Seek To Be A Disciple - John Pereira, John Polo

Seek To Be A Disciple

Notes from Brother John Pereira’s Message

Introduction: The Privilege of God’s Word

It is a privilege to engage with God’s word, which is a great favor bestowed upon humanity. Additionally, God provided Jesus Christ as the ultimate example for living. The focus begins with Matthew 4:4, where Jesus declares, “Man shall not live on bread alone but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” These words carry life and truth, spoken with deep conviction and a burden to deliver humanity from its fallen condition, religiosity, or spiritual bondage.

Jesus’ Mission and Example

As stated in Acts 10:38, Jesus went about doing good, anointed to set captives free and release the oppressed. Humanity faces various forms of oppression, but Jesus’ word and life offer deliverance. His statement in Matthew 4:4 emphasizes that physical sustenance alone is insufficient; true life comes from living by every word from God. Jesus modeled this by living each day with eagerness, attentiveness, and desperation to hear from the Father, seeking guidance on what to do and say. His life serves as a pattern for all to follow, though many remain unaware of this truth, as Satan blinds their eyes (2 Corinthians 4:4). Approaching God’s word requires humility and hunger, as Paul prays for hearts to be enlightened (Ephesians 1:17-18).

The Call to Discipleship

Discipleship involves protecting oneself from deception, maintaining zeal for God’s house, and navigating relationships with relatives. To understand how to guard against deception, Matthew 13:3-10, the Parable of the Sower, is referenced. In verse 10, the disciples ask Jesus why He speaks in parables. Jesus explains in verses 11-17 that the mysteries of the kingdom are granted to disciples but not to others. Those who seek understanding receive more, while those who do not lose even what they have. This highlights a historical pattern where many, even in Jesus’ time, failed to grasp His teachings due to a lack of a disciple’s mindset.

The Danger of Missing the Point

Throughout biblical history, from Moses to Paul, many failed to understand God’s message because they lacked a disciple’s heart. Even Judas Iscariot, a close associate of Jesus, missed the point and fell into deception. Deception is dangerous because it leads one to assume they are spiritually secure when they are not, akin to mistaking a counterfeit note for valid currency. Acts 11:26 reveals that disciples were first called Christians in Antioch, indicating that true Christianity requires discipleship. Without a disciple’s mindset, one risks missing God’s truth and falling into deception.

Personal Reflection on Deception

I lived for 25 years as a so-called Christian, assuming I was spiritually secure, but I was not a disciple and thus not truly a Christian. This was a powerful deception until God mercifully convicted me of my sin through the Holy Spirit, revealing my separation from God. This conviction aligns with Jesus’ words in Matthew 13:13-15, where He cites Isaiah’s prophecy about people who see but do not perceive, hear but do not understand, because their hearts are dull. Disciples, however, are blessed with eyes that see and ears that hear, unlike many prophets who longed for such revelation.

Humility and the Role of the Holy Spirit

Disciples must approach God with humility and hunger, as no one is superior in God’s presence. Jesus builds His church, and only humble and contrite hearts can be touched by Him (Isaiah 57:15). Pride or self-glory, such as boasting about involvement in a church like CFC, blocks Jesus’ access to the heart. A fervent-hearted disciple cannot be deceived, as their love for Jesus enables them to detect deception easily. The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in enlightening hearts to see what God intends.

Patterning Life After Jesus

To be a disciple, one must have a passionate hunger to emulate Jesus’ life, renewing thoughts to align with His. In 1 Corinthians 15:19, Paul warns that hoping only in this earthly life leads to misery, as true hope lies in resurrection and eternal life with Jesus. Hebrews 12:1-2 urges believers to lay aside encumbrances and sin, running the race set before them by fixing their eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith. Unlike a so-called Christian race, a disciple’s race is defined by this focus on Jesus.

Jesus’ Life of Dependence

Hebrews 5:7 describes Jesus’ life of dependence, offering prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears, heard because of His piety. Disciples must embrace this helplessness, relying on the Holy Spirit to overcome the flesh, emotions, and self-pity. The Holy Spirit provides power to say no to worldly and religious temptations (Acts 1:8). Many churches avoid teaching about repentance, sin, or discipleship because people prefer comfort over challenge, leading to double-mindedness where they follow Jesus for miracles but abandon Him when conditions are revealed.

Overcoming Deception Through Contentment

Philippians 4:11-13 illustrates Paul’s learned contentment in all circumstances, a mark of true discipleship. As a student of the Holy Spirit, Paul modeled Jesus’ contentment, whether in poverty or prosperity. This contrasts with worldly tendencies to dig deeper holes to solve problems, such as taking loans impulsively. John Wesley’s example is cited, as his spending habits remained consistent regardless of income, reflecting a disciple’s unchanged pattern of life.

