Disciple is not a "Dirty Word." Honest!

Believers become disciples when they love Jesus enough to lay down their own plans and pursuits. He gives them much more than what they gave up!

Jesus chose you:
You did not choose me. I chose you. And I gave you this work: to go and produce fruit—fruit that will last.
John 15:16 ERV

Jesus chose the disciples to learn from Him. He chose you too. 
He chose you to become like Him and to establish the kingdom of God (God’s righteousness and love) on the earth.

Being a disciple begins as a wonderful time of discovery and exploration.  As we read and study the Bible, we begin to hear God. He speaks most often from His Word. Disciples are focused on Jesus and are learning to be like Him. 

There's so much to learn that we can be overwhelmed. 
What should I do first?

Jesus told us our #1 priority as disciples : 

Mark 12:29-31 NCV
 “The most important command is… Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second command is this: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’”

As we understand Jesus’ call to live a life of love, we will take the next step and become servants. Love requires that we become “doers”, not just “hearers” of God’s Word. (James 1:22).

But if we stay at this discipleship level we risk becoming a Pharisee. Pharisees in Jesus' time were so busy studying and following the rules, arguing about the meaning of scripture, and pointing fingers at others who didn’t agree with them, that they didn't recognize Jesus as the Son of God when he walked into the room.  

Modern day Pharisees are much the same. Religion can replace relationship in your life if you aren’t focused on relationship.

Disciples love Jesus enough to lay down their own plans and pursuits.  

Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. Our cross is our own plans and pursuits.

Discipleship requires discipline, but  “self-discipline” won’t sustain you.

When I was young I obeyed my mother because she was bigger and more powerful than me. I learned obedience through Her disciple. At times she cried, as she explained why she was disciplining me. 

Later, when I was bigger and stronger, I obeyed her because I loved her and I knew she loved me.

This must be our progression with Father God.

We begin to obey out of discipline. Quickly, we realize God is wise and He loves us. What He requires is in our best interest. Then, eventually, we love Him and that is what motivates us to listen for His every whisper and immediately obey.

Dave shared how he reached a point where he didn't want to let go of something. God wouldn't let him move on until he did. When he did let go, God gave him the thing he wanted and more!! Much more!!

Activation: 

Is there anything holding you back from complete surrender to Jesus? I am asking you to surrender everything to Jesus. Let God’s plan come alive in your life. It will be a wild and wonderful adventure! Beyond your imagination.

Surrender. Now. And let God’s love be the prize you pursue. Be His disciple.

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Thank you for listening.

And thank you for doing the activation to “Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” Romans 12:2 NLT.

See you tomorrow.