More and Better Disciples
WHAT IS A DISCIPLE?
Great Commission Church
Transcripte:
All right, we start our new summer series today called more and better disciples, and it's going to be a fun one in June and July here. So I can't tell you where to turn your bible yet because this is a topical message. We're going to be all over the place. I guess we'll start in Mark chapter one. I guess you can find Mark, chapter one pretty easily, but there'll be more than just in the gospel of Mark today.
I was studying this week a reading about companies called master of one companies. And the idea is, these are big industries, big companies, and they do one thing, and they do one thing well. They're the master of one. And chances are. I'm gonna give you three examples.
Chances are you got one, two, or three of these in your own life, in your own house, in your own driveway. One of them is the company crocs. You know what crocs are? When I was a kid, bozo the clown wore crocs. Right now they're, like, in fashion, but the company crocs, they would tell you, we make foam clogs.
All right, just kind of file that away. I want to be impressed if some of you have all three of these. The second company is Michelin. Michelin, we make automotive tires. The third company is Gorilla glue.
We make adhesive. Now, raise your hand if you got all three of them. Holy cow. I don't know what you win, but you did it. Congratulations, master of one.
And if you were to ask the christian church, what do we make? We make disciples. And when we figure out that that's really all that we do, and that's really broad and encompassing, we'll get better at the mandate that Jesus has given us from heaven. So I'm going to ask and answer a question in this message today. What is a disciple?
If we're the master of one and we make disciples of Christ? And if Jesus has told us to do that five times, the first five books of the New Testament, what is a disciple? If you don't know what it is, how can you make one? What if I told you that the word disciple occurs more times in your New Testament than the word faith? Would that surprise you?
Disciple shows up 274 times. Faith 244. And that seems significant to me because my favorite Bible scholar of all time in Bible college said if he were going to take the Bible and summarize it in one word, it would be the word faith. And yet I don't think he's wrong about that. And yet disciple shows up in your New Testament more than perhaps the one word that, that summarizes all the scriptures.
We know that faith is important in understanding the message of the Bible, and I think it's also necessary to understand what the scripture means by the term disciple. And so when I ask the question, what is a disciple? In my survey of the scriptures, I think that we have to give that at least four answers. And the four answers is my sermon outlined today. So if you're ready, say yes.
What is a disciple? Number one? A disciple is a follower. Well, y'all write that down. I forgot my water in my seat.
I take one week off, and everything falls apart in my life. I can't turn on my microphone.
A disciple in the Bible is a follower. Look, we all start somewhere, and you have to start with this word first. The follower might as well be a synonym for beginner. When you first believed, when you first came into the family of God, the best you had was you're following Jesus as much as you know. And to back that up, mark chapter one, verses 1617 and 18.
I think you'll know this little Bible story. And as Jesus walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew, what's Simon's other name? Peter. So he saw Simon, Peter and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea. By the way, it just does this southern boy good to read the Bible and see him eating, you know, steaks and, you know, going fishing.
Amen. Right? And so here it is. They're casting their nets into the sea. They were fishermen.
It's what they did for a living. And Jesus speaks, and he says to them, follow me. I'll make you become fishers of men.
And they immediately left their nets and followed him. I think we read by verse 18 too fast. What makes people quit their jobs? In one sentence, the power of the one saying it. And here's Jesus saying, look, I've got a better job for you.
It's also interesting to me, in the New Testament, disciples do not seek out Jesus. Instead, they answer when he calls them. And if you begin to think about the times, it looks like someone is seeking Jesus out, he usually raised the bar so high that they would just go, that's too much, and they don't follow him. Just when you think you got the juice, just when you think you're made of the stuff, and you go, I tell you what, I'm getting ready to go let jesus know what my will for my life is you'll realize you're breaking the pattern. In the New Testament, Jesus is the one who calls us.
Jesus is the one who says, here's what I want. And then disciples follow him. They don't try to get Jesus to follow their plans. Does that make sense? So twelve individuals with different backgrounds are called into a special relationship with Jesus.
