Living As A Disciple Of Jesus The Christ

Lesson 8
Some Self Testing,Heart Searching Concerning Our Life As A Disciple
I. Introduction

(See Discipleship In The Ministry Of Jesus by Jones)

1. Each person should have an honest heart and be willing to look at himself.
2. Test questions will help us see how mature our discipleship really is, and where
we are lacking.
3. One cannot tell his own WEIGHT unless he gets on the SCALE to measure it.
4. Being religious IS NOT ENOUGH
(Matthew 7:21-23)
5. One can be a member of a church and still NOT BE A DISCIPLE OF JESUS
6. One may have perfect attendance at a religious assembly and NOT be a disciple.
7. PLEASE NOTICE SOME VERY IMPORTANT EXAM QUESTIONS

II. Have I really BECOME a DISCIPLE OF JESUS?

1. We cannot be disciples of Jesus just by being baptized as a BABY! (Acts 8:12)
2. We cannot become disciples by JUST PRAYING
(Acts 9:1-19)
3. We cannot become disciples of Jesus by having water sprinkled on us
(Romans 6:1-4)
4. We cannot become disciples by only believing, that is, just accepting mentally that
Jesus is the Christ and Lord
(Acts 2:36-41)
5. WE MUST BECOME DISCIPLES LIKE THE EARLY CHRISTIANS DID!
6. How did the early disciples become disciples?
--- They heard the GOSPEL concerning the death and resurrection of Jesus
(Acts 2:22-36)
--- They heard that Jesus is the LORD and CHRIST
(Acts 2:36)
--- They accepted this message with great conviction and faith (Acts 2:37)
--- They REPENTED of their sins and turned their loyalty to Jesus (Acts 2:38)
--- They were immersed (baptized) in water for the forgiveness of sins (Acts
2:38, 41; Romans 6:1-4; Colossians 2:12). This was in the beautiful likeness
of the DEATH, BURIAL, and RESURRECTION OF JESUS
7. If I want to be a disciple of Jesus, I MUST BECOME A DISCIPLE AS THEY DID!
Please see Luke 6:46

III. Am I Really Following Jesus NOW?

1. Am I really following Jesus in THE LIFE I live, the way I WORSHIP, and what He
wants the CHURCH TO BE?
2. When I must decide what isright and wrong, are the words of Jesus the
commands I will follow? Do I ask, WHAT WOULD JESUS COMMAND ME TO
DO?
3. Do I really feel that I have been bought with a price, the blood of Jesus
(I Corinthians 6:19,20). Do I feel that there is a sign attached to me that says, Not for

sale at any price bought and paid for at Mount Calvary?

4. Do I really say, I will follow Jesus in all situations, not what men say? (Luke 6:46)

IV. Am I Working Spiritually In The Lives Of Others?

1. Go make disciples ....baptize them.... teach them to observe what I have commanded
you (Matthew 28:19, 20)
2. Disciples will help to MAKE OTHER DISCIPLES!
3. Teach faithful men who can then teach others also
(II timothy 2:2)

V. Are There Things In My Life That I Am Unwilling to Change For Christ?

1. A disciple does NOT just minimize his sinning. HE WANTS TO STOP IT!
(I John 1:7-10)
2. He does not just HONOR THE LORD WITH HIS LIPS while his heart is far
away from the Lord
(Matthew 15:8)
3. Out of baptism, he is raised to walk a life of purity, holiness, obedience, dead to his old
life
(Romans 6:1-23) Our old life was crucified with Christ
WE DIE WITH CHRIST TO OUR OLD LIFE!
4. When raised out of baptism, the disciple seeks the things that are above, where Christ
Is .... (Colossians 3:1-17)
5. Am I guilty of selective obedience, choosing only those things to obey which are
pleasing to me?

VI. Is Living As A Disciple just in MY PAST LIFE, or am I a DISCIPLE NOW?

1. The disciple cannot follow for a time and then RETIRE! It is a lifetime commitment!
2. When we do EVERYTHING THE LORD WANTS and COMMANDS us to do, we
are still unprofitable servants who have done what is our duty to do
(Luke 17:10)
3. The disciple, like the apostle Paul, has ENLISTED IN THE LORDS ARMY! When
Paul was about to DIE, he said that he had fought a good fight ... finished the
course....kept the faith (II Timothy 4:6-8)

CONCLUSION
An example of one who had in the past been a disciple of Jesus and then turned away
from him would be DEMAS who, at one time, was a fellow-worker with Paul (Philemon
24). Later, he went away, having loved this present world (II Timothy 4:10)
Make a complete commitment to Jesus and let Him control your life. Be baptized into
Him. Make a commitment to love people, and be like Jesus in every way! Let the Lord
use you!