Principles of Christian Living

Lesson 7

Lesson Text—Matthew 28:19

Matthew 28:19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Lesson Text—Luke 14:26-29

Luke 14:26-2926 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

Lesson Text—Luke 14:26-29

28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is notable to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,

Lesson Text—Luke 14:30-33

Luke 14:30-3330 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

Lesson Text—Luke 14:30-33

32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

Lesson Text—John 15:8

John 15:8Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

Focus Verse—John 13:35

John 13:35By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love

one to another.

Focus Thought

The Lord calls us to discipleship.

A Christian disciple is one who

lives a life of Christian discipline.

I. Loving Christ More Than OthersCULTURE CONNECTION

The Call to Christian Discipleship Is a Call to Love

If one were to reduce to one word the essence of the Christian life and discipleship, it surely would be love. Jesus said all people would know we were His disciples because of our love (John 13:35).

I. Loving Christ More Than OthersIn his sermon “Rekindling Your

Love for Christ,” John MacArthur wrote of the essence of a disciple of Jesus Christ. “How do you define a Christian? By [his] love for God. . . . It’s a very simple thing to understand what it is to be a Christian. It is to love Jesus Christ. It is to love Him singularly. It is to love Him selflessly. It is to love Him to the degree that you’re willing to deny yourself. . . . And the issue is to love Him singularly. To love Him so that you desire to obey Him, to honor Him, to serve Him, and to proclaim Him.

I. Loving Christ More Than Others“And that really is the question. The

question is a heart question. Do you love the Lord, Jesus Christ, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, with all your strength? It was He who said, ‘If you love me, you’ll keep my commandments.’ It was He who said, ‘If you love me, you’ll keep my word.’ It was He who said, ‘If you love me, you’ll feed my sheep.’ . . . That is the heart issue in the Christian life. It’s about loving Christ.”

I. Loving Christ More Than OthersLove does not save a believer in Jesus Christ, but it definitely is a characteristic of those who experience salvation in Christ. God is love and when we are filled with His Spirit, we will reflect His love to others.

I. Loving Christ More Than OthersContemplating the Topic

The word teach in Matthew 28:19 comes from a root word meaning “to discipline” or literally “to make disciples.” Sadly, there are more people who merely believe the plan of salvation than people who will become disciples. This is due possibly to the present-day emphasis on making believers rather than making true disciples. In our Christian experience it is vital that we develop and grow into being disciples indeed of Jesus Christ.

I. Loving Christ More Than OthersSearching The Scriptures

Loving Christ More Than Relatives

“If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife,

and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also,

he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26).

A. Hate Means to Love LessA. Hate Means to Love Less

There is a cost to being a disciple of Jesus Christ. In Luke 14:26, Jesus asked believers to consider the cost of discipleship. One of the costs involves loving God more than our immediate family. The word hate used in this verse is not to be interpreted in the modern-day sense of being hateful and angry. The verse means we are to give God first place in our lives and esteem Him more highly than the family members whom we cherish.

I. Loving Christ More Than OthersIf God does not hold first place in our lives, then our relationship with Him and with our family will be out of balance.

B. We Should Love Christ More Than Relatives

B. We Should Love Christ More Than Relatives

People often claim they cannot live for God because of interference or opposition from family members. That is not a valid excuse. It is important to understand we cannot allow a boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife, child, or extended family to stand in the way of our relationship with God.

I. Loving Christ More Than OthersPaul proclaimed, “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39). When a person places the Lord first and foremost in his life, he can live in complete victory, knowing he can overcome any hindering obstacle.

II. Loving Christ More Than SelfLoving Christ More Than Self

Never has there been a time in history when mankind has been more self-centered than today. This generation lacks the measure of compassion that Christ desires to form in His church. Paul wrote, “By love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13).

I. Loving Christ More Than OthersMaterialism consistently rises to the

forefront of modern-day living. Too often, the acquisition of things and pleasures has replaced old-time religion and faithfulness to the house of God. People spend millions of dollars each year on frivolous things like cosmetic surgery, the latest fashions of this world, exotic vacations, and accessories for household pets. At the same time, mankind’s relationship with the Creator suffers.

