The Process of Discipleship

Text: Mark 3:13-19

Process is defined as a series of actions or steps taken in order to achieve a particular end.

Plato, called the “Father of Philosophy”, developed a system of thought that dealt with issues of epistemology which is the investigation of origin, nature, methods, and limits of human knowledge as well as issues related to the meaning of life.

Aristotle was a student of (or discipled by) Plato who took what he learned from his teacher and built “gymnasiums” or “academics.”

Ancient world gymnasiums were not sport arenas for sporting events.  They were training centers to teach students about Plato’s thoughts and the system developed by Aristotle.

This “discipleship” process was so successful that it allowed the Greeks to influence the whole Greco-Roman world.  A process called “Hellenization” was created in which the people who were not Greek began to adopt Greek thinking, language, and culture which was all a part of this concept of discipleship.

This same process/concept is active in the New Testament spiritually so that we will know what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.  Discipleship involves an apprenticeship (one learning a trade) which is brought to a particular goal.

The Victim!

TEXT:  MATTHEW 1:21: And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS:  for he shall save his people from their sins.

VICTIM:  a person who is harmed or killed by another; a living creature which is slain and offered as sacrifice ; one harmed by circumstances or condition.  [Synonyms: prey; sufferer; sacrifice; martyr].

Jesus fulfilled all of these definitions.  Romans 5:8  God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

JESUS in the Greek is Iesous [ee-ay-sooce’].  In the Hebrew it is Jehoshua (Yehoshua), meaning Jehovah saved.  In Hebrew it’s also Jehovah or Yehovah who is the self-Existent; Eternal.  Another root word of His name is yasha’ (yawshah’) meaning to be open, wide or free, i.e. to be safe; to free or succor:  save; savior, deliver, help, preserved, salvation, avenging, defend, rescue, victory.

1. HE EXISTED IN THE BEGINNING:

Affirmed in the O.T:  Psalm 2:7  I will declare the decree:  the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

Confirmed by Christ:  John 8:58  Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.

Jesus was in existence even before He was manifested as “Mary’s baby”.