Introduction
This sermon will be preached to the senior adults at New Beginnings at Roes Chapel
Baptist Church to show them the ways in which Jesus Christ conducted His ministry and
teachings, additionally providing them with a model for Christian living and ministry illustrating
the purpose of Jesus’ life work concerning discipleship.
Sermon Theme: The Method of Christ
My family has recipes passed down through many generations. For me, my mother
mastered those generational recipes along with her own. Nonetheless, many family members
either ask her to prepare them for their families or want the recipes themselves. I have mastered
many of our family's as well as my mother’s personal recipes. However, I didn’t master any of
them overnight although I had the recipes it wasn’t until I began to follow the methods of the
recipes that they began to taste just like my mother had made. But there was one method my
mother said had to be consistent and that was preparation along with preparing each dish with
love. The Method of Christ was passed down from the times of His earthly ministry, teachings,
and discipleship and many other methods in which Christ performed providing models for the
Church showing the responsibilities and the persistence it takes to make like kind.
The Function of Christ
The function of Christ carries several roles within the Christian faith and is essential for
grasping the comprehensive role His work and that should impact the faith and practices of the
believer. Jesus Christ’s earthly function began with the incarnation, when He took on the flesh of
humanity (Jn.1:14). Millard Erickson suggests that “the Son did not become less than the Father
during his earthly incarnation, but he did subordinate himself functionally to the Father’s will.”1
1 Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology, 3rd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic,
2013. 310.
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Jesus was fully divine, yet He emptied or made Himself nothing (Phil. 2:7) which allowed Him
to relate to humanity and demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way. Jesus’ incarnation is also a
complete modality of revelation that was intentional in His life and speech that pointed toward a
special revelation of God.2 The Incarnation of Jesus Christ is a definitive disclosure of God's
nature and character. In Jesus, we see the affection, leniency, and effortlessness of God
exemplified (John 1:18).
The Revelatory Role of Christ
With the incarnation of Jesus came with the revelatory role of Christ which emphasizes how
Jesus Christ reveals God to humanity. As Erickson alludes, “Jesus’s revelatory work was, of
course, his prophetic ministry during his stay on earth.”3 During His earthly ministry, Jesus
fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy, revealing God’s faithfulness to His promises. Jesus Christ
Himself is the incarnate and historical Son of God. “The more seriously the person of this Jesus
is taken, and the more the emphasis upon the word throws faith back upon the historical events
of Jesus Christ, the more faith is poised upon historical fulfillment.”4 This fulfillment
underscores the continuity of God’s plan of salvation from the Old Testament to the New
Testament. Therefore, the prophecy of Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross uncovers the
profundity of God's adoration as well as the reality of sin. It shows that God will take
extraordinary measures to redeem humanity, highlighting both His justice and mercy (Rom. 5:8).
Christ's revelatory role encompasses His life, teachings, miracles, death, resurrection, and
the promised Holy Spirit whom He would send. The Bible paints a clear picture of Jesus and His
teachings to His disciples and the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.
2 Erickson, Christian Theology. 147.
3 Erickson, Christian Theology. 699.
4 Torrance, Thomas F. Incarnation: The Person and Life of Christ. Westmont:
InterVarsity Press, 2015. 352.
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The Relational Christ
The Relational Christ model highlights the significance of connections in spiritual growth
and disciple-making. By providing a personal influence, mentorship, and teaching as well as by
exhibiting the ideal behavior, advancing encouragement, and equipping His followers for
ministry, Jesus created a vibrant and effective approach to disciple-making. This relational
method not only fulfilled His mission, but also laid the foundation for the ongoing growth and
expansion of the Christian faith..
The relational Christ stresses the significance of connections in Jesus' service and the way
that He associated with His disciples and others. This approach is foundational in understanding
how Jesus modeled disciple-making and lived out His mission. As Christopher Moody asserts,
“Jesus presented and then proceeded to model this process, the disciple’s path, during His three
years of public ministry.”5 Jesus formed a deep, personal connection with His disciples. He knew
them individually, knew their strengths and weaknesses. Jesus cultivated a sense of community
among His followers. He is the greatest mentor to have ever led a ministry of discipleship which
Moody alludes to: “Jesus desires that every disciple become a discipler, for the trainee to become
the trainer.”6 Jesus gave progressing directions and backing to His pupils. He held them
accountable, encouraged them to grow and mature in their faith, which can be seen in scripture
(Mark 4:39). Moody explains that: “The disciple’s path follows a desirable, yet predictable series
of steps from possessing Jesus’ message to maintaining His method.”7 Jesus regularly taught His
disciples about the truths of God and how to apply those truths.
The Reproducing Role of Christ
5 Moody, Christopher B. Disciple-making Disciples: A Practical Theology of the Church.
Franklin, TN: Carpenter's Son Publishing, 2021. 47.
6 Moody, Disciple-making Disciples. 133.
7 Moody, Disciple-making Disciples. 133.
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Jesus’ relational approach aimed to create disciples who would, in turn, make more
disciples, ensuring that they would make “like kind”, or make disciples of all the nations (Matt.
28:18-20). Jesus’ ministry was purposeful in creating a sustainable and multiplying impact of
reproducing disciple-making all over the world. Jesus' definitive objective was for His disciples
to make more disciples, in a manner of duplicating the effect of His earthly measure (2 Timothy
2:2).
