Called to Discipleship
Called to Discipleship
Aaron Rios | Garden City Church | April 20, 2025
Mark 3:13-15 (NASB)
"And He went up on the mountain and summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him. And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him, and that He could send them out to preach, and to have authority to cast out the demons."
The Journey of a Disciple
When we think about being a disciple of Jesus, we need to recognize something: it’s a journey.
It’s not instant. It’s not microwave Christianity. It's not "say a prayer" and get a badge. Discipleship unfolds in stages, just like it did for the first followers of Christ.
Today, many are making half-hearted commitments to Jesus — they want the benefits of salvation without the burden of surrender. They want the privileges without the price. But anointing costs. True discipleship demands a daily choice to follow Jesus, not just an emotional decision at an altar.
Here’s how the journey of a disciple looks:
1. Watcher – Observing Jesus
(John 1:35-39)
Before you ever become a worker for Christ, you become a watcher. You’re drawn in, you observe. You hear about Him, you lean in. "Come and see," Jesus said — and they did.
2. Follower – Choosing to Walk After Him
(Matthew 4:19-20)
At some point, the invitation demands action. Jesus says, "Follow Me," and real disciples drop their nets — their old life — and pursue Him.
3. Learner – Receiving His Teaching
(Matthew 11:28-29)
Jesus doesn't just want followers; He wants students. Learners. Those who take His yoke, submit to His ways, and are willing to be shaped.
4. Worker – Carrying Out His Mission
(Matthew 10:1)
Disciples eventually become workers. Jesus anoints them, authorizes them, and sends them out — not just to be saved but to be sent.
5. Friend – Becoming Trusted
(John 15:15)
And eventually, those who endure the shaping process become something beautiful: Friends of God — trusted with His heart, His secrets, His mission.
Qualities of a Disciple
The call to discipleship isn’t vague — Jesus modeled and demanded clear traits in His followers.
1. Disciples Are Teachable
A disciple must be correctable — willing to be rebuked, willing to be wrong.
Proverbs 3:11-12 reminds us, "My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline... because the Lord disciplines those He loves."
Jesus didn’t hesitate to correct:
Correction isn’t to destroy you — it’s to shape you.
2. Disciples Are Humble and Submissive
Matthew 14:22 says Jesus made the disciples get into the boat. He didn’t ask — He commanded. And real disciples obey.
Luke 6:46 challenges us, "Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?"
Discipleship means saying yes — even when it’s inconvenient, uncomfortable, or unclear.
3. Disciples Move in Power
Disciples are not weaklings — they are filled with the Holy Spirit’s power.
Acts 1:8 promises, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you."
But beware: the Sons of Sceva learned the hard way (Acts 19:11-20) that authority doesn't come from quoting the right words — it comes from walking in true relationship with Christ.
4. Disciples May Fall — But Are Always Restored
Disciples stumble — even Peter denied Christ three times — but they are not discarded.
Jesus restores the broken disciple. True discipleship is not measured by how perfect you are, but by how willing you are to be restored.
5. Disciples Reject the World's Pressure
When Peter and John were commanded not to speak about Jesus, they boldly replied:
"Which is right in God's eyes: to listen to you, or to Him?" (Acts 4:19)
Disciples fear God more than man — no compromise.
Discipleship Demands Community and Commitment
Following Jesus isn’t just a personal experience — it’s a community commitment.
The early Church modeled it:
"They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship..." (Acts 2:42)
You’re not just saved into a personal relationship — you’re saved into a family.
Discipleship demands devotion, discipline, and doing life together.
Who Is Not a Disciple?
Let’s be clear:
Disciples are teachable, correctable, humble, submissive, loving, and Spirit-led.
Those who resist the Holy Spirit, refuse correction, and cling to pride disqualify themselves.
"You stiff-necked people! You always resist the Holy Spirit!" (Acts 7:51)
Rebellion is serious business — it’s compared to witchcraft (1 Samuel 15:23). A heart that refuses God’s leading cannot claim discipleship.
Final Call: Be Available. Be Teachable.
The invitation is open — but it’s costly.
Jesus is calling watchers to become followers. Followers to become learners. Learners to become workers. Workers to become friends.
He’s looking for disciples — not distant admirers.
The question is: Will you answer the call?
"And He went up on the mountain and summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him. And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him, and that He could send them out to preach, and to have authority to cast out the demons."
The Journey of a Disciple
When we think about being a disciple of Jesus, we need to recognize something: it’s a journey.
