THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP (Criteria for Total Commitment)
By Frank Eiklor and Cecilia Contreras
LESSON 14 (Part 1)
The four gospels constitute Jesus Christ’s criteria for genuine Christianity. His was not a call to beds of materialism, comfort and a “me-first” mind-set. Instead, it was a call for disciples to imitate the Master Discipler Himself in loving and serving God with every atom of their lives.
Christ’s demands have not changed. Those who have not experienced the incomparable love of Jesus are often frightened, intimidated or even repelled by His commands. But those who know the Lord in a personal and intimate walk know that His commandments are not grievous but glorious in abundant life when embraced at any cost by those who desire God’s will above all else. I have discovered thirty-seven separate areas that Jesus touched on in the lives of those who wished to follow Him. (You may find more.)
The commands and demands are relevant to us today. Let’s study our Lord’s definition of discipleship as we look up the scriptures and check on our own progress. Each of the thirty-seven points is a lesson and sermon that you can teach those you win and disciple for Christ.
Take the time to look up each reference (though some are repeats of the same subject in the three synoptic gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke). If you fail to check out each scripture, you may save time now but you will lose some hidden meanings and revelations that the Holy Spirit wants to give you. This lesson (Part 1) will cover the first 18 points. The next lesson, Part 2, will take in the final 19 points of our study.
1) OFFERS GOD TRUE REPENTANCE AND RESTITUTION FOR SINS
Matthew 3:2,8,11; Mark 1:4,15; Luke 3:3,8-11
2) WELCOMES THE WORD AND WILL OF GOD
Matthew 13:23; Mark 4:14-20; Luke 8:15; John 8:47
3) BECOMES A STUDENT OF THE WORD OF GOD
Mark 4:23-25; Luke 24:44,45
4) LIVES UNDER THE HOLY SPIRIT’S CONTROL
Matthew 3:11; 10:16-20; Luke 4:1-14; 12:11,12; 24:49; John 16:13,14; 20:21-23
5) DENIES THE SELF-LIFE
Matthew 16:21-25; 19:16-22; Mark 8:34,35; 10:17,22; Luke 9:23,24; 17:33; John 3:30
6) GIVES THE LORD INSTANT, UNQUESTIONING OBEDIENCE
Matthew 4:19-22; 8:19-22; 9:9; Mark 1:17-20; 2:14; Luke 5:10,11,27,28; 9:57-62; John 21:21,22
7) PRACTICES SCRIPTURAL RESISTANCE TO TEMPTATION
Matthew 4:1-11; 26:40,41; Luke 4:1-13; 18:1
8) MEASURES LOVE BY DEEDS, NOT WORDS
Matthew 7:20-27; 12:46-50; 26:39; Mark 3:33-35; 14:36; Luke 1:38; 6:46-49; 11:27,28; 16:10; John 8:31,32;
14:15,21;15:14; 21:15
9) PLACES LOYALTY TO CHRIST ABOVE EVERY HUMAN RELATIONSHIP
Matthew 19:29,30; Mark 10:28-30; Luke 14:26,27; 18:28-30; John 12:42,43
10) EQUATES SUPREME LOVE FOR GOD AND LOVE FOR MAN AS THE MOST IMPORTANT PROOFS OF DISCIPLESHIP
Matthew 22:36-40; Mark 12:29-31; Luke 6:31; 10:25-37; John 4:23,24; 13:34,35; 15:12
11) PAYS THE PRICE FOR GREATER SPIRITUAL INTIMACY WITH THE LORD
Mark 5:37; 9:2; Luke 8:51; 10:38-42; 14:25-30; John 7:17,37,38; 8:29;10:3-5, 27-30; 11:3,5,35,36; 12:3; 12:24-26; 14:23; 16:27; 17:3,9,24; 20:11-18; 21:7
12) MAINTAINS GODLY CHARACTER AND CONDUCT
Matthew 5:3-16; 7:1-5; 12:38-40; Luke 11:34; John 17:17
13) KEEPS A FERVENT AND OBSERVANT PRAYER LIFE
Mark 6:46; 9:29; 13:33; 14:37,38; Luke 6:12; 11:1-4, 9-13; 18:1; 22:40; John 16:24
14) LIVES FOR THE ETERNAL—NOT THE TEMPORAL AND MATERIAL
Matthew 6:19-34; 13:44-46; Mark 12:41-44; Luke 7:36-48; 12:15-34; 16:13; 18:18-24; John 6:27
15) COUNTS HIS PHYSICAL LIVE AS LESS IN COMPARISON TO THE SPIRITUAL
Matthew 10:37-39; Luke 12:4-7; John 12:24-26
16) STANDS UNSHAKEN BY REJECTION
Mark 8:31-33; Luke 4:24; 13:34; John 12:37; 15:20; 16:1,2; 18:36
17) GIVES UNCONDITIONAL LOVE TO ENEMIES
Matthew 5:43-48; Luke 6:27-36
18) FORGIVES LIKE JESUS
Matthew 18:21-35; Mark 11:25,26; Luke 17:3,4; 23:34
CONCLUSION TO PART 1:
We have begun our study of the Great Discipler Himself. But more than study is called for if we are to follow in the steps of Jesus Christ. There must be obedience to His commands and demands—our all to His call on our lives. May the Holy Spirit so work in your life and mine that when our lives are over and our races are run, we will be found among those disciples who hear His “Well done!” Watch for Part 2—next lesson.
