calendar_today November 18, 2024

Acts: Life On Mission – Week 12 – Lifelong Discipleship

person CJ Ward

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Lifelong Discipleship

The twelfth installment of the Acts: Life on Mission series explores the concept of lifelong discipleship and what it means to live as a disciple of Jesus. Drawing from Acts 10, this message emphasizes the transformative power of following Jesus and invites us to reconsider how we engage with others in sharing the gospel.

A Mission of Discipleship

At the core of the Christian life is a twofold mission:

To be a disciple of Jesus.
To invite others to become disciples of Jesus.

Discipleship, as defined at New Life, is a lifelong journey of living the way of Jesus with the people of God. This message highlights how discipleship isn’t a phase or a season but a continuous process of growth, learning, and transformation.

Peter and Cornelius: A Transformative Encounter

Acts 10 recounts the meeting between Peter, a devout Jewish follower of Christ, and Cornelius, a Roman Centurion and Gentile. Despite their cultural and religious differences, their interaction reveals profound truths about discipleship:

God’s Radical Inclusivity: Peter learned that God’s call extends beyond cultural or religious barriers. The vision of unclean animals in Acts 10:9-15 taught Peter that “God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean” (Acts 10:28).
The Importance of Listening and Learning: Peter was still learning, even after years of following Jesus. This reminds us that discipleship requires humility and a willingness to change.

What is Lifelong Discipleship?

Discipleship involves:

Continuous Growth: Being open to Jesus shaping our hearts, minds, and actions throughout our lives.
Holding Opinions Loosely: Recognizing that our understanding evolves as we grow closer to Christ.
Inviting Others: Encouraging others to join the journey without demanding they meet preconceived standards before encountering Jesus.

Barriers to Lifelong Discipleship

Stopping the Journey Too Soon: When we stop asking Jesus to shape our opinions, we risk making our own ideas an idol.
Expecting Perfection: We can’t require others to change completely before introducing them to Jesus. Faith in Christ is the starting point, and transformation follows.

As Peter learned, “We don’t clean people up so they can come to Jesus; we bring people to Jesus so He can clean them up.”

Application: Living the Mission

Surrender Opinions to Jesus
Reflect on what opinions or assumptions might be holding you back from fully trusting Jesus. Have you stopped asking, “What does Jesus think about this?”
Embrace the Lifelong Journey
Be honest about your struggles and imperfections. Let the world see a disciple who is learning and growing.
Invite Others to Jesus
Who in your life are you hesitant to invite into discipleship? Take a step of faith and extend an invitation.

Empowered by the Holy Spirit

The book of Acts reminds us that the Holy Spirit is working within us. The Spirit wants your neighbors, co-workers, and friends to come to Jesus more than you do. If you listen, the Spirit will create opportunities for you to share your faith and invite others into discipleship.

A Closing Thought

The mission of discipleship is not about perfection or pretending to have all the answers. It’s about showing the world what it means to be a lifelong learner, constantly growing closer to Jesus and bringing others along for the journey.

As this message from Acts: Life on Mission illustrates, discipleship is not about being done—it’s about becoming.

Scripture References:

Take the next step in your journey. Explore what it means to live as a disciple and invite others to experience the transformative love of Jesus.

Did you like Acts: Life On Mission – Week 12 – Lifelong Discipleship? If so, check out more of our Sunday teachings here.

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