The Purpose of

The Church #3

“Discipleship”

The Purpose of

The Church #3

“Discipleship”Jeffery Anselmi

http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermon.asp?SermonID=60355&Sermon%20The%20Purpose%20of%20The%20Church-%20Discipleship%20by%20Jeffery%20Anselmi

What is the goal in a baseball game? To get players across home plate. There is a

process. Players must get to 1st base, then 2nd, then 3rd, and finally cross home plate and in doing so score 1 point for the team.

Does a team cheer and quit when it gets a person to 1st base or 3rd base? They will cheer because they expect to bring that

person around the bases to score.

What is the goal in a baseball game? To get players across home plate. There is a

process. Players must get to 1st base, then 2nd, then 3rd, and finally cross home plate and in doing so score 1 point for the team.

Does a team cheer and quit when it gets a person to 1st base or 3rd base? They will cheer because they expect to bring that

person around the bases to score.

At the end of the game, the fans and the team are more concerned about the number of

people who score than they are concerned about hits. I have seen games where a team may have only had one hit and beat a team with more hits. If a baseball team does not

understand that the main goal of its purpose is to score, then they will pat themselves on the

back when they just get base runners.

At the end of the game, the fans and the team are more concerned about the number of

people who score than they are concerned about hits. I have seen games where a team may have only had one hit and beat a team with more hits. If a baseball team does not

understand that the main goal of its purpose is to score, then they will pat themselves on the

back when they just get base runners.

In the church we can run into the same problem. We can get so excited about getting someone

to 1st base that we forgetthe work is just beginning.

If we do not understand the purpose of the church, then we will stop short of what God

wants us to do.

In the church we can run into the same problem. We can get so excited about getting someone

to 1st base that we forgetthe work is just beginning.

If we do not understand the purpose of the church, then we will stop short of what God

wants us to do.

Over the last couple of weeks we have looked at two purposes of the church, worship and

fellowship, this week we are going to look at discipleship.

Matthew 28:19 NET Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am

with you always, to the end of the age."

Over the last couple of weeks we have looked at two purposes of the church, worship and

fellowship, this week we are going to look at discipleship.

Matthew 28:19 NET Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am

with you always, to the end of the age."

We are commanded to make disciples. This is a two part process. The first part of making a

disciple is to evangelize and baptize them. We will not talk about evangelism this week. The

second part is we are to teach them to observe all that Jesus commanded.

We are commanded to make disciples. This is a two part process. The first part of making a

disciple is to evangelize and baptize them. We will not talk about evangelism this week. The

second part is we are to teach them to observe all that Jesus commanded.

We are going to look at what we are supposed to do once we have added a person to the

kingdom of God. We are called to disciple them.

What happens in a typical church when we win a person to Jesus?

We usually leave it at that. We are happy, we got them to first base!

We are going to look at what we are supposed to do once we have added a person to the

kingdom of God. We are called to disciple them.

What happens in a typical church when we win a person to Jesus?

We usually leave it at that. We are happy, we got them to first base!

When a person accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior, our job does not stop there.

That is like getting a person to 1st base And saying that our job is finished.Our goal is to help bring that person

around all the bases to score!Too many times we get a person to 1st base

and then forget about them, we leave them stranded.

When a person accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior, our job does not stop there.

That is like getting a person to 1st base And saying that our job is finished.Our goal is to help bring that person

around all the bases to score!Too many times we get a person to 1st base

and then forget about them, we leave them stranded.

“Discipleship is the great Omission of the Great Commission on the part of Churches.”

Dallas Willard (A Christian Philosopher & writer)

“Discipleship is the great Omission of the Great Commission on the part of Churches.”

Dallas Willard (A Christian Philosopher & writer)

Part of making a disciple is teaching them all that Jesus commanded. The Great

commission tells us this and the early church was committed to the apostles’ teachings.

Acts 2:42 NET They were devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to

the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Part of making a disciple is teaching them all that Jesus commanded. The Great

commission tells us this and the early church was committed to the apostles’ teachings.

Acts 2:42 NET They were devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to

the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Today, let us look at the 3rd purpose of the Church, Discipleship.

Acts 2:41 NET So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added. 42 They

were devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of

bread and to prayer.

Today, let us look at the 3rd purpose of the Church, Discipleship.

Acts 2:41 NET So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added. 42 They

were devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of

bread and to prayer.

43 Reverential awe came over everyone, and many wonders and miraculous signs came about by the apostles. 44 All who believed

were together and held everything in common, 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and distributing the proceeds to

everyone, as anyone had need.

