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Give Online: https://pushpay.com/pay/gatecitychristian Website: https://www.gatecitychristian.com/ Decision Card: https://gatecity.churchcenter.com/people/forms/371658 FOLLOW AFTER ME What Is A Disciple? – Part 2 01/11/2026 “Come Follow (after) me, and I will make you fishers of men” Matthew 4:19 (ESV) If we misunderstand follow after, we will misunderstand discipleship. A disciple is someone who knows and follows Christ. I. “COME” SETS THE DIRECTION “Come” (Δεῦτε) is a command that demands a response. Coming to Jesus brings me close; following Jesus determines where my life goes. II. DISCIPLESHIP IS A POSITION, NOT AN EVENT Literal translation of Matthew 14:19: “Come follow after me…“ After: ὀπίσω (opisō): behind, after, in submission To follow after Jesus means placing my life behind Him and trusting His direction. Jesus’ question is simple: “Are you actually following me?” III. FOLLOWING JESUS MEANS HE SETS THE DIRECTION “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” Luke 6:46 ESV Following Jesus means He gets to interrupt my plans and redefine faithfulness. A disciple is someone who knows and follows Christ. If you love me, you will keep my commandments. John 14:15 IV. FOLLOWING AFTER JESUS IS A DAILY POSTURE, NOT A PAST MOMENT Following Jesus is a posture I choose every day. TRUTH: There is no transformation without following. There is no mission without submission. If Jesus is not setting the direction of my life, then I am not following Him. A disciple is someone who knows Christ relationally and follows Him intentionally—placing their life behind His leadership.

What is Discipleship? Come - Share Joshua Robinson 01/04/26 While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. Matthew 4:18–22 Direct Transliteration of Greek NT - Matthew 4:19 “And He says to them Come follow after Me and I will make you fishers of men” Come - δεῦτε (deute) come, come here, come now δεῦτε carries the force of a warm but urgent imperative: “come,” “come here,” or “come now.” It functions as a summons that demands personal response, never mere observation. Matthew’s Use of Deute Jesus offering Rest - Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Jesus Parable of Wedding Feast - Matthew 22:4 Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.”’ Angel after the Resurrection - Matthew 28:6 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Jesus Teaching on The Final Judgment - Matthew 25:31-34 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Conclusion 1) Jesus used the word “come” (deute) to initiate an invitation - every time! 2) Discipleship begins with an relational invitation being extended Come - A Relational Invitation A Divine Summons that Initiates Discipleship Jesus doesn’t explain discipleship - He initiates it relationally Discipleship begins because Jesus summons people, not because they seek Him Jesus initiates the relational invitation Invites Proximity to Jesus - First Requirement of Discipleship Repositioning of ones life - literally “come behind me” A disciple is first someone who has reordered their life around proximity to Jesus Jesus establishes positional authority Creates a Decision Point - You Must Choose An urgency and seriousness - follow, refuse, or walk away - Delay is a response Jesus’ invitation is not casual; every hearer must choose An Invitation that Precedes Instruction, Change, Mission Jesus invited people as they are not as they should be - not perfect but willing Jesus invites people to be near Him then change happens Establishes Discipleship as Participation, Not Observation Requires movement - demands a response - transformation is expected Cannot be obeyed internally or passively - Not about mere knowledge Jesus calls us to participate in His life not merely observe it Our First Disciple-Making Responsibility is “Come” We must extend relational invitations as we live out following Christ We focus on the one calling and not make it about the one being called Discipleship Definition Key Verse And He said to them “Come, follow after me, and I will make you fishers of men." Jesus Calls Disciples A Disciple is One Who... Come... Is relationally invited Follow after me... Knows and follows Christ (Head) and I will make you... Is being changed by Christ fisher of men. Is committed to the mission of Christ (heart) Our Definition How we define a disciple at Gate City: 1) A disciple that knows and follows Christ; and 2) a disciple is being changed by Christ; and 3) a disciple is committed to the mission of Christ.

