Impact: The Call to Discipleship
Impact
The Call to Discipleship
Christian discipleship is the lifelong process of growing in Jesus Christ, becoming more like Him as the Holy Spirit shapes us, strengthens us, and equips us to face the pressures and trials of this life.
Here’s what that looks like in everyday life:
As a born-again child of God, I want to become more and more like my Heavenly Father, not because of anything good in me, but because of the One I’m following. Growing up, my earthly father influenced me deeply. The more time I spent with him, the more I naturally picked up his traits, his habits, even the way he talked.
I know not everyone had a good earthly father, but all of us have had someone in our lives who left an imprint, someone whose character, attitude, or way of living rubbed off on us simply because we were around them.
It works the same way spiritually.
The more time you spend with Jesus and with other believers who love Him, the more His character becomes your own.
So draw close. Stay close. Get around Jesus and His people as much as you can!
Here’s what that looks like in everyday life:
As a born-again child of God, I want to become more and more like my Heavenly Father, not because of anything good in me, but because of the One I’m following. Growing up, my earthly father influenced me deeply. The more time I spent with him, the more I naturally picked up his traits, his habits, even the way he talked.
I know not everyone had a good earthly father, but all of us have had someone in our lives who left an imprint, someone whose character, attitude, or way of living rubbed off on us simply because we were around them.
It works the same way spiritually.
The more time you spend with Jesus and with other believers who love Him, the more His character becomes your own.
So draw close. Stay close. Get around Jesus and His people as much as you can!
World Impact is World Discipleship.
Matthew 28:18-20
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
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
1. The Call to FOLLOW comes before the call to GO.
Matthew 28:18–19
“Jesus came and spoke to them (His disciples), saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore…’”
Jesus wasn’t speaking to strangers, He was speaking to disciples He had already prepared. He was, in effect, telling them:
“You are ready.”
(Annapolis First Baptist… You are ready!)
34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
A Disciple Follows
Mark 8:34–38
34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
Before anything else, before ministry, before serving, before going, a disciple must follow.
Matthew 4:18–19
18 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
Notice the order:
Before He says “I will make you fishers of men,”
He first says, “Follow Me.”
If you want to make an impact in the world through discipleship,
encountering Christ comes first.
“Jesus came and spoke to them (His disciples), saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore…’”
Jesus wasn’t speaking to strangers, He was speaking to disciples He had already prepared. He was, in effect, telling them:
“You are ready.”
(Annapolis First Baptist… You are ready!)
34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
A Disciple Follows
Mark 8:34–38
34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
Before anything else, before ministry, before serving, before going, a disciple must follow.
Matthew 4:18–19
18 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
Notice the order:
Before He says “I will make you fishers of men,”
He first says, “Follow Me.”
If you want to make an impact in the world through discipleship,
encountering Christ comes first.
2. The Call Is to TEACH so they will KNOW.
Jesus didn’t just call us to go, He called us to teach.
Matthew 28:20
“…teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.”
Discipleship is not complete until teaching happens.
Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Let’s break that down:
Psalm 119:105
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
2 Timothy 3:16–17
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Our Story Should Never Stop at Salvation
There is so much more God wants to do in our lives.
He does not want us to stay the same.
This is the process of sanctification and disciples must teach this.
(Illustration: Justin and the bowl of rice for world missions.)
1 Corinthians 3:1-4
And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able;
Paul explains that spiritual infants must grow from milk to solid food.
People grow by learning the Word of God and following the direction it gives.
They must be taught:
Don’t just hear the words, study them and apply them.
We learn God’s whisper by learning His voice through His Word.
1 Kings 19:11–12
. . . but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.
Elijah was overwhelmed, surrounded by chaos, and ready to give up.
But God met him gently, with a whisper.
Among all the noise of this world…
Hear God’s whisper.
Jesus doesn’t leave us.
He walks with us, speaks to us, and grows us into who He created us to be.
And that must be taught so all will know.
Matthew 28:20
“…teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.”
Discipleship is not complete until teaching happens.
Hebrews 4:12
12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Let’s break that down:
- Alive — “I portray the Savior.”
- Active — “I go as He is in me.”
- Sharper — “It gives me direction.”
