How to be a Disciple

First Things First

1. To be a disciple, you must be a believer.

What do I mean by that?

John 3:3 ESV

3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Nicodemus was asking another question and going around the subject, Jesus cuts right to the point.

What is the point of learning to imitate a teacher if you don’t believe in him or the message he is bringing?

To be a disciple of Jesus means, first, you give yourself to him. Multiple times the apostles called themselves bondservants or slaves of Jesus. There is a reason they do that. They gave themselves completely to Jesus and believed in him as messiah.

The Greek word for faith or belief is pistis. That word also means to give your fealty or absolute commitment to a Lord, Master, or King. That is what we are called to do when we believe. That is not something most people are willing to do. They are not willing to do that because they want to be the king or queen of their lives. We are born inherently selfish. Babies cry sometimes because they are insisting their needs be met. Here is a verse that should scare you.

Matthew 7:13–14 ESV

13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

Let me be clear, I am not saying a genuine heartfelt prayer and belief won’t save you. I am saying that most people just perform a ritual without the belief and assume it is enough.

I sincerely believe there will be many who are shocked to find out they didn’t really believe or confess Christ openly and they will be on their way to hell. I absolutely do not want that for you. Read the next two verses with me.

Romans 10:9–10 ESV

9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

That word believe is the Greek word pistis I mentioned before.

If you were to go before a judge and jury today, would there be enough evidence to convict you of being a believer in Jesus? Have you confessed him out loud to others and I don’t mean just Facebook.

2. To be a disciple you must learn to pray.

How do I pray?

How do you talk with your friends? That is how you talk with God. Jesus gave an example when the apostles asked how to pray. He said this:

Matthew 6:9-13 “Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.

May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.

And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.

We pray for 3 reasons.

1. We worship him, we acknowledge him as God, as holy

2. We ask for His will to be done first

3. We ask for what we need

There are other big words that describe that, but this is simple and to the point. We humble ourselves and say he is holy, we ask Him to do his will on our lives, and then we ask for our needs.

3. To be a disciple you must study the Bible.

How do I study the Bible?

How do you study and prepare for a test, because there is one at the end of this life. The question asked will be, what have you done with Jesus? Did you believe him or reject him? Did you read what he wanted you to know and did you apply it in your life? Those are tough questions, but every human on the planet past, present and future will be held to that.

Yes, every human. No one gets an exemption or escape clause.

Does that sound harsh? Yes, but God made a simple way out. One that you do not have to pay for because Jesus paid the price for salvation. He paid the price for you to go to heaven by dying a horrible death on the cross. You just have to open the package, his free gift, and accept it.

If you have not listened to the 3rd video on relationships please go back and listen because you cannot be a disciple without a relationship with Jesus.

4. You must have a relationship with Jesus,

who is God. Jesus is God and his name is interchangeable with God.

John 1:1–5 ESV

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

How do I have a relationship with Jesus?

The clues were above. First you talk to him, pray. Then you read what he says to you, read and study your bible.

Why?

So can you pass the test. What did you do with Jesus? Did you believe in him or do you reject him?

He is alive and seated with the Father above.

Mark 16:19 ESV

19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.

He is getting your place ready in Heaven.

John 14:2 ESV

2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

Jesus is coming back to get us.

John 14:3 ESV

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

He is coming back to rule for a thousand years before he restores creation. Revelation 19, 20, and 21.

Recognize that you are at war!

This is why I teach directly from the Bible. Most people believe based on their denomination that there is some ritual and a prayer that they pray and they are magically saved from hell. The Bible tells a different story. In case you were wondering, Jesus was the one Matthew was quoting in those verses.

5. Recognize that we are at war!

John 15:18–25 ESV

18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. 21 But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Whoever hates me hates my Father also. 24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: ‘They hated me without a cause.’

Ephesians 6:10–18 ESV

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

Are you ready for war?

Do you really know Jesus and have you given yourself to him?

How will you do on the test?

Let’s pray!!!