It’s not instant. It’s not microwave Christianity. It's not "say a prayer" and get a badge. Discipleship unfolds in stages, just like it did for the first followers of Christ.
Today, many are making half-hearted commitments to Jesus — they want the benefits of salvation without the burden of surrender. They want the privileges without the price. But anointing costs. True discipleship demands a daily choice to follow Jesus, not just an emotional decision at an altar.
Here’s how the journey of a disciple looks:
1. Watcher – Observing Jesus
(John 1:35-39)
Before you ever become a worker for Christ, you become a watcher. You’re drawn in, you observe. You hear about Him, you lean in. "Come and see," Jesus said — and they did.
2. Follower – Choosing to Walk After Him
(Matthew 4:19-20)
At some point, the invitation demands action. Jesus says, "Follow Me," and real disciples drop their nets — their old life — and pursue Him.
3. Learner – Receiving His Teaching
(Matthew 11:28-29)
Jesus doesn't just want followers; He wants students. Learners. Those who take His yoke, submit to His ways, and are willing to be shaped.
4. Worker – Carrying Out His Mission
(Matthew 10:1)
Disciples eventually become workers. Jesus anoints them, authorizes them, and sends them out — not just to be saved but to be sent.
5. Friend – Becoming Trusted
(John 15:15)
And eventually, those who endure the shaping process become something beautiful: Friends of God — trusted with His heart, His secrets, His mission.
Qualities of a Disciple
The call to discipleship isn’t vague — Jesus modeled and demanded clear traits in His followers.
1. Disciples Are Teachable
A disciple must be correctable — willing to be rebuked, willing to be wrong.
Proverbs 3:11-12 reminds us, "My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline... because the Lord disciplines those He loves."
Jesus didn’t hesitate to correct:
- Rebuked their unbelief (Luke 9:37-41)
- Rebuked their pride (Luke 9:46-48)
- Rebuked their intolerance and bigotry (Luke 9:49-56)
- Corrected misunderstandings (Luke 9:44-45)
Correction isn’t to destroy you — it’s to shape you.
If you can’t be corrected by Jesus, you can’t be commissioned by Jesus.
2. Disciples Are Humble and Submissive
Matthew 14:22 says Jesus made the disciples get into the boat. He didn’t ask — He commanded. And real disciples obey.
Luke 6:46 challenges us, "Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?"
Discipleship means saying yes — even when it’s inconvenient, uncomfortable, or unclear.
3. Disciples Move in Power
Disciples are not weaklings — they are filled with the Holy Spirit’s power.
Acts 1:8 promises, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you."
But beware: the Sons of Sceva learned the hard way (Acts 19:11-20) that authority doesn't come from quoting the right words — it comes from walking in true relationship with Christ.
Hell recognizes real disciples. Does it recognize you?
4. Disciples May Fall — But Are Always Restored
Disciples stumble — even Peter denied Christ three times — but they are not discarded.
Jesus restores the broken disciple. True discipleship is not measured by how perfect you are, but by how willing you are to be restored.
5. Disciples Reject the World's Pressure
When Peter and John were commanded not to speak about Jesus, they boldly replied:
"Which is right in God's eyes: to listen to you, or to Him?" (Acts 4:19)
Disciples fear God more than man — no compromise.
Discipleship Demands Community and Commitment
Following Jesus isn’t just a personal experience — it’s a community commitment.
The early Church modeled it:
"They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship..." (Acts 2:42)
You’re not just saved into a personal relationship — you’re saved into a family.
Discipleship demands devotion, discipline, and doing life together.
Who Is Not a Disciple?
Let’s be clear:
- Pharisees weren’t disciples.
- The Sadducees weren’t disciples.
- Those looking for handouts weren’t disciples.
Disciples are teachable, correctable, humble, submissive, loving, and Spirit-led.
Those who resist the Holy Spirit, refuse correction, and cling to pride disqualify themselves.
"You stiff-necked people! You always resist the Holy Spirit!" (Acts 7:51)
Rebellion is serious business — it’s compared to witchcraft (1 Samuel 15:23). A heart that refuses God’s leading cannot claim discipleship.
Final Call: Be Available. Be Teachable.
The invitation is open — but it’s costly.
Jesus is calling watchers to become followers. Followers to become learners. Learners to become workers. Workers to become friends.
He’s looking for disciples — not distant admirers.
The question is: Will you answer the call?
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