Sermon on Discipleship

 

The following is a sermon that I recently preached in Chandler, Texas for a pastor search committee. It deals with discipleship and the heavy call we have on our lives from God as Christians. Enjoy...   

Introduction

I once heard a preacher announce in a sermon that a person can be a Christian and, yet, not be a disciple of Christ. I found that statement, then and now, to be shocking, scandalous even. A disciple is a pupil and an adherent to the teachings of another. How can anyone presume to be a true Christian without being a disciple of Christ? Any such notion is pure fiction and finds no sympathy in God’s word. When we come to Christ in

repentance, he calls us to be his disciple. We are to devote ourselves to learning the ways of Christ, committing ourselves to his Lordship. Also, we are to be active in making other disciples of Christ; we must reproduce, spiritually speaking.

A Christian writer named Greg Ogden wrote a great book on this subject entitled, Transforming Discipleship. In it he describes an experience he had when forming a small discipleship group in his hometown. Ogden describes a guy named Eric who joined the group. Eric was a young man just two years out of college. He was one of those guys who looked like a Ken doll. He was good looking and basically had the world at his doorstep. Eric was making a ton of money at his new job. The ladies loved him; he had an endless amount of dating opportunities. The lure of the world, along with its passions, was a real draw for Eric; yet, he was also unquestionably drawn to Christ. The hounds of Heaven, as it were, were nipping at his heals. When he joined the discipleship group, Ogden warned him that it would require a real commitment. He would have to meet regularly with the group, commit himself to serious Bible study, and open himself up for a real transparent relationship with the other members.

After just a couple of months in the group, Eric decided he was going to quit his job and travel the world seeing and experiencing life in a way that would not be possible after he settled down. Eric’s group leader was concerned that he was fading into a pattern of self-centeredness. Ogden challenged Eric by encouraging him to consider some missionary opportunities while on his travels. Christ’s pull on Eric’s life prevailed, and

he opted to go with Campus Crusade to Poland and Hungary (both communist countries at that time).

When Eric returned from his travels he was no longer a man of divided interests. He was utterly sold out for the gospel of Christ. Eric intended to stay on with Campus Crusade and continue his missionary work. Also, he began seriously dating his high school girlfriend, a devout Christian herself. Soon they were engaged and both committed to a life of Christian service. And then it happened. One week prior to Eric’s wedding he

entered the hospital for tests related to his sudden and debilitating back pain. The doctors discovered a tumor pressing against his spine and the prognosis was not optimistic. Eric and his fiancé insisted that the wedding not be delayed. The venue changed, however, to the chapel in the hospital. It was a very emotional ceremony. Yet, Eric’s faith in Christ was unwavering. Since he was not just a Christian in name, but a true disciple of Christ, he was able to weather this great trial in his life. He even expressed that this sickness was a blessing in the sense that it drove him to fully rely on Christ and his sustaining power. Seven months after his wedding at only 25, Eric was utterly healed of his sickness. He left this earth to be present with Christ his Lord, where there is no suffering—no sickness, only perfect peace.

In our text this morning, the apostle Paul is engaging in the holy duty of discipling. He is pouring his heart and soul into the young Christians to whom he is writing. Paul is not only relaying information to his readers; he is modeling the Christian life so that we can in turn model it for others, just like Eric did. This morning I want you

to renew or to establish for the first time, perhaps, a commitment to become a Christian disciple. I implore you to become a self-initiating, reproducing, fully devoted follower of Christ.

Exegetical

Turn with me this morning to our text in Philippians 4:1-9. Paul begins this passage in the light of the previous discussion about heaven and our final and glorious state. If we stand firm, proving the genuineness of faith, we have eternity with Christ before us—a pleasure that words do not adequately describe.

Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends! 2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again:

Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ

Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (NIV)

Verse 1-3

As was stated previously, in light of the Philippians’ glorious inheritance, they must stand firm in the faith, letting nothing pull them away from their foundation in Christ. Paul moves from this point to an admonition directed at two women in the church who were in disharmony. It is unclear whether this disagreement was related to differing opinions regarding ministry, or if the disagreement was entirely personal. Regardless,

Paul makes clear that these women were both devout Christians and sincere workers for the gospel. He implores them to resolve their differences. Now, it is important here to note that it is not necessarily wrong to disagree. I Corinthians 11:18-19 reads: “18 In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. 19 No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God's approval.” There are times when the truth of the gospel must be defended. We must remember, however, that we cannot be petty, holding grudges against either those outside the Church or our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Verse 4-5

Paul here exhorts his readers to rejoice. He says it twice for emphasis, because it might have seemed ridiculous for many of these Christians to rejoice. Christianity was a persecuted religion in this era. Paul himself was in prison as he wrote this letter. Yet, Paul consistently urges these Christians to rejoice. They are to rejoice because of their unique relation to Christ—one day all will be set right. But, even now Christ offers his followers a sense of peace and fulfillment that cannot be fully explained here in this life. This connectedness has further implications for Paul’s readers in the here and now. They are to extend gentleness, big-heartedness, kindness, generosity and the like. This overflow of goodwill is not confined just to believers in this passage; it ought to be extended to all persons. Why must we behave in this manner? Paul simply says that it is because “the Lord is near.” The Lord is omnipresent. He is everywhere at the same time. We cannot

hide from God. This phrase could also mean that Christ’s return is impending. As a result, we ought to be impacted by this knowledge. Regardless of how one takes this, we must be ever diligent in putting on Christ’s cloak of righteousness. For he is everywhere present and his return draws nigh.

