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Following Jesus as His Disciple


 Following Jesus as His Disciple

Scripture: Matthew 28:19-20 "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

1. High Level of Devotion: Being a disciple involves a deep commitment to following Jesus and living according to His teachings.

2. Modeling Yourself After Jesus: A disciple seeks to emulate the character and actions of Jesus in their own life.

3. Willingness to Change: Being a disciple requires a willingness to change and grow, conforming oneself to the image of Christ.

4. Reproducing Yourself in Others: Discipleship involves not only following Jesus personally, but also sharing the good news and making disciples of others.

5. Commandment to Make Disciples: Jesus commands all believers to go and make disciples, spreading His message of love and salvation to all nations.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to embrace the call to be your disciples with full devotion, modeling ourselves after Jesus and sharing His love with others. May we faithfully obey your command to make disciples of all nations, spreading the good news of salvation to the ends of the earth. Amen.

My story

Lena had always been a devoted churchgoer, attending every Sunday service and participating in the choir's praise and worship. She loved singing and lifting her voice in adoration of the Lord, feeling a deep sense of joy and peace when she was in the presence of her fellow believers.

But as time went on, Lena began to feel a stirring in her spirit, a sense that there was something more to her faith than just attending church services and singing hymns. She started to feel a tug on her heart, calling her to a deeper level of discipleship, one that required more than just showing up on Sundays.

As Lena delved into the teachings of Jesus, she realized that discipleship was about more than just words and music; it was about humble obedience and faithful commitment to following in the footsteps of Christ. It meant loving her neighbors as herself, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and caring for the least of these.

This realization filled Lena with a sense of purpose and determination. She began volunteering at a local soup kitchen, serving meals to those in need. She visited the sick and elderly, offering comfort and companionship to those who felt lonely and forgotten. She reached out to her community, organizing events to bring people together and strengthen the bonds of fellowship.

Through her actions, Lena discovered the true meaning of discipleship. It was not about earning praise or recognition; it was about selflessly serving others and embodying the love and compassion of Christ in all that she did. It was about living out her faith in a way that brought glory to God and brought hope to those in need.

As she continued on her journey of discipleship, Lena found that her faith grew stronger and her relationship with God deepened. She realized that true joy and fulfillment came from walking in obedience to His word and faithfully following His example.

Discipleship was not always easy, and there were challenges along the way. But Lena knew that with Christ by her side, she could overcome any obstacle and continue to spread His love and light to the world.

And so, with a heart full of gratitude and a spirit of humility, Lena embraced her calling as a disciple of Christ, knowing that she was walking in the path that He had chosen for her. And in doing so, she found the truest and most profound expression of praise and worship – a life lived in faithful obedience and unwavering commitment to the one who gave everything for her.

Go deeper 

The Bible teaches that discipleship involves more than just praise and worship. Jesus instructs his followers to take up their cross daily and follow him (Luke 9:23). This involves a life of humble obedience and faithful commitment to following in the footsteps of Christ. Jesus himself modeled perfect obedience to the Father, even to the point of death on the cross (Philippians 2:8). True discipleship requires denying oneself, putting aside personal desires, and submitting to the will of God (Matthew 16:24). It involves a transformation of the heart and mind, conforming more and more to the image of Christ (Romans 12:2). Disciples are called to love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love their neighbors as themselves (Mark 12:30-31).

Ultimately, discipleship is a lifelong journey of growing in faith and obedience to God. It is about living a life that reflects the character of Christ and sharing his love and truth with others. Praise and worship are important aspects of discipleship, but they must be accompanied by a life of humble obedience and faithful commitment to following Jesus in all areas of life.

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