The Disciplesâ Journey: Beginning

Jesus’ invitation to discipleship is a call to follow Him. While believing in Jesus is important, following Him is always the standard for a true disciple. In fact, the Bible does not leave room for believing in Jesus apart from obediently following Him. That sounds simple, but it is not easy. Join us for the first message in our year-long Journey to Discipleship. In this message, Pastor Gary Webber will share four responses to this simple invitation and cast vision for how we can all dedicate this year to a closer walk with Jesus on the Journey to Discipleship.  

Quoting Scripture

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: 

A sower went out to sow.  And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.

Matthew 13:4-9

Hear then the parable of the sower:  When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path

As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. 

As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. 

As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty."

Matthew 13:18-23

What is a disciple?

Discipleship is the process of learning the teachings of Jesus in the Scripture and following His example inobedience through the power of the HolySpirit.

There is no category for believing in Jesus apart from following Him

Four Responses to Jesus' Invitation (Matthew 13:1-23):

• Tuned Out (Matthew 13:4 & 19)
• Knocked Out (Matthew 13:5-6 & 20-21)
• Chocked Out (Matthew 13:7 & 22)
• Sold Out (Matthew 13:8 & 23)