I. Loving Christ More Than OthersPeople’s schedules are so demanding that work schedules, pleasure schedules, and family schedules take precedence over developing and maintaining a right relationship with the Lord.

The Scripture is very clear about where our allegiance should lie. It is imperative that we love God more than ourselves and the things of this present world.

Titus 2:12

“Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we

should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus

2:12).

II Timothy 4:10

“Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica” (II

Timothy 4:10).

I. Loving Christ More Than OthersServing God is more important than

loving ourselves, those closest to us, or temporal things. How tragic if at the end of life, a person faces the consequences of failing to love God as he should have. At that point it may be too late to change his failures.

The words of an old chorus ring true.Serving God is beautiful,Serving the King of kings,I serve Him because I love Him you see, Serving Jesus is beautiful to me.

III. Bearing the CrossBearing the Cross

“Whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my

disciple” (Luke 14:27).

A. Bearing the CrossA. Bearing the Cross

The cross was a familiar sight to the Jews. Executions by crucifixion were common and often the public witnessed them. However, in Luke 14:27 the Lord referred not to a cross of execution, but to our own personal cross of discipleship.

I. Loving Christ More Than OthersEvery disciple’s cross contains self-denial and the sacrificing of one’s own will, but Jesus does not reveal to us what additional sacrifices He will add to our personal cross; we know only that He has fashioned one for us if we choose to shoulder it. He prepares this cross for us exclusively, and if we would be a true disciple, it is our responsibility to bear it.

B. Following the LordB. Following the Lord

Carrying a cross to the place of one’s death was a humiliating experience. The community scrutinized the person, knowing where he was going and possibly knowing the reason he was facing execution.

It is similar today when we carry our cross as we serve the Lord. Jesus did not promise us that bearing our cross and following Him would be easy. Further, we suffer the close scrutiny of our families, friends, and communities.

I. Loving Christ More Than OthersAs we carry our cross, we cannot allow the narrowed eyes or the taunting words to hinder us or cause us to falter in following the Lord. Each step we take brings us one step closer to our final reward.

“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps” (I Peter 2:21). “Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God”

(III John 11).

I. Loving Christ More Than OthersToday many churches display a

cross. Stained glass windows often depict a cross. Crosses dangle from rearview mirrors and many people wear a cross on their clothing. In our present world there appears to be little stigma attached to these symbols. However, as we enter into the last days there are movements that demand the removal from public view of the symbol of the cross because they claim it offends people of non-Christian faiths. The reality is the sight of the cross convicts people of their wayward living.

I. Loving Christ More Than OthersWe should never apologize for carrying our cross. Whatever it is, that cross is keeping us humble and bringing us closer and closer to the Master as we continue to follow Him.

IV. Forsaking AllForsaking All

“So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple”

(Luke 14:33).

A. The Love of ThingsA. The Love of Things

The Scriptures are clear as to where we should direct our love—toward God and not toward the things of this world. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (I John 2:15-16).

I. Loving Christ More Than OthersToo often in the course of life,

“things” keep us from following the Lord. If we allow them to, these temporal things can dissipate our joy and dilute our commitment to the Lord. These hindrances can stem from a major event, circumstance, person, or as is often the case, a collection of minor encumbrances.

Jesus asked Peter a pointed question in an attempt to reveal just where Peter’s affections lay. (See John 21:15-17.)

John 21:15-16“So when they had dined, Jesus

saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than

these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He

saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep”

(John 21:15-16).

John 21:17“He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou

me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest

thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou

knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep” (John

21:17).

I. Loving Christ More Than OthersEach person must determine for himself that he will not allow anything to separate him from walking with the Lord and surrendering totally to His will.

B. Willingness to Part with AllB. Willingness to Part with All

A certain ruler came to Jesus and asked, “Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (See Luke 18:18-23.) Jesus’ initial response could have been directed to anyone in the crowd: “Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.”

I. Loving Christ More Than OthersThe character of this apparently influential man appeared to be above reproach. He claimed, “All these have I kept from my youth up.”

The ruler did not realize the cross he had been carrying was too lightweight and easy to bear because the Master had not yet added what the man needed to make his life sacrificial.

I. Loving Christ More Than OthersThe words of Jesus cut to the core of the issue when He said unto him, “Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me” (Luke 18:22).

