DISCIPLESHIP TRAINING
– A call to His Service –
Has “Discipleship Training” in your church has been reduced to mini-sermons on Wednesday evenings, bible studies about discipleship and informative or emotional videos by popular bible teachers about everything else?
1. You can tell if your Church is training disciples to make disciples: Are you and others in your church telling others the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus, on a regular basis? Or, do you leave it to the “professionals” (aka, “hirelings”)?
2. Are you personally making disciples – yourself?
The Bible says that true disciples, Jesus’ disciples, make other disciples. But it is clear that most Christians are not making disciples.
We attend church and some are learning about the Bible and are clamoring, ‘Feed Me More’! But, never do what they learn. It seems we are “always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 2 Timothy 3:7
The results are in
Now it is time. The time has arrived when the few, which I will refer to as the ‘remnant’, begin training for spiritual combat as disciples of Jesus. That day has arrived. His return is near.
You won’t become a disciple by attending a college bible class or a seminary. You become a disciple of Jesus on your knees in prayer, through the Bible and through practicing the things Jesus commanded.
Before we start, learn about “Binding & Loosing”, and practice it…
NOTE: Matthew 6:18 “Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”
LEARN: The expressions “bind” and “loose” were common to Jewish legal phraseology meaning to declare something forbidden or to declare it allowed.
The concept of “binding and loosing” is taught in the Bible in Matthew 16:19: “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
In this verse, Jesus is speaking directly to the apostle Peter and indirectly to the other apostles, (and subsequently, to future disciples). Jesus’ words meant that Peter (and subsequently, future disciples) would have the right to enter the kingdom himself, that he would have general authority symbolized by the possession of the keys, and that preaching the gospel would be the means of opening the kingdom of heaven to all believers and shutting it against unbelievers.
The book of Acts shows us this process at work. By his sermon on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:14-40), Peter opened the door of the kingdom for the first time.
This is IMPORTANT as we see what Jesus says about the Authority of the Kingdom and who may enter and what they are commanded to do in His Name.
Now, let’s begin by gaining understanding of Jesus instructions so we can GO, DO and BE.
READ, LEARN & UNDERSTAND JESUS’ DIRECTIVES TO HIS DISCIPLES IN
MATTHEW 4
17 From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
18 ¶ Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.
19 And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
20 Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.
21 Going on from there He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and He called them.
22 Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.
23 ¶ Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people.
1. READ & STUDY: “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
LEARN: The word “Preach” used here is a word of formality, gravity and an authority which must be listened to and obeyed; something which has been done, first in the Spiritual to be manifest in the natural. It is not a general statement nor is it a request. It is a prophetic command.
The word “began” tells us that Jesus time had come to rule and reign over the physical and spiritual world. This is vitally important, as you will see a little later. <—REMEMBER THIS.
“Repentance” signifies regret which amounts solely to remorse. In a Christian sense, “repentance” is a reversal of moral purpose, a change of attitude and behavior to the teaching of model of Jesus.
“Repentance” is a necessary step for Salvation, refers to an emotional change, and to a change of choice and has reference to particulars for ones entire life.
UNDERSTAND:began – #757 ἄρχω archo ar’-kho AV-rule over 1, reign over 1; 2
1) to be chief, to lead, to rule
UNDERSTAND:Preach – #2784 κηρύσσω kerusso kay-roos’-so
AV-preach 51, publish 5, proclaim 2, preached + 2258 2, preacher 1; 61
1) to be a herald, to officiate as a herald
1a) to proclaim after the manner of a herald
1b) always with the suggestion of formality, gravity and an authority which must be listened to and obeyed
2) to publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done
UNDERSTAND: repent – #3340 μετανοέω metanoeo met-an-o-eh’-o
AV-repent 34; 34
1) to change one’s mind, i.e. to repent
2) to change one’s mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one’s past sins
GO TO ACTION & BE HIS DISCIPLE – DO IT NOW
You Begin – Now, today, start:
You Repent – Whatever you thought was right – stop it, go to scriptures and start over and imitate Jesus. Don’t do your version of Jesus. Imitate Him. This is true repentance.
You Preach – ¶ (v1) “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: (v2) preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.” 2 Timothy 4:1
You don’t need to create a sermon, preach the Bible. For example:
Use The Gospel, John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (v17) “For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.
18 “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
Matthew 11:28 “Come to Jesus, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and He will give you rest.
(v29) “Take His yoke upon you and learn from Him, for He is gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. (v30) For His yoke is easy and His burden is light.”
Do it now! Start today.
