10 Marks of a Disciple of Christ
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Jesus is now leaving the upper room and in my opinion he has left and is making his was down through the Kidron valley back up to the garden of Gethsemane
As He is walking and still teaching and preparing His disciples he uses the opportunity as they walk past a vineyard to teach them some more
It is here in that I find 10 marks of an abiding life
*Jesus starts the discourse with the most essential
The source
As opposed to the Jews and what they have been presenting Jesus offers Himself not only as an alternative or a supplement but as the true vine
He is wording this in a way that presents Himself as the only real option
All others are false…dead branches
In order for there to be fruitful vines there needs to be a true and healthy source
No fruit can be better than the vine which produces it
The first mark of an abiding life is...
1)A life of purging (Verse 2)
1)A life of purging (Verse 2)
Right now in the younger culture purging is the newest cool trend…they call it minimalism or living a minimalist lifestyle
All that is meant by the word purge is to get rid of what is unwanted.
The Greek word is only used here in the NT
In other Greek writings it is used to speak of sweeping a house
Or in the sense of pruning a plant
Either way we look at it we are to remove what is unwanted or even more so, what is harmful, in order to make room for what is wanted, or even more so, what is beneficial
Psalm 51
2) A life of cleansing (Verse 3)
2) A life of cleansing (Verse 3)
2)
2)
This carries more of the idea of purity
And the seven angels came out of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles.
And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.
Revelation
And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
Revelatoin 22:1
3) A life of commitment (Verse 4)
3) A life of commitment (Verse 4)
A continued production of fruit depends on constant union with the source of fruitfulness
Abide~ “to remain” shows a commitment
The word carries the idea of dwelling or taking up residence
4)A life of humility (Verse 5)
4)A life of humility (Verse 5)
Fruitfulness in not only possible but is certain if the branch is humble towards the vine
THe Bible is clear, we are to remain humble
In other words, we need to be honest about our limited abilities
And be willing to look outside ourselves, in this verse it is looking to Christ...”without me ye can do nothing”
With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Philippiains 2:3
:!0
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
Are just a few verses that point to humility as a mark of one of Christ’s
5)A life free from pride (Verse 6)
5)A life free from pride (Verse 6)
Failure to maintain this vital connection (pride, not needing the vine) brings about it’s own penalty…rejection and uselessness
When pride cometh, then cometh shame: But with the lowly is wisdom.
A man’s pride shall bring him low: But honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, And before honour is humility.
Proverbs 29:23
Proverbse 18:!2
6)A life dependent on the Word (Verse 7)
6)A life dependent on the Word (Verse 7)
To remain in Christ is to allow His words to remain as the authority in our lives
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
7)A life of obedience (Verse 10)
7)A life of obedience (Verse 10)
The proof of discipleship is fruitbearing
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
If ye love me, keep my commandments.
And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
Just as Jesus glorified the Father through His life of obedience so the disciples are to glorify Christ through their lives of obedience
8)A life of joy (verse 11)
8)A life of joy (verse 11)
If obedience marks the cause of the fruitfulness then joy is the result of both the fruitfulness and obedience
In the multitude of my thoughts within me Thy comforts delight my soul.
Psalm 94:1
The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: But the expectation of the wicked shall perish.
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
9)A life of love (Verse 12-13)
9)A life of love (Verse 12-13)
Because the future work He had for them would require dependence upon one another love is a mark of an abiding life
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
All of
With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
10)An intimate relationship with Christ (Verse 14)
10)An intimate relationship with Christ (Verse 14)
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Not only with Christ but other Christians
Not only with Christ but other Christians
Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: And there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
Iron sharpeneth iron; So a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Christian friendship is more than casual acquaintance; it is partnership of mutual esteem and affection.
It is the bond through Christ, who at salvation becomes our friend
That friendship is then developed
If you have not progressed in your spiritual life in since you have been saved then Jesus isn’t so much your friend as He is an acquaintance
The result of these 10 marks is found back in verse 8
Our fruit bearing glorifies the Father
This is not a to do list....this is the byproduct of a relationship with Christ
This could be, at some level, fabricated
These are some markers for us to strive towards AS WEL GROW IN CHRIST
These markers do not grow us in Christ
They are the fruit of growing in Christ
They are indicators
In the same way that we will watch for the marks of a Pharisee we can as well watch for marks of a true disciple.
