ARE YOU A DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST ROMANS
- Slides: 8
ARE YOU A DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST ROMANS 12: 1
Introduction: o John 8: 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; o Luke 14: 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. o Luke 14: 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
We see here that Jesus makes it clear what He expects from His followers. o Continue in His Word (the Bible) o Bear the hardness of this life and follow after Jesus (your cross) o Forsake ownership of all you have for Christ – He is now the owner and it is to be used as He sees fit. You are a steward.
1. It is motivated by God’s mercy to us. o o o It cannot be done without God’s mercy or without His grace. Our presentation of self as a living sacrifice is not worthy of God’s acceptance – it is with His mercy and love that He does accept it. It is the only thing we really have to offer. It is the realization of the great mercy God has shown to us that compels us to surrender our lives back to Him.
2. It is complete. o o God wants 100% of you. This includes our relationships, activities, entertainment, money, possessions, goals, dreams, time, everything – every area of our lives. Part of our lives does not cut it and is not acceptable.
3. It is reasonable. o o Jesus had sacrificed everything for us – we should have the same heart. Jesus made full surrender a clear condition of discipleship.
Mat 10: 37 -39 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
3. It is reasonable. o Jesus is to have first place in our lives – above every human relationship or commitment /above every addiction and hobby / above self!.
