Discover the transformative power of discipleship as we explore what it means to follow Jesus wholeheartedly in this inspiring sermon on growing in discipleship.
Welcome, dear brothers and sisters, to our online gathering at ChurchJunction.com. Today, we embark on a profound journey of discipleship as we delve into the topic of “Growing in Discipleship: Following Jesus Wholeheartedly,” grounded in the timeless words of Matthew 28:19-20. It’s a joy to have each of you join us as we explore the call to follow Jesus and the transformative power of discipleship in our lives.
In Matthew 28:19-20, commonly known as the Great Commission, Jesus gives His disciples a monumental task: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” These words not only encapsulate the essence of discipleship but also serve as a rallying cry for believers throughout the ages to fulfill the mandate of spreading the Gospel and making disciples.
As we gather today, let us open our hearts to the call of discipleship, recognizing that it is not merely a one-time decision but a lifelong journey of growth and transformation. Through our exploration of this topic, may we gain deeper insights into what it means to follow Jesus wholeheartedly, surrendering our lives to His lordship and allowing His teachings to shape and mold us into His likeness.
Join me as we embark on this transformative journey together, seeking to grow in discipleship and live out the Great Commission in our daily lives.
Call to Discipleship
Discipleship can be understood as the lifelong process of becoming more like Jesus through intentional learning, obedience, and spiritual formation, as exemplified in Matthew 4:19: “And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.'” This verse encapsulates the essence of discipleship, portraying Jesus’ invitation to His followers to journey alongside Him, allowing Him to transform their lives and empower them to fulfill His mission.
Jesus’ invitation to discipleship is not merely an invitation to follow Him in a casual or superficial manner but a radical call to surrender and self-denial, as articulated in Matthew 16:24: “Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.'” Here, Jesus lays out the terms of discipleship, challenging His followers to relinquish their own desires, ambitions, and comforts in order to wholeheartedly pursue Him. Taking up the cross symbolizes embracing suffering, sacrifice, and even death for the sake of following Jesus, demonstrating the radical nature of discipleship.
Furthermore, Luke 14:27 underscores the cost of discipleship, emphasizing the need for wholehearted commitment and surrender to Jesus as Lord: “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” Discipleship entails a total reorientation of one’s life, prioritizing allegiance to Jesus above all else.
It requires a willingness to let go of anything that hinders our relationship with Him and to embrace His lordship over every area of our lives. The cost of discipleship is high, but the rewards are immeasurable—a life transformed by the power of God’s grace and the privilege of participating in His kingdom work.
As we reflect on Jesus’ invitation to discipleship and the cost it entails, may we be challenged to examine our own hearts and commitment to following Him. Let us count the cost, knowing that the journey of discipleship is marked by challenges and sacrifices, yet it leads to a life of purpose, fulfillment, and eternal significance. May we respond to Jesus’ call with wholehearted devotion and surrender, allowing Him to lead and shape us into His likeness as we walk the path of discipleship together.
Characteristics of a Disciple
True disciples of Jesus are characterized by several key qualities, all of which stem from their intimate relationship with Him and their commitment to following His teachings. These qualities include love for God and others, humility, obedience, and a willingness to serve, as highlighted in John 13:35: “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Love lies at the heart of discipleship, encompassing both love for God and love for others. Jesus emphasized the centrality of love in fulfilling the greatest commandments: to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39). A true disciple’s life is characterized by selfless love, reflecting the sacrificial love of Christ and seeking the well-being and flourishing of others above their own interests.
Humility is another hallmark of discipleship, as exemplified by Jesus Himself, who humbled Himself to the point of death on the cross (Philippians 2:8). True disciples recognize their dependence on God’s grace and acknowledge their own limitations and shortcomings. They approach God with a posture of humility, surrendering their will to His and submitting to His lordship over their lives.
Obedience is a natural outflow of love and humility in the life of a disciple. Jesus declared, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). True disciples demonstrate their love for Jesus by obeying His teachings and following His example in every aspect of life. Their obedience is not motivated by legalism or a desire for self-righteousness but by a genuine desire to honor and glorify God.
Furthermore, discipleship involves a willingness to serve others, following the example set by Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve (Mark 10:45). True disciples embody the servant-heartedness of Christ, seeking opportunities to minister to the needs of others and to share the love and message of the Gospel with the world.
