Convert or Disciple? / Matthew 28.19 20 / John 8.31 -32 Author: … · 2019. 4. 25. · 1 Convert or Disciple? / Matthew 28.19 – 20 / John 8.31 -32 Author: Josh Hunt 1. Matthew

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Convert or Disciple? / Matthew 28.19 – 20 / John 8.31 -32

Author: Josh Hunt

1. Matthew 28.19 – 20. What do we learn about Jesus from these famous last

words from His lips?

For every person, there will come a last meal, a last breath, and of course, a last

statement. And in many ways, what we say in the end is a real insight into what we

were in life, what we stood for, and indeed what we lived for. Generally, we die as

we have lived.

I read about a man who had been very successful in the restaurant business and

had established many restaurants around the United States. When his life was

almost over, as he was on his deathbed with his family gathered nearby, he gave

his last whisper: “Slice the ham thin!”

On November 30, 1900, the last words of the famous writer, Oscar Wilde, were,

“Either that wallpaper goes, or I do.”

Sometimes, people know they are giving their last words. Before he was to be

hanged for spying on the British, the last words of American patriot, Nathan Hale,

were: “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”

And at other times, people don’t know when they will be giving their last words,

such as John F. Kennedy, who said, “That’s obvious!” This statement was made in

response to Nellie Connally, the wife of Texas Governor John Connally. She had

remarked to the President as they traveled by motorcade through Dallas, cheered

by adoring throngs, “Mr. President, you certainly can’t say that Dallas doesn’t love

you.” Seconds later, his life was cut short by an assassin’s bullets.

Then there were the last words of William “Buckey” O’Neil, an Arizona lawyer,

miner, cowboy, gambler, newspaperman, sheriff, and congressman. He was also

one of the most important members of Teddy Roosevelt’s Rough Riders during the

Spanish-American War. Just prior to the famous charge up Kettle Hill, O’Neil was

standing up, smoking a cigarette, and joking with his troops while under withering

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fire from the ridge. One of his sergeants shouted to him above the noise, “Captain,

a bullet is sure to hit you!”

O’Neil shouted back his reply: “Sergeant, the Spanish bullet isn’t made that will kill

me!” No sooner had O’Neil uttered these words when he was hit and killed by a

bullet.

Then there were the last words of U.S. tenor, Richard Versalle, who was

performing one night at the Metropolitan Opera. Versalle had climbed a ladder for

his scene, and after singing the words, “Too bad you can only live so long,”

immediately suffered a heart attack and died.

And death is no respecter of persons, even for royalty. On her deathbed, Elizabeth

I, Queen of England, said, “All my possessions for a moment of time.” And Princess

Diana, following that horrific car accident in a Paris tunnel, was heard to say, “My

God, what happened?”

Some people are in denial about their impending death, like Frank Sinatra, who, as

his end was near, told his wife Barbara, “It’s none of their d**n business! Dying is a

sign of weakness. It’s for lesser people. You’ve got to keep my death a secret. I

don’t want people gloating. Just bury me quietly. If you don’t tell ’em I’m gone,

nobody will ever know.”

History tells the story of the renowned atheist, Voltaire, who was one of the most

aggressive antagonists of Christianity. He wrote many things to undermine the

church, and once said of Jesus Christ, “Curse the wretch. In twenty years,

Christianity will be no more. My single hand will destroy the edifice it took twelve

apostles to rear.” Needless to say, Voltaire was less than successful. And on his

deathbed, a nurse who attended him was reported to have said, “For all the

wealth in Europe, I would not see another atheist die.”

The physician, waiting up with Voltaire at his death, said that he cried out with

utter desperation, “I am abandoned by God and man. I will give you half of what I

am worth if you will give me six months of life. Then I shall go to hell and you will

go with me, oh, Christ, oh, Jesus Christ!”

What a difference faith makes. The last words of Stephen, who was being stoned

to death, were, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.… Lord, do not charge them with this

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sin” (Acts 7:59–60). — Greg Laurie, How to Know God: Harvest Crusade Messages

2004-2005 (Dana Point, CA: Kerygma Publishing—Allen David Books, 2011).

