8 Fold Test To Be A Disciple
8 Fold Test To Be A Disciple
Ephesians 5:1-2 “Be therefore imitators of God, as beloved children. (2) Walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance.”
As we just read in our opening verse, which is the same verse we used in Part 1 on discipleship, we are to be Imitators / Disciples of God and Jesus. We are then told how. We are to offer ourselves up as an offering and sacrifice for God to use. The reason and the ability to do this are found in love. This discourse of sacrifice will cover this. Hear this: The narrow path to salvation was created and traversed through love and sacrifice, and is found in obedience. That’s the long and short of it. Deny yourselves, obey, and love. Sacrifice like Jesus our example, and we will receive His reward. Any failure to do so, you will fail to receive His reward.
8 Fold Test To Be A Disciple
8 Fold Test To Be A Disciple
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Discourse On Sacrifice
What Is The Sacrifice God Requires.
Discourse On Sacrifice
They Are Spiritual Acts Performed In The Physical- So Spiritual Sacrifices.
1 Peter 2:5 “You also, as living stones, are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
Discourse On Sacrifice
- We Know Jesus Made An End To Animal Sacrifices!
Hebrews 9:24-26 “For Christ hasn’t entered into holy places made with hands, which are representations of the true, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us; (25) nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high priest enters into the holy place year by year with blood not his own, (26) or else he must have suffered often since the foundation of the world. But now once at the end of the ages, he has been revealed to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.”
Discourse On Sacrifice
- God Doesn’t Want Physical Sacrifices, He Wants Spiritual.
Matthew 9:12-13 “When Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick do. (13) But you go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
In Order To Offer These Spiritual Sacrifices, We Must Be A Living Sacrifice.
Romans 12:1-2 “Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. (2) Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.”
We Are Called To Be Poured Out In The Service Of God And Others.
Philippians 2:14-18 “Do all things without complaining and arguing, (15) that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without defect in the middle of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world, (16) holding up the word of life; that I may have something to boast in the day of Christ, that I didn’t run in vain nor labor in vain. (17) Yes, and if I am poured out on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice, and rejoice with you all. (18) In the same way, you also rejoice, and rejoice with me.”
John 15:13 “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”
This Is The Calling Of All Who Want To Walk The Narrow Path & Receive The Reward.
2 Timothy 4:5-8 “But you—watch in all things; suffer evil; do the work of one proclaiming good news; make full assurance of your ministry, (6) for I am already being poured out, and the time of my release has arrived; (7) I have striven the good strife, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith, (8) from now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness that the LORD—the Righteous Judge—will give to me in that day, and not only to me, but also to all those loving His appearing.”
Giving To The Needs And Work Of The Gospel For His People.
Philippians 4:15-20 “You yourselves also know, you Philippians, that in the beginning of the Good News, when I departed from Macedonia, no assembly shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you only. (16) For even in Thessalonica you sent once and again to my need. (17) Not that I seek for the gift, but I seek for the fruit that increases to your account. (18) But I have all things, and abound. I am filled, having received from Epaphroditus the things that came from you, a sweet-smelling fragrance, an acceptable and well-pleasing sacrifice to God. (19) My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (20) Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever! Amen.”
1 John 3:16-19 “By this we have known the love of God, because He laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. (17) But whoever has this world’s goods and sees his brother having need, and shuts up his bowels from him, how does the love of God dwell in him? (18) My children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. (19) And in this we shall know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him,”
Psalms 51:17 “The sacrifices God desires are a humble spirit – O God, a humble and repentant heart you will not reject.”
So How Are We Suppose To Be Able To Accomplish This?
Philippians 2:5-11 “Have this in your mind, which was also in Christ Jesus, (6) who, existing in the form of God, didn’t consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, (7) but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. (8) And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, yes, the death of the cross.”
Discourse On Sacrifice
- Be Like Jesus To Get The Reward Given To The Followers Of Jesus.
(9) “Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name; (10) that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, (11) and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
As We Can Clearly See, Sacrifice Comes Before The Reward.
Luke 14:27 “Whoever doesn’t bear his own cross, and come after me, can’t be my disciple.”
John 14:3-4 “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be there also. (4) Where I go, you know, and you know the way.”
