Making and Maturing Disciples

Eagle's Landing Sermons

A healthy church is committed to making and maturing disciples. 1. Cling to Jesus and reject false teaching. “Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons…” — 1 Timothy 4:1 “…through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.” — 1 Timothy 4:2–3 “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God.” — Genesis 3:4-5 “For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.” — 1 Timothy 4:4-5 2. Train yourself for godliness. “If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed.” — 1 Timothy 4:6 “Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness…” — 1 Timothy 4:7 “…for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.” — 1 Timothy 4:8-9 Growing as a disciple is not always easy, but it is simple. 3. Aim for making and maturing disciples of Jesus. “For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.” — 1 Timothy 4:10 “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ…” — Ephesians 4:11-13 Ministry is not easy, but it’s worth it. And Jesus said, “If any man follow me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me…” — Luke 9:23 “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” — Galatians 2:20