2. What does this great commission mean for the average believer in the pew?

“What is God’s will for my life?” The answer to this question is twofold: “Be a

Disciple and Make Disciples! Orient your life around the Great Commission.” These

are the last words of Jesus. This is His definitive command to all of His followers.

This is God’s will for our lives.

The details of where and how we make disciples may vary from person to person,

but the big picture is the same: God’s will for the life of every Christ follower is to

make disciples. David Platt states,

It makes little sense for us to keep asking, “What do you want me to do, God?”

the answer is clear. The will of God is for you and me to give our lives urgently

and recklessly to make the gospel and glory of God known among all peoples.2

God’s will for your life is fulfilling the Great Commission. God’s will for your life is

making disciples. — Dave Earley and Rod Dempsey, Disciple Making Is . . .: How to

Live the Great Commission with Passion and Confidence (Nashville: B&H, 2013).

3. “Disciple” is a church word. What does it mean? In simple terms, what is a

disciple?

A disciple is defined in Matthew 4:19 as one who follows Jesus, is being changed

by Jesus, and is on mission with Him. — Jim Putman et al., Real-Life Discipleship

Training Manual: Equipping Disciples Who Make Disciples (Colorado Springs, CO:

NavPress, 2010), 28.

4. John 8.31 – 32. What is the difference between a believer and a disciple?

I find it helpful to separate those who self-identify as Christian into three

categories: cultural, congregational and convictional. About three-quarters of

Americans identify as Christian, and for the sake of discussion, I’ll break them

down into these three categories, each representing about 25 percent of the

population.

1) CULTURAL CHRISTIANS. This first category is made up of people who believe

themselves to be Christian simply because their culture tells them they are. They

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are Christian by heritage. They may have religious roots in their family or come

from a people group tied to a certain religion, like Southern evangelicals or Irish

Catholics. Inside the church, we would say they are Christian in name only. They

are not practicing a vibrant faith.

2) CONGREGATIONAL CHRISTIANS. The second category is similar to the first

group, except these individuals at least have some connection to congregational

life. They have a home church they grew up in and perhaps where they were

married. They might even visit occasionally. Here again, though, we would say

these people are not practicing any sort of real, vibrant faith. They are attendees.

3) CONVICTIONAL CHRISTIANS. The final group is made up of people who actually

live according to their faith. These are the people who would say they have met

Jesus and that He changed their lives. They would say that their lives have been

increasingly oriented around their faith in Him.

http://www.charismanews.com/opinion/43298-christian-it-s-more-than-just-a-

label

5. Is becoming a disciple automatic once you believe?

Spiritual growth is not automatic with the passing of time, either. The writer of

Hebrews sadly noted, “. . . though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need

someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again” (Heb.

5:12). Millions of Christians have grown older without ever growing up.

The truth is this: Spiritual growth is intentional. It requires commitment and effort

to grow. A person must want to grow, decide to grow, and make an effort to grow.

Discipleship begins with a decision—it doesn’t have to be a complex decision, but

it does have to be sincere. The disciples certainly didn’t understand all of the

implications of their decision when they decided to follow Christ; they simply

expressed a desire to follow him. Jesus took that simple but sincere decision and

built on it.

Philippians 2:12–13 says, “Continue to work out your salvation with fear and

trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good

purpose.” Notice that it says “work out,” not “work on,” your salvation. There is

nothing you can add to what Christ did for your salvation. Paul is talking in these

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verses about spiritual growth to people who are already saved. The important

thing is that God has a part in our growth, but so do we.

Becoming like Christ is the result of the commitments we make. We become

whatever we are committed to! Just as a commitment to the Great

Commandment and the Great Commission will grow a great church, it is also the

way to grow a great Christian. Without a commitment to grow, any growth that

occurs will be circumstantial, rather than intentional. Spiritual growth is too

important to be left to circumstance.