Jesus had normal conversations with His disciples about their spiritual progress and
challenges. The role of Christ and reproduction was a dynamic and relational process and an
integral commandment given to the disciples before Jesus Christ ascended.
The Rule of Christ
The Rule of Christ accentuates the power and administration of Jesus Christ over the
existences of adherents and the congregation. It is established in the comprehension that Christ is
a definitive ruler and lord, whose lessons and model give the guiding principles for Christian
living. He also gave the commandments: “Then Jesus came to them and said,CAll authority in
heaven and on earth has been given to me.C Therefore go and make disciples of all
nations,Cbaptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,Cand
teachingCthem to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with youCalways, to
the very end of the age” (Matt. 18-20 NIV). Jesus also gave the commandments. His standard is
integral to the Realm of God, which He announced all through His service (Mark 1:15). The
Rule of Christ is a far-reaching system that envelops His power, teachings, and example. It
guides believers in their personal lives, church administration, and mission. By complying with
the Standard of Christ, Christians try to experience their confidence such that praises Jesus as
their Master and Lord. When He was on Earth, His kingdom was present in His disciples’ hearts.
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As Erickson writes, “And wherever believers today are following the lordship of Christ, the
Savior is exercising his ruling or kingly function.”8 Jesus is both Savior and King; the Christian
faith concerning both roles carries a profound implication of how believers should live and share
the good news of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
The Responsibility of Christians
Believers have been called to be disciples of Jesus. As believers, the responsibility has
been given with authority to professing Christians to “Go” and make other disciples (Mark
16:15). In the making of disciples, the disciple is called to learn from Jesus’ teachings and live a
life of obedience according to the life that He lived (Jn. 15:10). Interestingly, Moody suggests
that: “If we are a part of His church and are walking the path He has for us, then we are already
on “the Way” toward being transformed into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18).”9 This
transformation is a lifelong journey involving the following of Jesus and helping others become
Christlike as well.
Understanding discipleship involves understanding Jesus’ earthly ministry and learning
from His teachings. It also involves commitment to grow in faith and mature in His love,
allowing the fruit of the Spirit to manifest within the believer’s life. Moody alludes to it: “As
disciple-making disciples, we emphatically acknowledge our inability to produce spiritual fruit
within ourselves or someone else apart from God’s help.”10 Nonetheless, spiritual practices must
be in place, such as prayer, Bible studies, and worship to grow closer to God (Psalm 119:105).
Discipleship is a constant journey of succeeding Jesus, developing in faith, and helping others do
the same. It involves learning from Jesus’ examples biblically, obeying His commands (The
8 Erickson, Christian Theology. 701.
9 Moody, Disciple-making Disciples. 38.
10 Moody, Disciple-making Disciples. 55.
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Great Commission), growing spiritually, mentoring others, and serving with compassion. By
enfolding these responsibilities, believers can live out their faith authentically and impact the
world for Christ.
The Method of Christ Practical Implications
In the observation of how Christ lived His life during His earthly ministry, it is the
greatest example for His followers as to how He lived, taught, and interacted with people, and
then applying those principles that He left for the Church. Teaching and preaching are
imperative; they are methods that Jesus used and lived by to convey His message. In the book of
Acts, Philip is called by an angel of the Lord to go and meet a eunuch who when asked by Philip
if he understood what he was reading, replied: “How can I, unless someone guides me?” (Acts
8:31).
As a disciple, the responsibility is to learn the Word of God to become equipped to give
the Gospel effectively. It would be ideal for believers’ applicable methods to share the Gospel,
confirming that their lives exhibit the teachings of Jesus Christ (Matt. 13:34-35). Another aspect
of Jesus’ ministry was His compassion for His people. He showed compassion by healing the
sick, feeding the hungry, and comforting the brokenhearted (Matt. 9:36). Christians are called to
show empathy through demonstrations of administration, really focusing on the physical and
emotional needs of others (Matt. 14:14).
Another important aspect of the practical application of Christ's methods is prayer and
dependency on God. Jesus frequently withdrew to pray to the Father, showing that He needed to
totally depend upon the Father. Followers of Jesus should place a great deal of focus on
prioritizing prayer, seeking God's direction and strength in every aspect of ministry work (Luke
5:16).
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Discipleship was a method that Jesus invested into a small group of disciples, teaching
and monitoring them up close and personal. He spent time with them, mentoring them until the
days of the persecution, until the day of His ascension. The same mentality should apply to
someone discipling and mentoring another believer. There should be a deep investment into a
meaningful relationship mentoring others to be Christlike on their journey (Matt. 28:19-20). All
the practicalities mentioned must be performed with a spirit of sacrifice and obedience, just as
Jesus obeyed the Father’s will all the way to the cross. Christians should continue to live in
compliance with God’s will, ready to make sacrifices for the gospel (Philippians 2:8). Christ's
methods changed the status of fallen humanity, giving His disciples a message of good news, a
proclamation that must be shared so that others may join the family of God.
Bibliography
Erickson, Millard J. Christian Theology, 3rd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013.
Moody, Christopher B. Disciple-making Disciples: A Practical Theology of the Church.
Franklin, TN: Carpenter's Son Publishing, 2021.
Torrance, Thomas F. Incarnation: The Person and Life of Christ. Westmont: InterVarsity Press,
2015.
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