And they are by and large, the group in the New Testament that you read, the disciples did this. The disciples said that we also called them the twelve and we later called them apostles sent ones. But at first they were just followers of Jesus, so they were called disciples. And it's interesting to me that Jesus often called those who just didn't seem to qualify for the task. You'd think if Jesus is trying to pick twelve guys who are going to be preachers, who are going to be the conscience of a nation, who are going to take the message of God around the known world, that he would look for some people with some oratory skills, that he would look for some academics that had studied how to talk so people will listen.
Like, what's needed for the task of a disciple that's going to be a mouthpiece for God? Well, Jesus thought a tax collector would do, so he calls Matthew, who writes the first gospel in the New Testament. Matthew is a tax collector. That's the worst possible job to have, to have any credibility with the masses. Does that make sense?
Are you following that? Being a tax collector, your occupation was shunned, you looked like a traitor. You worked for Rome and not Israel except, and you were considered sinful and treacherous in town. Jesus goes, you're perfect for me. He gives Peter, James and John and Andrew.
Peter, James and John are all fishermen. They become his inner circle. Fishermen were known to be uneducated, profane, blue collar workers. Jesus goes, you guys are perfect. That's exactly what I'll use to change the world.
Because if I do that, people will realize only God can do it. And for all of the rest of the ages, no one can say, I just don't measure up. God would never have anything to do with me.
Oh yes he would. That's why he picked the twelve and who they were. Not a single academic, not a single preacher boy, not a single scribe in training people that might follow him.
Did you know that disciple is the only name for those who follow jesus in the gospels? There are no other synonyms. That's the only thing they're called. And in the minimal sense, a disciple can be even a temporary follower. You can be a disciple, and it not stick.
You can be a disciple of Jesus and stop someone who comes along for the ride until the demands seem too difficult. This happened in John, chapter six. Jesus is doing a discourse after he feeds 5000 with bread and fish. And he says, I'm the bread of life. And then he looks at them and he says something.
And all the parents put their hands over their children's ears. You know what he said to them? He said, unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you can't be my disciple. Eat my flesh. You gotta be a cannibal.
Drink my blood. A vampire? What's wrong with this dude? Unless you eat my flesh and drink my blood, you can't be my disciple. That stirred them up, that troubled him.
And then he followed it with this. And unless no one can come to me unless it's been granted by my father. And that just did it. Because now he looked at them and said, eat my flesh, drink my blood and throw away your free will.
Like, if you want to be my disciple, my father has to grant it to you. The ball's not in your court anymore and you're not calling the shots. And it's not choose your own adventure. It's follow the God who made you and consume me. Take me into your life so much that it makes everybody uncomfortable to hear what you did.
He didn't mean literally, eat my flesh and drink my blood. You got that right. When Jesus said those two things we read in John 666 and the numbers don't matter.
It's ironic though, isn't it?
From that time, many of his disciples went back and walked with him. No more. You see, everybody starts somewhere and you start following Jesus. You come into his family. You taste and see that the Lord is good.
Or you taste and, you know, some people taste of the Lord and they spit him back out eventually. So these were temporary disciples. Even that word is not permanent. It's got to be more than a follower then. Verse 67 through 69.
Verses 67 through 69, Jesus said to the twelve, do you also want to go away? I mean, what an object lesson. There's a crowd. Jesus says radical things. Some of them go, that's way too much.
That's way too committed. That's way too radical. I'm out. They turn and walk away. And Jesus looks, he's not really worried about them.
He's worried about the ones who stayed. And he says, you want to go with them?
And they say, here's how you know that they're not temporary disciples. Peter speaks for the group. Lord, where are we going to go? To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
Words like eat my flesh, drink my blood, and you can't come to me unless the Father says you can. Those are words of eternal life. In context, you have the words of eternal life. And we, because of those words, have come to believe and know that you're the messiah, the Christ, the son of the living God. The preaching of Jesus, the words of eternal life, convinced them to change their minds about who Jesus is, because before he came by them on the beach and said, follow me and I'll make you fishers of men, they were still looking for a deliverer they call the Messiah.
Follow that. And when they go with him and hear him teach, they go, our search is over. You're him.
So eventually you follow him, but you go to a different level. Did you know that disciple also signified those who were new to the faith turning to God from outside Israel and outside Judaism? Acts chapter 15 is what we call the Jerusalem council. It follows on the heels of acts, chapters 13 and 14. Amen.
