A. WHAT DOES AN AUTHENTIC DISCIPLE LOOK LIKE?
An authentic disciple of Jesus should look like JESUS!
“A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.” —Luke 6:40
A discipler should model a Christ-like life for a disciplee.
Thus, the following qualities should
JESUS WANTS AUTHENTIC DISCIPLES WHO HAVE BEEN TRANSFORMED FROM THE INWARD HEART OUT.
Just knowing information and quoting the Bible is insufficient for becoming an authentic disciple.
Even the devil can quote Scripture –
“… even the demons believe – and tremble!” —James 2:19
Though demons believe, they do not repent, they do not change, they are still demons and hellish in their inner character.
Our goal is to be genuine disciples who have been transformed by Jesus from the inside out.
B. THE INDISPENSIBLE, NON-NEGOTIABLE CHARACTERISTICS OF AN AUTHENTIC DISCIPLE
1. New Testament
Our love for Christ and others should be our primary
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another…”; “… all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” —John 13:34-35
When Jesus came to earth, He emphasized a radically different concept: that
LOVE ONE ANOTHER. HAVE A KINGDOM MINDSET. A PRIMARY CHARACTERISTIC OF GOD’S KINGDOM IS NEW TESTAMENT LOVE.
“… but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.” —1 Corinthians 13:1
New Testament love should be the primary motivator, influencer and shaper of character in the life of any authentic disciple of Jesus Christ.
2. The Presence and Work of the Holy Spirit
In every part of a disciple’s life and ministry, there should be the pre-eminence of the Holy Spirit’s
The disciples did not have a large body of knowledge, or Bible colleges or even a Bible. But they followed the leading of the Holy Spirit. —Book of Acts
“For as many as are (continually) led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” —Romans 8:14
“For the Kingdom of God is not in word but in power.” —1 Corinthians 4:20
The Holy Spirit must be welcomed and active within the life of an authentic disciple of Jesus Christ.
As leaders, it is important to teach disciples:
• How to hear the Holy Spirit
• How to wait upon the Holy Spirit for guidance
• How to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading
• How to know when the Holy Spirit is at work
• How to judge what is thought to be a work of the Holy Spirit against the written Word of God, to make sure they agree
If anything is done or said that is attributed to the Holy Spirit – but it does not match what is already in the Word of God – then it is not from the Holy Spirit.
GOD DOES NOT CONTRADICT OR VIOLATE HIS WRITTEN WORD. THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WILL ALWAYS AGREE WITH THE WORD OF GOD.
Everything in life and ministry must be judged by the written Word of God. Disciples must always apply the Word of God in their own personal life, even before teaching it to others.
Ministry is much more than using our gifts; it is displaying the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives as a testimony of the transforming power of God.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control….” —Galatians 5:22,23
THE FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE SAME AS THE CHARACTER QUALITIES OF CHRIST
The fruit of the Holy Spirit should be
The gifts of the Holy Spirit function best when the fruit of the Spirit is present. Teach disciples how the Holy Spirit will function in and through them in their lives to display the character of Christ.
3. Ongoing transformation of
“… He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son….” —Romans 8:29
When we are saved, one of God’s priorities is to work within us to RETURN us to the image in which we were originally created.
“… beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” —2 Corinthians 3:18
Personal transformation of character is not
WE ALL WANT TO FINISH WELL.A KEY CHARACTERISTIC OF LEADERS WHO FINISH WELL IS REMAINING TEACHABLE THROUGHOUT THEIR LIFETIME.
Remember: The goal is not to be perfect in our ministry skills and tasks. That is impossible. However, we should always invite the Holy Spirit’s continual work of
Transformation is a lifetime process and is not accomplished instantly; but the Spirit’s ongoing work of transformation is essential to being a good disciple and a fruitful leader in the Body of Christ.
4. The Word of God
An authentic disciple will consistently seek to be a
“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” —1 Timothy 4:12-16
The Word of God is meant to be
THE WORD OF GOD IS AN ESSENTIAL COMPONENT TO THE LIFE OF A DISCIPLE —2 Timothy 2:15; 2 Timothy 3:16-17
We must take time to learn and consistently apply the Word of God in OUR lives as disciples, and LEAD our disciples to do the same.
5. Biblical Relationships
God expects us to keep our relationships
Some Christian leaders emphasize a relationship with the Lord, but their relationships with other people are not what God would desire.
God makes a priority of maintaining good relationships with other people.
“Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you … first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” —Matthew 5:23-24
“If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar….” —1 John 4:20
When things do not go well in your ministry or personal life, or if you feel distant from God, sometimes it is because
The Bible reveals the priority of healthy, biblical Relationships at every level:
a) With God
“But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness…” —Matthew 6:33
Daily time in God’s Word – both talking to Him and listening to the voice of His Spirit – are necessary for building a strong relationship with our Heavenly Father.
b) With Family
Some pastors or leaders may mistreat their spouse, treating them as if they were less than. But Paul makes it clear in this passage –
“There is neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” —Galatians 3:28
The Bible reveals that we are to love and serve our spouse, the same way Christ loves His Church (Ephesians 5:25-33).
As leaders, we must also treat our children as
c) With the Family of God
We have learned that we must love the people that God gives us to shepherd.
Remember: All ministry flows from relationship.
d) With the Lost of the World
WE MUST KEEP OUR RELATIONSHIPS RIGHT WITH THE LOST PEOPLE OF THIS WORLD. THEY WILL MEASURE THE TRUTH OF OUR FAITH AND MESSAGE BY HOW WE TREAT THEM – NOT BY OUR WORDS.
6. The Purpose of Making Disciples (Matthew 28:19, 2 Timothy 2:2)
Each disciple should reach out to other people for the PURPOSE of making more disciples.
IT IS CRITICAL TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE DYNAMIC OF BIBLICAL DISCIPLESHIP IS MAKE DISCIPLES, WHO MAKE DISCIPLES, WHO MAKE DISCIPLES, WHO MAKE DISCIPLES.
7. Disciples need to develop a
Every disciple of Jesus should take the message of the Gospel with them daily – no matter their work – and seek out others with whom to share the Good News of salvation through Christ.
We all must follow God’s example of loving the world –
“For God so loved the world that He gave…” —John 3:16
Disciples of Jesus must develop a servant heart like His –
“… the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…” —Matthew 20:28
A
Christ-followers are given the message of our King –
“… we are ambassadors for Christ…” —2 Corinthians 5:20
An
AS AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST, WE CARRY THE KING’S AUTHORITY AND POWER UNDER THE LEADING AND GUIDING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. WE ARE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE KING OF KINGS AND THE LORD OF LORDS!
In summary, an Authentic Disciple is:
• A
• An
• A
• A
C. REVIEW
Why do we make disciples?
We make disciples in obedience to God, because it is God’s strategy to reach the whole world for Jesus Christ.
How do we make disciples?
We work with disciples in relationship, giving an impartation of God’s Word, His life and power. We share experiences that we have had in God’s presence and in ministry. All that God has freely given to us, we give to others so that they might grow as followers of Jesus.
What does an Authentic Disciple look like?
An Authentic Disciple should look more and more like Jesus with every passing day.
“For the earth will be filled, with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.” —Habakkuk 2:14
We have a very important mission in God’s Kingdom work as we disciple people, one by one, and teach them how to disciple others.