Ice Breaker: Have you let someone down, or has someone let you down?
Key verse: 1Corinthians 11:1.
INTRODUCTION:
The people closest to Christ were His disciples. They were His followers. As they followed Him, they experienced an intimate relationship. These men had access to the private life of Jesus. They could see things that many people did not see. Others only saw miracles and listened to His dynamic teachings. The disciples ate with Him. They saw Him sleep like any another person. But be careful. The more you approach the circle of followers of Christ, the more it will cost you.
THREE CHARACTERISTICS TO FOLLOW JESUS:
1. DENY YOURSELF
a) To deny yourself, means to reject your control. In other words, that is to say no and to renounce the god, the leader, to the lord that lives inside you. This signifies to yield your control, authority and power to Christ.
b) The best definition to deny yourself is to yield the throne of your life to Christ. While we do not do this, and you govern, Jesus is dethroned. Being self-centered, removes the crown of Christ. When Jesus said "deny yourself", this means to set aside your will; give Him your kingdom; and get rid of you your selfishness.
2. TAKE UP THE CROSS
a) This sacrifice is not literal, but spiritual. To be a disciple is to die to your will, and to live to please God. The cross is a symbol of death, and although we do not need to die physically, our old nature, our old habits, they should be buried. Galatians 2:20.
b) To take your cross signifies to give your entire life to Christ; to leave it all to follow him. Sadly, many people see this as the "small print" of the Christian life. It is very difficult, very heavy, too much load. The cross in your life equals to the surrender of your desires and personal will.
3. FOLLOW JESUS
a) It is difficult to follow Jesus. It doesn’t matter how easy we may make it seem. It has always been of very small attraction, does not call the attention, goes against the culture and is uncomfortable. It is important that we do not lower the message of the gospel nor what it means to become a follower of Jesus. What we gain by following Jesus—is Jesus!
b) We can travel all the roads that Jesus walked on. As long as Jesus is in front of us and we follow Him, His steps can be our steps. If Jesus healed sick, we have to be able to heal them also. If Jesus fed the hungry, we also have the capacity to feed them.
CONCLUSION
To be a follower of Christ, a disciple, is probably one of the things less valued in Christianity today. Although to be a disciple should be our main purpose, this is extremely unpopular, because the requirements are uncomfortable for believers. There are so many things around us; there are many distractions that seem to drag us on all sides. There is a voice that that rises above the business of life and calls us to come. Jesus is calling us to be its disciples—His followers.
Questions
What may be stopping you to be a follower of Jesus?
In what way can we really let go of our dominion and control?
What is the difference, between being a follower of Christ and His Disciple?
Salem Apostolic Worship Center
Friendship Group Studies
