Being A True Disciple Part 3
Being A True Disciple
April 9, 2024
4 Marks of Good Disciples (Self-check)
Teachable Spirit…
The teacher can teach, but the student has to do the learning.
Romans 12:2; Hebrews 13:7 (ESV) Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.
Hebrews 13:17 (ESV) Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.
2. Selflessly seeking the good of others
1 Corinthians 10:24 (NLT) Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.
Selfishness is the most unChristlike quality. It is the opposite of love.
Isaiah 53:1-12 (NLT) 1 Who has believed our message? To whom has the LORD revealed his powerful arm? 2 My servant grew up in the LORD’s presence like a tender green shoot, like a root in dry ground. There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. 3 He was despised and rejected-- a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. 4 Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! 5 But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. 6 All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all. 7 He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. 8 Unjustly condemned, he was led away. No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people. 9 He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave. 10 But it was the LORD’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the LORD’s good plan will prosper in his hands. 11 When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins. 12 I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier, because he exposed himself to death. He was counted among the rebels. He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels.
3. Humility in service… no task beneath us
Philippians 2:5 is the precept, theory, of humility.
Let this mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus.
John 13:12-17 (NLT) is the practical application of the precept.
12 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 16 I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. 17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.
James 3:13 (NLT) If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom.
In a hurting and confused world, too many opportunities to be a blessing are missed because they require us to go lower than we are willing to go.
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith and see “How low did He go! Which asks the question of us, "How low can we go?" How can we who have the Spirit of Christ, a Spirit distinguished by such uncommon humility, ever walk in pride? Of all sins, none is more odious to God than the sin of pride.
4. Patient endurance of suffering, especially when unjust.
1 Peter 2:19-23 (NLT) 19 For God is pleased with you when you do what you know is right and patiently endure unfair treatment. 20 Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you. 21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. 22 He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. 23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.
5 Marks of an Environment of True Discipleship (church-check)
Churches come in different shapes, sizes and styles. It does not matter what it has or lacks, if it has these qualities it is a good church.
Authority
Do the leaders believe in and bow to the authority of Jesus?
Matthew 7:24-29 (NLT) 24 “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 for he taught with real authority--quite unlike their teachers of religious law.
First, we must recognize Jesus’ authority over all things, and all peoples.
We must hold that what He says is not merely true, but the Truth.
We must be aware that there are some who do not accept His authority and would even go further to challenge His authority. They will oppose us intellectually, materially, politically and spiritually.
2. Faithful teaching
2 Timothy 4:2-4 (NLT) 2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. 3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
We must stand strong, and not fall under their pressure.
When the teachings of Jesus are not popular, when we are mocked for not keeping up with the times, when financial support is withdrawn and friendships are lost, we must remain true to the teachings of Jesus.
3. Obedience
We need to find out if the leaders/teachers believe and follow the teachings of Jesus. Is the disciple-maker himself a disciple of Jesus?
Luke 6:46-49 (NLT)
2 Corinthians 10:6 (ESV)
4. Fervent Corporate Prayer
1 Timothy 2:8 (NLT) In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.
Nothing reveals a person’s maturity as well as his attitude to prayer…
How he prays, the content of his prayer, the posture of his prayer, the timing of his prayer…
Nothing reveals a church’s health and its theological leanings by its attitude to public prayer.
Acts 1:14; 2:42; 4:31; 6:6; 8:15; 9:40; 10:2; 12:5; 12:12; 20:36; 21:5; James 5:17
5. Presence.
Matthew 18:20 (ESV)
Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT)
The promise of His Presence is amazing.
Where His authority is recognized, where His truth is not compromised and where He is obeyed, Jesus always makes His Presence known.
He is a very Present help in time of need. His Presence is made manifest in different ways as we will see the different experiences of the saints.
