Today I would like to examine the concept of being a disciple of Jesus. In general terms, we define a disciple as a follower. The Bible defines the word disciple as a learner or pupil. The typical student learns about a particular topic or idea but the disciple can be distinguished from a student in that the disciple applies the teaching to his life. Any student can learn about a political system or a religion and know the facts. The disciple goes a step further and lives their life according to the doctrines of the chosen topic.
For instance, a person chooses to be a Republican or Democrat because they believe the political views of a party match their views. It’s the same with religion. The doctrines of a religion make rational or logical sense to an individual so he joins a particular religion or denominational church. However, these types of followers are self made followers.
Someone might say I used to be a Catholic but I didn’t like the church’s view on abortion or gay marriage so I became something else. Another might say I was a Baptist but now I am a Presbyterian because I like what they teach instead. They hear what they like and can adhere to doctrines of a particular ideology because it’s easy to follow.
It’s been estimated that of the almost 7 billion people living today, 2 billion consider themselves Christians. Almost 1/3 of all the living people identify Christ as their savior. They have all been called by the teachings of the Bible and to some degree consider themselves a follower or disciple of Christ. But given the state of Christianity in the world today---how many of these professing Christians are indeed true disciples of Christ?
When we think of a disciple of the Bible, we think of the 12 apostles. Whoever follows the teaching of Jesus as found in the Bible can be considered a disciple. Of the 2 billion professing Christians how many are truly a disciple and how many are self made followers?
The question for everyone here today is: Are you a disciple of Christ?
This question is a self test that can only be answered by the Bible. As we go through the Bible to answer this question, we see certain tests of a true disciple. One test is not more important than another. Nor are the tests discussed today the only tests contained in the Bible.
If ye love me, keep my commandments.
John 14:15
Jesus is telling us that if we love Him we will keep His commandments. We can say we love Him, but unless we keep His laws, we don’t truly love him.
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit...Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
John 15:1-2,8-10
Jesus is explaining salvation. Jesus is the vine, and God is the husbandman that takes care of the vine. Attached to the vine are branches that can be either fruitful or fruitless. The branches are people. If a branch does not produce fruit it is taken away. Fruitful branches are pruned and produce more fruit.
As long as we abide or are attached to the vine we will be fruitful. Take the branch away from the vine and the fruit dies.
And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
John 6:65-66
No man can come unto Jesus (that is no man can become saved) unless the Father (God) has moved him or her to do so. Once some of the disciples realized they could not have salvation of their own doing, they went back and walked no more with Jesus. They didn’t want to be his disciples anymore.
Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. As he spake these words, many believed on him. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
John 8:28-32
In John 8, verses 28 and 29, Jesus is telling the Jews He is sent from God to do the Father’s will.
In verse 30, the Bible tells us “many believed on Him”. We need to understand this verse. To believe on him means in their own mind they believe there is something to what Jesus is saying. They have been witnessing the miracles and they know there is something different about Jesus. Maybe what he is saying is true.
Often someone will say “I have my faith and you have your faith.” Their faith is what they believe from what they have been told about Jesus. This type of faith is not the saving grace of God. We need to ask ourselves: Are we a self made disciple? or did God make us a disciple?
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
John 8:31
He is telling them to continue seeking Him through His word. His word is the Bible. A disciple indeed will persevere with a strong desire to seek Jesus in the Bible. And in so doing will have truth revealed to him.
And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.
John 8:32
Another name for Jesus is Truth. To know the truth is to be saved. When you are saved you are made free from sin because Jesus has paid for your sins.
And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
Luke 14:25-26
We read in verse 26, unless we hate our father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters and even our own life, we can’t be a disciple of Jesus. Doesn’t the Bible teach us to love one another? Is there a conflict in the Bible?
The hatred of our self and others spoken of in this verse, is the sin involved in our lives. If we’re not willing to give up a sin or we think we need a certain sin in our life we are in essence making that sin more important than our love for Jesus. We are making that sin an idol and are worshipping the sin rather than Jesus.
If we don’t tell our family or others about the gospel because we are afraid we will be persecuted, we are denying Jesus and placing those people above Jesus. Yes we must honor our parents, love our wife, and children; but Christ’s will must always be accomplished over the desires of our family.
If we are not willing to bear persecution for spreading the Gospel, we may not be the disciple we think we are.
God summarizes this in verse 33 of Luke 14:
So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
Luke 14:33
If we are not willing to leave all we have in this world and make Jesus number one then we cannot be His disciple. The Bible tells us in Exodus 20:5 that God is a jealous God. He doesn’t want us to put anything or anyone above Him.
We only looked at a few examples of being a true disciple. There are many others. Practically every verse in the Bible is a test for us to see how we measure up to God’s requirements. As we read through the Bible we see just how much we need God’s mercy to be a true disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.
May God give us His grace to become one of His disciples. Amen.