Stones of Remembrance: Why This Year Matters for the Years Ahead Joshua Robinson 12/28/25 When all the nation had finished passing over the Jordan, the LORD said to Joshua, “Take twelve men from the people, from each tribe a man, and command them, saying, ‘Take twelve stones from here out of the midst of the Jordan, from the very place where the priests’ feet stood firmly, and bring them over with you and lay them down in the place where you lodge tonight.’” Then Joshua called the twelve men from the people of Israel, whom he had appointed, a man from each tribe. And Joshua said to them, “Pass on before the ark of the LORD your God into the midst of the Jordan, and take up each of you a stone upon his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the people of Israel, that this may be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever.” Joshua 4:1–7 God Prepares His People Joshua’s Day: 40 Years in the Wilderness (Numbers 14 - Joshua 3) Then Joshua said to the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you. . . The LORD said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. Joshua 3:5, 7 Church Today: Challenge to Leadership Call Back to Scripture This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8 Call to Biblical Authority All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16–17 Desire to Live under Ideal And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Acts 2:42 God’s Presence Leads the Way Joshua’s Day: Priests Carrying the Ark The priests bearing the ark of the covenant went before the people, and as soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away.” Joshua 3:15-16 Church Today: Conviction from the Holy Spirit Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. Acts 20:28 Faithful Obedience Joshua’s Day: Everyone Prepared, Lined Up and Crossed Now the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firmly on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan, and all Israel was passing over on dry ground until all the nation finished passing over the Jordan. Joshua 3:17 Church Today: Practical Changes Share Leadership Approach Teaching Emphasis on God’s Word Biblical Literacy Service, Sacrifice, Service Relational Communication Discipleship Driven Model (2026) God Commands Remembrance Joshua’s Day: Stones of Remembrance 12 Stones at Gigal (Reminder for future generations) 12 Stones in the Jordan (Reminder for those present) Church Today: End of the Year Remembrance I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Psalm 77:11-12 Gods Work Has a Future Purpose Joshua’s Day: Battle for Jericho/Finally receiving the Promised Land And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15 Church Today: Disciple Driven Model (2026) “Go therefore and make disciples . . .” Matthew 28:19 “God has been doing a work in us so He can do a work through us.”

BECOMING LIKE A CHILD: THE POSTURE OF TRUE DISCIPLESHIP DTR: Define The Relationship – Part 7 Matthew 18:1–4 12/14/2025 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:1–4 ESV You cannot follow Jesus well unless you become childlike. 1. Turn From Self-Reliance And Learn To Depend On God Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3 ESV “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 ESV Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5–6 ESV Jesus calls you to a simpler posture—trust first, act second. 2. Choose Humility As Your Daily Way Of Living Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:4 ESV Humility is not thinking less of yourself—But thinking of yourself less Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:3–5 ESV … Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ James 4:6 ESV 3. Receive God With Childlike Faith, Wonder, And Obedience But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.’ Mark 10:14–15 ESV Childish faith refuses to grow. Childlike faith refuses to doubt God’s goodness. And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6 ESV Childlike faith expects God to move, trusts God’s timing, doesn’t need every “why” explained, and runs to God first—not last. 4. Seek A Pure Heart And Live With Honesty, Not Hypocrisy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8 ESV So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation. 1 Peter 2:1–2 ESV Jesus calls you back to childlike honesty and purity. 5. Stay Teachable And Welcome God’s Correction Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. Proverbs 12:1 ESV A child learns because they assume they need to. Adults resist because they assume they don’t. We make disciples best when we live as disciples first—childlike, humble, dependent, and ready to obey whatever Jesus says.

