Mark 8:34...with His disciples also, He said, "Whoever desires/resolves/purposes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For whoever desires to save/preserve his life/soul will lose/destroy it, but whoever loses/destroys his life/soul for My sake and the gospel's will save/preserve it. 36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."
I. A Disciple is someone who would follow Jesus to the next town (in the company of like-minded saints).
A. Desire God: Purpose/Resolve/Determine that following God is a more worthy purpose for life than fishing
B. Deny Self: as in self-absorbed, self-centered, self-indulgent, self-willed. We focus on our selves, needs, desires, and dreams, because we don't trust that God is good, His wisdom is infinite, His grace is sufficient, and that Jesus was telling the truth in Mt 6:33 nor in Mk 8:35-38
C. Daily Death/carry cross: Humans consist of body (soma), soul (psuche), and spirit (pneuma). The soul (translated life) consists of our mind/will/emotions. A cross-carrier was on his way to (deserved) death, not caring for the pleasures or praises of the world.
E. Do His will: Rebellion is doing our will, denial is submitting our will to Gods, “not my will, but thine be done”
F. Delight: in blessing/reward “Well done, good and faithful servant...enter into the joy” or experience the despair of the unprofitable servant
II. A Disciple Maker Moves followers of Christ from Curious to Convinced to Committed to Conformed to Crowned (See Survey)
A. Purpose not to defile
Dan 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself
B. Pray in Daily Dependence
Dan 2:23 " I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers; You have given me wisdom and might, And have now made known to me what we asked of You, For You have made known to us the king's demand."
47 The king answered Daniel, and said, "Truly your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, since you could reveal this secret." 48 Then the king promoted Daniel 49 Also Daniel petitioned the king, and he set Shadrach...over the affairs
Dan 6:10 when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. In his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.
Dan 9:4 I prayed to the LORD my God, and made confession, and said, "O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and hesed with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments 5 we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments. 9 To the Lord our God belong hesed and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him. 10 We have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in His laws, which He set before us by His servants the prophets.
C. Persevere in Persecution
Dan 3:17 our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king 18 But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the image
28"Blessed be the God of S/M/A, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him...and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own God! 29 Therefore I make a decree...there is no other God who can deliver...promoted
Dan 6:20 he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?" 21 Then Daniel said to the king, "O king, live forever! 22 My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you." 23 Now the king was exceedingly glad 26 I make a decree...tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, And steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, And His dominion shall endure to the end. 27 He delivers and rescues, And He works signs and wonders In heaven and on earth, Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. 28 prospered
D. Proclaim Truth Ethos/Pathos/Logos
Dan 5:8 O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father a kingdom and majesty, glory and honor. 20 But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him. 22 you have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this. 23 And you have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven.
E. Prized for Performance of leading people from iniquity to righteousness
(Matt 28:20 teach to obey)
Dan 12:2 many of those who sleep in the dust...awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.
Malachi 2:5 "My covenant was with him (Levi) one of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear with which he feared me (KJV), and stood in awe of my name (NIV). 6 The law of truth was in his mouth, and unrighteousness was not found in his lips. He walked with me in peace-dependence and uprightness, and turned many away from iniquity. 7 For the priest’s lips should preserve knowledge, and they should seek the law from his mouth; for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts.
Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response: - Are all believers disciples? Should they be? What's the difference between the two? What are the consequences of not being a follower?
- What does it take to be/make a disciple? Do disciples reproduce after their kind? Can you pass on what you don't know or own?
- What's the difference between teaching, preaching, discipling, coaching, mentoring, training, equipping? It it always a team sport?
- How do you move someone from “Curious to...Crowned”? What if they don't want to go? How does one handle rejection/persecution?
- How and why did you turn from iniquity to righteousness? Why doesn't everyone switch? How can you help others do that?
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