Colossians 1:28-29 28. Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: 29.Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

1.- Discipleship is about Christ. For Paul, discipleship starts with the proclamation of Christ. He says in verse 28 “Whom we preach…” and this ‘whom’ is Christ. Our faith rests in Christ (vs. 4). The Gospel message that they had received is the message of Christ Jesus, and Paul outlines this Gospel message in verses 14-22. It is interesting that Paul, writing to people who are already believers, devotes so much of his letter to emphasizing the Gospel message and the person and work of Christ. One thing this shows us is that, in discipleship and Christian growth, Christ must be the central focus.

How do we make disciples of Christ? By pointing them to Christ.

2.- Discipleship is instructional and confrontational. Discipleship is not for the faint of heart. Paul goes on to say in verse 28 “warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom.” We instruct people in the way that they should go, but we also warn people in the way that they shouldn’t. There is a right way and a wrong way that believers can live. We see both of these things in the life of Christ with His own chosen disciples. He is constantly teaching them as they are walking, or as they are hanging out in a house. Christ doesn’t shy away from rebuking His disciples when they are in error. He calls Peter “Satan,” and tells John and James that they have the wrong spirit and attitude about them. He rebukes his disciples for their unbelief and for their desire for fame and power. He both lovingly leads them and sharply rebukes them in different situations. Both are needed.
3.- Discipleship is goal oriented. That goal is that our disciples look like Jesus. Look at the next phrase in verse 28 “…that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:” The word perfect means complete or mature. We lead our people in discipleship so that they might look more like Christ everyday. Paul wrote to the believers in Galatians that he was working with them “until Christ be 1formed in you.
” The goal isn’t that we get through a set of lessons, or that our disciples can recite the church’s articles of faith. The goal is that they grow in maturity until their life mirrors the life of Christ.
4.- Discipleship is demanding. Verse 29 makes it clear that good old sweat is involved. “Whereunto I also labour, striving…”
Look at the words Paul uses here to describe his ministry. Now use these words as descriptions of the first three points we have already covered. Do we labour in proclaiming Christ and in warning and teaching others? Are we striving to present others perfect in Christ? Paul
is saying here that discipleship is a rolling-up-your-sleeves, sweat-pouring-off-your-brow, aching- back, and callused-hands kind of work. It is many times compared to being a parent. Paul even refers to Timothy as his ‘son in the faith.’ Having five children, I know a little about parenting and I can tell you, friends, it isn’t easy. It is a 24/7 job. Perhaps we need to redouble our disciplining efforts and
exert more energy into this most important work.
5.- Discipleship is accomplished through Christ working in me. Lest that last point discourage you, Paul points out that the strength we need to labor and strive doesn’t come from us, but from Christ. “Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.” Also note that the way Christ works in me is described as mightily. He is doing big and powerful things through me and you as we disciple. We warn and teach all men, but where does this wisdom come from? It comes from Christ. We labour and strive to present men perfect in Christ, but where does this needed strength come from? It comes from Christ. At the end of the day we are only tools in the Master’s hands. If we trust Him, confide in Him, and call out to Him, He will get the job done.

Conclusion: Point men to Christ. When they have accepted Christ, keep pointing them to Christ. Warn them and instruct them in all things, showing them how Christ transforms every area of our life. Work hard at it. Don’t give up, and don’t despair, because you are not alone in this effort. Christ is working in you and through you to accomplish this great task.