INTRODUCTION — THE FRIEND IN THE MIRROR
Set the moment (brief):
“As I’ve shared before, God nudges me when I scroll. God uses what’s around us to get our attention. And this one stopped me immediately. I knew there was a sermon here.”
Read the meme slowly — verbatim:
“The other day I was hangin’ out with a friend.
This friend is a Christian but doesn’t always act like one.
Some days he’s in line with God’s Word,
and some days life’s struggles get the best of him.
As our eyes met I really wanted to say something about it
but decided to let the Lord speak to his heart
knowing nothing I could say would have the same impact
as his Father’s Words.
So I prayed with him.
And after some time passed,
I winked at him…
and walked away from the mirror.”
Pause. Don’t rush. Let it sit.
Clarify the meaning:
- “That story isn’t about hypocrisy — it’s about honesty.”
Reveal:
- “That ‘friend’ wasn’t someone else.”
- “That friend was the person in the mirror.”
- “And if we’re honest, it’s probably the same person we see.”
Transition:
- “Before we ever talk about discipling others, we need to talk about discipling ourselves.”
I. WHAT A DISCIPLE ACTUALLY IS (AND ISN’T)
A. A Disciple Is Not Just a Believer — A Disciple Is a Follower
Clarify Jesus’ standard:
- Jesus never said, “Agree with Me.”
- He said, “Follow Me.”
Scripture woven naturally:
Luke 9:23 — “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
Key truths:
- Discipleship is not information — it’s transformation.
- It’s not intention — it’s direction.
- You can believe facts about Jesus and still refuse to follow Him.
B. We Often Settle for Association Instead of Imitation
Reality check:
- We attend church.
- We know Scripture.
- We admire Jesus.
- But admiration is not obedience.
Line to land:
- “The most dangerous place spiritually is knowing the truth but being untouched by it.”
II. KNOWING TRUTH WITHOUT OBEYING IT IS SELF-DECEPTION
A. Scripture Warns Us About Hearing Without Doing
Scripture:
James 1:22 — “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
Insight:
- The problem isn’t ignorance.
- It’s selective obedience.
Tie back to the mirror:
- The mirror wasn’t unclear.
- The reflection wasn’t confusing.
- The decision came after recognition.
B. Even Mature Believers Battle the Inner War
Scripture:
Romans 7:19 — “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.”
Clarify:
- Spiritual maturity doesn’t eliminate struggle.
- It removes the excuse of denial.
Transition line:
- “If Paul had to confront himself, why do we think we’re exempt?”
III. YOU CANNOT DISCIPLE OTHERS WHILE NEGLECTING YOUR OWN SOUL
A. Self-Discipleship Is Not Self-Righteousness
Clarify grace:
- Grace does not excuse drift.
- Grace trains obedience.
Scripture:
1 Corinthians 9:27 — “I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”
Truth:
- You can preach truth publicly and neglect holiness privately.
B. Blind Spots Grow Where Self-Examination Is Ignored
Scripture:
Luke 6:41–42 — speck and log.
Clarify:
- Jesus isn’t saying ignore others.
- He’s saying see clearly first.
Statement to land:
- “Undisciplined believers don’t stop influencing people — they just start influencing them poorly.”
IV. THE COST OF NOT DISCIPLING YOURSELF
Slow this down. Let it tighten.
Unchecked drift leads to:
- Drift becoming normal
- Conviction growing quiet
- Compromise becoming justified
- Prayer replacing obedience
- Winking replacing repentance
Truth to emphasize:
- “You don’t wake up hardened — you drift there slowly.”
Tie back:
- Walking away from the mirror once makes it easier the second time.
V. LOOK YOURSELF IN THE EYE AND TELL THE TRUTH
A. Invite God Into the Mirror
Scripture:
Psalm 139:23–24 — “Search me, O God…”
Clarify:
- That’s not weakness.
- That’s courage.
Line:
- “Real prayer invites inspection, not avoidance.”
B. Learn to Preach to Yourself
Practice:
- Remind yourself who you are in Christ.
- Confront yourself when you drift.
- Correct yourself before discipline becomes public.
Tie directly to the meme:
- “Sometimes the most honest prayer you’ll ever pray is the one you pray in the mirror.”
VI. CONCLUSION — THE DISCIPLE YOU CAN’T ESCAPE
Echo the meme language:
- “Some days we’re in line with God’s Word.”
- “Some days life gets the best of us.”
- “The real question is what we do after we see it.”
Final challenge:
- You can mentor others.
- Teach classes.
- Lead ministries.
- But the one disciple you never stop leading is yourself.
Final line (pause after):
“The most consistent disciple you will ever be responsible for is the one staring back at you in the mirror.”