In nurturing spiritual growth and maturity, disciples engage in spiritual disciplines such as prayer, Bible study, fellowship, and evangelism, as modeled by the early church in Acts 2:42: “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”
These spiritual disciplines serve as means of grace through which disciples cultivate intimacy with God, deepen their understanding of His Word, strengthen their relationships with fellow believers, and engage in the mission of making disciples of all nations.
As disciples commit to cultivating these qualities and engaging in spiritual disciplines, they grow in their likeness to Christ and become effective witnesses of His love and grace to the world. Let us, therefore, strive to embody the characteristics of true discipleship and to pursue spiritual growth and maturity through faithful obedience and devotion to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Role of Mentoring and Accountability
Mentoring and accountability play pivotal roles in the journey of discipleship, facilitating growth, maturity, and spiritual development in the lives of believers. Titus 2:3-5 underscores the significance of mentoring as older, mature believers come alongside newer disciples to encourage, teach, and challenge them in their faith: “Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.”
Mentoring involves a relational dynamic where seasoned believers invest in the lives of younger or less mature disciples, sharing their wisdom, experiences, and insights gained from their walk with Christ. Through intentional discipleship relationships, mentors provide guidance, encouragement, and accountability, helping disciples navigate the challenges and complexities of the Christian journey. Mentors serve as spiritual role models, exemplifying the virtues and character traits worthy of emulation, and offering practical guidance in applying biblical principles to everyday life.
In addition to mentoring, accountability partnerships play a crucial role in discipleship, providing believers with a support system and framework for growth and accountability in their walk with God. Proverbs 27:17 highlights the importance of accountability in fostering spiritual growth and maturity: “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” Just as iron sharpens iron through friction and mutual sharpening, so too do believers sharpen and strengthen one another through mutual accountability and encouragement.
Believers are encouraged to seek out mentors and accountability partners who can provide guidance, support, and accountability in their spiritual journey. These relationships may take various forms, such as one-on-one mentoring, small group discipleship, or accountability groups. The key is to find individuals who are committed to the Lord and His Word, who can offer biblical wisdom and counsel, and who are willing to walk alongside you in your journey of faith.
As believers engage in mentoring and accountability relationships, they experience the transformative power of community and mutual edification. Together, mentors and disciples spur one another on toward love and good deeds, encourage one another in times of struggle, and hold each other accountable to living out the truths of God’s Word. In this way, discipleship becomes not merely an individual pursuit but a communal journey of growth and transformation in Christ.
Great Commission and Discipleship
The Great Commission and discipleship are intricately connected, with making disciples being the primary mission of the church. Matthew 28:19-20 encapsulates this mission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Here, Jesus commissions His disciples to go and make disciples, baptizing them and teaching them to obey His teachings.
Discipleship begins with evangelism—sharing the Gospel message and inviting others to follow Jesus. As believers respond to the call of the Great Commission, they engage in the process of making disciples by leading others to faith in Christ and initiating them into the family of God through baptism. However, discipleship doesn’t end with conversion; it encompasses a lifelong journey of growth and transformation in Christ.
In 2 Timothy 2:2, Paul exhorts Timothy to pass on what he has learned to faithful men who will in turn teach others. This passage illustrates the multiplication principle of discipleship, where disciples not only grow in their own faith but also invest in the lives of others, who in turn do the same. This chain reaction of discipleship perpetuates the spread of the Gospel and the advancement of God’s kingdom as each generation of believers equips and empowers the next.
Believers are challenged to actively engage in making disciples by sharing the Gospel, teaching God’s Word, and modeling a Christlike life. This involves intentional relationships where believers invest in the lives of others, nurturing them in their faith, and helping them grow into mature disciples of Jesus. It requires a willingness to step out of comfort zones, to engage with people from diverse backgrounds, and to faithfully proclaim the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Furthermore, discipleship involves not only teaching but also modeling a Christlike life. Believers are called to embody the virtues and character traits of Jesus, demonstrating His love, compassion, humility, and servant-heartedness in their interactions with others. By living out the truths of God’s Word in their daily lives, believers become living testimonies of the transformative power of the Gospel, drawing others to Christ through their words and actions.
As believers respond to the call of the Great Commission and actively engage in making disciples, they participate in the redemptive mission of God, bringing hope, healing, and transformation to individuals and communities around the world. May we embrace our role as ambassadors of Christ, committed to making disciples and advancing His kingdom until the day of His glorious return.
Invitation for Reflection
I invite each of you to take a moment for personal reflection on your own journey of discipleship. Consider the state of your relationship with Jesus and honestly assess whether you are actively growing in your faith and becoming more like Him.
