God is calling you to become a disciple of Christ
The 12 Disciples and You!
Jesus Christ called everyone to repent, to make God the very centre of their life, and to become his disciples. That is what Jesus required of his first 12 Disciples, it is what he required of all who followed him, and it is what he requires of us today.
Before I share with you what it means to be a disciple of Christ, I first want to recommend that you do four things to equip yourself to become a disciple of Christ.
This is The Meaning of Life
Discover The Meaning of Your Life
1. Get a copy of my book – This is The Meaning of Life: With over 300 pages of evidence it is true.
This will give you the rock-solid evidence that God does exist, that physical death is not the end of life, but for those who qualify, it is the beginning of an eternal life in God’s kingdom of Heaven.
It also proves that since the beginning of creation, the history of humankind has been unfolding according to the predetermined plan and purpose of God.
Attend an Alpha Course
Welcome to Alpha
2. Attend an Alpha Course. Last year over 2 million people worldwide attended an Alpha Course, with over 10,000 courses running in the UK. This is a great introduction to the Christian faith, and gives you the opportunity to ask questions and get answers.
Discover your new family in church
Join a Church
3. Join a Church. As a Christian, a disciple of Christ you have become part of the family of God. And guess where you will find your new family? In church of course! This is where you will thrive as a Christian and find opportunities to serve God in some way, as well as enjoy the fellowship of other Christians
The Christian Holy Bible
Holy Bible
4. Buy a Holy Bible, preferably a study Bible. The Bible I have used for the past 26 years, and have just bought a new one because the pages have been falling out of my old Bible is –
The Spirit Filled Life Bible (New King James Version) NKJV. Third Edition. Published by Thomas Nelson. www.ThomasNelson.com
This best-selling NKJV Bible draws on the expertise of a team of respected, spirit-led scholars, led by Pastor Jack Hayford, founding pastor of The Church on the Way and chancellor of The King’s University. This 3rd edition is filled with updated and expanded study features to help equip God’s people to live in his kingdom, exercise gifts of the Spirit, and lay hold of His promises.
New and updates features include:
Full-colour design with updated maps and charts
Detailed NKJV concordance
In-depth articles about Spirit-filled life
“Word Wealth” – More than 650-word studies shed light on key terms, drawing important meaning from the original Greek and Hebrew
“Kingdom Dynamics” – Biblical themes from Spirit-filled preachers, teachers, and writers
“Truth-In-Action” – Handy, helpful thematic charts provide practical application from every book of the Bible
What it means to be a Disciple of Christ
What is a Disciple of Christ Jesus?
THE CALL TO TRUE DISCIPLESHIP
Text: Matthew 28:18–20
My friends, these are not the final words of a man giving casual advice. These are the marching orders of the risen Son of God! Listen to the words of Jesus:
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
This is what we call the Great Commission. Not the Great Suggestion. Not a recommendation. A commission!
Jesus begins with authority: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
Not some authority. Not partial authority. All authority.
That means Christ is not merely a teacher to admire, or a philosopher to quote, or a historical figure to debate. He is Lord! He reigns over kings and presidents, nations and armies, galaxies and governments, your life and mine.
And because He has all authority, He has every right to command us.
Now what is His command? “Go and make disciples.”
Notice—Jesus did not say, “Go and make admirers.”
He did not say, “Go and collect church attenders.”
He did not say, “Go and build religious institutions.”
He said, make disciples.
What is a disciple?
A disciple is a follower, a learner, a devoted servant of Jesus Christ.
A disciple does not simply believe facts about Jesus; a disciple surrenders to Jesus.
There is a difference between being around Christianity and being transformed by Christ.
You can sit in a church pew every Sunday and still not be a disciple.
You can know hymns, recite verses, wear a cross around your neck—and still not belong to Christ.
A disciple has counted the cost.
A disciple says:
“Lord, my life is no longer my own. My ambitions are Yours. My future is Yours. My money is Yours. My relationships are Yours. My body is Yours. My will is Yours.”
That is discipleship.
It is not perfection—but it is surrender.
Jesus says disciples are to be baptized.
Why? Because baptism is an outward declaration of an inward transformation.
It is saying to the world:
“I once belonged to sin, but now I belong to Christ. I have died with Him, and I have been raised to new life.”
And then Jesus says, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
Not merely teaching them information—but obedience.
We live in an age overflowing with information and starving for transformation.
Many people want inspiration without obedience.
They want heaven without holiness.
They want forgiveness without repentance.
They want a Saviour, but not a Lord.
But Jesus calls us to obedience.
A true disciple asks, “What has Christ commanded?” and then says, “By God’s grace, I will obey.”
To be a disciple means:
loving your enemies when the world says hate them,
forgiving when your flesh wants revenge,
pursuing purity in an impure world,
speaking truth in a culture of compromise,
carrying your cross daily.
Discipleship is costly.
But listen to the promise!
Jesus does not send us alone.
“Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
What a promise!
When you feel weak—He is with you.
When you are rejected for your faith—He is with you.
When you share the Gospel and your voice trembles—He is with you.
When the road is lonely—He is with you.
The Christian life is not lived by human strength alone. It is Christ in you, empowering you.
So I ask you, are you merely interested in Jesus, or are you following Him?
Have you admired Him from a distance, or surrendered at His feet?
The world does not need more nominal religion. It needs men and women fully devoted to Jesus Christ.
Young people—be disciples.
Parents—be disciples.
Businessmen and women—be disciples.
Students—be disciples.
Not halfway. Not part-time. Fully His.
One day, every nation, every tribe, every tongue will stand before the throne of God. The mission is urgent.
So go! Live for Christ. Speak of Christ. Love like Christ. Obey Christ.
And if you have never truly given your life to Him, do not delay.
Come to Him in repentance and faith.
For the One who gave this commission is not dead.
He is risen.
He is reigning.
And He is calling you today. Amen.