ARE YOU A TRUE DISCIPLE?

Before Christ's followers were ever called "Christians," they had been known as "disciples" for some time (Acts 11:26). "Disciple" appears some 260 times in the Gospels and Acts, but not after that in the New Testament. In the book of Acts alone "disciple" occurs 22 times, "Christian" two times, and "saints" four times. The basic meaning of "disciple" is simply a student, a follower, an apprentice (see I Chronicles 25:8; Isaiah 8:16). In the Gospels we find disciples, for example, of Moses (John 9:28), of the Pharisees (Matthew 22:16), and of John (John 3:22-25). We seek to be disciples of Jesus Christ. As such, the highest goal we may attain is to be like Him (Matthew 10:24,25). Ibis lesson helps point us toward five marks of a true disciple of Jesus.

Body

I. THE TRUE DISCIPLE LEARNS FROM HIS MASTER.

   A. So the Scriptures teach (John 8:31,32; Matthew 11:28-30).

   B. This was the style of the Jewish rabbi and his pupils. Largely through oral teaching, the rabbi instructed his pupils, who eagerly memorized his words large portions at a time and, in turn, passed them on to their pupils later. The accumulation of rabbinic instruction and opinion is published in a series of books known as The Talmud.

   C. If we are to be disciples of Jesus, this is an absolute first step. Without diligence here, one cannot truly be a disciple at all.

II. THE TRUE DISCIPLE OBEYS HIS MASTER.

   A. So the Scriptures teach (John 8:31, 32, 39).

   B. One is not profited in knowing his master's truth unless he then directs his life by it. "Head-knowledge" is useful only because it leads to a changed life.

III. THE TRUE DISCIPLE DENIES HIMSELF.

   A. So the Scriptures teach (Luke 14:26,27; see also Matthew 16:21ff).

   B. Here is the relation between "disciple" and "discipline." The latter is required of the former!

   C. Self-denial is always inherent in obedience (II, above) if it is more than "convenient obedience," in which case it is not really "obedience" at all. True obedience means doing what the other says regardless of the cost.

IV. THE TRUE DISCIPLE LOVES JESUS' OTHER DISCIPLES.

   A. So the Scriptures teach (John 13:35).

   B. This is the "mark" of discipleship to the world. Jesus our Master appointed it. Do you live by it? (I Corinthians 13 describes how true "love" behaves.) Someone has suggested that if one must tell another that he really loves him for him to believe it, perhaps his behavior denies the claim he keeps affirming!

V. THE TRUE DISCIPLE BEARS FRUIT.

   A. So the Scriptures teach (John 15:8).

   B. This comes from abiding in Jesus (John 15:4, 5). It is the nature of fruit that it is borne by the life supplied through the vine, not through its own effort or struggles. The only condition allowing fruit-bearing is a proper relationship between branch and vine; the only condition hindering it is an improper or unhealthy relationship. Along this line see also Galatians 5:22-26; Colossians 1:6, 10, 11; II Peter 1:4-8.

   C. Fruit-bearing is inevitable if the disciple is truly described by the first four characteristics here given. God will see to the results.

Conclusion

Are you truly a disciple of Jesus? Make a decision to learn from Him, to obey Him, to deny self in His interests, to love other disciples - and you will bear fruit to God's glory!

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