Give Online: https://pushpay.com/pay/gatecitychristian Website: https://www.gatecitychristian.com/ Decision Card: https://gatecity.churchcenter.com/people/forms/371658 DTR: Define the Relationship– Part 6 12/07/25 When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. I am not speaking of all of you; I know whom I have chosen. But the Scripture will be fulfilled, ‘He who ate my bread has lifted his heel against me.’ John 13:12–18 Servant - δοῦλος (doulos) someone who is a slave and obeys the commands of his or her master; willful subjection to will (God) Master - κύριος (kurios) - supreme in authority, Lord, Master, God; often used as a substitute for the name above all names YHWH (Lord, Lord) Submit - ὑποτάσσω (hupotassó) to subject, to submit, to be under obedience Overview: Discipleship is defined by Jesus not us Jesus lays out what it means to follow Him Cannot have two masters - A right heart leads to a generous spirit Choose God/Invest in Him - A generous spirit invests in God’s Kingdom Count the cost - No comfort, no delay, no looking back Come after me, Deny yourself, Take up your cross daily, Follow Me Doing God's Will - More than words, works, and showing up Attitude/Position Matters - I have authority to teach on this issue “You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am” Attitude and Position of a Disciple 1) Jesus models attitude and positional obedience “If I then, you Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also out to” v.13 Jesus lives in submission to the Father “Father knows him and he knows the Father” John 10:15 “I do as the Father has commanded me” John 14:31 “(Jesus) did not consider equality with God a thing to be grasped” Phil 2:6 2) Jesus makes clear who is the Authority “A servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.” v. 14 “A disciple is not above his Teacher,” Luke 6:39-40 We DO NOT change Jesus Redefining Jesus is REJECTING JESUS not humility/obedience “For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus” 2 Cor. 11:3-4 “if anyone is preaching a contrary gospel . . . let him be cursed”Gal. 1:8-9 “Who is it that darkens counsel with words without knowledge?” Job 38 We DO NOT tell Him what He thinks/means Dictating what God should think is ARROGANCE not humility/obedience “did God really say” Genesis 3:1 “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil” Isaiah 5:20 We DO NOT update His commands Rewriting scripture is SELF-JUSTIFICATION not humility/obedience “did God really say” Genesis 3:1 “unstable twist (scripture) to their own destruction” 2 Peter 3:16 “do not add to His words lest he rebuke you” Pr. 30:5-6 3) Jesus commands humble/obedient imitation “you also ought to” v. 13 “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” v. 17 You are BLESSED - tied to DOING not knowing Blessed Means: A state and condition of the soul Experiencing true and lasting joy God’s favor that comes through obeying and humble service Our ONLY response - Humility and Submission • God is Lord (Master) and I am not • I will do what He tells me to do • I will learn, grow, and imitate Him Jesus says “If you love me you will keep my commandments” John 14:15 Joshua says “Choose for this day who you will serve . . .” Joshua 24:15 Paul says, “Let God be true though every one were a liar.” Romans 3:4 Early church says, “We must obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29 James says: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. “ James 4:7–8 What will you say? What will you do?

Give Online: https://pushpay.com/pay/gatecitychristian Website: https://www.gatecitychristian.com/ Decision Card: https://gatecity.churchcenter.com/people/forms/371658 DTR: Define the Relationship with Jesus Joshua Robinson 11/30/25 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:21–27 Biblical Context/Understanding Lord, Lord - κύριος (kurios) - supreme in authority, Lord, Master, God; often used as a substitute for the name above all names YHWH Doing - ποιέω (poieó) - To make, to act, to cause, to work; to create the action Will - θέλημα (theléma) - has determined what shall be done; all-encompassing purpose of God that governs creation, redemption, and consummation. Knew - γινώσκω (ginóskó) - covenant idea that genuine knowing binds together; heart level that leads to willing participation, submission, and obedience. Doing God's Will More than WORDS Lord, Lord - Claiming Jesus is God, is Master is NOT ENOUGH Confession without OBEDIENCE is empty words More Than WORKS Prophesy, Casting out Demons, Miracles - Empty works are NOT ENOUGH You can be busy and not act from your HEART You can succeed and never SUBMIT More than SHOWING UP Familiarity/Proximity to God -Being in the right place is NOT ENOUGH Proximity is not INTIMACY Attendance is not TRANSFORMATION Simply being present does not equal OBEDIENCE “You can be in God’s house and still not be with the Father” MOST TERRIFYING PHRASE: “I never knew you; depart from me” Knowing God and Being Known by Him Matter MOST 1) My HEART must CHANGE God helps in this process, but we have to SURRENDER our life, our WILL It is an intimate seeking after Him - open, broken, and ready to CHANGE “For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” 2) My OBEDIENCE must be WILLFUL Is evidence of a changed life (Salvation has happened) “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” “We have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments” 3) My LIFE is no longer MINE - His WILL Matters MOST Setting aside personal desires, hopes, and wants No longer about me “No longer I who live but Christ who lives in me” God’s WILL: “Love the Lord your God . . . Love your neighbor” “Whatever is good, pure . . . think on these things” “Live in such a way that people see your good deeds and give glory to God” “Consider others as more important than yourself” “Go unto all nations baptizing men in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Teaching them to obey all I have commanded you.” Made clear in His Word Revealed further through prayer Application: The life I build MATTERS What FOUNDATION am I building my life on? Christ Truth Obedience Surrender The outcome is clear: choose which words you want to hear: “I never knew you; depart from me” or “Well done, good and faithful servant.”