Are You A Disciple Of Jesus?

Are You A Disciple Of Jesus? The purpose in this study is to make clear what is involved in being a true disciple of Jesus Christ. We will do this by looking at Jesus' own words. There are seven statements about discipleship that Jesus makes in the gospels: One statement that tells us the goal of discipleship. Three statements that tell us the marks of a disciple. Three statements that reveal the cost of discipleship.

These statements give us a profile of a disciple. [To begin, let's look at the goal of discipleship...] I.

THE GOAL OF A DISCIPLE A. THE WORD "DISCIPLE"... 1.

The word "disciple" literally means A LEARNER. 2. According to Vine's Expository Dictionary Of New Testament Words, it denotes "one who follows another's teaching." 3. But a disciple was not only a learner, he was also AN ADHERENT.

4. For this reason disciples were spoken of as IMITATORS of their teachers. B. THE GOAL IN BEING A DISCIPLE..

. 1. Stated by Jesus himself: "every disciple will be like his teacher" - Luke 6:40. 2. To be Christ's disciple, then, is to strive to be like Him! - Colossians 1:28.

"I am apprenticing myself to Jesus." 3. According to the apostle Paul, this coincides with God's goal in the redemption of mankind, that they be conformed to the image of His Son - Romans 8:29. [There are some "identifying marks" of discipleship given by Jesus which can help us to recognize a true disciple of Jesus..

.] II. THE MARKS OF A DISCIPLE A. A DISCIPLE IS "ONE WHO ABIDES IN JESUS' WORDS" - John 8:31 1. This would imply being a diligent student of the teachings Christ.

2. It also requires one to be a "doer" of the Word - Matthew 7:21-27; James 1:21-25. 3. In view of this, a true disciple would not..

. a. Fail to study the Bible diligently. b. Willingly refrain from opportunities to study with others (e.

g., Bible classes, home groups). B. A DISCIPLE IS ALSO "ONE WHO LOVES THE BRETHREN" - John 13:34-35. 1.

With a love patterned after the love of Jesus ("as I have loved you"). 2. With a love that is visible to the world ("by this all will know"). 3. Therefore, a true disciple would.

.. a. Make every effort to get to know his brethren. b.

Take advantage of occasions to encourage and grow closer to them (e.g., home groups). 4. Remember, a disciple is one who wants to become like his teacher.

a. Was Jesus willing to sacrifice time and effort for His brethren? b. Of course, and so will we IF we are truly HIS disciples! C. A DISCIPLE IS "ONE WHO BEARS MUCH FRUIT" - John 15:8. 1.

Notice the word "much" (also found in verse 5). 2. This is so important, that failure to bear much fruit will result in being severed from Christ - John 15:1-2. 3. How can one be a disciple if he or she is cut off from Christ? These are the marks of being a disciple: Abiding in the teachings of Christ Loving the brethren Bearing fruit to the glory of God Are these marks evident in your life? Are you a disciple of Jesus? III.

THE COST OF BEING A DISCIPLE A. JESUS MUST COME FIRST - Luke 14:26 1. Before anyone else, including members of our own family - Matthew 10:34-37. 2. Even before one's own self: "deny himself" (Luke 9:23-25).

3. All relationship must be placed under Him. A.W. Tozer said: "We are called to an everlasting preoccupation with God.

" B. WE MUST BE WILLING TO SUFFER FOR CHRIST - Luke 14:27. 1. Trying to live godly lives in an ungodly world, we will find that following Christ sometimes involves ridicule and persecution - "Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12). 2.

Even if we are blessed to escape such things, we must still be willing to expend time and effort in promoting the cause of Christ in positive ways. C. WE MUST FORSAKE STUFF TO FOLLOW CHRIST - Luke 14:33 1. We must yield our stuff. 2.

We must view ourselves as stewards, rather than owners. This is the cost of being a disciple: in order to follow Jesus we must forsake: Self Security Stuff To follow Jesus means a radical reorientation of your life. [Now that we understand the nature of discipleship, its marks and costs, we need to ask, "How does one begin?" For the answer we turn to Matthew 28:19-20 ...

] IV. THE BEGINNING OF A DISCIPLE A. ACCORDING TO JESUS, IT INVOLVES BAPTISM - Matthew 28:19. BAPTISM IS THE LOGICAL STARTING PLACE FOR TRUE DISCIPLESHIP! B. BUT BAPTISM IS ONLY THE BEGINNING, TEACHING AND OBEDIENCE MUST FOLLOW - Matthew 28:20.

1. This brings us back to the very definition of discipleship. 2. For Jesus clearly states: a. We are to be TAUGHT (that is, to be LEARNERS) b.

We are to OBSERVE (that is, to be ADHERENTS or DOERS). 3. We do this in community together. a. Jesus' band -- Luke 6:12-16.

b. Early church bands -- Acts 2:4-47. c. Paul's band -- Colossians 4:7-14. d.

Discipleship happens in the context of community, i.e. being together. (E.g.

, home groups, men's groups, women's groups, one-on-one discipleship.) 4. As a group we embark on a life devoted to learning and doing all that Jesus has commanded us to do. C. TAKE CONSOLATION IN THE PROMISE OF JESUS: "And behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" - Matthew 28:20.

[This kind of "high cost" of discipleship demanded by Jesus caused many people to turn away from following Him. But Jesus wasn't trying to attract large crowds. He wanted disciples! But we should not only ask, "What does it cost to follow Jesus?" We should ask, "What does it cost to not follow Jesus?"] V. THE COST OF NOT BEING A DISCIPLE A. THE LOSS OF "FUTURE BLESSINGS" 1.

We shall not be saved from the wrath of God which is to come upon the world for its sins - Romans 5:9. 2. We will not be able to look forward with joyful anticipation of eternity with God, free from sorrow, pain and death - Revelation 21:1-8. B. THE LOSS OF "PRESENT BLESSINGS" 1.

Jesus offers a PEACE the world cannot give to calm the troubled heart - John 14:27. 2. His words inspire JOY to lift our spirits out of any depression - John 15:11. 3. He also offers to those who follow Him the ABIDING LOVE OF GOD, which can cast out fear - John 15:9; 1 John 4:18.

4. If we do not follow Christ, we are not members of THE FAMILY OF GOD, which is able if needed to replace our physical family - Mark 10:28-30. CONCLUSION: Finally, we must not forget the cost to the Father and the Son. Jesus' death was a great sacrifice -- a sacrifice of love to us, so that we could be disciples. Are you are a disciple of Jesus? For other Bible teachings see our Teachings page.

For more on how to become a Christian see our Good News page.