Spiritual growth that leads to maturity begins with the kind of commitment

described in Romans 6:13 (LB): “Give yourselves completely to God—every part of

you—for you are back from death and you want to be tools in the hands of God, to

be used for his good purposes.” Later, I’ll explain how to lead people to make this

kind of commitment. — Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Church: Growth without

Compromising Your Message and Mission (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2007).

6. Is discipleship meant for all believers or only for a select few?

The truth is this: Spiritual growth is very practical. Any believer can grow to

maturity if he or she will develop the habits necessary for spiritual growth. We

need to take the mystery out of spiritual growth by breaking the components

down into practical, everyday habits.

Paul often compared training for the Christian life to the way athletes stay in

shape. I love the Phillips paraphrase of 1 Timothy 4:7: “Take time and trouble to

keep yourself spiritually fit.” The path to spiritual fitness is as practical as the path

to physical fitness.

Anyone can become physically fit if he or she will regularly do certain exercises and

practice good health habits. Likewise, spiritual fitness is simply a matter of learning

certain spiritual exercises and being disciplined to do them until they become

habits. Character is shaped by the habits we develop. — Rick Warren, The Purpose

Driven Church: Growth without Compromising Your Message and Mission (Grand

Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2007).

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7. Do we become believers all at once, or gradually over time?

There was talk in America years ago about converting our system of weights and

measures from the familiar standard system to the metric system. Yards would

become meters, miles would become kilometers, and so on. To say the least, it’s

been a slow conversion.

Some changes take time, but others happen all at once. The Bible says that when a

person is born again, he becomes a new creation in a moment of time. He is born

again. Yes, the resulting changes in our lifestyle happen gradually, but our

conversion—our change from a natural person to a spiritual person—happens at

once.

Converting requires an action on our part—believe. — David Jeremiah, 1 Minute a

Day (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2009).

8. Do we become disciples all at once, or gradually over time?

The truth is this: Spiritual growth is a process that takes time. Just as God allowed

Joshua and the Israelites to possess the land “little by little” (Deut. 7:22), he uses a

gradual process of change to develop us into the image of Christ. There are no

shortcuts to maturity. It is a slow process. Ephesians 4:13 (PHILLIPS) says, “. . . we

arrive at real maturity—that measure of development which is meant by ‘the

fullness of Christ’ ” (italics added). Saying that maturity is a destination at which

we arrive implies a journey. Despite our wish to speed up the process, spiritual

growth is a journey that will last a lifetime. — Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven

Church: Growth without Compromising Your Message and Mission (Grand Rapids,

MI: Zondervan, 2007).

9. Would you say that most church goers are believers or disciples?

First, let’s consider the data.

A 2012 Gallup poll illustrates about three out of four Americans (77 percent) still

identify as Christian. And about 137 million Americans, or 44 percent of the

population, say they are part of a specific Christian congregation, according to the

2010 U.S. Religion Census. Most weekends, tens of millions of worshippers still

attend churches. Even the lowest estimates show that about one in five

Americans—or about 60 million people—show up in worship every week.

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But I think we’d all agree that fewer follow Jesus. Fewer let their faith shape their

lives or have deep spiritual resources to draw on when life gets hard.

Why is that?

I suspect many churches have forgotten their main calling: to make disciples.

Instead, we believe drawing a crowd of people on Sundays is enough. We invite

people to come to church or to be good people—but not to follow Jesus.

Sociologists like Christian Smith say many Americans follow something called

“moralistic therapeutic deism,” a belief in God that’s mainly focused on being a

good person and having a positive self-image.

That kind of religion feels good. But it doesn’t have staying power. And it doesn’t

motivate people to act on their faith in areas where it costs them.

Take giving, for example. Empty Tomb, a Christian nonprofit that studies church

giving, looked at donations from members of 23 of the largest Protestant groups in

the U.S. and found the average church member donated 2.3 percent of their

income in 2011. That’s down from 3.1 percent in 1968.

“Is the issue that the church is not providing an authentic alternative to the

consumer mindset?” asks Sylvia Ronsvalle, executive vice president of Empty

Tomb, in an interview with Religion News Service. “Over a period of time, if the

church isn’t providing more of an authentic alternative, the church will lose.”