The ruler’s self-confidence drained away as he looked at Jesus in stunned silence. His cross had suddenly become too heavy. He thought he could not bear its weight even for one day, much less every day after that.

I. Loving Christ More Than OthersPerhaps he reasoned, I thought this Master was “good,” but now I’m not so sure. He must have known I have always enjoyed a life of sumptuous ease, and He is determined to lower me to His own level of poverty. But I can’t—I won’t—do it. The ruler could not imagine voluntarily giving away everything he had worked so hard for and living the life of an itinerant pauper. It is evident that this world’s goods meant more to him than eternal life. He broke contact with the Master’s piercing gaze and went away sorrowfully.

C. Proper Perspective of LifeC. Proper Perspective of Life

1. The Lord is first. Moses descended from Mount Sinai with covenant commandments for Israel. The foundational commandment was, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). The prophet Elijah kept this covenant and served Jehovah even though Ahab and Jezebel had influenced Israel to forsake their true and living God to serve and worship Baalim. (See I Kings 18:17-39.)

I. Loving Christ More Than OthersIn a crucial confrontation between Elijah and the four hundred prophets of Baal, Elijah’s simple prayer caused fire to fall from the heavens and consume the sacrifice, the altar, and the water. The observing crowd of Israelites fell on their faces and cried, “The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God” (I Kings 18:39). Today we must determine that there will be no other god in our lives.

I. Loving Christ More Than Others2. All else is at best secondary.

Jesus said, “Ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you” (John 15:19). The songwriter Albert Brumley expressed this truth: “This world is not my home; I’m just a passing through.”

II Chronicles 6:14 declares, “There is no God like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth; which keepest covenant, and shewest mercy unto thy servants, that walk before thee with all their hearts.”

I. Loving Christ More Than OthersIt is hard to understand why anyone would trade a genuine relationship with the Lord and the opportunity to spend eternity with Him for something that is second best. One biblical example is Demas who chose second best. Initially, Paul counted Demas among his fellow-laborers in Philemon 24. (See also Colossians 4:14.) Apparently, Demas remained in relationship with Paul and with the Lord until, toward the end of Paul’s life, the lure of the world became too great for this man to resist.

I. Loving Christ More Than OthersPaul sadly reported, “Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world” (II Timothy 4:10).

Second best has no place in the life of a child of God. The psalmist proclaimed, “I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore” (Psalm 86:12). Jesus instructed us, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matthew 22:37).

V. Continuing in His WordContinuing in His Word

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”

(John 8:31-32).

A. The Word of GodA. The Word of God

1. Inspired. Paul declared to Timothy, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (II Timothy 3:16). Hebrews 4:12 proclaims, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

I. Loving Christ More Than OthersWe believe that “prophecy came not

in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (II Peter 1:21). Unlike the word of mankind that can and will change, the Word of God is holy, inspired, and immutable. “The word of God . . . liveth and abideth for ever” (I Peter 1:23).

2. Inerrant. “Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever” (Psalm 119:160). It is important to believe that the Word of God is without error.

I. Loving Christ More Than OthersWithout total confidence in the written

Word of God, one would question its authenticity and would become confused.

Believing that the Word of God is truth allows us to place our total and complete trust in the plan of salvation and the promises of God. Our confidence in the inerrant Word of God engenders faith that the Lord is able to complete the work He has started in our lives. “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).

B. We Must Continue in His Word

B. We Must Continue in His Word

1. Start in His Word. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. This being true, it would appear the best place to start would be in His Word. As Jesus is immutable, so is His Word. In fact the Scripture declares, “For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89). His Word will stand true forever.

I. Loving Christ More Than Others2. Stay in His Word. Once we start in

His Word, it behooves us to stay in His Word. If His Word is forever settled, why would we look anyplace else for truth or direction? What a privilege to read, study, and stay in His Word! Jesus indicated that continuing in His Word would be a sign of true discipleship. A disciple desires to learn all there is to know about his Master. He learns that from the Word of the Lord.

I. Loving Christ More Than Others“Search the scriptures; for in them

ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me” (John 5:39).

Hearing His Word and staying in His Word are essential to our spiritual growth. Paul instructed the church at Ephesus, “In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise” (Ephesians 1:13).