Discourse On Sacrifice
- The Path To God Through Jesus Is Sacrifice, As We Just Read Above
John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.”
If You Want The Crown, You Must Start With The Cross!
Discourse On Sacrifice
I Am Sharing With You The Narrow Path!
The above study is the narrow path of Love, Sacrifice, and Obedience! It is the life and example of Jesus. You cannot go through Jesus to get to God any other way. Yet, the bodies of believers in the west seem to be running from sacrifice and obedience like Olympic sprinters. Hurdling the requirements and calling of God, then deceiving themselves that they love God and their fellow man. That is impossible without obedience and sacrifice. Lastly, I have learned that the farther you follow on the narrow path, the narrower the gates get. And the more people you will have to leave behind, as they will not want to go through all the gates of Love, Sacrifice, and Obedience!
1 John 5:2-3 “By this we know that we love the children of God, whenever we love God and keep His commandments. (3) For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome.”
Discourse On Sacrifice
Let These Verses Sober Our Minds And Understand The Importance Of The Mission:
- Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter in by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter in by it. (14) How narrow is the gate, and restricted is the way that leads to life! Few are those who find it.”
- Matthew 22:14 “For many are called, but few chosen.”
- Matthew 7:21-23 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. (22) Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’ (23) Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’”
- Philippians 2:12-13 “So then, my beloved, even as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (13) For it is God who works in you both to will and to work, for his good pleasure.”
Discourse On Sacrifice
Never Forget That When You Accepted Jesus, You Forsake Your Own Will And Way.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 “Or don’t you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, (20) for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”
Discourse On Sacrifice
Let’s Wrap Up The First Section (Sacrifice + Discipleship)
Hebrews 13:15-17 “Through him, then, let’s offer up a sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of lips which proclaim allegiance to his name. (16) But don’t forget to be doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. (17) Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch on behalf of your souls, as those who will give account, that they may do this with joy, and not with groaning, for that would be unprofitable for you.”
Discourse On Sacrifice
The Limited Time Opportunity
Discourse On Sacrifice
What You Cannot Do In Heaven!
- Be An Example Of What it Means to Be Godly To The Ungodly.
- Die On Another’s Behalf.
- Store Up Treasure and Rewards.
- Change Your Station, Power, Or Authority. As These Rewards Are Determined Before Heaven.
- Prove Your Love For God And Jesus By Your Obedience And Denial Of Self.
- Sacrifice Anything For The Kingdom Of God.
- Experience And Live Out The Life Of Jesus On The Earth, Following His Example. Thus, Defying The Ruling Spirit Of The World.
Discourse On Sacrifice
~ Hear Me Out ~
Discourse On Sacrifice
We really want to make God and Jesus feel special, loved, valued, important, exalted, and elevated above all things. To make Their hearts swell with the warmth of being loved. We must love, obey, and sacrifice. You cannot Love without Obeying, can’t Obey without Sacrifice, and you can’t Sacrifice without Love. It’s the cycle to bring God and Jesus a warm, uplifting hug. To make Them feel special, we must do all three! Sacrifice is an offering to God that proves through action our love for Him, not just our willingness to be loved by Him. He sacrificed His son, what will you sacrifice in return?
Galatians 6:9 “Let’s not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don’t give up.”
I personally am not tired of sacrificing for God. If we get tired of sacrificing, it is really our love for God that is growing weary. We owe Him everything at all times! Unfortunately, unlike the books of Acts, people are still trying to get what they want and hold onto what they have. Yet in Acts Chapter 2, they gave all, as Jesus says forsake all you have for God’s calling. If the goal is to get what we want or what we think we need, then the church is doing fine in the west. But if the goal is to forsake and give all for the kingdom, the church is doing poorly. I grow tired of half-hearted, lukewarm responses by those who say they love Jesus- those on the TV, those in the music industry, even some of those we have ministered too. That is what is wearing me down.
1 John 2:18-21 “Little children, these are the end times, and as you heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have arisen. By this we know that it is the final hour. (19) They went out from us, but they didn’t belong to us; for if they had belonged to us, they would have continued with us. But they left, that they might be revealed that none of them belong to us. (20) You have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. (21) I have not written to you because you don’t know the truth, but because you know it, and because no lie is of the truth.”
