CD 1641 Discipleship Series Week #4 - “Continuing in Christ the Word ”

CD 1641 Discipleship Series (Dare to Be or to Make Disciples)
Week #4 - “Continuing in Christ the Word ”
July 14, 2024

We are on the 4th week of our series on discipleship. A disciple of Jesus is a person who follows and learns from Jesus, seeking to model their life after His teachings and example of life. The word "disciple" (Greek: μαθητής, mathetes) means "learner" or "student"- to become disciplined by Jesus’ example!
Jesus’ disciples were those who left their previous lives behind to go in His name, all the while listening to His teachings, and helping to spread His message. Today, we are His disciples by studying His teachings, following His example, and sharing His gospel with others. Basically to be a disciple of Jesus means to make Him the center of your life and strive to live according to His will, even when it’s not easy or even popular.

With that being said, let's remind ourselves what Jesus taught us to do just before He ascended! Last Words are very important, so let’s see the Heart of the Master:

*Series Text: Matthew 28:18-20 (KJV) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations (to make disciples), baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Ok, that is enough of the review, this morning we will be hitting on a fundamental element of “discipleship”. Making a commitment to follow Jesus is the 1st step, but that is simply that, the first step on a life-long fellowship journey!. To truly be a “disciple”, one must continue in His Word, abide in Him, and grow in faith and knowledge walking like He did in the earth. This ongoing process of learning and living out the teachings of Jesus is what sets a “disciple” apart from just a new born believer! Remember we are to grow from salvation and proceed by sanctification:

Let’s read this morning's text please.

*Today’s Text: John 8:30-36 (KJV) As he spake these words, many believed on him. 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

#1 HEARING the Right Source

*Reread John 8:30 (KJV) As he spake these words, many believed on him.

Note “As he spake these words” - everyone there had an opportunity to “HEAR” and many believed! Will you “HEAR” from the right source this day? A true“disciple” of the Lord has a “HEARING” ear for the things of the Lord! Jesus speaks of ears to hear at least 8 times in the Gospels.
Be prepared there will be obstacles to try to keep us from hearing and responding correctly! But let’s turn to the great book of Revelation and how the church “disciples” is supposed to hear by the Holy Spirit! Notice it was so important Jesus proclaimed it 7 times, to each of the seven churches:

*Read Revelation 2:7 (KJV) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

*Read Revelation 2:11 (KJV) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

*Read Revelation 2:17 (KJV) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

*Read Revelation 2:26 & 29 (KJV)And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

*Read Revelation 3:6 (KJV) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

*Read Revelation 3:13 (KJV) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

*Read Revelation 3:22 (KJV) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

#2 HEEDING the Right Source

*Reread John 8:31 (KJV) 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

Notice those who heard Jesus and placed their faith in Him we now in a place to “HEED” to some deeper truths that would change their lives! Here Jesus places a qualifier on what it takes to move from simple believing to a true “disciple” of the Lord!
Jesus said: “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed” - the word “continue” = (men-o’’) to stay in a given place, state, or expectancy - to stay or remain! Let’s remind ourselves what happens if we don’t keep moving forward in Jesus! Our old carnal nature and our soul is not going to like some of the Lord’s teachings! Here is a perfect example:

*Read John 6:66-69 (KJV) From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

#3 HARD EVIDENCE of the Right Source

*Reread John 8:32-36 (KJV) 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. 33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. 35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

If we are walking as disciples then we can stand on this promise of being able to live in freedom! The scribes and the Pharisees were in horrible religious bondage and tried to talk to Jesus about freedom!

In closing notice in John 15:4, Jesus said, "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me."
This verse really emphasizes the importance of that ongoing connection and reliance on Jesus the Word. Each tree produces after its own kind, now you are children of the Most High God and can bear fruit like the Lord!

Closing Illustration: Christ Bought Our Salvation
Elizabeth Keckley was a slave in Missouri before the Civil War. Her greatest desire was to purchase freedom for herself and her son. Her owner agreed that if she could raise $1,200 she could gain her freedom. Keckley worked as a seamstress and came up with a plan to go to New York City and work there to raise the money, but her owner feared that she would not return.
Instead, some of her wealthy clients in St. Louis contributed the money she needed, and Elizabeth Keckley paid the price for her freedom as well as her son’s. She moved to Washington, DC, where she counted Mary Lincoln among her dressmaking clients. Without the help of someone else, Keckley would never have been able to purchase her freedom.
All of us were enslaved to sin with no hope of ever gaining freedom. In mercy and compassion, Jesus gave His life for us, purchasing our salvation by shedding His blood on the cross. We are now free from sin, but that freedom does not mean that we do whatever we want. Instead we are to live how Jesus wants us to live.