How about that insight? Acts 15 comes after 13, 1413 and 14 is when Paul and Barnabas go on their first missionary journey outside of Israel, preaching the gospel to the gentile world. All of you, with the exception of one or two, are gentiles in the room because they went on that journey. You're now sitting here considering the claims of Jesus. They believed some who lived in outside of Israel, and they were called disciples.
At the Jerusalem council, it was a big controversy because all the leaders in the room were jewish. They had all grown up with the law of Moses and all the rules. And they're like, hey, we didn't anticipate non Jews believing in the way, believing in this christ. And we need to know, what is the list of rules from our scriptures they have to obey? And some said they got to obey it all.
And Paul and Barnabas, who had been on the trip, said, time out. That's ridiculous.
Acts 1510. Now, therefore, Paul stands in the council and he says, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the. What disciples? These are non Jews, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear. Paul says, look, you guys tried the rule.
Keeping it didn't build faith in you, and it didn't cause you to trust in Jesus. Why are you trying to put a burden on them that you've failed miserably at? No. The message of the christian life is not live better and keep rules. I hope for some of you that is totally different from maybe your church experience.
And you were just hoping that we might say that, that coming to Christ, we're not telling you. Look, here's a big weight of burden, and if you want to know God, you got to carry this around. Just struggle for the rest of your life and never be free and never be happy. If there's anything I want to show you is that when Jesus comes in your life, you have real happiness and joy from him. It's not about keeping rules.
It's about following the king. Okay, so follower, the second answer to the question. All right, follower's first grade. Here's second grade. What is a disciple?
It's learner. A disciple was a synonym for learner because there are just some things that we must know. Can I tell you if you've been in our church any amount of time and you're one of those dumb christians, I don't mean that you're not. You don't have the capability of knowing anything. You just have been here and you hadn't applied yourself.
You hadn't read the scriptures. We've been urging you to do that and trying to help you. And you really don't know any more about God today than when you first believed. Then you're failing at step number two in being a disciple, which is to learn some things. God left us a book.
Well, I don't like to read. Well, that's a you problem and a pride problem, and it's something you should get prayer for today. God, I know that you've said that the number one way, whether I like it or not, that you're going to communicate to me is in a book that I need to read. And I don't like doing that. By the way, everyone that ever has ever told me I don't like to read reads their phone all the time.
Is that too much?
There's some things you got to know, and you won't learn them much. By osmosis. None of you remember what I preached five weeks ago. Want to know how I know? Because I don't remember what I preached five weeks ago because auditory learning is not the best way to do it.
But there's some things in this book that if you just become familiar with it, you'll go to new heights in your faith as a disciple because you become a learner. It's a student. And so Jesus says in Luke chapter six, verse 40, about himself and about us, a disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who's perfectly trained will be like his teacher. Now, here's what perfectly doesn't mean that I say it right all the time. It means that we're training you out of something that's already perfect.
The word of the Lord. Yes. So if you want to become like the one who trained you, Jesus, want to become a disciple of Jesus, there's some things in this book you just have to know. And let me also say this. No one is a disciple of Jesus who disagrees with his teaching.
When he says he's God, there are no other gods.
When he says he's the only way to heaven, there's no other way to get to heaven. It means that those you love, they're in false religions or in false religions, and they're damned and doomed. And they need to hear about the Jesus that you know. You following that, you can't disagree with Jesus and be his disciple. Furthermore, we prove that we agree with our teacher by adhering to what he taught, by following his instructions.
It is sticking with Jesus and sticking to Jesus. So learning is also doing so disciples do. They don't just sit and soak it all in followers and learners. The last song we sang before I spoke today is a modern version of song covering the Apostles Creed, one of the earliest summaries of the basic christian doctrine that the early church had that they memorized and recited together in their home groups and home meetings. I'm going to put it on the screen for us, and I'm just going to ask you to read it out loud along with me.
I'm going to read the first line by myself to kind of show you my cadence, and then we're going to start over again. Is that cool? It'll be on the screen. We're just going to confess our faith, read the apostles Creed together. I'm going to do the first line, and we're going to do the first line again.
Nobody with me the first time, and then everybody the second time. It's gonna go something like this. I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. See how I'm not gonna speed through it? Let's confess this together.
Ready? I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to hell.
The third day, he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. From there, he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, and the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen.