43 Reverential awe came over everyone, and many wonders and miraculous signs came about by the apostles. 44 All who believed

were together and held everything in common, 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and distributing the proceeds to

everyone, as anyone had need.

46 Every day they continued to gather together by common consent in the temple courts,

breaking bread from house to house, sharing their food with glad and humble hearts, 47 praising God and having the good will of all the people. And the Lord was adding to their

number every day those who were being saved.

46 Every day they continued to gather together by common consent in the temple courts,

breaking bread from house to house, sharing their food with glad and humble hearts, 47 praising God and having the good will of all the people. And the Lord was adding to their

number every day those who were being saved.

THE DEFINITION AND CHARACTERISTICS

OF A DISCIPLE What is a disciple?

Quite simply a disciple is a learner, or a pupil of someone.

In the context of the Bible, a Christian is supposed to be a disciple.

Who are we to be a disciple of? Jesus! The word disciple is used over 250 times in the New Testament and is only found in the

Gospels and Acts.

THE DEFINITION AND CHARACTERISTICS

OF A DISCIPLE What is a disciple?

Quite simply a disciple is a learner, or a pupil of someone.

In the context of the Bible, a Christian is supposed to be a disciple.

Who are we to be a disciple of? Jesus! The word disciple is used over 250 times in the New Testament and is only found in the

Gospels and Acts.

Acts 11:26 NET and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught a significant number of people. Now it

was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.

Here we find that Christians and disciples are the same thing.

In this verse the Disciples were called Christians at Antioch.

Acts 11:26 NET and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught a significant number of people. Now it

was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.

Here we find that Christians and disciples are the same thing.

In this verse the Disciples were called Christians at Antioch.

The name “Christian” was given to the disciples by Paul and Barnabus through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The English translations of

Acts 11:26 makes it sound like the people called the disciples Christians, but the

grammar of the original will not allow that. The original says that Paul and Barnabas

called them Christians. The word “called” has a prophetic meaning to it.

The name “Christian” was given to the disciples by Paul and Barnabus through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The English translations of

Acts 11:26 makes it sound like the people called the disciples Christians, but the

grammar of the original will not allow that. The original says that Paul and Barnabas

called them Christians. The word “called” has a prophetic meaning to it.

Thayer definition: Χρηματιζω chrematizo, called

1) to transact business, especially to manage public affairs1a) to advise or consult with one about public affairs1b) to make answer to those who ask for advice, present enquiries or requests, etc.

1b1) of judges, magistrates, rulers, kings2) to give a response to those consulting an

oracle, to give a divine command or admonition, to teach from heaven

Thayer definition: Χρηματιζω chrematizo, called

1) to transact business, especially to manage public affairs1a) to advise or consult with one about public affairs1b) to make answer to those who ask for advice, present enquiries or requests, etc.

1b1) of judges, magistrates, rulers, kings2) to give a response to those consulting an

oracle, to give a divine command or admonition, to teach from heaven

2a) to be divinely commanded, admonished, instructed

2b) to be the mouthpiece of divine revelations, to promulgate the commands of God

3) to assume or take to one’s self a name from one’s public business

3a) to receive a name or title, be calledThe 1st definition doesn't fit in this verse.

The 2nd does and 3a could.I can’t find can’t a definition using it

in a defamatory way as is commonly thought.

2a) to be divinely commanded, admonished, instructed

2b) to be the mouthpiece of divine revelations, to promulgate the commands of God

3) to assume or take to one’s self a name from one’s public business

3a) to receive a name or title, be calledThe 1st definition doesn't fit in this verse.

The 2nd does and 3a could.I can’t find can’t a definition using it

in a defamatory way as is commonly thought.

Discipleship is the development of Christians.

The Characteristics

of a DiscipleLove for the brethren.

John 13:35 NET Everyone will know by this that you are my

disciples — if you have love for one another."

Discipleship is the development of Christians.

The Characteristics

of a DiscipleLove for the brethren.

John 13:35 NET Everyone will know by this that you are my

disciples — if you have love for one another."

Love for Jesus Luke 14:26 NET "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father

and mother, and wife and children, and brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he

cannot be my disciple.Be like Jesus Matthew 10:25 NET It is enough for the disciple to become like his teacher, and

the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house 'Beelzebul,' how much

more will they defame the members of his household!

