This morning we begin
a new series entitled “The Authentic Disciple” The late Dr. John Stott wrote
his last book before the Lord called him home. The book is entitled “The
Radical Christian” It was based on Dr.Stott’s observation of the Christian
scene in the world today. If asked to define this scene in 3 short words he
would say: ‘Growth without Depth’ In Western Europe there is decline rather
than growth. In Africa and Asia there is numerical growth but with no depth. In
the words of the author:
“So many of us avoid radical discipleship by being selective, choosing rather those areas in which commitment is appealing and steering well clear of areas where it will be costly.”
I have changed the
word ‘radical’ to ‘authentic’ because radical may give the impression of
extremism whereas authentic means genuine or real. I used Dr. Stott’s book for
guidance only.
Christians or
Disciples?
The Bible seldom call
believers ‘Christians’ There are only 3 places where believers are referred to
as Christians; - 1. In Antioch (Acts 11:26) disciples of Jesus were first
called Christians. 2. Acts 26:28 When Paul stood trial before King Agrippa “Do
you think in such a short time you can make me a Christian? 3. 1 Peter 4:16
Peter was comparing suffering as a criminal and suffering as a Christian.
In comparison, the
New Testament uses the noun “disciples” (mathetes) more
than 264 times in the Gospels and Acts. What is a disciple? In secular Greek it
meant an apprentice of some trade, a student of some subject or a pupil of some
teacher, The apprentice, student or pupil sits at the feet of the master or
teacher learn and obey until they qualify to become teachers themselves. John
the Baptist had a number of disciples under him. Paul before conversion was a
disciple of Gamaliel a Pharisee.
What’s in a Name?
It is very sad that
many Christians all over the world are ignorant of and neglected what it means
to be disciples of Jesus Christ. Many are “Christians In Name only” (CINO).
They attend church 3 times in their lives; Hatched- Matched – Dispatched. Who
preached the Sermon On The Mount? Who is Joan of Arc? Name the Fruit of the
Spirit. The full armour of God. Many cannot answer correctly. For the next few
weeks or more I shall be preaching on what it means to be an authentic disciple
of Jesus. It is an old topic, which I have preached before (> 10 years ago)
but worth revisiting, as there are many new Christians in our midst.
It would be a very
sad occasion should Jesus say to anyone of us “Not everyone who says to me
‘Lord’, ‘Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who does the
will of my Father who is in heaven”(Matt. 7:21 -23)
The Characteristics
of An Authentic Disciple
Let
us now consider some of the important characteristics of an authentic disciple
of Jesus:-
CALLED BY JESUS
During the time of
Jesus, a disciple chooses his teacher or master and if accepted become a
disciple of that teacher. But when Jesus commenced His ministry after
overcoming temptation by Satan, Jesus started ‘calling’ His disciples. He
called Simon Peter and his brother Andrew “Come follow me and I will make you
fishers of man.” Jesus then called James son of Zebedee and his brother John .
(Read Matt.4:18 -22) Jesus also called Levi and all the 12 disciples. Notice
clearly it was a calling not a choosing. In John 15:16 Jesus said “You did not
choose me but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit-fruit
that will last.”
This is a very
important doctrinal point to note. Many Christians believe that they have “made
a decision or chosen” to become a Christian or join a church, the truth is the
opposite. It is Jesus who has chosen and called you to be his disciple
Look at the way Paul
expresses it (Read Romans 1:1-7)
Look at Paul’s
teaching on predestination (Eph. 1:4-5; 11-12
What is the
difference between you choosing and you being called and chosen? Illustration: choosing
to go to Olympics as spectator and chosen to represent your country.
It is so sad that
many Christians do not realize the fact that they have been chosen, called
and commissioned by Christ to be authentic disciples of Jesus. As long as
they believe it is their choice, there will be no full commitment.
CALLED TO JESUS
In the days of the
Jewish rabbi and Greek philosopher, a disciple is expected to follow the
master, learn from him, obey him and commit himself wholeheartedly to him. He
is called a disciple because he comes “under discipline” of the
master. In the same manner , to be called by Jesus is to be CALLED to
sit at His feet and learn from Him, to follow Him in what He does and to
obey Him. If we are unwilling to obey we deserve the rebuke of Jesus in Luke
6:46 “Why do you call me Lord, Lord and do not do what I say.”
Are you daily
learning from Jesus? You may say how can I learn from Him when He is not here.
Remember, Jesus promise of the gift of the Holy Spirit. He will guide you into
all truths, He will convict you of sin and wrong- doing. The Lord gave us the
Bible; which could be described as the Father’s portrait of the Son painted by
the Holy Spirit. Ignorance of the Scripture is ignorance of
Jesus (John 5:39)
CALLED IRRESPECTIVE
OF QUALIFICATIONS
Whereas the Jewish
rabbis are very selective in their choice of disciples, choosing only those who
are “good and intelligent” and able to read the Torah, Jesus called to Himself
a wide cross section of society. Some were ordinary fisherman, one was a Zealot
a resistance fighter, Levi was a tax collector, a traitor of his own people,
and then there was Judas the “son of perdition “ as Jesus called him. (John 17)
Some Christians
believe that Jesus called them because there must be something “good” about
them. Other people believe they are not “good enough” to accept Jesus’ call.
How about you?
Read 1 Cor.1:26-31 It
is by the sovereign grace of the Lord
CALLED TO BELONG TO
ONE ANOTHER
John
15:16 “you
did not chose me but I chose you. Note verse 17 This is my command
.”Love each other”
The call to authentic
discipleship is not a solitary call. It is a call to be part of the body; a
building, a family, an army- word pictures that show us that by accepting the
call of Jesus we take on responsibilities to help mature one another.
In New Testament time
the non-believer’s comments about the disciples were “see how they love one
another.”
Is this true today?
What does Romans
12:10 say/We need each other, we must learn to appreciate one another.