2. READ & STUDY: “Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee,”
LEARN: Jesus is setting the example for us, His disciples, present and future. The word used for WALKING is demonstrating His Authority. We must take notice, for by this He is teaching us to be His disciples and we must walk in His Steps (Chapters 10, 11 and 28 of Matthew, Jesus sends His disciples.)
UNDERSTAND: walking – #4043 περιπατέω peripateo per-ee-pat-eh’-o
AV-walk 93, go 1, walk about 1, be occupied 1; 96
1) to walk
1a) to make one’s way, progress; to make due use of opportunities
FROM: E3961 πατέω pateo pat-eh’-o
AV-tread 3, tread down 1, tread under feet 1; 5
1) to tread
1a) to trample, crush with the feet
1b) to advance by setting foot upon, tread upon: to encounter successfully the greatest perils from the machinations and persecutions with which Satan would fain thwart the preaching of the gospel
GO TO ACTION & BE HIS DISCIPLE – DO IT NOW
You walk about – You make due use of the opportunities God places before you to “fish for men”.
You walk about – Tread down, under foot, the perils, machinations of the devil and the persecutions as YOU preach the Gospel to the lost.
Do it now! Start today.
3. READ & STUDY: “He saw two brothers”
LEARN: Jesus was on mission. He was watching for and SAW, both with His eyes, His Mind and He Knew. So it is with us, as we are being filled with The Holy Spirit. THIS IS IMPORTANT as we are sent and we are watching for those to whom we must preach the Gospel.
UNDERSTAND:saw – #3708 ὁράω horao hor-ah’-o
AV-see 51, take heed 5, behold 1, perceive 1, not tr 1; 59
1) to see with the eyes
2) to see with the mind, to perceive, know
GO TO ACTION & BE HIS DISCIPLE – DO IT NOW
You see – Be on Mission! See that you are filled with the Spirit of God. Open your Spiritual eyes, take heed, behold, see with your eyes, your mind, perceive and know those you see and call them to repent and to surrender to Jesus. Just as Jesus does.
Do it now! Start today.
4. READ & STUDY: “Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting”
LEARN: It is interesting how the church is turning to the ‘bespectacled academics’ and women away from God fearing, humbled, ‘manly men’ to lead the church. But, Jesus first two disciples were Peter (Rock) and Andrew (Manly). It is no coincidence.
The word “casting”, is a good description of how most people view their lives, in general. “To throw or let go of a thing without caring where it falls; to scatter, to throw, cast into; to give over to one’s care uncertain about the result.”
Jesus is calling all of His disciples, past, present and future, to a life that has purpose, meaning and eternal value.
UNDERSTAND: Peter – #4074 Πέτρος Petros pet’-ros
AV-Peter 161, stone 1; 162
Peter = “a rock or a stone”
UNDERSTAND:Andrew – 406 Ἀνδρέας Andreas an-dreh’-as
AV-Andrew 13; 13
Andrew = “manly”
UNDERSTAND:casting – #906 βάλλω ballo bal’-lo
AV-cast 86, put 13, thrust 5, cast out 4, lay 3, lie 2, misc 12; 125
1) to throw or let go of a thing without caring where it falls
1a) to scatter, to throw, cast into
1b) to give over to one’s care uncertain about the result
GO TO ACTION & BE HIS DISCIPLE – DO IT NOW
You Call them by name – Know those whom God is giving you. Know them by name, know their life circumstances, and call them.
You be a Man or Woman of God – Stand firm in who and what God has called you to and made you to be.
You Understand – Most people are just letting life slip by unintentionally and with no purpose.
Do it now! Start today.
5. READ & STUDY: “casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen”
LEARN: The word “net” describes the lives of the disciples before meeting Jesus as are most of our lives ‘bound up’ as in anything thrown around one to impede his motions, as chains, a garment, a net for fishing”. Freedom is where and why Jesus calls us to follow Him.
UNDERSTAND: net – #293 ἀμφίβληστρον amphiblestron am-fib’-lace-tron
AV-net 2; 2
1) anything thrown around one to impede his motions, as chains, a garment, a net for fishing
GO TO ACTION & BE HIS DISCIPLE – DO IT NOW
You remove the NET – You must remove the “net”, i.e., “repent of“ habits, addictions, habits-of-attitude, rituals, a religious spirit, fear, doubt, poverty-thinking, disease, sickness, anger, resentment, revenge, drunkenness, selfishness, lust. HOW? Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.
https://www.whitestone2014.com/separated-from-god. Do it now! Be set free and serve HIM freely.
Show others the way to be set free, also!
Do it now! Start today.
