Marks of a Healthy Church #6: "Discipleship & Growth"

Sermon Scripture:  Matthew 28:18-20; Colossians 1:28-29

Sermon Notes are available for you to follow along below or for download here.

Sermon Notes:

“Before a church is a growing number of people, it is a number of people growing.” - Mark Dever
What is Discipleship?

• Scripture teaches that a live Christian is a ___________ Christian (2 Pet. 1:8-10).
• Scripture also teaches that we grow not only by instruction, but by _________ (1 Cor. 4:16; 11:1).
• Churches then should exhort their members to grow in __________ and help others do the same.

Where is it in the Bible?

• Peter exhorted his readers to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3:18)
• Paul exhorted the Ephesians to grow by speaking the truth in ______ to one another (Eph. 4:15).
• Many passages in Scripture instruct us to imitate godly __________ (Phil. 4:9; Heb. 13:7).
• The point is that, according to Scripture, all Christians should grow in Christ, imitate other godly Christians, and encourage others in their growth in Christlikeness.

Why is it important?

• Promoting biblical discipleship and growth is important because none of us are finished products.  Until we die, all Christians will struggle against sin, and we need all the help we can get in this fight.
• If a church neglects discipleship and growth, or teaches a skewed, unbiblical version of it, it will discourage genuine Christians and wrongly assure false Christians. On the other hand, if a church fosters a culture of Christian discipleship and growth, it will multiply believers’ efforts to grow in holiness.
• A church that is not growing in the faith will ultimately yield an unhealthy witness to the world.

The Great Commission: Making Disciples God’s Way (Matthew 28:18-20)

• Are we willing to __________ to Jesus’ authority? (v. 18)
  • To be ___________?
  • To be a ___________?
• Are we willing to _________ God’s plan? (v. 19)
  • ________ are your men?
  • ________ are your men?
• Are we willing to ___________ on his presence? (v. 20)

Presenting Everyone Mature in Christ: How Do We Disciple Others? (Colossians 1:28-29)

• We ____________ Jesus now so that we may ___________ mature disciples later.
• We work hard by __________ ourselves to others.
• Discipleship must be __________-empowered.
• Discipling occurs in the present, but always has its eyes on the __________ day.
  • We are investors. We invest in others with long-term thinking.
  • We are _________. We sow the seed of God’s word trusting him to make it grow in his timing.

Who would you like to see presented mature in Christ on the last day?___________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________