Benefits of discipleship

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Joy, peace and happiness result from following Jesus Christ, together with the hope of being like him and with him in heaven. This is anticipated in the OT, which stresses the importance of obedience to the Lord.

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Blessings result from obedient discipleship

Luke 11:28 ESV

But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”

To “pray without ceasing” basically refers to recurring prayer, not nonstop talking. Thus it is to be our way of life—we’re to be continually in an attitude of prayer.

John F. MacArthur

See also Pr 8:32; Mt 7:24–25; Jn 13:17; Jn 14:21; Jas 1:25

Joy results from discipleship

John 15:10–11 ESV

If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

See also Ps 119:14; Ac 13:52; Ac 16:34 the Philippian jailer; Ro 14:17; Ro 15:13; Ga 5:22 the fruit of the Spirit; Php 1:25; 1 Th 1:6; Heb 10:34; 1 Pe 1:6; 1 Pe 1:8; Jud 24

Peace results from discipleship

John 14:27 ESV

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

See also Nu 6:26; Ps 4:8; Ps 29:11; Ps 37:11; Is 26:3; Mt 11:28–29 Jesus Christ promises rest for the weary; Lk 2:14 the angels’ greeting to the shepherds at the birth of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ’s greeting to his disciples when he first appeared to them after his resurrection:

Lk 24:36; Jn 20:19

Jn 16:33; Jn 20:21; Jn 20:26; Ro 2:10; Ro 5:1; Php 4:7; Col 3:15

True happiness results from discipleship

Happiness flows from doing God’s will

Ps 1:1; Ps 119:1–2

See also Ps 94:12; Ps 112:1; Ps 128:1; Pr 29:18

Disciples are truly happy

Matthew 5:3–12 ESV

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Disciples are abundantly recompensed in this life

Mark 10:29–30 ESV

Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.

See also Pr 15:16; Pr 16:8; Mt 7:7–11; Jn 8:12; Jn 10:27; Jn 12:26; Ro 8:31–39; 1 Ti 6:6

Disciples are blessed by being united with Jesus Christ in the family of God

Matthew 12:46–50 ESV

While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him. But he replied to the man who told him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

Disciples will be blessed with eternal life

Matthew 19:29 ESV

And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.

See also Mt 25:46; Ro 2:7; Ga 6:8; 1 Jn 1:2; 1 Jn 5:11; 1 Jn 5:13; 1 Jn 5:20

Disciples have the hope of being like Jesus Christ and being with him in heaven

1 John 3:2 ESV

Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.