Love for Jesus Luke 14:26 NET "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father

and mother, and wife and children, and brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he

cannot be my disciple.Be like Jesus Matthew 10:25 NET It is enough for the disciple to become like his teacher, and

the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house 'Beelzebul,' how much

more will they defame the members of his household!

Commitment to Jesus Luke 14:27 NET Whoever does not carry his own cross and

follow me cannot be my disciple.Benevolent Luke 6:38 NET

Give, and it will be given to you: A good measure, pressed down, shaken together,

running over, will be poured into your lap. For the measure you use will be the measure you

receive."

Commitment to Jesus Luke 14:27 NET Whoever does not carry his own cross and

follow me cannot be my disciple.Benevolent Luke 6:38 NET

Give, and it will be given to you: A good measure, pressed down, shaken together,

running over, will be poured into your lap. For the measure you use will be the measure you

receive."

Abide in Jesus. John 15:4 NET Remain in me, and I will remain

in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither

can you unless you remain in me.

How are we doing?

Abide in Jesus. John 15:4 NET Remain in me, and I will remain

in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither

can you unless you remain in me.

How are we doing?

THE OBJECTIVE OF DISCIPLESHIPThe objective of discipleship is to facilitate the

spiritual growth of Christians.When we are immersed into Christ, (when we

become a Christian) we are born again. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NET So then, if anyone is in

Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away — look, what is new has come!

THE OBJECTIVE OF DISCIPLESHIPThe objective of discipleship is to facilitate the

spiritual growth of Christians.When we are immersed into Christ, (when we

become a Christian) we are born again. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NET So then, if anyone is in

Christ, he is a new creation; what is old has passed away — look, what is new has come!

2 Corinthians 3:18 NET And we all, with unveiled faces reflecting the glory of the Lord,

are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, which is

from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:18 NET And we all, with unveiled faces reflecting the glory of the Lord,

are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, which is

from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Jesus gives us a principle Matthew 12:43 NET "When an unclean spirit goes

out of a person, it passes through waterless places looking for rest but does not find it. 44 Then

it says, 'I will return to the home I left.' When it returns, it finds the house empty, swept clean, and

put in order. 45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they

go in and live there, so the last state of that person is worse than the first. It will be that way for this

evil generation as well!"

Jesus gives us a principle Matthew 12:43 NET "When an unclean spirit goes

out of a person, it passes through waterless places looking for rest but does not find it. 44 Then

it says, 'I will return to the home I left.' When it returns, it finds the house empty, swept clean, and

put in order. 45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they

go in and live there, so the last state of that person is worse than the first. It will be that way for this

evil generation as well!"

Discipleship fills our house with tools and encouragement for growth.

Myth’s about spiritual growth.

Spiritual growth is automatic once you are born.

Does a baby automatically grow? No! The newly born must be nurtured,

fed & cared for in order to grow.

Spiritual growth is mystical, and maturity is attainable by only a few.

Discipleship fills our house with tools and encouragement for growth.

Myth’s about spiritual growth.

Spiritual growth is automatic once you are born.

Does a baby automatically grow? No! The newly born must be nurtured,

fed & cared for in order to grow.

Spiritual growth is mystical, and maturity is attainable by only a few.

Spiritual maturity can occur instantly if you find the right key

Spiritual maturity is measured by what you know

Spiritual growth is a personal and private matter

All you need is the Bible to grow.

Spiritual maturity can occur instantly if you find the right key

Spiritual maturity is measured by what you know

Spiritual growth is a personal and private matter

All you need is the Bible to grow.

If we fall for these myths, then we will not work on helping people grow.

If we fall for these myths, we will not do what we need to do to grow.

If we fall for these myths, we will become discouraged

if we are not growing. If we fall for these myths,

we will become lazy.

If we fall for these myths, then we will not work on helping people grow.

If we fall for these myths, we will not do what we need to do to grow.

If we fall for these myths, we will become discouraged

if we are not growing. If we fall for these myths,

we will become lazy.

We need to get people to go from 1st base (membership)

to 2nd base (commitment to maturity) to 3rd base (commitment to service)

To home plate (committed to evangelism or missions).

We need to intentionally do things that help Christians become more Christ-like. My favorite definition of discipleship:

MAKE ONE TO MAKE ONE.

We need to get people to go from 1st base (membership)

to 2nd base (commitment to maturity) to 3rd base (commitment to service)

To home plate (committed to evangelism or missions).

We need to intentionally do things that help Christians become more Christ-like. My favorite definition of discipleship:

MAKE ONE TO MAKE ONE.