VI. Loving OthersLoving Others

“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love

one to another” (John 13:35).

A. Love Is the Proof of Discipleship

A. Love Is the Proof of Discipleship

Paul declared, “The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:5). Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

There are many things we are able to do only because the love of God dwells in us. Through us, the love of God is kind to people, shows a servant spirit, turns the other cheek, and even offers to travel an extra mile. (See Matthew 5:41-44.)

I. Loving Christ More Than OthersIn his first epistle John wrote, “And

this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also” (I John 4:21). “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God” (I John 4:7). “If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us” (I John 4:12). Clearly, one significant mark of a disciple is the love of God and the love of others.

I. Loving Christ More Than Others

And this love is not merely an abstract feeling; we demonstrate it through acts of kindness, charity, compassion, and forgiveness.

B. If You Do Not Love, You Are Not a Disciple

B. If You Do Not Love, You Are Not a Disciple

Just as love marks a true disciple, the lack of love shows that one has no real relationship with God. “Every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love” (I John 4:7-8).

I. Loving Christ More Than OthersJohn’s strongest language on this point is found in I John 4:20: “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” He concluded his discourse on love by returning to his original premise: “And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also” (I John 4:21).

VII. Bearing Much FruitBearing Much Fruit

Discipleship calls for evidence of the fruit of the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Transparency 3

A. We Need to Glorify GodA. We Need to Glorify God

Paul admonished the church at Corinth, “Ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” (I Corinthians 6:20). Glorifying God is not merely an inward act seen only by God; we also glorify God outwardly by the way we speak, dress, adorn ourselves, and interact with other people.

I. Loving Christ More Than OthersOthers witness it when they observe how we live, how we present ourselves in public, how we conduct our business, how we treat our neighbor, and how we serve one another. Truly, we glorify God in every aspect of our lives.

I. Loving Christ More Than OthersAs we break open our alabaster box of love and allow the sweet aroma of God’s love to be shed abroad from our hearts, we not only draw attention to the love of God that is living in us, we also bring glory to His kingdom. By glorifying God and allowing His love to flow through us, we represent the true life of a disciple.

B. We Glorify God by Bearing Much Fruit

B. We Glorify God by Bearing Much Fruit

“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be

my disciples” (John 15:8).

I. Loving Christ More Than OthersEvery life produces something. Jesus said the world would know we belong to Him by the good fruit we bear. Just as we know a tree by the kind and quality of its fruit, people can discern what kind of Christian we are by observing our fruit: “For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.

I. Loving Christ More Than OthersA good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh” (Luke 6:44-45).

Inside the fruit are reproductive seeds that, if planted, will bring forth trees of the same kind. As our lives bring forth good fruit, the seed in that fruit can impact other lives now and for eternity.

I. Loving Christ More Than OthersIt is the will of God that our lives

bring forth good fruit. As a husbandman awaits the harvest, God waits until the harvest of His fruit-bearers in which He delights. “Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it” (James 5:7).

C. Fruit-Bearing Is a Sign of Discipleship

C. Fruit-Bearing Is a Sign of Discipleship

The Word of the Lord tells us that the Master of the harvest is concerned with the production of fruit. In Mark 11, Christ looked at a barren fig tree with disfavor. Its luxurious leaves rustled in the breeze, but when He searched for some fruit to eat, He found none. He cursed it and caused it to die because it was not producing.

I. Loving Christ More Than OthersThis illustrates the necessity of producing of fruit in our lives. The effort it takes to produce the fruit will be rewarded with a bountiful harvest.

“He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him” (Psalm 126:6).

I. Loving Christ More Than OthersInternalizing the Message

A disciple is a student who is loyal to his teacher and faithfully lives out the principles he has learned. Jesus Christ is our master teacher; and as we conform to His teachings, we become His disciples. In the words of the Handy Dictionary of the Bible, a disciple takes on the “mind and life of the views and the practices of the teacher.”

I. Loving Christ More Than OthersAs the church looks forward to the catching away of the saints, it is imperative that disciples reflect the views and practices of their Teacher. Speaking of our love for one another, Jesus said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples” (John 13:35). As the moon reflects the brightness of the sun, let us as disciples reflect the brightness of the Son of Righteousness.