Buried with Christ

Buried with Christ

Romans 6:4 NKJV - Therefore we were buriedwith Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

1 Peter 4:16 NKJV - Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.

Acts 26:28-29 NKJV - Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You almost persuade me to become a Christian." And Paul said, "I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains."

Acts 11:26 NKJV - And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christiansin Antioch.

Now that I’m a Christian...

I. I am a baptized disciple.

A. Definition of a disciple

1. Merriam-Webster: “someone who accepts and helps to spread the teachings of a famous person; a convinced adherent of a school or individual”

2. Webster’s 1828 Dictionary: “A learner; a scholar; one who receives or professes to receive instruction from another; A follower; an adherent to the doctrines of another.”

3. Jesus’ disciples:

a) Left everything and followed Him (Matt. 4:22).

b) Heard all His teaching.

c) Heard His discussions with His opponents.

d) Answered questions He asked them.

e) Asked Him questions which He answered

f) Received His praise and His rebukes.

g) Observed Him under all circumstances.

h) Preached under His directions.

i) Continued preaching His message after His return to heaven.

j) Died for their faith in Him.

B. Jesus wanted His disciples to make MORE disciples.

1. Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV - And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

2. Just being baptized does NOT mean that I am a true disciple.

3. A disciple LEARNS what his master is teaching.

C. To be a disciple is to be a LEARNER.

1. 2 Peter 3:17-18 NKJV - You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

2. Ephesians 1:18-19 NKJV - the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power

II. I am a baptized disciple who does what Christ taught.

A. Mere learning does not make me a disciple.

1. John 8:31 NKJV - Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.

2. To “abide” means to LIVE or DWELL within (it). This verse tells us we are to LIVE and DWELL within the word of Jesus.

3. To Abide in the word of Jesus:

a) Know His word

b) Keep His word (Mt. 28:19)

c) Do not go beyond His word (2 John 9)

d) Teach His word to others

B. To be a disciple is to be a DOER.

1. James 1:22 NKJV - But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

2. Titus 3:14 NKJV - And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.

III. I am a baptized disciple who does what Christ taught, and I am becoming more like Him each day.

A. How far can we drift from Christ and still be a disciple?

1. Luke 6:40 NKJV - "A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.

2. Jesus’ disciples became so much like Him that their enemies “realized that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13)

3. The church is equipped to help us grow “to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:13)

4. Is this the image we are trying to embrace every day?

5. If someone told us we were “too much like Jesus”, would we be honored or embarrassed?

B. To be a disciple is to be like Jesus.

1. 1 John 3:1-3 NKJV - Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

2. NOT just the final eternal day, but RIGHT NOW we are purifying ourselves IF we are following Jesus in longing to be like Him.

IV. I am a baptized disciple who does what Christ taught, is becoming more like Him each day, and is loyal to Him regardless of the cost in terms of family, material wealth, or life itself.

A. Loyalty to Jesus is like loyalty to nothing else.

1. Luke 14:26-27, 33 NKJV - "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. "And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. ... "So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

2. If I am a disciple of Jesus, everything in my life is on the line for His sake. Career, entertainment, family, comforts, physical life... ALL is given to Him!

B. To be a disciple is to be loyal to your Master.

1. Colossians 1:18 NKJV - And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

2. Colossians 2:10, 19 NKJV - and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. ... and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.