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CHARACTERISTICS OF A PROGRESSING DISCIPLE

INTRODUCTION

The word “disciple” means “one who is a learner, i.e. pupil”

Matthew 10:24-25–"The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. {25} It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?"

Luke 6:40–"The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master."

John 13:16–"Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him."

John 15:20–"Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also."

The commitment which Jesus calls us to is more than that of a professing disciple. Judas Iscariot was a professing disciple. It is even more than that of a possessing disciple.

Rather He calls us to become progressing disciples. Not progressive, but progressing!

What are the characteristics of one who is a progressing disciple?:

I.         A PROGRESSING DISCIPLE HAS A CHRIST-CENTERED LOVE.

            A.        Our Love For Christ Is To Be Characterized By Our Fervency!

It is to be so intense and fervent that all other love seems, by comparison, as hatred.

                        Luke 14:26–"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."

B.        Our Love For Christ Is To Be Characterized By Our Deep Devotion! (Philippians 3:7-14)

Paul was so deeply devoted to Christ that the things that were once gain to him, were counted as loss for Christ.

            C.        Our Love For Christ Is Characterized By Our Actions!

Titus 2:11–“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; 13Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;”

                        i.e. Our Love For Christ Is Characterized By Obedience!

                        John 14:15, 21, 23-24

II.       A PROGRESSING DISCIPLE HAS A COMPASSION FOR THE BRETHREN.

            Jesus said that our love for each other would convince a watching world that we are

            His disciples.

John 13:35–“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

            The apostle John repeats this truth over and over again in his first epistle.

            (1 John 2:9-10; 3:14-18; 4:7-11, 20)

III.      A PROGRESSING DISCIPLE HAS A CONTINUING SELF-DENIAL.

Matthew 16:24–“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

            Like Jesus, the progressing disciple does not claim any rights of his own, but completely

            yields himself to God.

Romans 6:13–"Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God."

IV.      A PROGRESSING DISCIPLE CHOOSES THE CROSS.

Matthew 16:24–“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

            A.        The Cross Was A Place Of Humbling!

Philippians 2:8–“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

            B.        The Cross Was A Place Of Obeying!

                        Christ was obedient to His Father. We are to be obedient to Him!

            C.        The Cross Was A Place Of Dying!

                        Christ died for sin! We are to die to sin!

            D.        The Cross Was A Place Of Choosing! 

                        Christ chose the cross. He wants us to choose to take up our cross!

            E.        The Cross Was A Place Of Suffering! (2 Timothy 3:12)

                        Christ’s disciples are to expect (and even anticipate and glory in) suffering!

1 Peter 2:21–"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:”

1 Peter 4:12-13–"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings;”

V.        A PROGRESSING DISCIPLE CHASES AFTER CHRIST.

Matthew 16:24–“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

            Following Christ is a way of life which requires careful consideration and personal sacrifice.

            Jesus actually discouraged people from following Him without first counting the cost. (Luke 14:26–35)

            1 John 2:6–"He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked."

  VI.     A PROGRESSING DISCIPLE CONTINUES IN THE WORD.

John 8:31-32–“If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

            Spiritual sustenance, direction, and life are found as we abide in His Word and allow His

            Word to abide in us.

            John 15:7– "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and             

            it shall be done unto you."

            John 17:17–"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."

            Colossians 3:16–"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and             admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with                

            grace in your hearts to the Lord."

VII.     A PROGRESSING DISCIPLE CASTS ALL ON THE ALTAR FOR CHRIST.

            Luke 14:33–"So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he             

            cannot be my disciple."

            Luke 5:11– "And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and               

            followed him."

            Jesus insisted that His disciples be willing to forsake all in order to follow him.

            A.        It May Be Prosperity And Possessions.

                        Luke 18:22–"Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest                         

                        thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt                         have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me."

                        1 John 2:15– "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any                         

                        man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

                        Luke 6:22–"Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you

                        from their  company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of

                        man's sake."

            C.        It May Be Position and Power.

Philippians 3:7-8--"But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. {8} Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,"

Luke 18:28-30–"Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee. {29} And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, {30} Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting."

VIII.   A PROGRESSING DISCIPLE HAS A CONSISTENT PRAYER LIFE.

            Jesus taught His disciples that commitment to prayer was essential if they were to have

            victory over the weakness of their flesh.

            Matthew 26:41–"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is             

            willing, but the flesh is weak.”

            Luke 18:1–“. . .men ought always to pray, and not to faint;”

            Much Prayer, Much Power!

            Little Prayer, Little Power!

            No Prayer, No Power!

IX.      A PROGRESSING DISCIPLE HAS A CONSTANT COMMISSION THAT HE FULFILLS.   

            (Matthew 28:18-20)

            A.        A True Disciple Follows The Conduct Of The Master.

                        Jesus sought the souls of men. Should we do any less?

            B.        A True Disciple Follows The Charge By The Master.

                        Jesus gave His disciples a Commission to carry out!

X.        A PROGRESSING DISCIPLE HAS A CHURCH HE IS CONNECTED TO.

1 Timothy 3:15–“But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

            A.        A True Disciple Is Vitally Connected To The Local Church.

            B.        A True Disciple Is Very Concerned For The Local Church. (1 Corinthians 12)

CONCLUSION

The goal for our lives must be more than just going around professing our discipleship!

It must be living our discipleship!

Our lives must be continually progressing in our walk with the Lord!

Jesus invested three years training His disciples to follow Him, teaching them how to have a right relationship with God and how to win converts, build them in the faith, and send them out to win, build, and send others. We are a result of what Jesus set in motion! We must continue what Jesus set in motion! To do that we must be true disciples!

The name “Christian” literally means “a follower of Christ.”

Are we living up to the name? Are we truly following Christ? Or are we following our own ambitions and dreams?

Home Page   Contact Us    Service Times   Sermons   Are You Going To Heaven?

NOTICE:   THESE SERMONS ARE FREE TO BE USED BUT ARE NOT TO BE SOLD!