- Penetrates — “It saves.”
- Judges — “It convicts us.”
Psalm 119:105
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
- Lamp — “It is power.”
- Light — “It illuminates direction.”
2 Timothy 3:16–17
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
- Given — “Gifted to us.”
- Inspired by God — “He is the author.”
- Profitable for doctrine — “It discerns the right ways.”
- Reproof — “It shows what God disapproves.”
- Correction — “It rebukes and redirects.”
- Instruction — “It teaches the way.”
- Complete man — “The result of God’s work in us.”
- Equipped completely — “Becoming more Christlike.”
Our Story Should Never Stop at Salvation
There is so much more God wants to do in our lives.
He does not want us to stay the same.
This is the process of sanctification and disciples must teach this.
(Illustration: Justin and the bowl of rice for world missions.)
1 Corinthians 3:1-4
And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able;
Paul explains that spiritual infants must grow from milk to solid food.
People grow by learning the Word of God and following the direction it gives.
They must be taught:
Don’t just hear the words, study them and apply them.
We learn God’s whisper by learning His voice through His Word.
1 Kings 19:11–12
. . . but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.
Elijah was overwhelmed, surrounded by chaos, and ready to give up.
But God met him gently, with a whisper.
Among all the noise of this world…
Hear God’s whisper.
Jesus doesn’t leave us.
He walks with us, speaks to us, and grows us into who He created us to be.
And that must be taught so all will know.
3. No one is SENT alone
When Jesus sends us, He never sends us by ourselves.
His presence goes with us, His Spirit lives within us, and His power prepares the way.
Matthew 28:20
and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen
Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5
5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
When Jesus commands us to go,
He never expects us to go alone.
He prepares the path and walks it with us.
John 21:17
And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. "
Jesus already knew the sheep.
He knew where they were.
And He knew Peter would not feed them alone because Christ would go with him.
John 14:15-17
15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
A disciple is never sent without the Spirit.
Every step of obedience is empowered by the One who walks with us, fills us, and leads us.
The Call to Discipleship Summed Up
His presence goes with us, His Spirit lives within us, and His power prepares the way.
Matthew 28:20
and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen
Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5
5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
When Jesus commands us to go,
He never expects us to go alone.
He prepares the path and walks it with us.
John 21:17
And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. "
Jesus already knew the sheep.
He knew where they were.
And He knew Peter would not feed them alone because Christ would go with him.
John 14:15-17
15 “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.
A disciple is never sent without the Spirit.
Every step of obedience is empowered by the One who walks with us, fills us, and leads us.
The Call to Discipleship Summed Up
- Follow — before you go.
- Teach — so they will know.
- Go — but never alone.
FOLLOW. LEARN. TEACH. TO MAKE AN IMPACT.
Next Step: Identify Where You Are With Jesus
As you think about the call to discipleship, ask yourself honestly:
Every journey of discipleship begins in the same place, with the call to salvation.
If you sense that today…
If you feel the draw…
If you feel the Lord tugging at your heart…
That is the call.
Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, and let us reason together,
” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.”
2 Corinthians 6:17–18
17 Therefore “Come out from among them and be separate,
says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you.”
18 “I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters,
Says the LORD Almighty.”
John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Romans 10:9–10
"If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved."
Acts 2:21
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Ephesians 2:8–9
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
As you think about the call to discipleship, ask yourself honestly:
- Are you introducing others to Someone you haven’t truly met yet?
- Is your belief built on man’s words or God’s Word?
- Have you spent time with Jesus, but never shared Him with others?
Every journey of discipleship begins in the same place, with the call to salvation.
If you sense that today…
If you feel the draw…
If you feel the Lord tugging at your heart…
That is the call.
Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, and let us reason together,
” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.”
2 Corinthians 6:17–18
17 Therefore “Come out from among them and be separate,
says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you.”
18 “I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters,
Says the LORD Almighty.”
John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Romans 10:9–10
"If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved."
Acts 2:21
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Ephesians 2:8–9
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
If God is calling you today, step toward Him.
Salvation is the beginning.
Discipleship is the journey.
Jesus is the One who leads every step.
Salvation is the beginning.
Discipleship is the journey.
Jesus is the One who leads every step.
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