Reflect on your daily walk with the Lord. Are you consistently spending time in prayer and studying God’s Word? Do you seek opportunities to serve others and share the love of Christ with those around you? Are you actively engaged in a community of believers who encourage and support you in your spiritual journey?
Take inventory of your spiritual growth and identify areas where you can deepen your commitment to discipleship. Perhaps there are habits or attitudes that need to be surrendered to God, or areas of your life where you need to seek forgiveness or reconciliation. Maybe there are opportunities for learning and growth that you have been hesitant to pursue.
In Philippians 3:12-14, the apostle Paul writes, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Like Paul, let us press on in our pursuit of Christlikeness, recognizing that our journey of discipleship is a lifelong process of growth and transformation. Let us not become complacent or discouraged by past failures or shortcomings but instead fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, and press on toward the goal of knowing Him more intimately and serving Him more faithfully.
As you reflect on your own journey of discipleship, may you be encouraged to deepen your commitment to following Jesus wholeheartedly and to seek opportunities for growth and learning in every season of life. Remember, dear friends, that God is faithful to complete the good work He has begun in you, and He delights in guiding you every step of the way. Amen.
Call for Action
As we prepare to conclude our time together, I want to issue a heartfelt call to action to each of you, my beloved brothers and sisters in Christ. Let us not merely be hearers of the Word but doers also, prioritizing discipleship in our lives and actively pursuing growth and maturity in our relationship with Jesus.
Firstly, commit to prioritizing discipleship by taking practical steps to deepen your walk with the Lord. This may include setting aside dedicated time each day for Bible study and prayer, immersing yourself in the truths of God’s Word, and allowing His Spirit to speak to your heart and transform your life.
Additionally, seek out opportunities for fellowship with other believers, whether through small groups, church gatherings, or online communities, where you can encourage one another and spur one another on toward love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Furthermore, be intentional about cultivating discipleship relationships in your life. Seek out mentors who can offer guidance, wisdom, and accountability in your spiritual journey, and be willing to invest in the lives of others, sharing your own experiences and insights as you walk alongside them in their pursuit of Christlikeness.
Remember the words of Colossians 3:16: “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”
Secondly, step out in faith and obedience, sharing the Gospel boldly and making disciples of all nations. Jesus’ final words to His disciples in Acts 1:8 serve as a powerful reminder of our mission as His followers: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Let us not shrink back in fear or complacency but instead be empowered by the Holy Spirit to proclaim the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth.
Beloved, the call to discipleship is not a passive invitation but an active commitment to follow Jesus wholeheartedly and to make Him known to the world. May we rise to the challenge with courage and conviction, knowing that we do not walk this journey alone but with the assurance of Christ’s presence and the power of His Spirit within us. Let us go forth in faith, making disciples of all nations, and glorifying our Lord and Savior in all that we do. Amen.
Closing Thoughts…
Today, we’ve explored the profound journey of discipleship, rooted in the call of Jesus to follow Him wholeheartedly. Discipleship is not merely a one-time decision but a lifelong commitment to growth and transformation in Christ. As believers, we are called to prioritize discipleship in our lives, actively pursuing intimacy with God through prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers.
Additionally, we are challenged to step out in faith and obedience, sharing the Gospel boldly and making disciples of all nations. Let us embrace the call to discipleship with joy and dedication, knowing that as we follow Jesus faithfully, He will shape us into His likeness and use us to impact our world for His glory.
Let us embrace the call to discipleship with joy and dedication, recognizing that it is not merely a duty but a privilege to follow Jesus wholeheartedly. As we journey in discipleship, let us surrender ourselves to His lordship, allowing His transformative power to work in us and through us. May we be faithful disciples who make disciples, sharing the love of Christ with the world and impacting lives for the glory of God.
Remember, dear friends, that discipleship is not a solo endeavor but a communal journey of growth and transformation in Christ. Let us walk together in faith, encouraging and supporting one another along the way, as we strive to fulfill the Great Commission and advance God’s kingdom in our generation and beyond.
Let us pray
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the privilege of being called Your disciples. Help us to follow Jesus wholeheartedly, growing in our relationship with Him and making disciples as we go. Amen.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
Thank you to all who embraced these words. We appreciate your participation and attendance with the Church Junction Foundation, an online digital sanctuary where we gather to explore transformative truths from God’s Word. We also extend our heartfelt gratitude for your generous financial support that helps us continue sharing these messages of renewal. God Bless you…
