What is a Disciple

Notes: What is a Disciple
Greg Laurie
Sunday, September 10, 2017
Matthew 28, Luke 14
Music: Harvest Worship Band

Watch: https://www.harvest.org/watch-and-listen/watch/what-is-a-disciple

God isn't your copilot, he is so much more than that. He is he master, you are the slave. He is the potter, you are the clay.

1 Corinthians 6:19 NLT
[19] Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself,

Your possessions, family, and future belong to God.

Our goal is to find out God's goals and align ourselves with it.

Never be afraid to give an unknown future to a known God.

All who are called to salvation are called to discipleship no excuses and no exceptions.

Matthew 28:19-20 NLT
[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."

You can't make a disciple until you are a disciple yourself.

Be a disciple or be a disciple-maker.

1. Being baptized 
... baptizing them in the name of the Father...

2. Are you obeying his commands?

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.

As a disciple...
1. You must love Jesus more than anyone or anything else.

If you love Jesus more, He will expand your heart.

2. The disciple must take up his cross, and follow Jesus.
Luke 14:27 NLT
[27] And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.

When you bear the cross, you will find life.

You already love yourself, but the goal is to deny yourself and lose yourself.

Luke 9:23-24 NLT
[23] Then he said to the crowd, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. [24] If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.

The symbol of the early church was the fish. The early church did not wear crosses, they died on them.

That's why Jesus said...

Luke 14:28-30 NLT
[28] "But don't begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? [29] Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. [30] They would say, 'There's the person who started that building and couldn't afford to finish it!'

Salvation is free and it cost you nothing, but following Jesus has a cost and could eventually cost you everything.

The cross symbolizes one thing: deny yourself 

Taking up your cross and dying to yourself, means doing things for Jesus instead of yourself. Setting aside your wants and doing what Jesus asks.

3. The disciple must turn the "title deed" of their life over to Christ.

Luke 14:33 NLT
[33] So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.

If you are a car guy, that means handing the pink slip over to Christ.

The only obsession a disciple should have is Jesus Christ.

4. A disciple must Impact their culture.

Luke 14:34-35 NLT
[34] "Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? [35] Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!"

What good is salt if it is not salty? What good is a half hearted Christian. 

Jesus is saying you are valuable!

What does salt do? It preserves and stops rotting.

5. A disciple will bring forth spiritual fruit.

John 15:8 NLT
[8] When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

If you were arrested for being a Christian, is there enough evidence to convict you?

Who can live up to the standards of a disciple? You can!

Galatians 2:20 NLT
[20] My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

God gives you the gift of eternal life.