Discipleship is at the heart of the Christian faith. It involves following Jesus, learning from Him, and becoming more like Him. In this sermon, we explore what it means to be a disciple of Christ and the transformative journey it entails.
The call to discipleship begins with a personal decision to follow Jesus. Matthew 16:24 records Jesus’ invitation, “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.'” Discipleship requires a willingness to surrender our own desires and align our lives with God’s will.
Being a disciple means learning from Jesus and applying His teachings to our lives. This involves studying the Scriptures, engaging in prayer, and participating in Christian community. John 8:31-32 emphasizes the importance of remaining in Jesus’ teachings: “To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'” As we grow in our understanding of Jesus’ teachings, we experience the freedom that comes from living in His truth.
Discipleship is also about transformation. Romans 12:2 urges us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” As disciples, we are called to be different from the world, reflecting the character of Christ in our actions and attitudes.