Becoming a Stronger Disciple

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HOW A DISCIPLE GROWS

The growth of a disciple is a process with a beginning – and a definite end goal.

(Mark 4:30-32) Again He said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it?  It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground.  Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.”  With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand.  He did not say anything to them without using a parable.  But when He was alone with His own disciples, He explained everything.

1.            The Baby Stage

(Mark 4:30-31)  Again He said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it?  It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground.”

                A.            The Kingdom of God started out very, very small.

                B.            The tiny mustard seed is also representative of the early stages of discipleship.

(1 Pt 2:2) “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.”

                C.            During the baby stage, a disciple is not expected to accomplish great things for God.

2.            The Beneficial Stage

(4:32a) “Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants…”

                A.            The primary reason the mustard plant was grown was because of its usefulness.

                B.            The growing mustard plant represents the beneficial stage of a disciple’s life.

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                C.            As a disciple, I can get stuck in an immature and useless time warp.

(1 Corinthians 3:2) “I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it.  Indeed, you are still not ready.” 

(Hebrews 5:12-6:1) “By this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again.  You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness.  But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.  Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity...”

                D.            I will grow to become beneficial to the Lord.

3.            The Blessing Stage

(4:32) “Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.”

A.            The tiny seed grows into a mature plant that eventually becomes a blessing to outsiders (birds).

                B.            God’s salvation would one day grow to also be a blessing to outsiders (Gentiles).

                C.            The matured mustard plant represents the disciple who has become a blessing to outsiders (   ?  ).

                                1)            Would outsiders say I am a blessing to them?

                                2)            “How” would outsiders say I bless them?

                                3)            “My ultimate goal in life – is to bless everyone I know with Christ’s salvation.