Wings of Faith

A Few Good Peoples

1. Intro----Last time we saw what a disciple is NOT , not a religious person, not one who makes rules no one can follow, not those of traditions of men, not mearly the spectators,
2. · Who is a "disciple" in your understanding?

   · What associations does this word bring?

   In the Greek original of the Scriptures, the word that is used for "disciple" literally means "the one who studies the admonitions taken from another". This word was used by Greeks when someone became an apprentice of a craftsman. The disciple wasn’t just a student but a follower; he was spoken of as a successor of his teacher. Transferring this meaning into our Christian life and remembering that a Christian is called to be a disciple of Jesus we can make a conclusion that we need to follow Jesus and put His purposes as the foundation of our lives without considering the price for us. Thus, a Christian – disciple is someone who decided to follow Jesus Christ desiring to learn from Him and to live according to His example.

   · Why did Jesus call several people who followed Him "disciples"?

   · Can we call ourselves His "disciples"?

3. Who then is a disciple? Who did God choose

1. 1. they were for the most part younger------- as you get older you get set in your ways, not as open to new things
   2. from different parts of society----some govt workers, Matthew, some laborers, Andrew James John Peter, fisherman, Luke was a doctor
   3. 1. Acts 4-13 Mark 1-16—20 Mat 5-27
   4. from different part of the country Galileans,

1. 1. to be a Jerusalem Jew was real status---these guys were like form Bithlo, country rednecks, no class, no culture

1. 1. Differing in personality and philosophy

1. 1. Peter loudmouth, Thomas was hesitant, Simon was political revolutionary
   2. Commitment to Lord bound them together

1. 1. Had a heart for God---the original God chasers
   2. 1. Nathaniel John 1-45—51 he was a pious man
   3. No formal religious training—to their advantage since that system was flawed

1. 1. this is not the most likely to succeed group, God could do great thru them, not that they could do great for God Acts 4-13
   2. 1 Corin 1 26-31 Let him who boasts boast in the Lord
   3. 2 Corin 12-9------My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness

1. 1. modern evangelism says rech the KEY people, the ones that can do more----Gods work is furthered in Gods way and through God’s resources
   2. Jesus not a winner by the worlds standards---kicked out materialism but invited it thru the backdoor
   3.  

1. How does this relate to us today?

1. 1. Discipleship is a process

1. 1. Jesus proclaimed as Messiah—by John the Baptist John 1-35---some followed and spent the day with him
   2. Invited them and others to Follow Him later Mat 4-18—22 Mark 1-16—20 but they did not quit their jobs right away?
   3. Still later appointed the 12 as apostles Mat 10-1 Mark 3-13 Luke 6-12, limited assignment and limited power
   4. Not till after the Holy Spirit came did they do anything

1. Implications for today

1. 1. Life long process

1. 1. start by knowing Jesus more intimately wherever you are at—this is the initial call as faith deepened they left jobs to follow him
   2. trust on what God did thu Jesus, not what you can do for God by trusting in yourself—we were in rebellion to God due to sin
   3. as you grow in relationship to Jesus it may be later that you are called as was the disciples---------we today equate discipleship with service and its usually service to us, not Jesus
   4. become Jesus servants first, friends later seek first the Kingdom of God, pray thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven!

1. Requirements of discipleship Luke 14-25--33

1. 1. puts Jesus above those nearest and dearest to Him
   2. values following Jesus above life itself
   3. more committed to Jesus than to material possessions Luke 14--33
   4. Must die daily to self interest Luke 14-27 and Luke 9—23 "Take up your cross daily-- His cross was the instrument which put to death the sinless Son of God. Taking up our cross involves the daily putting to death of the selfish desires and ambitions of the old self, our lower nature (cf. Romans 6:1-14; 1 Corinthians 15:31; 2 Corinthians 4:7-12; Colossians 2:20; 3:11).

1. 1. be willing to lay aside self seeking selfish ambition
   2. ambition should be to please Jesus
   3. we don’t come out so good here, like the disciples we jocky for position Mat 18 23-11—12 Mark 9-34 Luke 9-46—43 22 24--26

· What does it mean: "take your cross", when we speak about following Jesus?

God is calling His children to true discipleship, to faithfulness and obedience to the Lord, they must be ready, out of their love for Jesus, to live according to His standards, no matter what it costs them. Discipleship without payment cannot be true discipleship. Christians are called to forget about themselves, and daily carry their cross in aspiration to follow Jesus Christ. Their cross is not a burden laid on them, but it’s something they are ready to endure for the sake of the Gospel. God has become the head in their lives, driving back their pride and all the rest. Giving God the supremacy in life leads to better results for the disciples and those they love. That’s why Jesus set such a high price for the discipleship. He called everyone to consider how much it’ll cost them (Luke 9:57-62; John 6:60-66; Mark 10:17-31).

The price demanded by Jesus is high that’s why it’s not surprising that only His most faithful disciples remained with Him. But these few were enough to turn this world over.

Try to help people realize that in becoming a disciple of Christ we need to go and stick to the words He told us. The Great Commission given to us - to go and teach all the nations – wasn’t said in a way of a petition but a commandment!!! Jesus didn’t say: "Well, guys, I’m going to my Father, and you, if you really want to and if the time permits, please go and teach all the nations". No! He commanded all of us to broaden the Heavenly Kingdom. That’s why we shouldn’t only be Christ’s disciples ourselves but also bring others to be disciples of Jesus Christ. Here we’ll list 5 important terms on Biblical discipleship. They will help you if you get armed with them.

1. Faithfulness. Only faithful people suit for discipleship.

2. Love for Jesus and giving Him the supremacy. That means to live according to His will,that is in obedience.

3. Readiness to give away yourself, to sacrifice. Your growing into spiritual maturity requires sacrifices in time, strength, and sometimes even in relationships. God has a personal teaching program for everyone. He wishes we trusted our life with this program thus we could transform into the likeness and image of His son Jesus (Philippians 2:13; 2 nd Corinthians 9:8; 1 st Thessalonians 5:23-24).

4. Spiritual thirst. It means a real desire to grow spiritually and to be used by God.

5. Desire to learn. It means we are ready to submit to the authority of God’s Word and of spiritual mentors set by God.

· Who can be a "disciple of Christ"?