Are You His Disciple?

Notes: Are You His Disciple?
Greg Laurie
Discipleship: The Road Less Taken
Sunday, September 3, 2017
Luke 14 and Matthew 28

https://www.harvest.org/watch-and-listen/watch/are-you-his-disciple-090317

Over 10,000 people made a profession of faith at the SoCal Harvest last month.

It's not enough to just go forward in accepting your faith, it takes a life time of following Jesus. 

In stand up paddle boarding, there is a phrase, "stall you fall."

It's the same thing in your Christian life and walk.

New believers can be compared to babies. Babies act like babies but as they grow up they need to act grown up.

1 Peter 2:2 NLT
[2] Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment,

That very hunger for the Spirit of God is a great indication of your spirituality.

Hebrews 6:1-3 NLT
[1] So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don't need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. [2] You don't need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. [3] And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.

To be a new believer is wonderful, but we all need to grow up spiritually.

We are all commanded "to go and make disciples" 

Matthew 28:16-20 NLT
[16] Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. [17] When they saw him, they worshiped him-but some of them doubted! [18] Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. [19] Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. [20] Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

To make a disciple you first need to be a disciple.

Every disciple is a Christian, but not every Christian is necessarily a disciple.

A disciple could be called a New Testament Christian.

Discipling is not only the road to the Christian life, but it is the road to life itself.

When Jesus walked our planet, He spent time with His disciples.

A lot of people are interested in Jesus, but many don't take the next steps.

Curious. Convinced. Committed.

Curious - many people came to see Jesus and his miracles. Many left still curious.

Convinced - know it's real, and believe. But don't live the Christian life.

John 2:11 NLT
[11] This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him.

Committed- living the Christian life.

Luke 14:26-27 NLT
[26] "If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else-your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters-yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. [27] And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.

Do you want to be a fair weather follower or a committed Christian?

A fair weather follower will many times pray in only times of crisis. When things go well, they are no where to be seen.

Jesus wants you to be there as a follower at all times.

Jesus seems to have a lot of "Facebook" kind of friends.

1. The disciple must love Jesus more than anyone or anything else.

Luke 14:26 NLT
[26] "If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else-your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters-yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.

Your love for Jesus must be so strong that your love for others would be like hatred in comparison.

Anyone that would keep you from Christ is not someone you need to have in your life.

Jesus came to bring conversion. Before there is conversion, there is friction.

You will either have friction with people and harmony with God, or you can have harmony with people and friction with God.

I want to be a disciple.