If everyone is out for self “one hand to the plow,” then there is no unity. Only in love, obedience, and sacrifice in whatever manner is required by God, will the Body truly find unity of purpose. So for that, we can feel isolated and separated. On a narrow path most will not walk with us, despite our sacrifices to help them do so. We know this is truth, for many have left us.
Titus 2:11-14 “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, (12) instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age; (13) looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ; (14) who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works.”
I think the greatest and most costly error the Church has made is this: To believe our salvation has anything to do with us. When the truth is God saved us for Himself. To bring Him pleasure, to create Himself a family. Yes, we receive the benefit and blessings. But our creation was to give God the desires of His heart. Not to get from Him all we want. This difference is life changing.
Mark 12:42-44 “And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, worth less than a penny. (43) He called his disciples and said to them, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the offering box than all the others. (44) For they all gave out of their wealth. But she, out of her poverty, put in what she had to live on, everything she had.”
When we learn that self sacrifice and self denial is the great equalizer of humanity, the most even hand of love, the unlikely partner of unity. For in these two works of the spirit, remains a level playing field for all who attempt the great dance of faith. It matters not your status, your position, your wealth, your means, nor your influence. All that matters is what portion of the whole that you are. If percentages would suffice, what percentage of self are you willing to deny, what percentage of your means are you willing to sacrifice? From the prince to the pauper, it’s the percentage of oneself that reveals the commitment. The prince might have more, yet gives less of a percentage of self. While the pauper might have less, but gives more of the whole.
Luke 12:48 “But he not knowing, and doing things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For to whomever much is given, of him much shall be required. And to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”
It is the percentage of self, not the actual numbers that tip the scales. Faithfulness is found in the percentage, commitment is found in the percentage. The truth about ones walk with Christ is found in the percentages.
1 John 3:16 “By this we know love, because he laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.”
It’s when we can truly see that sacrifice is a currency of love, a most sacred act of devotion. Then, only then, does it start to lose its sting. The fear of it transforms into a tiny ember ready to light a fire in the heart of God, illuminating the throne room of God. Sacrifice is something anyone and everyone can participate in. No one is excluded based upon their wealth or status. It’s the percentage that matters most, of whatever it is.
Ephesians 4:30 “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
What if we all could come to understand and believe that everything we do has an impact about how God feels about our love for Him? That we can make choices that please Him, bring Him joy, or warms His heart. Conversely that we can hurt Him, disappoint Him and injure Him. That what we do matters in a deep mental, emotional, and spiritual level to God and Jesus.
We would not be so eager to seek our own pleasure and will. Would we pause before each choice and ask: “Father, does this please You?” Or, “Will this harm our relationship?” Sacrifice is an expression of love. If I’m worried about myself more than I am making Him feel special and loved, then it makes sacrifice hard. But if my greatest delight is making Him feel loved, there is no sting. It’s just like giving a gift. If it makes me happy to give it, it makes Him happy to receive it. YET, DO YOU NOT THINK HE IS ABLE TO REPAY?
Luke 18:29-30 “And He said to them, Truly I say to you, There is no one who has left house, or parents, or brothers, or wife, or children for the sake of the kingdom of God, (30) who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and, in the world to come everlasting life.”
Luke 6:38-39 “Give, and it shall be given to you, good measure pressed down and shaken together and running over, they shall give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you measure, it shall be measured to you again. (39) And He spoke a parable to them: Can the blind lead the blind? Shall they not both fall into the ditch?”
If our love is truly pure, then with God it’s not “I have to sacrifice,” but “I get to sacrifice.” I want to do this for God. This effort has meaning, purpose, and an outcome with a reward. Think of today: most Christians are thinking about themselves, what they need, what prayers they want answered, and things they want, etc. It’s natural to be this way. But it’s not supernatural. Now ask yourself: how many Christians today have the constant thought in their heart, not about self, but how do I make God feel loved today? How do I make Him happy? How do I put a smile on His face? What can I give, do, or present to Him to make His heart warm? If we can love God completely empty of self, no longer concerned for our wellbeing, with all our heart and mind, then fear goes away. The pain lessens, and I believe we become like Jesus. I think that’s the goal.
Luke 17:33 “Whoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it, and whoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.”
