Luke 9:23-27 (NKJV)
Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross [a]daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels. 27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.”
The Terms of Discipleship
To be a true disciple we must put something down.
Dealing with the problem of sin.
- Our thoughts
- Our words
- Our deeds
Romans 6:11 (NKJV)
Likewise you also, [a]reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Galatians 2:20 (NKJV)
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
A true disciple must pick something up.
A believer counts himself dead to sin.
Romans 6:13 (NKJV)
And do not present your members as [a]instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.
He becomes alive in Christ.
1 Peter 4:2(NKJV)
that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.
As disciples we must live something out.
John 12:23-25 (NKJV)
But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. 24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much [a]grain. 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
The disciple’s reward.
John 12:26 (NKJV)
If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.