WAYS TO HELP A DISCIPLE GROWChurch programs

Bible studies. That’s logical isn’t it? The early church was devoted to the scriptures,

via the Apostles’ teachings. Sunday school

This cannot be the only food we eat.

WAYS TO HELP A DISCIPLE GROWChurch programs

Bible studies. That’s logical isn’t it? The early church was devoted to the scriptures,

via the Apostles’ teachings. Sunday school

This cannot be the only food we eat.

PreachingThis cannot be the only food we get.

Service opportunitiesProviding fellowship opportunities

for peopleMentoring programs

PreachingThis cannot be the only food we get.

Service opportunitiesProviding fellowship opportunities

for peopleMentoring programs

Individual

Personal devotion timePrayer time

Serving othersBible reading

MentoringGiving

Fellowship with other Christians

Individual

Personal devotion timePrayer time

Serving othersBible reading

MentoringGiving

Fellowship with other Christians

Have a person that you are accountable to.

The key to growth is commitment to the truth of the word of God.

Notice that part of the great Commission is teaching and the early church was committed to the word.

If we are not putting the word in people’s lives, then we have to ask ourselves what are we

winning people over to?

Have a person that you are accountable to.

The key to growth is commitment to the truth of the word of God.

Notice that part of the great Commission is teaching and the early church was committed to the word.

If we are not putting the word in people’s lives, then we have to ask ourselves what are we

winning people over to?

What we need to understand about discipleship is that I cannot be a disciple without being

disciplined. The more disciplined I become the more God can use me.

The mark of a disciple is continual growth.I believe the main keys to being able to make someone more Christ-like is desire to grow,

discipline, and time spent with both God and His people.

What we need to understand about discipleship is that I cannot be a disciple without being

disciplined. The more disciplined I become the more God can use me.

The mark of a disciple is continual growth.I believe the main keys to being able to make someone more Christ-like is desire to grow,

discipline, and time spent with both God and His people.

So many people that have been in church at some point in their lives will say that God has done nothing for them. My question to them would be what kind of effort did you give to

God? Did you expect something (spiritual growth and blessings)

for nothing? (no time spent trying to grow)

So many people that have been in church at some point in their lives will say that God has done nothing for them. My question to them would be what kind of effort did you give to

God? Did you expect something (spiritual growth and blessings)

for nothing? (no time spent trying to grow)

THE BENEFITS OF DISCIPLESHIP

The Church grows deeper through discipleship.Discipleship gives us principles to live by.

A foundation to build our lives on. Word of God.

THE BENEFITS OF DISCIPLESHIP

The Church grows deeper through discipleship.Discipleship gives us principles to live by.

A foundation to build our lives on. Word of God.

It gives us stability. The world is in turmoil because they do not have a foundation under them.

As we become more Christ-like, we will experience more blessing

than we can imagine!

It gives us stability. The world is in turmoil because they do not have a foundation under them.

As we become more Christ-like, we will experience more blessing

than we can imagine!

When the church stops making and developing disciples,

it is not a church.

For the church to be able to develop disciples there has to be a great deal of

involvement in each other’s lives. See how the first three purposes fit together.

They are not separate from each other.

When the church stops making and developing disciples,

it is not a church.

For the church to be able to develop disciples there has to be a great deal of

involvement in each other’s lives. See how the first three purposes fit together.

They are not separate from each other.

Our worship is a extension of the way that we live our life. In turn we feel a strong sense of community and desire to strive with others in

our walk. (Fellowship) Our worship helps us to see how much we need to grow more Christ-

like because we are in awe of God, we want to be more like Him. Through our fellowship a

great love for other brethren is strengthened, we then seek to help others grow and develop.

(discipleship)

Our worship is a extension of the way that we live our life. In turn we feel a strong sense of community and desire to strive with others in

our walk. (Fellowship) Our worship helps us to see how much we need to grow more Christ-

like because we are in awe of God, we want to be more like Him. Through our fellowship a

great love for other brethren is strengthened, we then seek to help others grow and develop.

(discipleship)

When we get a person to 1st base, our job is just beginning. It takes time, effort and

resources to develop disciples. As a Church we must make sure that we are fulfilling this purpose. As individual members of the body, we must make sure that we are committed to

growth.Are you willing to invest your time to help

others grow closer to Jesus?

When we get a person to 1st base, our job is just beginning. It takes time, effort and

resources to develop disciples. As a Church we must make sure that we are fulfilling this purpose. As individual members of the body, we must make sure that we are committed to

growth.Are you willing to invest your time to help

others grow closer to Jesus?