The disciple is not above his master
William MacDonald teaches that a disciple cannot surpass their spiritual master, emphasizing the necessity of personal holiness and integrity in effective discipleship.
In this sermon, William MacDonald explores the profound truth that a disciple cannot rise above their spiritual master. Using the teaching of Jesus and the vivid illustration of the mote and the beam, he emphasizes the critical importance of personal holiness and integrity in effective discipleship. MacDonald challenges believers to examine their own lives carefully, highlighting that true ministry is rooted in character, not just knowledge or eloquence.
Text
“The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.” (Lu. 6:40)
In this passage the Lord Jesus was reminding the Twelve that when they went out to disciple others, they could not expect their disciples to progress further in the spiritual life than they themselves had attained. In other words, the extent of our positive influence on others is limited by what we ourselves are. Or as O. L. Clark said:
You cannot teach what you do not know;
You cannot lead where you do not go.
The Savior went on to reinforce the lesson by the story of the mote and the beam. A man is walking by a threshingfloor when a sudden gust of wind lands a tiny speck of chaff squarely in his eye. He rubs it, pulls the top lid down over the bottom one, and tries all the wellmeaning advice of his friends as to how to get the mote out of his eye. Then I come along with a telephone pole jutting out of my eye and say to him, “Here, my dear friend, let me help you get that atom out of your eye.” With his head at an angle, he looks up at me with his remaining good eye and says, “Don’t you think you ought to take the pole out of your own eye first?”
Of course! I can’t help someone who is struggling with a besetting sin if I am even more shackled by that particular sin. I can’t press on him obedience to some plain command of Scripture if I have not obeyed it myself. Any spiritual failure in my life seals my lips in that particular area.
When my disciple has become perfect, that is, when I have finished training him, I cannot expect him to be one centimeter above my own spiritual stature. He may progress up to my height, but I cannot lead him beyond it.
All of which emphasizes afresh that we must take heed to ourselves. Our ministry is to be a ministry of character. It’s what’s inside that counts. We may be eloquent, clever, and fast-talking but if there are blind-spots in our lives, areas of neglect and disobedience, then our discipling of others is a case of the blind leading the blind.
Sermon Outline
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I
- The disciple cannot exceed the master’s spiritual level
- The influence of a disciple depends on the master’s own spiritual maturity
- O. L. Clark’s insight on teaching and leading
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II
- The illustration of the mote and the beam
- The necessity of self-examination before helping others
- The danger of hypocrisy in ministry
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III
- The limit of a disciple’s progress is the master’s own stature
- The importance of personal obedience to Scripture
- The ministry of character over eloquence
Key Quotes
“You cannot teach what you do not know; You cannot lead where you do not go.” — William MacDonald
“I can’t help someone who is struggling with a besetting sin if I am even more shackled by that particular sin.” — William MacDonald
“Any spiritual failure in my life seals my lips in that particular area.” — William MacDonald
Application Points
- Examine your own spiritual life honestly before attempting to disciple others.
- Strive for personal obedience to Scripture as the foundation for effective ministry.
- Focus on developing godly character to lead others authentically.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that the disciple is not above his master?
It means a disciple cannot spiritually surpass the level of maturity and character of their teacher or mentor.
Why is personal holiness important in discipleship?
Because one cannot effectively lead or teach others in areas where they themselves are disobedient or spiritually weak.
What is the lesson from the mote and the beam illustration?
It teaches that one must address their own faults before helping others with theirs.
Can a disciple ever surpass their master?
According to the sermon, a disciple may reach the master’s level but cannot exceed it.
What should be the focus of ministry according to this sermon?
The focus should be on developing character and spiritual maturity rather than just eloquence or cleverness.