The Mission Conclusion

There are Great Rewards in Being a Disciple of Jesus

There are rewards right now. We are freed and forgiven of our sins! Our past is erased, and we are made new creations in Christ!

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27 says that Jesus offers a peace the world cannot give and

1 John 4:13-18 it says Jesus offers to those who will follow Him the abiding love of God, which can cast out all fear! Then there is the promise of future blessings.

1 John 4:13-18 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.

16 And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

Then there is the promise of future blessings. Romans 5:9 says we shall be saved from the wrath to come. We get to rule and reign with Jesus forever! In Revelation 21:1-8 it says we can look forward with joyful anticipation of eternity with God, free from sin, worry, doubt, anxiety, sorrow, pain, or death. We get to dwell as perfected, glorified saints with our God for eternity. Are you a disciple? If not, how can you become a disciple?

Romans 5:9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.

In Revelation 21:1-8 it says we can look forward with joyful anticipation of eternity with God, free from sin, worry, doubt, anxiety, sorrow, pain, or death.

Revelation 21:1-8 Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3 And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

5 Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

6 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. 7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.

8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

We get to dwell as perfected, glorified saints with our God for eternity. Are you a disciple? If not, how can you become a disciple?

You Must Have a Relationship with Jesus Christ

He is the Lord of our discipleship. I’m talking about a love relationship with Almighty God, the Creator of the universe. Has the Holy Spirit taken residence in your heart and life? Have you asked Him to not only be your Savior, but to be your Lord, to rule and reign over every area of your life? For only when you do this can He shape and mold you to be all that He wants you to be.

We can’t do it in our own strength, only He can do it and only if we allow Him. Obedience and sacrifice. Taking up your cross is making God’s will, your will.

We Can’t Just Talk the Talk; We Must Walk the Talk

It’s been said "that obedience turns said faith into real faith". That is when you transition from believer to a disciple. Remember when you were growing up and you would mark your height on the wall or a doorway?

Some may do that with their kids or grandkids now. That way you could tell how much growth is happening. Physical growth takes time and so does spiritual growth, so it won’t happen overnight. You cannot microwave a disciple like a Hot Pocket. You may not be where you want to be in your spiritual growth, but you should be more mature spiritually than you were a year ago.

There is a story of a man who got lost in the desert. After wandering around for a long time his throat became very dry from thirst, but his desperation found hope when he saw a little hut in the distance. He made his way over to the hut and found a water pump with a small jug of water and a note. The note read like this: "Pour all the water into the top of the pump to prime it; if you do this you will get all the water you need". Now the man had a choice to make, if he trusted the note and poured the water in and it worked, he would have all the water he needed. If it didn’t work, he would still be thirsty, and he might die. Or he could choose to drink the water in the jug and get immediate satisfaction, but it might not be enough, and he still might die. After thinking about it…the man decided to risk it. He poured the entire jug into the pump and began to work the handle, but at first nothing happened, and he got a little scared and frantic, but he kept going and finally water started coming out. So much water came out that he drank all he wanted, took a shower, and filled all the containers that he could find. Because he was willing to give up momentary satisfaction, he got all the water he needed. Now the note also said: ‘After you have finished, please refill the jug for the next traveler.’ The man refilled the jug and added to the note: ‘Please prime the pump, believe me it works!’”

We have the same choice to make; do we hold on to what we have right now because we don’t believe there are better things in store for us, so we settle for immediate temporal gratification? Or do we trust God, take a leap of faith and give up all that we have to get what God has promised us? The choice is obvious to me – is it to you? We need to pour all the water into the pump (that is the leap of faith), work at our discipleship and trust God with everything. I say, “Go ahead pour all of yourself in and prime the pump, believe me it works!” Don’t just be a Christian. Keep walking. Be a Christian disciple.