Don't be troubled by the word Catholic in the apostles Creed. It's not Roman Catholic, it's Catholic small c. Even though it's not small c on the screen, meaning universal. I believe in the universal church. All the saints of all the times, all the places in all the ages.
Raise your hand if that's the first time you've ever recited the apostles Creed. Be proud. It's okay now. You've done it now, right? We're gonna do that from time to time so that you'll get familiar.
By the way, did you notice that the apostles Creed's about the Trinity? Starts with the Father. Whole lot on the Son, ends with the spirit. Right? But then interjected in there are important things about heaven and hell and the virgin birth and the death and the resurrection of Jesus.
There are some things that you need to know if you're going to be a disciple. Second Timothy, 215. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God. A worker who does not need to be ashamed. Rightly dividing the word of truth.
Rightly dividing the word of truth. Some english versions have correctly handling the scriptures. Correctly handling the word of truth. In fact, the King James may have study to show thyself approved unto God, because that's what disciples do. They learn.
They learn the right truths. I've been reading about the welsh revival. Wales is one of the British Isles, and the welsh revival was a sweeping move of God in the churches and in the communities of the British Isles in 1904 and 1905. It was an interesting revival that God sent because it wasn't centered in the preaching of any one or two men. It was just a move of God that started with churches gathering, praying, and singing together, people coming to Christ, and they would throw a little preaching in here and there.
But in revival, someone always wants to know who's the key figure, as if it's not God. But the second key figure of the welsh revival under God was a man, excuse me, a man named Evan Roberts. He was 26 years old, skinny. He dropped out of a seminary, and really all he wanted to do was teach people to pray and know the Lord. He wasn't really a great preacher, but everyone wanted to meet Evan Roberts.
And one night, a young man with a broken heart walked many miles to meet Evan Roberts. He heard he was staying in the home of a certain gentleman. He found the house where Roberts was staying. And he knocked on the door. He's just all torn up.
The young man urgently asked to have a word with Mister Roberts. But he didn't explain this desperate request to the man who answered the door, the host of the house. The host then went upstairs to ask to Mister Roberts room to ask him, saying, hey, somebody is downstairs. They want to speak with you. However, Evan Roberts was in prayer.
And he would not come down to meet the young man. He's like, I'm with God right now, and God's the most important. And there's just no one I'm willing to interrupt my time with God for. And so the host goes down and says, I'm sorry, Mister Roberts is in prayer. He's not taking visitors.
And the young man just began to cry and sob uncontrollably. And so the host goes upstairs one more time, and he begins to plead with Evan Roberts. Come on, just for two minutes. Just greet this young man. He's now very distraught.
He's come a long way. And Evan Roberts still refused to leave his season of prayer. To go down to a visitor who had come calling. But he did give the host a message to pass along to the young man. Here's all he said.
Give him psalm 27 ten. Give him psalm 27 ten. Here's what psalm 27 ten says. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me. And it was true.
The young man had indeed been rejected that day by his parents and kicked out of the family home. And he thought, if I see Evan Roberts, it'll fix it. He'll say some special prayer over me. Evan Roberts. I don't know how he got this prophetic word, but I think it probably went something like this.
The Holy Spirit whispers into Evan Roberts ear. Because, remember, he was already deep in prayer. And he says, it's his father and his mother. They've rejected him. And Evan Roberts goes, what's a verse that speaks to the rejection of a father and the mother?
Oh, I know. Psalm 27 ten. You see, learners learn the scriptures and their timely words.
This timely word ended up being more powerful and consoling than if he had personally met Evan Roberts. And the young man leaves rejoicing that God knew his situation. My question is, how did Evan Roberts hear the voice of God so clearly? The answer is, he knew the scriptures. Disciples are followers.
Disciples are learners. Quickly. Number three, disciples are evangelists.
Because we all have souls to win. Another word for this is witness. Here are the great commission verses. We named our church. This.
Matthew 20 819 20. Therefore, go and make disciples. This is what we make. We do it of all the nations. And here's how we do it.
Baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things I've commanded you. And lo, I'm with you always, even to the ends of the age. So Jesus says, here's how you know you have a disciple. Were they baptized? Were they willing to submit themselves to a ceremonial washing in public that says, my old self before I met Jesus is now dead, and he's raised me with a new life.
