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Fundamentals of Christianity 1
Lesson 8
Then the word of God spread, and the number of disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem.... Acts 1:7a NKJVAnd the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. NKJV Acts 11:26b
DISCIPLE: a learner, one who follows one's teachings. Vines Dictionary
CHRISTIAN: A believer and follower of the teachings of Jesus. Websters Dictionary
FOLLOW: To proceed or come after: to pursue; to follow the course of; to obey; to come after in time or position; to ensure; to result; to attend to closely, to understand the meaning of. Websters Dictionary
Every one who calls themself a Christian is suppose to be a disciple or a follower of Christ. This is how you can know a Christian from others. Do they obey the teachings of Christ? Obedience to the teachings of Christ is what makes us a true Christian or disciple.
Six Marks of a True Disciple Of Jesus
1. The first mark of a true disciple is that he is born-again.
Jesus answered and said to him, "most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born-again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God."
John 3:3 NKJV2. He is a committed Christian: He understands that being a Christian is much more than a title and a free ticket to heaven. They realize it is a commitment and a lifestyle, and that God really does expect there to be change in their life.
They realize that every area of their life must come under the subjection of Christ.
Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. Luke 14:27
This speaks of dying daily to the old sinful nature and following the ways and the teaching of Jesus. We have to crucify our flesh daily. We all have temptation to sin, but we must overcome those temptations.
I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 1 Corinthians 15:31
A disciple is not above his teacher nor a slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher.... Matthew 10:24;25a
A true disciple of Christ accepts that their life is not their own but rather it belongs to God, to His will for their life.
They realize that God's will for their life is the life that will make them happy beyond anything that they could ever dream up for them self.
3. The third mark of a true disciple is that he lives holy. For the child of God, holy living is not an option. It is mandatory. I am not talking about man made holiness, but God's true holiness which is to obey the word and the laws of God. We know how God expects us to live by His word, the Holy Bible.
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. Romans 6: 12-13 NKJV
For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in Holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8
... that you put off concerning our old man which grows corrupt according to deceitful lusts and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God in true righteousness and holiness. 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 NKJV
Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple, God will destroy him, For the temple of God is Holy, which temple you are. 1 Cor. 3:16-17 NKJV
As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance, but as He who called you is Holy, you also be holy in all your conduct. 1 Peter 1:14
For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God came upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore, do not be partakers with them for you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. Eph 5:5-8 NKJV
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Gal. 5:24 NKJV
In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. 1 John 3:10 NKJV
If you know that something is wrong according to God and you do it anyway, it is a sin. We are all human and we all will sin sometimes, but to willfully continue to do what God tells us not to do will bring God's judgment into our life. When we do sin we must repent, receive God's forgiveness and strive to live pure. As we grow in the Lord, He will continue over time to show us things in our life that are not pleasing to Him.
Repent: To feel regret for something that has occurred; to turn from that sin trusting God to forgive and cleanse us. We must confess our sin and our regret to God in prayer. No sin is so big that God cannot forgive us and no sin is so big that we are trapped in it. The blood of Christ is strong enough to set us free from the bondages of all sinful practices.
4. The fourth mark of a true disciple is that he grows spiritually. Every disciple must grow in order to become mature and produce spiritual fruit. We must eat, drink and exercise in order to grow. We eat and drink God's word, which is nourishment to our bodies. Then we exercise by obeying God's word. If we do this, we will become strong and mature Christians, producing much fruit.
Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babies, desire the pure milk of the work, that you may be able to grow thereby.... 1 Peter 2:13 NKJV
...for everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Hebrews 5:13-14 NKJV
We must read God's word each day. A chapter is good, more is better. The more you "eat" the faster you will grow. Without this is it impossible to grow strong. Don't only read it, but meditate on it and pray over it. Ask your teacher the Holy Spirit to help you apply it to your life. He will!
5. The fifth mark of a true disciple is that he produces fruit.
"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered, and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned, "If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. "By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, so you will be my disciples." John 15:5-8 NKJV
One type of fruit that we produce as God’s children is the fruit of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is love, peace, joy, goodness, kindness, patience, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. As you spend time in God's presence, you will grow in the Lord and you will begin to manifest the nature of Christ which is the fruit of the Spirit. Instead of exhibiting the old carnal nature of hatred, bitterness, anger, jealousy, rage, selfishness, or envy you will manifest the fruit of the Spirit. See Gal. 5: 16-26
Another fruit that we produce is all kinds of good works. As your love for man and God grows and you take on God’s heart more and more, you will begin to desire to do good to man for God. These good works are the fruit of your salvation and they come in many, many forms.
Another fruit of our salvation is souls. It is every Christians responsibility to lead the lost to Christ. We are to be a bold witness for God. We are to be light that shines the way to Christ.
We lead people to Christ with our testimony. We should tell people about the things God has done for us whenever God opens the door and gives us opportunity. We tell them that they can have God in their life and go to heaven when they die. We should be prepared to pray the sinners prayer with them and answer any questions they have or else be prepared to take them to someone who can answer their questions.
We also should be a witness for Christ with our life. If we live the Christian life, people will be able to see our love for God and man. Eventually they will question us about our different life. When they do, we should be ready with the good news of Jesus. We should live for an opportunity to share the love of Jesus with people. If we really love people, then we don't want them to go to hell and we don't want them to have to live life without God in it.
6. The sixth mark of a true disciple is that he disciples others.
Once you have matured and have lead people to Christ it is now time for you to disciple them. If no one disciples them, they will stay spiritual babies forever, never becoming mature and leading others to Christ. Babies cannot feed themselves, they need someone more mature to feed them in the beginning. You have to take them by the hand and help them begin to grow and learn the things of God. We do this by teaching them what we know, and encouraging them in their walk with God. We must continue to grow ourselves while helping others to grow as well. If we do this, then we are fulfilling our commission from Jesus to make disciples.
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you, and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28: 18b-20 NIV
Weekly Challenges:
Read: Read your proverbs chapter each day and also one chapter from the New Testament.
Think: Think about how your life measures up to a true disciple of Jesus and ways you can make improvements.
Pray: Pray for at least 20 minutes each day.
Operation L.O.V.E.: This week, mention your relationship with God and how He has made a difference in your life to one person. It can be a family member, or a friend or anyone you choose.
Scripture Memorization:
Luke 14:27 Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. Luke 14:27
A disciple is not above his teacher nor a slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher.... Matthew 10:24;25a