Discipleship / Disciple
Luke 8:19-25 – Who Am I? Who Is He? (1992) – MP3 / YouTube
A very real spiritual identity crisis often lies at the root of the frustrations and failures that we experience in Christian living. Sometimes under the pressures of life, we forget who Jesus is and what He is like. We forget the greatness of His power, the sufficiency of His strength, the abundance of His mercy and the plenitude of His grace, and Jesus becomes like a stranger. Jesus Christ has everything we could possibly need or want and yet He is always right there right besides us. The shortest way to the end of our frustrations, difficulties and perplexities, is the companionship and friendship and the presence and power of Jesus Christ, the Almighty Son of God. The Lord Jesus Christ gives Himself to us first as our Savior when we trust Him for that, and then as we learn to obey Him, as our Brother, our Companion and our Friend.
Luke 9:57-62 – The Committed Christian (1982) – MP3 / YouTube
For the one who has believed in Jesus for the free gift of eternal life, Jesus doesn’t want a rash, shallow or superficial commitment. Jesus wants a serious and well-considered commitment. Jesus doesn’t want a reluctant commitment, that says, “Not now or later, Lord.” Jesus wants an unhesitating top-priority commitment. Jesus doesn’t want a regretful commitment. Jesus wants a whole-hearted and undivided commitment. Questions and Answers at: 30:27 About the second person who was reluctant in following Jesus, given that there are Scriptures to take care of one’s family, do you see a problem with thinking that in your commitment to the Lord that you will take care of your family? 31:55 Can you distinguish between the kingdom of God and the church? 32:52 Can you be a part of the kingdom of God without being part of the church? 33:27 Can you distinguish between salvation and discipleship? Are there those who are not disciples, but are saved? 35:58 What did it mean that the disciples doubted and what are the implications of that for Christians? Other passages mentioned: Judges 7; Matthew 10:37; Colossians 1:13; Revelation 22:17; Matthew 28:19-20; Matthew 11:2-3; John 1:32-34; Luke 24:41; Numbers 21:4-9.
Luke 23:26 – Climb, Climb up Calvary’s Mountain (October 1995) – MP3 / YouTube
The experience of Simon of Cyrenia presents us with one of the most remarkable examples and striking illustrations of the real significance and meaning of Christian living. Simon becomes a part of the Calvary experience of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. The Christian life is a process of cross bearing. It is taking up the burden and carrying that burden in fidelity to Jesus Christ. There is a sense that every dedicated disciple is compelled and forced to follow Jesus Christ. You won’t last as a disciple unless the driving force of your discipleship is the love of Jesus Christ for you. Other passages mentioned: Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 2:20; Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23, 14:27; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15.
John 8:30-32 – Discipleship – Zane Hodges and Bob Wilkin Discussion – MP3 / YouTube
Zane Hodges and Bob Wilkin clear up a misunderstanding held by some, that John 8:30 describes a group of “many believed in Him”, yet who were not born again believers.
What Is Discipleship? (April 22, 1990) – MP3 / YouTube
In this message given at Jansen Bible Church shortly after the publication Absolutely Free! (1989), Zane Hodges answers the following questions: What is faith? What is saving faith? What is the message that must be believed in order to be saved? What is a disciple? How is being a Christian different from being a disciple? What is repentance? What are the basic views of repentance and its connection with salvation? What is the only book in the New Testament that professes to bring men to salvation? How many times does the Gospel of John mention repentance? What is lost when a Christian sins? Is repentance a requirement for salvation? What happens in the life of a Christian who refuses to repent? Is a awareness of sin necessary for a person to be saved? How is a call to repentance broader than the call to salvation? Where was the Apostle Paul converted? What is the relationship between divine sovereignty and human responsibility? Passages mentioned include: Luke 14; John 4; John 20:30-31; John 1:15-36; Revelation 2:16; Revelation 3:19-20; Revelation 2:5; 1 John 1:9; Luke 17:3-4; Luke 15:11-32; Acts 10; John 9; Matthew 3:10-11; Acts 19:4; Luke 13:1-5; John 5:24; Acts 3:19-20; Luke 15:11-32; Acts 2-3; Acts 20.