TRUE DISCIPLES

What is a “disciple”? What do you think of when you hear the word “disciple”? As a young boy, I grew up thinking the word disciple was a description of the original twelve followers of Christ. In my mind, it was nearly synonomous with the word “apostle.” Later, as a young man and a new believer in Christ, the word took on new meaning for me – a “Disciple” was part of the group of musicians that sang with Andre Crouch!

The truth, as we all should realize, is that the word “disciple” should be a description of who each of us is! We are all called to be disciples. A disciple is a committed follower of Jesus Christ. A disciple is one who strives to do what Jesus said we should do, and live how Jesus said we should live.

Not only are we called to be disciples, but we are called to go and make disciples of all men. Unfortunately, for too long in evangelical Christianity, we have been more concerned with making converts than making disciples.

What should a disciple act like? What does a disciple need to be doing to truly be a committed follower of Christ? Beginning this Sunday, I will be sharing a three-part preaching series entitled “True Disciples.” You won’t want to miss one Sunday as we grow in our understanding of who we are called to be, and learn to walk in that knowledge!

September 11 - The Character of a True Disciple
In Acts 17, we learn that a group of believers in Berea were considered to be “of more noble character” than certain other believers. What qualities did the Bereans possess, and what actions did their lives encompass that made them more noble? And – perhaps most important – how can WE be “of more noble character’?

September 18 - The Example for a True Disciple
Are you a true disciple? What is the best measure of a disciple of Christ? Why, the life of Jesus Himself, of course! Luke 6:40 says “A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.” A true disciple is called to be like Christ. In this message, we will learn three critical areas where Christ serves as an example for each and every disciple.

September 25 - The Requirements of a True Disciple
Have you ever heard of “easy-believism”? That is a phrase that is used to describe those who’s Christianity is nothing more than “surface deep,” those who’s understanding of being a Christian is simply saying that they believe in Jesus. The truth is, the devil believes in Jesus – but he surely isn’t saved! Jesus personally addressed the notion of people who thought that “easy-believism” was adequate to be a disciple. In Luke 14:25-35, there are three times that Christ says a certain kind of people “cannot be His disciple.” What does Jesus say is required to be his disciple? That is the question we will ask in this final message of this vital sermon series! Don’t miss it!

Join us each Sunday in September at 11 am at Valley Chapel Assembly of God, 300 Valley Road in Clifton, NJ!

Today’s BIG IDEA…
There are requirements for being a true disciple. A willingness to meet these requirements is what sets apart a nominal believer from the committed disciple.

1. there must be NO RIVAL in your Life for Christ

Luke 14:26 - "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.

Colossians 1:18 - And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

2. there must be NO REFUSAL in your life to Christ

Luke 14:27 - And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

- no refusal to die to the principle of the old life
Galatians 2:20 - I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

- no refusal to die to the passions of the old life
Galatians 5:24 - Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.

- no refusal to die to the program of the old life
Galatians 6:14 - May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

3. there must be NO RETREAT in your life from Christ

Luke 14:33 - In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

- no tiring in the life of discipleship - Luke 9:57-58

- no trifling in the life of discipleship - Luke 9:59-60

- no turning in the life of discipleship - Luke 9:61-62