Can I ask you a question? Do you think you're a disciple of Jesus? Have you been baptized? Because those who follow and those who learn go, hey, it's time for me to be baptized. It's a clarion call for you to follow the Lord in baptism.
And also disciples are taught everything that Jesus commanded us, and we do them more and better. Disciples, finally today, after evangelist, a disciple is a Christian. Now, I want to tell you something. I'm taking the word Christian back from the world where everybody is a Christian when they want to be. The Bible tells you what a Christian.
By the way, I'm taking the rainbow back, too. That's God's symbol that he won't judge the world by destroying anymore. And it's so ironic that the enemy goes, I'll just let a group who's under judgment take the symbol that he won't do any more judgment. Christian. Another word for this is saints and brethren.
Acts 1126. And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And so it was for a whole year they assembled with the church. They taught a great many people. And look at this.
The disciples were first called what Christians in Antioch. Later in the book of acts. You know what the word Christian means? Little Christmas. The idea is, see that gal over there?
See that guy? He acts and lives like a little Jesus. Oh, that someone would accuse me of that. Amen. Christian means I show others Jesus by the way I live and by what I say.
Finally today, we're out of time, so I just want to give you a quick application. What is the disciple of Jesus? He's a follower. She's a. She's a follower.
She's a learner. He's an evangelist. She's a Christian. The disciple of Christ. Today, last quote may be described as one who believes his doctrines rests upon his sacrifice, imbibes his spirit and imitates his example.
Is that you? Are you a disciple? Of Jesus. Because only disciples of Jesus go to heaven. And you can be one today to as many as received him.
Even to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. John, chapter one, verse twelve. Have you ever received Jesus? Have you ever said, I want you to be Lord of my life? I'm desperate for you to forgive my sins and make me new.
You can just tell them that in your seat today. Call on the name of the Lord. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans, chapter ten, verse 13. Let's pray together.
Lord, would you show us a church?
Not only are we disciples, but do we make them God? Would you help us answer those questions honestly before you change us because of it? In Jesus name. Amen.
Amen. I think everyone in their lives wants to grow. And if you're a believer, you want to grow, to become more.
Notes
Intro: “Master of one” companies: Crocs (“we make foam clogs”), Michelin (“we make automotive tires”), Gorilla Glue (“we make adhesive”)
The Christian Church (“we make disciples of Christ”)
Did you know that the word translated “disciple” occurs more times (274) in the NT than the word translated “faith?” (244) That seems significant. We know that faith is important in understanding the message of the Bible. It is also necessary to understand what the Scriptures are referring to when it mentions disciples.
FOLLOWER
We all start somewhere. (beginner)
Mark 1:16 And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.
Mark 1:17 Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”
Mark 1:18 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
In the New Testament, disciples do not seek out Jesus; instead, they answer when He calls them. Twelve individuals with different backgrounds are called into a special relationship with Jesus.
Jesus often called those who did not seem to qualify for the task (ex. Matthew/tax collector, occupation shunned & considered sinful/treacherous in Israel).
“Disciple” is the only name for those who follow Jesus in the Gospels.
In the minimal sense, a disciple can even be a temporary follower – someone who comes along for the ride until the demands seem too difficult.
John 6:66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.
John 6:67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”
John 6:68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
John 6:69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
“Disciple” also signified those who were new to the faith.
Acts 15:10 Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
The disciples referred to in this verse were the new Gentile believers Paul and Barnabas had evangelized on their first missionary journey.
Even if don’t know much yet and your walk with God has training wheels, you are still considered a disciple – one who follows Jesus.
LEARNER
There are some things we must know. (student)
Luke 6:40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.
No one is a disciple of Jesus who disagrees with His teachings. Furthermore, we prove that we agree with our teacher by adhering to what He has taught – by following His instructions. It is sticking to Jesus and sticking with Him. Learning is also doing.
It was the task of the disciple to learn, study, and pass along the sayings and teachings of the master.
In rabbinic Judaism the term “disciple” referred to one who was committed to the interpretations of Scripture and religious tradition given him by the master or rabbi.
What was included in the process of learning under a rabbi? set meeting time; instruction; Q&A’s; memorization; repetition
The disciple would become increasingly devoted to the master and the master’s teachings.