Verse 6-9

Apparently human nature has always been the same. Here we find Paul encouraging the Philippians to not worry. We have many worries and anxieties in life. So also did these early Christians. Yet, Paul commands them to not to worry and provides them with the antidote, namely, prayer. Present you requests to God; pray to God, and a peace that is of a divine nature with protect your heart. But, Paul’s cure for worry is not an inactive cure. It also requires reflection and action. For example, Paul calls his readers to reflect upon truth, nobility, justice, purity, things that are lovely, and things that are admirable. In fine, anything excellent or praiseworthy are things upon which the Christian ought to be reflecting. We should contemplate truth. There is such a thing in reality. Truth is objective. It is real regardless of your opinion to the contrary. There is no such thing as “your truth” and “my truth.” There is only truth. And, we are to reflect upon it, according to Paul.

Therefore, when we rightly understand the sciences, we are contemplating God’s truth. All truth is God’s truth. Now, truth reaches its zenith—its peak—in the truth of the gospel. Also, we are to think on nobility. This means worthy of respect. The Christian should think about what it means to serve Christ with dignity and respect. If you have an opportunity to pray in public or lead a Bible study, do not seize that opportunity to act

like a buffoon. Rather, meditate about ways that you might behave in a noble way—making the most of those ministry opportunities. We should meditate upon justice. Justice is what is right. Christians must contemplate those things that are right and in doing align himself with God’s righteous standards. We should reflect upon purity. This is referring to those things that are chaste or morally clean. There is no place in the life of a Christian for lust and impurity. We can never live a fulfilled and devoted life unto Christ when we choose to meditate upon pornography and other unchaste images. We should think on those things that are lovely. Paul is referring to those things that are amicable, pleasing, something that evokes love. Finally, we should meditate upon things of good report. These are attributes that are generally considered good by everyone such as: kindness, courtesy, and the like. So then, not only are we to reject anxiety and choose rather to pray, but we are to seriously reflect upon all things excellent and praiseworthy. Further yet, in our rejection of worry and anxiety, Paul makes the call for action. Therefore, the Philippians’ prayers and meditations were not without purpose. Paul implores his readers to perform these tasks so that it might lead to active duty. These

Christians have not only been instructed to pray, meditate on everything good, and serve Christ in action, they have had these things modeled for them by their Christian leaders. In fact, notice here Paul tells them to apply to their life those things that they have observed in him. And if they do this—experience Christianity in reality rather than in theory—the one true God who created all that is will be with them.

Theological

What is the superintending or theological theme deduced from this text? Well, when you consider the fact that Paul is engaging in discipleship here in this writing, one might be able to justify a discussion on the doctrine of discipleship. First, what is discipleship? One Christian thinker defines discipleship as the making of self-initiating, reproducing, fully devoted followers of Christ (Ogden, 22). This is what Paul was trying

to accomplish in the lives of his readers. First, the act of discipleship should result in someone who is self-initiating. In other words, a disciple of Christ is not about simply going to Bible class or to chapel. Rather, it is about seeing the need for embracing God’s truth and moving on that knowledge out of devotion for Christ. Second, discipleship must result in reproduction. Our love for Christ must intentionally spill over into the lives of others. We need to be making other disciples. Lastly, true discipleship results in a whole

hearted commitment to Christ. A Christian disciple must not be double-minded. Observe this sentiment in James 1:5-8:

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all

without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must

believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and

tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the

Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

A true disciple’s loyalty and commitment lie solely in Christ.

What does the call of discipleship look like? Should I stand here this morning and tell you that Christ wants you to be his disciple and that to respond will be like winning tickets to Disneyland. Well, following Christ is great, but not in that sort of superficial way. One example of the call to discipleship is found in Luke 14:25-33:

25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 "If

anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and

children, his brothers and sisters-- yes, even his own life-- he cannot be my

disciple. 27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my

disciple. 28 "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down

and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? 29 For if he

lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule

him, 30 saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.' 31 "Or

suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit

down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one

coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he is not able, he will send a

delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace.

33 In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be

my disciple.

If we are going to honestly engage in discipleship, we must be honest about the conditions of the call. It will cost you everything. There is no rating system for the Christian call. There is not a premium plan for preachers and missionaries and a standard plan for regular folks. Rather, to respond to the call of Christ is give all.

Homiletical

How then are we to apply this message? Well first you may apply this message by living the life of a self-initiating, reproducing, fully devoted follower of Christ. More specifically, though, parents are you, as a result of you full commitment to Christ, discipling your children? It is your responsibility to pass along to your kids the Christian faith. Do they see Christ modeled before them in word and deed? Students, you might think that since you are young you do not have to worry about discipling others. Nothing could be further from the truth. If you are a true Christian, you will be engaged in sharing Christ with others around you. This happens in a multitude of ways. It happens when you respond to your peers with a Christlike attitude. It happens when you find opportunities to speak into the lives of your friends, choosing to speak the truth of Christ.

Disciples disciple. As Christians we must allow ourselves to be discipled and then to reproduce, that is, to be apart of making disciples ourselves. Of course, if you are not a Christian—if you are not a disciple of Christ—then the application for this sermon is to first commit your life to Christ. People might like to tell you that becoming a Christian is simply deciding to leave behind an unfulfilled life for a life of contentment and

happiness. But, the situation is much more dire than that. Scripture tells us in Romans that the wages of sin is death and all have sinned. What that means is that we, apart from Christ, are estranged from God; we are separated from him. As a result, we are headed for an eternity of separation from God. However, God in his love has made a way for us to be reconciled to him. Christ (God the son) came to earth, took on humanity, and lived a sinless life. His death on the cross was a substitution for us. He paid the penalty for our sins. If we believe in His sacrifice, committing our lives to Christ, we can be saved. Reach out to Christ today. For those of us who are already believers, commit yourself to a life of discipleship. Commit yourself to becoming a self-initiating, reproducing, fully devoted follower of Christ.