You Are a “Disciple”...What Does That Mean!?!

Read: Acts 6:1-7 (Part 1)

You Are a Disciple. (What does that mean!?!)

Have you ever thought about what the people of God are called? There are so many names used to describe those whom the Lord has called to himself… so many images used to depict us. So far, in Acts, we are described as those who have been “added” and “baptized” (2:4), those who have been “saved” (2:41), those who “believe” / “believers” (4:4,5:14) and now here in chapter 6 we are called: “disciples”. Did you know that you are a disciple? What is a “disciple” exactly? Quite literally it means “one who follows” (cf. Grk. “Mathetes”) We are “followers” of Christ.

When one stops to think about it, the power of this imagery and name becomes clear. We are not simply ones whom God has added to the family. We are not solely one who have been rescued or “saved”. We are not even purely one’s who “believe”. It is more than this… WE ARE ONES WHO FOLLOW. Let that sink in. People can “follow” all sorts of things… stock markets, sports teams, maps (or should I say GPS’s, who am I kidding), celebrities, the “news”, spiritual leaders (cf. the Pharisees and Moses John 9:28) , BUT to be a saved believer who has been added to the family of God and baptized is to be a follower of Jesus… a FOLLOWER.. Jesus understood that it would not always be “easy”. He is calling us to more than simply learning about him, or even believing in him. Jesus is asking if we will follow him. Would we follow him through this illness we are battling? Would we follow him into work today? Would we follow his lead in loving our kids, friends, or spouses? Would we follow his guidelines as closely as we follow those of the CDC, WHO, or any other man-centered three letter acronym human institution? Would we follow him like we follow the latest fashion trends, or college football team? This is what it means to be a “disciple”. Are you willing to FOLLOW. Jesus never took this lightly, in fact he called us to “count the cost” of following him. (cf. Luke 14:28) It requires us to be “all in”. (cf. Luke 14:33) Not everyone who starts the journey of being a disciple seems to finish… some give up… the commitment is too much… the price of admission seems too steep: “After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.” (cf. John 6:66)

This is what Christ is calling you to in 2021. Could you… would you… follow him? As you navigate what lies ahead, would you be willing to follow him? He will LEAD. Jesus is the “trailblazer” who leads the way and makes a path. (cf. Heb. 12:1-2) He will lead you regarding your “vote” and politics. He will lead you regarding school for your kids, wearing a mask or not in the grocery store, whether you should go to church to worship, or what to do next if you have lost your job in this economy. We need to LOOK for where he is going… watch him the way you watch you GPS! We need to ASK him where we should go… and what we should do. He WILL tell you. He will tell you through the Spirit. He will tell you through the scriptures. He will tell you through prayer. He will tell you through he brothers and sisters he has placed around you and their wise council. Are you merely a “learner” about Christ? Are you simply a “believer” in Christ? Or are you ready to be a follower? He knows where he is going! You are a disciple. God loves you. Ask your big brother Jesus where you are headed this year! Love you guys… more to come on this passage. - JDP