6. READ & STUDY: “And He said to them, “Follow Me”
LEARN: The word, ‘said’ is an affirmation and a command. This wasn’t optional.
The word used for ‘follow’ has a sense of urgent command. Come, now! Also, the connotation of this word implies that the pupil or disciple is to follow closely, looking over the shoulder of the teacher. The disciple is not only seen with his teacher, but he is closely identified with his teacher.
Jesus is our Teacher. We are to be identified as having been with Him. When people see us, they immediately think about Jesus.
It is IMPORTANT that we remember Jesus was speaking prophetically then and is speaking prophetically to us, today!
UNDERSTAND: said – 3004 λέγω lego leg’-o
AV-say 1184, speak 61, call 48, tell 33, misc 17; 1343
1) to say, to speak
1a) affirm over, maintain
1b) to teach
1c) to exhort, advise, to command, direct
1d) to point out with words, intend, mean, mean to say
1e) to call by name, to call, name
1f) to speak out, speak of, mention
UNDERSTAND: follow- #1205 δεῦτε deute dyoo’-teh
AV-come 12, follow + 3694 1; 13
1) come hither, come here, come (sense of urgency)
2) interjection, come!, come now!
GO TO ACTION & BE HIS DISCIPLE – DO IT NOW
YOU SAY it – We read about “Binding & Loosing” earlier on this page, and this is where it applies. Speak the Word of God in context of the Scriptures.
YOU SAY it – “Lift up the Logos” of God, and men and women will be drawn unto Him.
John 15:3 “You are already clean because of the word (logos – living, creative word of God) which I have spoken (spoken word) to you.
John 15:7“If you abide in Me, and My words (rhema – spoken word of God) abide in you, ask (crave, desire) whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
Isaiah 55:11 “So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth;
It will not return to Me empty,
Without accomplishing what I desire,
And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
YOU call them to Follow Jesus – How will they know if they do not hear? Say it. Call them.
Do it now! Start today.
7. READ & STUDY: “I will make you”
LEARN: We are the clay in the Potter’s Hands; once He touches our lives, we are made new, into His image for His purpose. This is IMPORTANT to grasp. Jesus will make you His disciple.
UNDERSTAND: make – #4160 ποιέω poieo poy-eh’-o
AV-do 357, make 113, bring forth 14, commit 9, cause 9, work 8, show 5, bear 4, keep 4, fulfil 3, deal 2, perform 2, not tr 3, misc 43, vr do 3; 579
1) to make
1a) with the names of things made, to produce, construct, form, fashion, etc.
1b) to be the authors of, the cause
1c) to make ready, to prepare
GO TO ACTION & BE HIS DISCIPLE – DO IT NOW
YOU allow your self to be remade – You commit to His Cause, His Work and He will form you and fashion you and make you ready. Then, you tell others and show them by your works.
Do it now! Start today.
8. READ & STUDY: Immediately they left their nets and followed Him
LEARN: The word “immediately” tells us, not only of the urgency to Jesus’ call, but how the state of our lives is made to be well of, to fare well and to prosper, by answering His call and following Him.
UNDERSTAND: Immediately – #2112 εὐθέως eutheos yoo-theh’-oce
AV-immediately 35, straightway 32, forthwith 7, misc 6; 80
1) straightway, immediately, forthwith
From: 2095 εὖ eu yoo AV-well 3, well done 2, good 1; 6
1) to be well off, fare well, prosper
2) acting well
GO TO ACTION & BE HIS DISCIPLE – DO IT NOW
YOU Go Now – Immediately, right this moment. You will be well off and you will prosper as your soul prospers. Time is very short. Do it now!
Do it now! Start today.
9. READ & STUDY: “proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom
LEARN: The word ‘proclaim’ has a sense of formality, gravity and an authority which must be listened to and obeyed. It is something which has already been done. It is Prophetic and active.
The words “Gospel of the Kingdom” is so descriptive that you must take each definition and consider the impact and importance.
“The Gospel” or Good News, is the long awaited Messiah had arrived to set up His Kingdom. A Kingdom of forgiveness, grace, mercy, justice and eternal salvation. A Kingdom conquering death, disease, sin and darkness.
The Kingdome is a royal power, kingship, dominion, rule, not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority to rule over a kingdom; the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah and the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah’s kingdom.”
