September 19, 2021
Today ➔
Good morning, Cornerstone! We’re so grateful that you’ve joined us together in worship today. Today is the second part of our Fall series, Membership for THE Mission. Today, Pastor and Elder Christian Burkhardt will guide us through what a “disciple” is, and what it means to be a disciple who makes disciples of Jesus Christ.
Upcoming Events ➔
September 26th, 2021 — All-Church Picnic & Back 2 School Bash / Powder Paint War
Meetings ➔
Impact (Middle School) and The Rock (High School) meet Wednesday nights. Meeting locations vary. Visit our student ministries and events pages for more information on time and location!
Cornerstone Communities: We have several groups that are meeting on Sundays and throughout the week. If you’re interested in joining a group, see our community page for more information.
Sermon overview & Questions ➔
Membership for THE Mission: Defining “Disciple”
Christian Burkhardt | September 19, 2021
Synopsis: In Matthew 28:16-20, Jesus spoke to his eleven disciples, commanding them, “As you go, make disciples of all nations…” In other words, Jesus’ “Great Commission” is the call to BE disciples and to MAKE disciples. This is the foundation of our understanding of church membership: “the commitment to be a disciple and to make disciples...in partnership with the other members and elders of Cornerstone” (Membership Booklet, p. 11). But if being and making disciples is so foundational, then it is important to clearly define what that word “disciple” means. At Cornerstone, we define what it means to be a disciple in four ways: A disciple is a follower of Jesus who is learning from Jesus, trusting Jesus, becoming like Jesus, and helping others do the same.
“Learning from Jesus” means that we are engaged in being and making disciples of Jesus, not of ourselves or any other Christian teacher or personality (1 Cor. 1:12-13). We have much to learn from one another and from those who have gone before us, but our eyes are fixed on Jesus. “Trusting Jesus” means that our faith in Jesus leads to growing faithfulness to Jesus. Paul describes this dynamic as “the obedience of faith” (Rom. 1:5; 16:26), which includes both hearing Jesus’ words and doing what He says (Luke 6:46-49; James 1:22-25). “Becoming like Jesus” is the goal of discipleship (Luke 6:40)! The Holy Spirit’s work is to transform us into the image of Jesus as we behold his glory (2 Cor. 3:18). Our work is to “walk by the spirit,” joining him in his work in our lives and in each others’ lives (Gal. 5:16-6:1). Finally, “Helping others do the same” reminds us that to be a disciple of Jesus is to be engaged in the mission to make disciples of Jesus (Matt. 28:19). Every true disciple is (or will be) a disciple-maker (2 Tim. 2:2; Col. 1:28-29).
Questions: For questions related to today’s sermon, please see our community guide.