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| WHAT DOES GOD WANT FROM
ME? |
#101 |
Every Sunday morning a special kind of shopper hits the
streets. This shopper is not visiting the local stores and
markets, but the churches. When asked the motive for the visit,
this person replies, “Oh, I am just shopping around for a
church.” It seems that Americans have a renewed interest in
spiritual things, which is good; but, it also seems that we want
it on our own terms. We are shopping for that which pleases us,
not necessarily for that which pleases God.
The truth is that we are not the shoppers at all, we are
the merchandise. God is the one who is shopping. God is looking
for a special kind of person to be numbered among His people.
When Jesus left this earth, He gave instructions to His
hand-picked apostles in Matthew 28:19. He said, “Go therefore
and make DISCIPLES of all the nations.” If “Disciples” is what
these men were to go and make, then “Disciples” is what we are
to be. If you have ever wondered what it is that God wants from
you, here is the answer. God wants you to be a Disciple of Jesus
Christ.
The word “Disciple” means: A Learner or a Follower. It is
altogether possible for a person to be “Religious” or to “Go to
church” without ever really finding out what Jesus actually
taught and without ever really living like Jesus lived. In the
gospel of John, chapter 8, verse 31, Jesus said, “If you abide
in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine ....” To be the
kind of person that God is shopping for, we must have a fervent
desire to Learn the word of Christ. We must “get into His word”;
we must “abide” there; that is, make it our home. Let me ask you
something. Do you really know what Jesus taught? How well would
you do on a quiz? If you are not a learner who abides in the
words of the master, then you are not a disciple.
The apostle Peter understood the concept of Discipleship.
In I Peter 2:21 he wrote, “For you have been called for this
purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an
example for you to FOLLOW IN HIS STEPS.” A Disciple is a
Follower. Like a child following a parent’s steps through the
snow, so a Disciple carefully follows the footprints of the
master. Jesus left us an example of how we are to live in this
world. We should learn to treat people like He treated people.
Our attitudes must be like His attitudes. The way we look at
life must become like His way of looking at life. We must
develop the kind of relationship with God that He had. This is
what Discipleship is all about. Jesus invited us to Discipleship
when He said, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden,
and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and LEARN FROM
ME” (Matthew 11:28-29). A Disciple is a Learner or a Follower.
Did you ever realize that the word “Christian” is found
only three times in the New Testament? The word “Disciple” or
“Disciples” is found 255 times in the New Testament. Acts 11:26
explains that the first time the disciples were ever called
Christians was in Antioch. You see, those who came to be called
“Christians” in the 11th chapter of Acts had previously been
called, simply, “Disciples.” You can’t be a Christian without
being a disciple.
This is what God wants from you. He wants you to learn and
obey what Jesus taught. He wants you to follow how Jesus lived.
This is what this lesson series is all about. In the next message,
"THE COST OF FOLLOWING JESUS",
we will learn what it costs to be a disciple of Jesus.
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| Bible
Probe |
WHAT DOES GOD
WANT FROM ME? |
101
|
1. Attitude check: Are you more interested in pleasing God
or Self?
2. Do you believe that God wants you to be a disciple of
Jesus? (Matthew 28:19)
3. Complete this statement: "For me to be a disciple of
Jesus, I would need to . . . ."
4. Does Jesus' definition of a disciple in John 8:31 describe
you?
5. Does the idea of following in Jesus' steps appeal to you?
(I Peter 2:21)
6. What changes would you need to make in your life if you
accepted Jesus' invitation to "Learn from Me"? (Matthew
11:28-29)
7. If a person is not a Learner or Follower of Jesus -- do
you believe that person is really a "Christian"? (Acts 11:26)
8. How does the concept of "Discipleship" expose fake
Christians?
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Your Bible questions answered here.