Our calling and our role as Christians, Disciples of Jesus,
UNDERSTAND: Proclaim – #2784 κηρύσσω kerusso kay-roos’-so
AV-preach 51, publish 5, proclaim 2, preached + 2258 2, preacher 1; 61
1) to be a herald, to officiate as a herald
1a) to proclaim after the manner of a herald
1b) always with the suggestion of formality, gravity and an authority which must be listened to and obeyed
2) to publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done
3) used of the public proclamation of the gospel and matters pertaining to it, made by John the Baptist, by Jesus, by the apostles and other Christian teachers
UNDERSTAND:Gospel – #2098 εὐαγγέλιον euaggelion yoo-ang-ghel’-ee-on
AV-gospel 46, gospel of Christ 11, gospel of God 7, gospel of the Kingdom 3, misc 10; 77
1) a reward for good tidings
2) good tidings
2a) the glad tidings of the kingdom of God soon to be set up, and subsequently also of Jesus the Messiah, the founder of this kingdom. After the death of Christ, the term comprises also the preaching of (concerning) Jesus Christ as having suffered death on the cross to procure eternal salvation for the men in the kingdom of God, but as restored to life and exalted to the right hand of God in heaven, thence to return in majesty to consummate the kingdom of God
2b) the glad tidings of salvation through Christ
2c) the proclamation of the grace of God revealed and pledged in Christ
2d) the gospel
2e) as the messianic rank of Jesus was proved by his words, his deeds, and his death, the narrative of the sayings, deeds, and death of Jesus Christ came to be called the gospel or glad tidings
UNDERSTAND: Kingdom – #932 βασιλεία basileia bas-il-i’-ah
AV-kingdom (of God) 71, kingdom (of heaven) 32, kingdom (general or evil) 20, (Thy or Thine) kingdom 6, His kingdom 6, the kingdom 5, (My) kingdom 4, misc 18; 162
1) royal power, kingship, dominion, rule
1a) not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority to rule over a kingdom
1b) of the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah
1c) of the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah’s kingdom
2) a kingdom, the territory subject to the rule of a king
3) used in the N.T. to refer to the reign of the Messiah
GO TO ACTION & BE HIS DISCIPLE – DO IT NOW
YOU Proclaim the Gospel of the Kingdom – Know that YOU, as a disciple of Jesus, have been appointed as a Herald of the Gospel of Jesus. Jesus has given the the authority to proclaim and pronounce Kingdom news, which must be heeded.
YOU are conferred with authority of the Messiah’s Kingdom as His disciple. Go, Tell the worl.
Do it now! Start today.
10. READ & STUDY: “Healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness”
LEARN: The definitions of these words, “healing, disease and sickness” are complimentary: To serve, to worship, to heal, to cure, to restore to health. Jesus heals the body, the mind, the soul and the spirit of all infirmities.
Jesus healed the whole person, body, mind/will/emotions and spirit. His healing is complete.
UNDERSTAND: healing – #2323 θεραπεύω therapeuo ther-ap-yoo’-o
from the same as 2324; v; TDNT-3:128,331; {See TDNT 307 }
AV-heal 38, cure 5, worship 1; 44
1) to serve, do service
2) to heal, cure, restore to health
This comes from a root word, #2324 θεράπων therapon ther-ap’-ohn AV-servant 1; 1
1) an attendant, servant: of God
1a) spoken of Moses discharging the duties committed to him by God
UNDERSTAND: disease = #3554 νόσος nosos nos’-os
AV-disease 6, sickness 5, infirmity 1; 12
1) disease, sickness
2) plague
3) misery, suffering, distress
4) madness, vice (moral filth)
5) bane
UNDERSTAND: sickness – #3119 μαλακία malakia mal-ak-ee’-ah
AV-disease 3; 3
1) softness
2) in the NT infirmity, debility, bodily weakness, sickness
This come from a root word, # 3120 μαλακός malakos mal-ak-os’
AV-soft 3, effeminate 1; 4
1) soft, soft to the touch
2) metaph. in a bad sense
2a) effeminate
2a1) of a catamite
2a2) of a boy kept for homosexual relations with a man
2a3) of a male who submits his body to unnatural lewdness
2a4) of a male prostitute
GO TO ACTION & BE HIS DISCIPLE – DO IT NOW
YOU have been summoned and sent – Just as Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness, so you have been summoned and sent.
Matthew 10:7“And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give. 9“Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, 10or a bag for your journey, or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support. 11“And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at his house until you leave that city. 12“As you enter the house, give it your greeting. 13“If the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace. 14“Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet. 15“Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.
We are Called to His ministry
Be His disciple
Next: Let’s Go
Stay with me as we move into the application of what it means to BE and disciple of Jesus and what we will DO together, in His Spirit and Strength. (And, if doesn’t amaze and humble you and me, we were not alive to begin with. PART 3 coming soon!
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
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