From: Beverly French [frenchb@vcss.k12.ca.us]
Sent: Sunday, October 19, 2003 7:07 AM
To: Heritage
Subject: Greetings One and All

Home again!

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, let
him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.'"   Matthew 16:24

Vine's Expository Dictionary defines disciple: "A learner... A disciple was not only a pupil, but an adherent; hence they are spoken of as imitators of their teacher." In the New Testament disciple sometimes refers to the twelve apostles and other times it refers to all who believe in Christ.  In the Book of Acts, it always means believers in Christ.

Let us see what Scripture has to say of the conditions of discipleship. Our opening verse lays the ground -- self-denial and cross-bearing. What a dramatic change!  Man who is so self absorbed is first to deny himself!  Commit himself to the Lordship of Christ.

In Luke 14:25-35 Jesus teaches on discipleship and emphasizes the whole hearted commitment to the Lordship of Christ as we see in two of the verses:

In renunciation, verse 26, "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he can not be My disciple." This verse in the Amplified Bible says in part of these family relationships, "[in the sense of indifference to or relative disregard for them in comparison with his attitude toward God]".

And leaving all, verse 33, "So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple."

Discipleship requires steadfastness:
"Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, 'If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine.'"  John 8:31

Fruitfulness is a sign of discipleship:
"By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples."  John 15:8

To be a disciple requires self-denial, cross-bearing, renunciation of all that would be placed above our love for God including relationships as well as things, being steadfast in His word and being fruitful. There are promised blessings to the followers of Christ Jesus:

Spiritual Knowledge:
"Let us know,  let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord.  His going forth is established as the morning; He will come to us like the rain, like the latter and former rain to the earth."  Hosea 6:3

Spiritual Light:
"Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.'"  John 8:12

Guidance of the Still Small Voice:
"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me." John 10:27

Heavenly Honor:
"If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me, and where I am, there shall My servant also be; if anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him." John 12:26

These blessings result in a deep and personal relationship with Christ for He is our treasure and the desire of our hearts! "...Where your treasure is there will your heart be also."  Matthew 6:21

Let us lift our hearts in praise to Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.  May He bless each with a greater knowledge of Himself as we seek to know Him in an even greater measure.