Discipleship Matters
In our quest to cast a biblical vision for CCBC, we come to a critical juncture that will require our devoted study and attention. In an effort to be a Great Commission church, we must heed the mission of Jesus’ final words: “go and make disciples.” Why does discipleship matter? Because Jesus said to make disciples. What does this involve? What does a disciple look like? These are all questions we will be exploring in the next few months as we cover some of Jesus’ teachings. We are beginning in Matthew 10 as we look toward Christ’s words. Throughout Matthew 10 we see Jesus describing His disciples. This week at CCBC we are focusing on the disciple and his relationships with family, friends and himself. We see from the Scriptures that Christ must be paramount amongst all our human relationships. Christ has seemingly harsh words for His disciples in this passage, but we will see how He uses the illustration of these relatiionships to show the priority of Christ in a disciple’s life.
We also see the priority of Christ within a disciple’s life. Jesus uses the phrase, “take up your cross,” to describe the life of a disciple. It is a life that had died to self will and a total embrace of God’s will. When Christ becomes a priority in our life, He will allow us to be a part of a Great Commission ministry. A missional lifestyle will ensue. However, a missional lifestyle is not one that is lived out publicly as a show for our fellow believers or a means to “impress” God. On the other hand, it is what disciples of Jesus righteously do in secret that reveal much about God’s glory and providence. The obedient disciple is easily discouraged, but Christ comforts the disciples in the latter part of Matthew 10 who serve quietly and providing the needs of those around him ensuring their reward.
The life of a disciple is never complete but continually being formed by the spirit of Christ in His Word to more accurately portray the One who saved us.