Jesus’ Temptations and Sympathy

Hebrews 4:15 affirms that Jesus, as High Priest, sympathizes with human weaknesses, having been tempted in all points yet remaining sinless. Disciples must seek the Holy Spirit’s conviction to understand Jesus’ experiences, enabling them to rejoice in all circumstances like Paul. A disciple’s secret life, as emphasized in Matthew 5-7, is the true test of their commitment, not their public actions or church involvement.

Avoiding Self-Glory

Association with a church like CFC does not automatically make one a disciple, just as parking a bike in a car garage does not make it a car. Philippians 2:5 calls believers to adopt the attitude of Christ, which requires studying Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 5-7 to understand His heart. Matthew 24:12-13 warns that increasing lawlessness will cause many to grow cold in love, but disciples must endure in love to be saved. Jesus modeled this by praying for those who crucified Him, recognizing their blindness (Luke 23:34).

Serving the Church as Serving Jesus

1 Peter 2:23 highlights Jesus’ trust in God’s justice, leaving judgment in His hands. On Judgment Day, all will receive justice, alleviating fears of earthly unfairness. Jude 21 encourages staying within God’s love to remain a disciple. Persecuting the church equates to persecuting Jesus, while serving the church is serving Him, reinforcing the call to endure in love.

Three Conditions of Discipleship

Jesus uses the word “disciple” three times in John’s Gospel, providing clear conditions:

Abiding in the Word (John 8:31): True disciples diligently seek and abide in God’s word, acting upon it, distinguishing them from mere believers who seek personal gain (John 2:23-24).
Loving One Another (John 13:35): Disciples demonstrate love for others, even difficult individuals, as Jesus did by washing Judas’ feet despite his betrayal.
Bearing Fruit (John 15:8): Disciples bear the fruit of the Spirit, developing Christ-like character and attitudes, glorifying the Father.

Invitation to Learn from Jesus

Matthew 11:28-30 offers Jesus’ invitation: “Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Discipleship is not burdensome but a light yoke, as Jesus teaches with gentleness and humility. The desire to be a true disciple, recognized by Satan as Job was by God, drives one to seek Jesus’ help. Gathering with other disciples inspires clarity in seeing Jesus and encourages mutual growth as witnesses.

Bible References:

Matthew 4:4, 5-7, 11:28-30, 13:3-17, 24:12-13
Acts 1:8, 10:38, 11:26
2 Corinthians 4:4
Ephesians 1:17-18
Philippians 2:5, 4:11-13
Hebrews 4:15, 5:7, 12:1-2
1 Corinthians 15:19
Isaiah 57:15
1 Peter 2:23
Jude 21
John 2:23-24, 8:31, 13:35, 15:8
Luke 23:34

Notes from Brother Polo’s Message

Introduction: Following Jesus as a Disciple

The call to discipleship involves learning from and following Jesus, as exemplified by Paul, who could say, “Follow me as I follow Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). This is a calling for all disciples to emulate Jesus and become examples for others, including children, to follow. The goal is not pride or arrogance but fulfilling the role of a disciple who learns and follows Jesus faithfully.

Personal Reflection on Being an Example

I recently hesitated when someone expressed a desire to follow me, prompting reflection on my calling as a disciple. As a father, I want to confidently tell my children, “Follow Dad because Dad followed Jesus.” This requires living as a true disciple, learning from Jesus and modeling His life in a way that others can follow.

Timothy: A Young Disciple

Acts 16:1 introduces Timothy as a young disciple, highlighting that even young people can be disciples. In 1 Timothy 4:12, Paul instructs Timothy to be an example to believers, not deferring to elders but showing himself as a model in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. These align with the fruit of the Spirit, emphasizing that every believer, regardless of age, is called to learn from Jesus and demonstrate His character.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

In Acts 19:1, Paul encounters a group of about ten disciples in Ephesus who had not received the Holy Spirit, having only taken John’s baptism. This underscores the necessity of the Holy Spirit for effective discipleship. Without the Spirit’s fullness, even proper baptism is insufficient. Hebrews 5:7 describes Jesus crying out for the Spirit’s empowerment, a model for disciples to seek the Spirit’s anointing to be effective witnesses.

Avoiding Dullness of Hearing

Hebrews 5:11 warns of becoming dull of hearing, a condition that hinders understanding God’s truth, as seen in Matthew 13:15. Disciples must cry out for the Holy Spirit to restore spiritual sensitivity, moving beyond being mere believers to becoming effective disciples who follow Jesus and invite others to follow them as they follow Christ.

Bible References:

1 Corinthians 11:1
Acts 16:1, 19:1
1 Timothy 4:12
Hebrews 5:7, 5:11
Matthew 13:15

Closing Prayer Notes

Prayer reflects weakness and total dependence on God, as Jesus demonstrated with loud cries and tears (Hebrews 5:7). The prayer acknowledges that without the Holy Spirit’s help, discipleship is impossible. Gratitude is expressed for God’s word, its promises, and the Spirit’s work, which enable believers to become disciples. The prayer concludes with trust in God and a request for His guidance in Jesus’ name.

Bible Reference: