What is a disciple?

Are you a disciple?

Disciple: a student who adheres to (and travels with) a teacher in a pedagogical relationship; especially used of students of spiritual leaders.

Hebrew Def:

Disciple - taught, trained; pupil

LET ME ASK AGAIN, ARE YOU A JESUS DISCIPLE?

mark 8:34-35

34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. 36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Facts about the term Disciple in the NT.

Video Set Up:

Nicodemus is a Pharisee, a teacher of the teachers in that day. Nicodemus tries to help Mary that is demon possessed. He fails and then sees her later healed from Jesus. He also sees Jesus heal the paralytic that was dropped down through the rooftop.

Summary video of Nicodemus: Go to 3:06 Stop

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKu4h2RzU1c

Some are in love with the dark, I wonder which one you will be?

We are going to come back to the story of Nicodemus!

Following Jesus Christ

Synopsis

The NT provides examples of individuals who followed Jesus Christ and of the implications of this decision for their lives.

Examples of those who followed Jesus Christ

Crowds of people

Mt 4:25

Matthew 4:25 (KJV 1900) — 25 And there followed him great multitudes of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judaea, and from beyond Jordan.

See also Mt 8:1; Mt 12:15; Mt 14:13; Mt 19:2; Mk 2:15; Mk 5:24; Lk 7:9; Lk 7:11

Matthew 8:1 (KJV 1900) — 1 When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him.

Matthew 12:15 (KJV 1900) — 15 But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;

Matthew 14:13 (KJV 1900) — 13 When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.

Matthew 19:2 (KJV 1900) — 2 And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.

Mark 2:15 (KJV 1900) — 15 And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.

Mark 5:24 (KJV 1900) — 24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.

Luke 7:9 (KJV 1900) — 9 When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

Luke 7:11 (KJV 1900) — 11 And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people.

Those who were healed

Healing brought about followers/disciples! Two stories of Jesus healing the blind...

Mt 20:34

Matthew 20:34 (KJV 1900) — 34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.

See also Mk 10:52

Mark 10:52 (KJV 1900) — 52 And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

Those who were needy

Mt 9:27

Matthew 9:27 (KJV 1900) — 27 And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us.

They knew that they had a need! That is the problem with most people in the US and even that attend church, they don’t admit or see that they have a need.

The disciples

Mt 8:23

Matthew 8:23 (KJV 1900) — 23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.

See also Mk 14:51; Mk 15:41; Jn 18:15

Mark 14:51 (KJV 1900) — 51 And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him:

Mark 15:41 (KJV 1900) — 41 (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.

John 18:15 (KJV 1900) — 15 And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.

Examples of those who obeyed Jesus Christ’s call to follow him

Peter and Andrew

Mt 4:18–20

Matthew 4:18–20 (KJV 1900) — 18 And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. 19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. 20 And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

See also Lk 5:11

Luke 5:11 (KJV 1900) — 11 And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

James and John

Mk 1:19–20

Mark 1:19–20 (KJV 1900) — 19 And when he had gone a little further thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. 20 And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.

Matthew

Mt 9:9

Matthew 9:9 (KJV 1900) — 9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

Philip

Jn 1:43–45

John 1:43–45 (KJV 1900) — 43 The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. 44 Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.

Examples of those who hesitated when called to follow Jesus Christ

Mt 19:21; Lk 9:59–60

Matthew 19:21 (KJV 1900) — 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

Luke 9:59–60 (KJV 1900) — 59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

Story of Nicodemus : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1AyMDZNy9k

Nicodemus got to hear the gospel from Jesus himself! We will come back to Nicodemus again in a few mins.

Wrong motives in following Jesus Christ

1 Co 1:11–13

1 Corinthians 1:11–13 (KJV 1900) — 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. 12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

Luke 10:17

17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.

18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

The cost of following Jesus Christ

Carrying one’s cross

Mt 16:24–26

Matthew 16:24–26 (KJV 1900) — 24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

See also Mt 10:37–39; Lk 14:25–33; Jn 12:23–25

Matthew 10:37–39 (KJV 1900) — 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

Luke 14:25–33 (KJV 1900) — 25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

John 12:23–25 (KJV 1900) — 23 And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. 24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

Leaving security behind

Mt 8:19–20

Matthew 8:19–20 (KJV 1900) — 19 And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

See also Lk 9:61–62

Luke 9:61–62 (KJV 1900) — 61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Those who failed to persevere in following Jesus Christ

Jn 6:66

John 6:66 (KJV 1900) — 66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

john 6:58-70

58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

59 These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.

60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?

61 When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?

62 What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?

63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.

65 And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.

66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?

68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?

Video of Nicodemus almost choosing to become a disciple and follow Jesus.

Summory video of Nicodemus: Start at 3:06 and go to the end....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKu4h2RzU1c

END

Those who persevered under suffering in following Jesus Christ

Jn 13:12–17; Jn 21:19; Ac 22:4; Ac 24:14; Ro 15:5; 1 Co 11:1; 1 Th 1:6; 1 Pe 2:20–23; Re 14:4; Re 17:14

John 13:12–17 (KJV 1900) — 12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. 17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

John 21:19 (KJV 1900) — 19 This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.

Acts 22:4 (KJV 1900) — 4 And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.

Acts 24:14 (KJV 1900) — 14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:

Romans 15:5 (KJV 1900) — 5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:

1 Corinthians 11:1 (KJV 1900) — 1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

1 Thessalonians 1:6 (KJV 1900) — 6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:

1 Peter 2:20–23 (KJV 1900) — 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

Revelation 14:4 (KJV 1900) — 4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb.

Revelation 17:14 (KJV 1900) — 14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

The blessings of following Jesus Christ

Mt 19:27–30 The reward is not on the basis of merit but the free gift promised to those who follow Jesus Christ.

Matthew 19:27–30 (KJV 1900) — 27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? 28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. 30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

See also Jn 8:12; Jn 12:26

John 8:12 (KJV 1900) — 12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 12:26 (KJV 1900) — 26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

The limits on following Jesus Christ

Jn 13:36

John 13:36 (KJV 1900) — 36 Simon Peter said unto him, Lord, whither goest thou? Jesus answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.