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This is a sermon based on Luke 6:40 and it begins to explore the difference between being a believer in Jesus Christ and a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Written Excerpts:
Introduction:
I know that what I am about to say will not sound very “spiritual.”
But, I felt impressed to develop this sermon after reading a comment from a
friend of mine on “Facebook.” I didn’t copy his comment word-for-word, but it went something like
this: We are not commanded by our Lord to go and make believers, but make
disciples. The Devil is a believer, but he isn’t a disciple.
This comment grabbed my interest and I have thought about it a good bit
for the last several days. I truly believe that there is a message of truth
here that the Christian church needs to heed.
So, with the help of God’s Spirit, I want to explore this topic today.
Are you a just a believer, or are you a disciple?
`It doesn't take much of a man to be a Christian,
but it takes all there is of him,' said Thomas Huxley. (http://www.moreillustrations.com/Illustrations/discipleship.html)
Transition:
I want to begin by giving some brief background information regarding
the term “disciple,” and then move on to some of the biblical descriptions of a
disciple.
I. Background
Some scholars say that the
philosopher Socrates was probably the one of the first to use the master/disciple concept
that included more than just the idea of a teacher imparting knowledge and
wisdom to a student, but also involving an “ideal fellowship between the master
and the disciple.” (Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Abridged)
Even in the OT the relation is
not quite the same. For example, Joshua is more like a servant to Moses and
eventually receives his own divine call to leadership. The OT prophets do not
have disciples but there are references to “schools” of prophets that are
seeking and practicing the divine endowment of prophetic gifts.
As we move into the era leading
into the NT, there is a strong practice of Rabbis that are engaged in teaching
the law and interpretations of it to their students. But it still doesn’t quite
promote the same relationship as the master/disciple concept.
(TDNT) A unique aspect of NT discipleship is
that it is commitment to the person of Jesus. His teaching has force only when
there is first this commitment to his person. Peter probably knows Jesus, and
has heard him speak, prior to the incident in Luke 5:1gff.[Jesus getting into
his boat and speaking to the crowds on the shore], but it is the impact of the
person of Jesus that makes him a [disciple].
The word “disciple” is used most
frequently in the Gospels and also in Acts. However, some scholars emphasize
that the term loses its prominence perhaps because the word “tends to suggest that Christianity is
simply a philosophical movement rather than personal fellowship with Christ as
Lord.” (TDNT)
(The International Standard
Bible Encyclopedia) “In all cases [the word] implies that the person not only
accepts the views of the teacher, but that he also [practices the teachings].
The word has several applications. In the widest sense it refers to those who
accept the teachings of anyone, not only in belief but in life.”
Finally, we notice that the word
“disciple” initially referred to those who were followers of Jesus and many
times it specifically referred to the Twelve Apostles. However, later on in the
book of Acts, the term is used by Luke to describe all Christians.
Acts 6:1 (NKJV) 1 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was
multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists,
because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.
II. Descriptions of a Disciple
A. Identical status
Luke
6:40 - "A disciple is not above
his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher."
In his commentary, Matthew Henry states, “Christ's followers cannot expect better
treatment in the world than their Master had, v. 40.”
(C. D. Alexander) Conversion without discipleship is openly implied in much of our
evangelical teaching. It has become strangely possible to be Christ's without
taking up the cross.
(Draper's Book of Quotations for the Christian World.)
(Draper's Book of Quotations for the Christian World.)
(Michael Jinkins) Clarence
Jordan, author of the "Cotton Patch" New Testament translation and
founder of the interracial Koinonia farm in Americus , Georgia Jordan
In the words of Jesus, it seems
impossible for a disciple to think that he or she deserves any better life than
what the Master lived. Jesus said that if the world
hated Him, then it would hate His disciples. If He lived out the life of a
servant, then His disciples should also follow His example.
The status of a disciple is to
be identical to the Master.
B. Identical conduct
The second half of the verse
reads, “everyone who is perfectly
trained will be like his teacher.”
The word that is translated “perfectly trained” (NKJV); “perfect”
(KJV), literally implies repaired, mended, prepared and equipped.
“The fundamental meaning is to
put a thing in its appropriate condition….” (AMG's
Complete Word Study Dictionaries)
After Jesus affirms that a
disciple cannot expect any different standing or status than his Master, He
goes on to say a disciple who has been properly conditioned and prepared will,
in fact, turn out just like the Master.
It seems like it is just another
way of saying that when people look at us, they should see a replica of our
Master. When anyone examines our attitudes, our motivations, our passions, and
our lifestyles, they ought to think that we are just like Jesus.
This emphasizes the description
that I read earlier from the ISBE, “…the person
not only accepts the views of the teacher, but that he also [practices them].”
III. The Cost of Discipleship
There are a number of additional
descriptions that we could mention regarding a disciple. Perhaps I will
continue this in some future messages. However, I want to talk briefly about
the matter of the cost of discipleship before we close today.
I’ve already mentioned the fact
that a disciple should expect to receive the same treatment that the Master
received. If they crucified Him, then we can not expect that they will treat us
any differently. In addition to that fact, I just
want to point out that Jesus never tried to “recruit” disciples by enticing
them and convincing them how easy or how good life was going to be if they
followed Him.
Many Christian theologians and
scholars down through the years have emphasized the fact that if you try to
draw people to Christ with a “soft,” “palatable” and appealing message, then
you will end up with believers that are half-hearted and uncommitted.
Jesus always told His
prospective disciples that they must be willing to give up wealth, homes,
family and all other comforts of the world in order to follow Him. But I think I must confess that
I have often failed to convey that same challenge when trying to convince
people to come to Christ.
For our closing hymn today we are going to sing a song that expresses the same kind of principles that we have been talking about this morning.
We Are Called to Be God’s People # 415
