Modern Day Disciples Part 1 - Disciples are Followers
Associate Pastor Tim Robertson
An excerpt from Part 1 of the sermon series “Modern Day Disciples” by Associate Pastor Tim Robertson, called Disciples are Followers. You can watch the whole sermon on our Facebook page.
Scripture Reading
John 12:26 (NLT)
"Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me."
What does it really mean to be a disciple of Jesus? The word disciple isn’t just about learning from Jesus—it’s about following Him, living like Him, and being where He is. The original disciples were not extraordinary because of their talents, status, or abilities—they were ordinary men who made a radical choice to follow Jesus without hesitation. They were common people, like fishermen, tax collectors, but what set them apart was their willingness to leave everything behind and trust Jesus completely. Their decision to follow Him changed not only their own lives but also the course of history. The same call is still going out today - the call to follow Jesus.
The question is not whether we can make a difference, but whether we are willing to become different in order to make a difference. Discipleship is not about fitting Jesus into our lives—but allowing Jesus to fit our lives into him. The call to follow Jesus is clear, but the choice is ours: Will we stay the same, or will we allow Him to transform us so that we can impact the world for His kingdom?
Key Points
A disciple follows Jesus closely – Jesus didn’t just invite disciples to just believe in Him; He called them to follow Him. That means going where HE goes and doing what he does. Following him will take us to places that he would go, like places of prayer, places of worship, places of serving, and places of sacrificce. If we are truly following Him, our choices, priorities, and lifestyles will reflect His presence in every area.
Discipleship requires change – When Jesus called Peter, He didn’t say, “Keep fishing and fit me into your schedule.” He said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” That meant Peter had to leave his old identity behind. Jesus doesn’t just fit into our lives—He transforms them completely, making us into something we never could have been on our own.
Obedience is the mark of a true disciple – Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” Love isn’t just about words; it’s proven through action. Obedience isn’t always easy, but it’s the evidence that we truly trust Jesus and recognize Him as Lord over our lives. Just as Deuteronomy chapters 28-30 tell us, there are great blessings for obedience - but cursing for disobedience.
Discipleship isn’t just about knowledge; it’s about living it out – The disciples didn’t just listen to Jesus’ teachings; they modeled their lives after Him. True belief is manifested by obedience in action. Knowing the Word of God is important, but if it doesn’t shape how we live, then we are not allowing God to really have his way in our lives.
You can’t follow for blessings – Many people in the Bible were drawn to Jesus because of His miracles and blessings, gladly receiving what He had to offer. They witnessed his miracles, and they benefited from his generosity - but when the cost of following got hard, they left. We can’t follow Jesus only for what He gives us—we must follow Him because we love Him and desire to be transformed by Him. True discipleship means surrendering to His leading, allowing Him to shape us into who He has called us to be.
Personal Reflection Questions
Am I following Jesus closely, or do I allow things of the world to limit how close I get to him?
What areas of my life need to change so I can truly follow Him?
Do my actions reflect my love for Jesus, or am I just going through the motions?
Am I willing to step out of my comfort zone to be a real disciple?
Have I made Jesus the priority in my life, or have I tried to fit Him into my plans?
If Jesus asked me to leave something behind to follow Him, would I be willing to do it?
Thought for My Life
Jesus is still calling disciples today—not just casual admirers, but those who will truly walk with Him. In Matthew 7, He warned that not everyone who calls Him “Lord” will enter the kingdom, but only those who do his will. Many will claim to have done great things in His name, but He will say, “I never knew you.” That warning should challenge us to examine our hearts. It’s not enough to simply know about Jesus—we must live in true relationship with Him, allowing Him to lead us and transform us.
We can’t be decieved in our assumption that we are following Jesus, only to realize too late that we never truly surrendered to him. Being His disciple means walking closely with Him, obeying His word, and letting Him shape my life. Today, I choose to follow Him fully—not from a distance, not out of convenience, but because I love Him and desire to be known by Him. No more halfway commitment. When he calls me to follow, I will follow.