Churches can also suffer from what’s known as the 80/20 rule—the idea that 80

percent of the work gets done by 20 percent of the people. In their book The

Other 80 Percent, authors Scott Thumma and Warren Bird say many church

members see themselves as spectators today. They hold certain beliefs and often

show up at church, but they don’t make a connection between faith and everyday

life.

“Faith in Christ is not widely perceived as an active lifestyle that one attempts to

live out every day in all one’s actions,” they write. “Rather faith has become

something that one can assent to but does not live, believe but does not follow,

and belong to but does not support or participate in.”

In essence, Thumma and Bird suggest the word Christian has come to mean

“someone who believes things about Jesus” rather than “a disciple who believes in

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and follows Jesus.” http://www.charismanews.com/opinion/43298-christian-it-s-

more-than-just-a-label

10. Look again at John 8.31, 32. Is this suggesting that discipleship is about learning?

Is it about knowing the Bible better?

Many churches evaluate spiritual maturity solely on the basis of how well you can

identify Bible characters, interpret Bible passages, quote Bible verses, and explain

biblical theology. The ability to debate doctrine is considered by some as the

ultimate proof of spirituality. However, while knowledge of the Bible is

foundational to spiritual maturity, it isn’t the total measurement of it.

The truth is this: Spiritual maturity is demonstrated more by behavior than by

beliefs. The Christian life isn’t just a matter of creeds and convictions; it includes

conduct and character. Beliefs must be backed up with behavior. Our deeds must

be consistent with our creeds.

The New Testament repeatedly teaches that our actions and attitudes reveal our

maturity more than our affirmations. James 2:18 puts it bluntly: “Show me your

faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do” (italics added).

James also said, “Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his

good behavior” (James 3:13 NASB). If your faith hasn’t changed your lifestyle, your

faith isn’t worth much.

Paul believed in connecting belief and behavior. In every one of his letters, he

drives home the importance of practicing what we believe. Ephesians 5:8 (LB) says,

“Though once your heart was full of darkness, now it is full of light from the Lord,

and your behavior should show it!” (italics added).

Jesus said it most succinctly of all: “By their fruit you will recognize them” (Matt.

7:16). It is fruit, not knowledge, that demonstrates a person’s maturity. If we don’t

put into practice what we know, we foolishly “build a house on sand” (see Matt.

7:24–27). — Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Church: Growth without

Compromising Your Message and Mission (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2007).

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11. How do you imagine Jesus’ tone here? Is he looking down on those who are

believers but not disciples?

This fact leads us naturally to the second point, which is the most important. The

point is simply that Jesus takes notice of even this inadequate faith and seeks to

encourage it. Intellectual belief is not saving faith, but saving faith may come from

such beginnings. Therefore, Jesus spoke to those who only believed his teachings

and tried to lead them farther. — James Montgomery Boice, The Gospel of John:

An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2005), 639.

12. How does Jesus feel about believers who are not disciples?

Spurgeon once wrote on this subject: “It is written, ‘When the Son of man cometh,

shall he find faith on the earth?’ Certainly He can find it if anyone can. He has a

very quick eye for faith. He deals with little faith as we used to do with a spark in

the tinder, in the days of our boyhood. When we had struck a spark, and it fell into

the tinder—though it was a very tiny one—we watched it eagerly, we blew upon it

softly, and we were zealous to increase it, so that we might kindle our match

thereby. When our Lord Jesus sees a tiny speck of faith in a man’s heart, though it

be quite insufficient of itself for salvation, yet he regards it with hope, and watches

over it, if, haply, this little faith may grow to something more. It is the way of our

compassionate Lord not to quench the smoking flax, nor break the bruised reed.”

While Jesus does not disparage small faith, neither does he praise it. Jesus speaks

to these who have believed with the head only, but he does so by leading off with

a conditional sentence. “If… ,” he says, “if you hold to my teaching.” True, he does

not send them away. But neither does he promise the blessings of the Christian life

outright. Rather, there is a task to do, a word to be learned. “You believe

something,” he seems to say, “believe more; continue in my word until you come

at last to rest in me as your Savior.” — James Montgomery Boice, The Gospel of

John: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2005), 640.

