ARE YOU A DISCIPLE OR JUST A CONVERT?
SCRIPTURE: “Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.” Matthew 28:16-20
The goal and purpose of the Church that our Lord Jesus has placed in this world is to be living witnesses to make disciples for Him. Matthew 28:19,20 says,”Go therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, of the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. When we examine the makeup of the crowds that were around the Lord Jesus, we see that there were primarily four different groups that are still existent today. There were the outright rejecters, the religious users, the non-functional converted, and those who became fully committed followers of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no confusion as to how we distinguish the first two groups because they are seen for what they are because of where they stand with the purposes of the Lord Jesus in this world. However, the true Church of Jesus is often made up of the two latter classes of those who profess to be converted through faith in Christ. Technically, both groups of believers are called disciples of the Lord Jesus, but there is a difference in the degree to which each group is faithful to the call and service of our Lord. The difference between the two groups are usually seen in the degree of faithfulness, (1 Corinthians 3:15); usefulness, (2 Timothy 2:21); fruitfulness, John 5:7); and unashamed witness, (Luke 9:26), in lifestyle and testimony.
While Scripture teaches that transformation subsequent to salvation should result, it does not teach that all believers will become reproducing disciples of fruitfulness for Christ. In Matthew’s passage, the word “disciple” always carries with it an idea of a follower who has a personal attachment with a teacher that shapes the disciple’s life. Disciples do more than simply believe on Jesus, but they follow in a way that their lives conform to the teachings and expectations of the one they are following (I Peter 3:15). Are you converted, but not a fully committed disciple of Jesus Christ?
1. A disciple is willing to deny self and follow Jesus even if it means suffering, shame, and sacrifice (Luke 9:23-25).
2. A disciple puts Christ before family, possessions, and above self (Luke 14:25-35).
3. A disciple is committed to remain under the authority and obedience to Christ’s Word (John 8:31).
4. A disciple actively seeks to bear much fruit to the glory of the Father through the Son (John 15:7).
5. A disciple loves others as Christ has loved them and others (John 13:34; 15:12.
Prayer: Please make my heart like the heart of my Lord Jesus, amen.
By Pastor Wayne Cockrell
While Scripture teaches that transformation subsequent to salvation should result, it does not teach that all believers will become reproducing disciples of fruitfulness for Christ. In Matthew’s passage, the word “disciple” always carries with it an idea of a follower who has a personal attachment with a teacher that shapes the disciple’s life. Disciples do more than simply believe on Jesus, but they follow in a way that their lives conform to the teachings and expectations of the one they are following (I Peter 3:15). Are you converted, but not a fully committed disciple of Jesus Christ?
1. A disciple is willing to deny self and follow Jesus even if it means suffering, shame, and sacrifice (Luke 9:23-25).
2. A disciple puts Christ before family, possessions, and above self (Luke 14:25-35).
3. A disciple is committed to remain under the authority and obedience to Christ’s Word (John 8:31).
4. A disciple actively seeks to bear much fruit to the glory of the Father through the Son (John 15:7).
5. A disciple loves others as Christ has loved them and others (John 13:34; 15:12.
Prayer: Please make my heart like the heart of my Lord Jesus, amen.
By Pastor Wayne Cockrell
Archive
2024
January
Gratitude Mixed with Faith Should Equal ObedienceGrace Comes In God’s TimingGOD USES WHOM HE CHOOSESSeeing What God Sees to Get What God HasA Life Verse That Is Good for Every YearSeeing Things as God Sees ThemThree QuestionsDon’t Worry About the FutureForgiveness Is Our Daily CelebrationPeace When We Do RightGod’s True Children Certainly Should KnowRegret In Missed OpportunitiesThe Attitude of Delight Is RightMeditation Deprivation Is EvidentARE YOU A DISCIPLE OR JUST A CONVERT?An Anchored Soul Won’t QuitGod Wants to Be BelievedFinding God in Our PainI Must Be About God’s WordWhat the Wondrous Word of God Can Do in a Willing ServantSeeing Things God’s WayGetting Along for Jesus SakeMeditating Brings Us Success In The Christian LifeThe State of Mind That Pleases GodPraised By the RaisedHaving the Right Knowledge for Real FaithWhose Mind Do You Think With?All My Heart & All My WaysWise with the Lord’s TimeNo Shame About What God Has SaidPrayer Is A Conversation
February
DEEP ARMOR FOR THE STEEP CLIMBDressed in the Whole Armor of God for Spiritual WarfareGRAB THAT ARMORSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER WITH PASTOR WAYNE COCKRELLIn My Dressing Room (Putting on the Armor of God)Armored for Any WeatherTruth is Foundation for Our FaithA Work in Progress and A Mouth in TrainingREJECTION OF GOSSIP, SLANDER, LIES, AND DISCORD: THE PERFECTING OF 'FEBRUARY'THE DETESTABLESSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER WITH PASTOR WAYNE COCKRELLIf the Lord Hates It, We Should TooThe Offense Ward of the Sin HospitalSpilling the TeaWe are in ChristLet us Do BetterSpread Love, Not GossipSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER WITH PASTOR WAYNE COCKRELLThe GREATEST THRILL: Being SPIRIT - FilledTHE HOLY SPIRIT'S CONTROLA Drunken SpiritLookin’ Like Our DaddyFermented or Fresh; How is Your Fruit?We Have it AllSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER WITH PASTOR WAYNE COCKRELLJESUS’ LOVE MANDATEHIS Walk, Our Hopethe greatest gift of allTo Love Like Christ
March
LOVE x LOVELove is CommitmentSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor CockrellTHE HIGHEST DEBT OF LOVEPREVAILING IN LOVE, AND IN THE LIGHT OF THE PROMISEReturn Your Love to METhe Loveless ChurchWhat Do You Want First: the Good News or the Bad News?POSITIVE FRICTION THAT MAKES US BETTERSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor Wayne CockrellHis Love Versus My FearsJESUS LOVES YOUBe Surrendered to 'Love'Victory Over Fear: Life’s Small LessonsJesus, Our VictoryTRUST CHRIST, BANISH FEARSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor Wayne CockrellHarmony and Discord Aren’t FriendsHOLY PARAMETERSBlinded by HateACT or REACTRESISTING ANGER AND HATE IN CONFLICTPeculiar PeopleSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor Wayne CockrellONWARD & UPWARDHow To Fall ForwardThe Front Windshield is Much Bigger than the Rearview MirrorONE THING TO DOLooking Back Will Have You SaltyGreat Cloud of WitnessesSUNDAY MORNING PRAYER with Pastor Wayne Cockrell
6 Comments
Devotion does upon the done day by day.
With daring and delight this is the disciples declaration!
Amen…I want to be more like Jesus everyday!!
Oh, how Awesome to know Him and to make Him known!!!
Amen 🙏 Amen
Amen, what a challenge! Open mine eyes Lord that I may see the real me.
Amen! I desire that my life reflect that of my Father and His Son on most days.