19/09/2016
Day 23 - September 19, 2016
Topic: We are His Disciples (What it Means to Follow Jesus)
In the secondary school one of the topics we were taught in the early classes was the characteristics of living things. Among the points enumerated, the first and most important was that living things grow. Growth is a natural phenomenon and if you stop growing, you start dying. Even as adults though growth can no longer be measured in terms of increase in height but the fact that our hair, toes and fingernails grow all the time shows that growth is a continuous thing.
In much the same way, God calls us to grow into maturity and this is what Discipleship is all about. Unfortunately many grow older but do not mature in their character but the Christian experience is hinged upon two underlying principles - discipline and commitment. Growth is a commitment as much as it is an act of discipline because we become what we are committed to.
What is Discipleship
“As Jesus was going down the road, he saw Matthew sitting at his tax-collection booth. ‘COME, BE MY DISCIPLE!,’ Jesus said. So Matthew got up and followed him.” Matt. 9:9 (NLT)
TO BE A DISCIPLE…
1. I MUST FOLLOW JESUS
“IF YOU WANT to be my disciple you must come and follow me, because my servants MUST BE WHERE I AM. And if they follow me, the Father will honor them.” John 12:26 (NLT)
3 FACTS ABOUT SPIRITUAL GROWTH
Spiritual Growth is a Choice
Spiritual Growth is a Commitment
Spiritual Growth is a Relationship
“The plan was that they would BE WITH HIM and then he would send them out to proclaim the Word.” Mark 3:14b (MSG)
2. I MUST LOVE JESUS ABOVE EVERYTHING
"IF you want to be my follower you must love me more than your own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, more than your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:26 (LB)
SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS MEASURED BY LOVE!
"The most important commandment is this… You must love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, ALL your soul, ALL your mind, and ALL your strength.” Mark 12:29-30 (NLT)
3. I MUST LOVE OTHERS
“IF you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples." John 13:35 (TEV)
SPIRITUAL GROWTH HAPPENS IN COMMUNITY!
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” 1 John 3:16 (NIV)
4. I MUST OBEY THE WORD OF GOD
“IF you continue to obey my teaching, you are truly my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32 (NCV)
4 FACTS ABOUT SPIRITUAL GROWTH
It is an Ongoing Process
It is Measured by Obedience, Not Knowledge
It Is Based On God’s Word
It Sets Me Free
IF you CONTINUE to live in me and what I say lives in you, then ask for anything you want, and it will be yours. You give glory to my Father when you PRODUCE A LOT OF FRUIT and therefore show that you are my disciples.” John 15:7-8 (GW)
5. I MUST BE A SERVANT
“IF you want to be the most important person you must take the last place and be a servant to everyone else." Mark 9:35 (GW)
“For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many." Matthew 20:28 (NLT)
“IF anyone wants to be my disciple, he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24 (LB)
6. I MUST BE A DISCIPLE
“Jesus called out to them, ‘Come, be my disciples, and I will show you how to fish for people!’ And they left their nets at once and went with him.” Matthew 4:20 (LB)
“Therefore go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. And teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you; and be sure of this -– I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT)
“IF you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But IF you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will find true life.” Mark 8:35-36 (NLT, NCV)
