“ … Christians in the West have largely
neglected what it means to be a disciple of
Christ. The vast majority of western Christians
are church members, pew fillers, hymn
singers, sermon tasters, Bible readers, even
born-again believers or Spirit- filled
charismatics – but not true disciples of Jesus.
“If we were to learn the
meaning of real discipleship …
the church in the West would
be transformed and the
resultant impact on society
would be staggering”
Word ‘Christian’ only used 3x in NT
See Acts 26:28, 1 Pet 4:16
The disciples were called Christians
first at Antioch
Acts 11:26
Series – ‘Follow my Leader’
Today
‘The call to follow Jesus’
Moses had disciples - John 9:28
Also Pharisees & John Baptist - Mark 2:18
What is a disciple?
Greek ‘mathetes’ = apprentice or student
“What do you want?”
A call to scrutinise Jesus – ‘Come and see’
“Come … and you will see”
So they went and saw where he was
staying, and spent that day with Him
John 1:39
Simon Peter & Andrew - Matt 4:18-20
Matthew (Levi) - Matt 9:9
Philip - John 1:43
A call to discipleship – ‘Come follow me’
Share our lives with Him
Jesus … called to Him those he wanted,
and they came to him. He appointed
twelve - designating them apostles - that
they might be with him
Mark 3:13-14
What does it mean for us to follow Jesus?
When they saw the courage of Peter and
John and realized that they were
unschooled, ordinary men, they were
astonished and they took note that these
men had been with Jesus
Acts 4:13
What does it mean for us to follow Jesus?
Submit to His teaching
"If you love me,
you will obey what I command”
John 14:15
What does it mean for us to follow Jesus?
Spread the good news
"Come, follow me … and I will make you
fishers of men" - Matt 4:19-20
Therefore go and make disciples
of all nations - Matt 28:19
What does it mean for us to follow Jesus?
Serve others
As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom
of heaven is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead,
cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out
demons. Freely you have received, freely give
Matt 10:7-8
What does it mean for us to follow Jesus?
The kingdom of God is not a
matter of talk, but of power
1 Cor 4:20
What does it mean for us to follow Jesus?
Simple lifestyle
Do not take along any gold or silver or
copper in your belts; take no bag for the
journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a
staff; for the worker is worth his keep
Matt 10:9-10
What does it mean for us to follow Jesus?
Share our lives with Him
What does it mean for us to follow Jesus?
Submit to His teaching
Spread the good
Serve others
Simple lifestyle
“We cannot respond to the call of Jesus just to
get peace with God, peace of mind and some
sort of Insurance guarantee for the future. The
only response to the call of Jesus open to us is
the response of submission to Him as Lord of
our lives – a submission that can only be
expressed in whole life discipleship”
Peter Maiden
Is there anything in my life today
that is complicating the possibility
of me dedicating the rest of my life
to following Jesus?

The Call to Follow JESUS

  • 2.
    “ … Christiansin the West have largely neglected what it means to be a disciple of Christ. The vast majority of western Christians are church members, pew fillers, hymn singers, sermon tasters, Bible readers, even born-again believers or Spirit- filled charismatics – but not true disciples of Jesus.
  • 3.
    “If we wereto learn the meaning of real discipleship … the church in the West would be transformed and the resultant impact on society would be staggering”
  • 4.
    Word ‘Christian’ onlyused 3x in NT See Acts 26:28, 1 Pet 4:16 The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch Acts 11:26
  • 5.
    Series – ‘Followmy Leader’ Today ‘The call to follow Jesus’
  • 6.
    Moses had disciples- John 9:28 Also Pharisees & John Baptist - Mark 2:18 What is a disciple? Greek ‘mathetes’ = apprentice or student
  • 7.
    “What do youwant?” A call to scrutinise Jesus – ‘Come and see’ “Come … and you will see” So they went and saw where he was staying, and spent that day with Him John 1:39
  • 8.
    Simon Peter &Andrew - Matt 4:18-20 Matthew (Levi) - Matt 9:9 Philip - John 1:43 A call to discipleship – ‘Come follow me’
  • 9.
    Share our liveswith Him Jesus … called to Him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve - designating them apostles - that they might be with him Mark 3:13-14 What does it mean for us to follow Jesus?
  • 10.
    When they sawthe courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus Acts 4:13 What does it mean for us to follow Jesus?
  • 11.
    Submit to Histeaching "If you love me, you will obey what I command” John 14:15 What does it mean for us to follow Jesus?
  • 12.
    Spread the goodnews "Come, follow me … and I will make you fishers of men" - Matt 4:19-20 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations - Matt 28:19 What does it mean for us to follow Jesus?
  • 13.
    Serve others As yougo, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give Matt 10:7-8 What does it mean for us to follow Jesus?
  • 14.
    The kingdom ofGod is not a matter of talk, but of power 1 Cor 4:20 What does it mean for us to follow Jesus?
  • 15.
    Simple lifestyle Do nottake along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep Matt 10:9-10 What does it mean for us to follow Jesus?
  • 16.
    Share our liveswith Him What does it mean for us to follow Jesus? Submit to His teaching Spread the good Serve others Simple lifestyle
  • 17.
    “We cannot respondto the call of Jesus just to get peace with God, peace of mind and some sort of Insurance guarantee for the future. The only response to the call of Jesus open to us is the response of submission to Him as Lord of our lives – a submission that can only be expressed in whole life discipleship” Peter Maiden
  • 18.
    Is there anythingin my life today that is complicating the possibility of me dedicating the rest of my life to following Jesus?