Discipleship

In this passage and sermon, we are exploring the difference between being a “Christian” (definition is “a person who has received Christian baptism or is a believer in Jesus Christ and his teachings.”) and a “disciple of Jesus” (one who follows in the footsteps of Jesus). The biblical mandate that Jesus gave the church was to “make disciples of Jesus.” Sometimes the Church settles for “watered down discipleship” … that is we operate as if you say the right things about God and Jesus and you get baptized then that’s all that is needed or required to “go to heaven.” In contrast, to “make disciples” is to introduce people to a relationship with Jesus and the invitation to “follow him” or to live a life that resembles our “teacher” Jesus. In our “Methodist” or “Wesleyan” tradition, we emphasize that in following Jesus we grow in spiritual maturity and become more like him. It’s not a one-time decision, but a commitment to a way of life. This sermon kicks off a new sermon series in which we will look at the “means of grace” which are practices or “spiritual habits” that aid us in our growing into mature faith.