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Part 5
by Samuel E. Ward
Introduction
In the first section of our study of discipleship we learned that. . .
I. There Are Demands Placed Upon Christ's Disciples.
We noted that . . .
A. Our Lives Are a Sacrifice to God.
B. Our Allegiance and Affections Toward God Take Precedence Over All Others.
C. All of Our Possessions Belong to God.
D. Our Obedience to Christ's Teachings Must Be Total.
E. Our Lives Must Bear Spiritual Fruit.
II. There Are Dangers Present to Christ's Disciples
A. The Dangers to Christ's Disciples
1. The Devil Is Prowling.
2. Overt Enemies Are Attacking.
3. Covert Enemies of Christ Are Lurking.
4. Our Flesh Is Working Against Us.
5. Our Worldly Friends' Devotion to Self-Pleasure Can Draw Us Away.
B. The Diminishment of Christ's Disciples
When disciples are intimidated by their fears, they are in danger of becoming neutralized disciples.
1. Secret Disciples
2. Fearful Disciples
After a distinguished performing career, virtuoso violinist Jascha Heifetz accepted an appointment as professor of music at UCLA. Asked what had prompted his change of career, Heifetz replied: "Violin playing is a perishable art. It must be passed on as a personal skill; otherwise it is lost."[1]
As we draw this series to a close, perhaps we can encourage disciples of Christ by reminding them that . . .
III. There Are Distinct Privileges Granted to Christ's Disciples
A. Christ's Disciples Have the Assurance of Christ's Presence.
(Hosea 6:3 NIV) "Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth."
We are never alone in our service to Christ.
1. This Promise Has Belonged to Christ's Disciples from the Beginning, Mat 28:19-20.
(Mat 28:19-20 NIV) "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, {20} and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
2. This Promise Belongs to Christ's Disciples Whenever They Meet, Mat 18:19-20.
(Mat 18:19-20 NIV) "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. {20} For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."
3. This Promise Belongs to Any of Christ's Disciples Wherever They Are And Christ Is Always Ready to Help, Heb 13:5-6.
(Heb 13:5-6 NIV) Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." {6} So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"
B. Christ's Disciples Have the Assurance of the Light of Life.
(John 8:12 NIV) When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."
1. We Have Light to Pass Through the Shadow of Death, Mat 4:16
(Mat 4:16 NIV) "The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned."
2. We Have Light to See the Revelation of God's Salvation, Luke 2:30-32.
(Luke 2:30-32 NIV) "My eyes have seen your salvation, {31} which you have prepared in the sight of all people, {32} a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."
3. We Have Light to See Christ as the Way to Life, John 1:4.
(John 1:4 NIV) In him was life, and that life was the light of men.
4. We Share the Light that Turns People Away from the Darkness, Acts 26:17-18.
(Acts 26:17-18 NIV) I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them {18} to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.
C. Christ's Disciples Have the Assurance of a Personal Relationship with Christ.
How committed is Christ to His followers? Let Jesus speak for Himself.
(John 10:27-30 NIV) "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. {28} I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. {29} My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all ; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. {30} I and the Father are one."
D. Christ's Disciples Have the Assurance of Being with Christ in Eternity and Sharing in His Honor.
(John 12:26 NIV) Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.
(John 14:1-3 NIV) "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me. {2} In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. {3} And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."
Whoever follows Christ as His obedient disciple and servant has these precious promises:
1. They Will One Day Be with Christ.
2. They Will One Day Be Honored by the Father.
3. They Will One Day Be Taken to a Specially Prepared Heavenly Residence to Be with Christ Forever.
E. Christ's Disciples Have the Assurance that They Are Walking in the Steps of Christ When They Suffer Which Will Result in Similar Exaltation.
(1 Pet 2:21 NIV) To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
1. Disciples are called to suffer as Christ suffered for us.
2. Disciples are given the example of Christ in suffering.
3. Disciples should follow Christ's steps in suffering knowing that there is a glorious destination at the end of the journey.
Conclusion: ARE YOU A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST?
I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Christ. I will not look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight-walking, small planning, colorless dreams, tame visions, worldly talking, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions or popularity. I do not need to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, am uplifted by prayer, and labor by power.
My face is set, my gait is fast, and my goal is heaven. My road is narrow, my way is rough, my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot by bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face or sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, let up or slow up until I have preached up, prayed up, paid up, stored up and stayed up for the cause of Christ.
I am a disciple of Christ. I will go until He comes, give until I drop, preach all I know and work until He stops me. And when He comes, He comes to claim His own. He will have no problem recognizing me for my colors are clear. I AM A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST.
My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight-walking, small planning, colorless dreams, tame visions, worldly talking, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions or popularity. I do not need to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, am uplifted by prayer, and labor by power.
My face is set, my gait is fast, and my goal is heaven. My road is narrow, my way is rough, my Guide reliable, my mission clear. I cannot by bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded or delayed. I will not flinch in the face or sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, let up or slow up until I have preached up, prayed up, paid up, stored up and stayed up for the cause of Christ.
I am a disciple of Christ. I will go until He comes, give until I drop, preach all I know and work until He stops me. And when He comes, He comes to claim His own. He will have no problem recognizing me for my colors are clear. I AM A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST.
Author Unknown