13. The NIV has this phrase in John 8.31: “hold to my teaching.” How does your

translation have it? If you have a smartphone with a Bible app, look it up in

several translations.

To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are

really my disciples. John 8:31 (NIV2011)

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So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are

truly my disciples, John 8:31 (ESV)

Jesus said to them, "You are truly my disciples if you live as I tell you to, John 8:31

(TLB)

Then Jesus turned to the Jews who had claimed to believe in him. "If you stick with

this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. John 8:31 (MSG)

Jesus told the people who had faith in him, "If you keep on obeying what I have

said, you truly are my disciples. John 8:31 (CEV)

So Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, “If you live by what I say, you are

truly my disciples. John 8:31 (GW)

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word,

then are ye my disciples indeed; John 8:31 (KJV)

Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you

remain faithful to my teachings. John 8:31 (NLT)

To the Jews who believed in him Jesus said: If you make my word your home you

will indeed be my disciples; John 8:31 (NJB)

14. Based on these translations, what would you say Jesus is getting at here? What

does He mean by someone who “holds to Jesus’ teachings”?

Discipleship does not occur by accident. Jesus told his followers, “If you hold to my

teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth

will set you free” (John 8:31–32). Church planters are called to create disciples, not

just believers. By definition, a disciple is a follower of Christ. A disciple is a learner.

A disciple is also a believer who practices biblical habits that enable him or her to

live the Christian life effectively. A mature believer displays many behaviors or

habits. These habits include prayer, sharing faith, Bible study, and fasting. The

disciple must intentionally practice these habits in order to develop effectively as a

disciple. — Ed Stetzer, Planting New Churches in a Postmodern Age (Nashville, TN:

Broadman & Holman, 2003), 285.

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15. What are some practical ways we can hold to Jesus teachings?

The "Word Hand" shows us the five methods of "getting a grip" on the Bible:

Hearing the Word taught by pastors and Bible teachers.

Reading the Bible to gain an overall picture of God’s Word.

Studying the Scriptures to make personal discoveries of God’s truths.

Memorizing God’s Word to help guard against sin and make the Word readily

available for witnessing or helping others.

Meditating on God’s Word—thinking of its meaning and application to our

lives.

16. What are some ways we can hear the Word?

Live preaching (regular church attendance goes without saying and is

foundational). Audio books. Podcasts. Preaching on TV.

17. What is your practice in reading the Word?

My friend Mike Napier taught me a very important lesson on this. He led a group

meeting where he asked people to share meaningful verses they had read

recently. Immediately one person shot up his hand and shared. Then another.

Then another. Pretty soon, there were hands up all over the place. It was electric.

Did I mention this was a Baptist group? These weren’t Navigators.

I chatted with him later about it. I told him I was really impressed about how

everyone shared. He said it was an example of planned spontaneity. Say what?

Planned spontaneity—that is when you plan a meeting to look spontaneous. He

had asked a handful of people to be ready to share. He asked them to share as

soon as he asked for volunteers. After the third one shares it starts to feel normal.

We all start thinking that this is what normal people do. We start our days with the

Bible on our lap. We share about what we read. This is what we do around here.

Here is what I suggest you do in your group. Get in the habit of saying, “Can I share

with you a verse I read recently that was meaningful?” Privately ask two other

people to follow up with a verse they have read. Soon, you will have a culture

where it is normal to read the Bible every day. — Josh Hunt, Obedience, 2013.

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18. What exactly does it mean to meditate on the Word?

Christian meditation is about filling our minds, not emptying them, and is a

discipline that is much easier than many people realize. If you know how to worry,

you know how to meditate. — Adrian Warnock, Raised with Christ: How the

Resurrection Changes Everything (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2010).

19. What is your take-away from today’s conversation? What did you learn? What

do you want to remember?

20. How can we support one another in prayer this week?