In the tradition of the rabbis, a “learner/student” attached himself to a “master/rabbi” (lit. “my great one”).
In time, the disciple would likewise pass on the traditions to others.
illus: Apostles’ Creed [public reading]
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic* church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
*that is, the true Christian church of all times and all places
2 Tim 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
illus: Evan Roberts, leading minister/figure in the Welsh Revival (1904-05); young man with a broken heart walked many miles to meet Evan Roberts. He found the house where Roberts was staying and knocked on the door. The young man urgently asked to have a word with Mr. Roberts but did not explain his desperate request to the host of the house. The host then went upstairs to Roberts’ room saying that someone needed to speak with him. However, Evan Roberts was in prayer and would not come down to meet the young man. The host then began pleading with Roberts just to greet the man who was now very distraught. Roberts still refused to leave his season of prayer to go down for a visitor who had come calling. But he did give the host a message to pass along to the young man. “Give him Psalm 27:10.” This verse reads “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me.” It was true, the young man had indeed been rejected by his parents and kicked out of the home. This timely word ended up being more powerful and consoling than if he had personally met Evan Roberts. The young man left rejoicing that God knew his situation. (As we can see, a word of knowledge can be powerfully encouraging to someone in a crisis. This is low level prophecy!)
EVANGELIST
We all have souls to win. (witness)
Matt 28:19 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,
Matt 28:20 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.
Jesus’ disciples were not to choose another master or become masters themselves. Instead, Christ’s own disciples were told to go and make disciples of the nations—to teach them what Jesus had taught them.
Acts 6:7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.
Though they have not been directly called by Christ himself, such disciples are called by Christ’s Spirit through the message delivered by the first disciples; disciples called later are not in any sense inferior to the first disciples, even though they are less privileged.
Acts 14:21 And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch,
Acts 14:22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”
“more and better disciples”
CHRISTIAN
There’s a standard to pursue. (saints, brethren)
Acts 11:26 And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
“Christian” means “little Christ” – “he/she is acting like that Christ fellow”
Matt 27:57 Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus.
Matt 27:58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him.
Matt 27:59 When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
Matt 27:60 and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed.
lit. “was discipled to Jesus”
- simple courage
- personal inconvenience
- impressive generosity
Application:
The disciple of Christ today may be described as “one who believes His doctrines, rests upon His sacrifice, imbibes His spirit, and imitates His example.”
Come and join us this Sunday at the Great Commission Church for a truly remarkable and uplifting experience. Great Commission Church is not just any ordinary place of worship; it's a vibrant community where faith comes alive, hearts are filled with love, and lives are transformed. Our doors are wide open, ready to welcome you into the warm embrace of our congregation, where you'll discover the true essence of fellowship and spirituality. At Great Commission Church, we are more than just a congregation; we are a family united by a common mission – to follow the teachings of Christ and spread His love to the world. As you step inside Great Commission Church, you'll find a sanctuary that nurtures your faith and encourages you to be part of something greater than yourself.
We believe in the power of coming together as a community to worship, learn, and serve. Whether you're a long-time believer or just starting your spiritual journey, Great Commission Church welcomes people from all walks of life. Our vibrant services are filled with inspiring messages, beautiful music, and heartfelt prayers that will uplift your soul. Every Sunday at Great Commission Church is an opportunity to deepen your relationship with God and connect with others who share your faith and values.
At Great Commission Church, we believe that faith is not just a solitary endeavor but a shared experience that strengthens and enriches us all. Our church is a place where you can find purpose, belonging, and the encouragement to live a life in accordance with Christ's teachings. Join us this Sunday at Great Commission Church and experience the transformative power of faith in action. Be part of a loving and supportive community that is committed to making a positive impact in our world. Together, we strive to fulfill the great commission to go forth and make disciples of all nations. We look forward to having you with us at Great Commission Church this Sunday, where faith, love, and community intersect in a truly amazing way.
Great Commission Church is a non-denominational Christian church located in Olive Branch, Mississippi. We are a short drive from Germantown, Southaven, Collierville, Horn Lake, Memphis, Fairhaven, Mineral Wells, Pleasant Hill, Handy Corner, Lewisburg and Baylia.
See you Sunday at Great Commission Church!
