We make disciples
What exactly is a disciple? It is an important question because the church that cannot define a disciple and point to a way of making and growing them is a church that doesn’t know its most basic mission. Jesus told us to, “make disciples” (Matthew 28:19-20). To do that, we need to know what we’re making and how to make them. We define a disciple at Harvest as someone who worships, walks with, works and witnesses for Jesus. We’ll unpack those four aspects of being a disciple as we continue our We are Harvest series on Sunday. Previous messages in this series are available on our website and YouTube channel.
Series: We Are Harvest
Message: We make disciples
Text: Matthew 28:19-20
Pastor Todd Dugard
Harvest Bible Chapel
February 6, 2022
A disciple is someone who worships, walks with, works and witnesses for Christ.
We make more and better disciples of Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20) who…
μαθητεύω (mathetes) – to be a follower or a disciple of someone, in the sense of adhering to the teachings or instructions of a leader and in promoting the cause of such a leader.
Louw & Nida
[The word disciple] always implies the existence of personal attachment which shapes the whole life of the one described as [disciple], and which in its particularity, leaves no doubt as to who is deploying the formative power.
Gerhard Kittel
Jesus characterized disciples as people of commitment and obedience. They also willingly suffered and shared in the work. [SLIDE 8] The primary use of [disciple] in the gospels…requires us to think of a disciple as a committed follower of Jesus Christ. It means more than just a believer, but a person who demonstrates belief by action
Bill Hull
…worship Christ (Acts 2:47b; Acts 2:43; Hebrews 10:24-25)
…walk with Christ (Acts 2:44-47a; Ephesians 4:1-3)
…work for Christ (1 Corinthians 12:7; Ephesians 4:11-16)
…witness for Christ (Acts 1:8)
The Church is the only society that exists for the benefit of those who are not its members.
William Temple
Ministry ought to be…
Elder-protected
Staff-lead
Member-serving
World-receiving
Don Cousens, LeaderShift
Aspire to be something more than the mass of church members. Lift up your cry to God and beseech him to fire you with a nobler ambition than that which possesses the common Christian—that you may be found faithful unto God at the last, and may win many crowns for your Lord and Master, Christ.
Charles Spurgeon
WORK FOR CHRIST OPPORTUNITIES
harvestbarrie.ca/workforchrist