A. Learning from Jesus, obeying his teachings about how to live life, and impacting
others with Jesus’ teachings!
1. How many of you think you could remember that one tomorrow?
2. How many of you think you could close your eyes right now and say it?
B. Let’s try this one on: Learning and obeying Jesus’ teachings and impacting others
for Christ!
1. There may be a few who could remember this one tomorrow or some who
could repeat it right now with their eyes closed!
C. Let us try this one on Following Jesus! Impacting Others!
1. When you consider the process we went through to get to this statement
today I think it would be fair to say it captures the heart of the Bible’s
teachings on what a disciple is and it is simple enough to remember and give
direction to our lives and church
2. Repeat it with me! Three Times
• Now we are going to move to a time in the service where some of our people are
following Jesus in obedience by being
V. Baptized