This provides freedom from the terror of loss. God deserves for us to love Him this way. And trust that He will continue to love us back as He already has our entire lives. How foolish is it to rebel against the giver, in an attempt to retain what He has given? We would be guaranteeing the loss of whatever it is we are unwilling to sacrifice. I feel these thoughts are like a thread dropped out of heaven to me. A single thread that has life in it and I have to remain holding onto it. Never letting this life distract me from it, nor letting it go. Or, like a trail of crumbs that shows the narrow path stretching out before me.
James 1:8 “He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”
I want a heart that is filled with love for God. Not sharing space with how do I take care of self? I trust God will do that in whatever manner He wants. In this, there is no tension between my desires to love God and take care of self. I can always get what I want, when all I want is to make God feel loved. The terror of preservation and desire, want, and need is that there is no end to it. There’s always want for more. Protect what you have, fear of loss. The blessing and freedom to love God with a whole heart is this, they are all God. The more you love Him, the more He gives of Himself to you. And it can never be taken away from us by this world.
1 John 4:18-19 “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has punishment. He who fears is not made perfect in love. (19) We love him, because he first loved us.”
As much as me and my wife love our kids, why would we withhold their food until they cry, beg, and plead to get their natural needs met? That is insane, for our love for them is great. And how much more does God love us than we love our kids? Then why must we wrestle with fear, plead and beg, if it’s just not us understanding His love and faithfulness? We don’t need to pry it out of His hands. My kids are okay right now, not worried about a thing, for they know the love of their parents. Why can we not be the same with God, unless it is desire for self over our love for God that creates so much torment within? We want to have it our way, and our way right now. This demanding spirit is a torment in our hearts and builds barriers between us and God. Not to mention, the pain it causes God as we use our selfish desires to doubt His goodness. Now that is terrible.
Galatians 6:9-10 “Let’s not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don’t give up. (10) So then, as we have opportunity, let’s do what is good toward all men, and especially toward those who are of the household of the faith.”
Makes you think how much emotional energy we use on ourselves that robs us from using it for other people, and the Body of Christ. If Satan can use our selfishness, self pity, and fears to consume away the emotional and spiritual energy of self. He knows we won’t be able to use it against him and further the kingdom of God. The problem with focusing on yourself is that you cannot get enough of yourself. You will never be satisfied, because you will always want more for you. There lies the poison pill. We cannot say “God has this” and truly be so, unless we have surrendered everything over to Him. Yet we often try to have it both ways. The devil inspires us to not turn it over to God through our sin nature, and then puts the pressure on God to overcome our rebellion. In this, Satan has tried to get us to put God on the hook for our rebellion, and then we blame God and doubt God when it appears He has failed us. When in reality, we never truly trusted Him. With clinched fists we demand His help, and give nothing in return. Satan has and will destroy many people with this poison pill.
You have to wonder if the path off the narrow path is the safe, comfortable one. The one filled with cares of this life that Jesus warned about. The path is easily laid out, by Jesus and by the disciples. Do what they did. To know what to do is simple, doing it is hard: as our desires for the things of this life can be so strong. That’s why very few find the narrow path, they can’t let go of the comforts of this world. We are bought with a price. We are not our own. Our lives matter greatly to the One who purchased us and to the body. We struggle to realize this is not life. This is a mission. Life comes after we accomplish our calling. For this reason, we were purchased for Him and His glory.
Discourse On Sacrifice
When God Is Your Greatest Desire You Will Find Him.
Psalms 37:4-7 “Also delight yourself in Yahweh, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (5) Commit your way to Yahweh. Trust also in him, and he will do this: (6) he will make your righteousness go out as the light, and your justice as the noon day sun. (7) Rest in Yahweh, and wait patiently for him. Don’t fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who makes wicked plots happen.”
Jeremiah 29:12-13 “You shall call on me, and you shall go and pray to me, and I will listen to you. (13) You shall seek me, and find me, when you search for me with all your heart.”
I heard it said: “humbleness is not thinking less of yourself, it is not thinking of yourself at all.” That’s what I try for. Make me a non topic. I want to place God, ministry, and others first. I want for love, sacrifice, and obedience to be my normal way of life. Unafraid of loss for self, only concerned for the loss to the kingdom of God. This is how Jesus lived and this is how I seek to live, and with God’s spirit in me, I will do it.
Discourse On Sacrifice
Closing Thoughts
- How could Noah know how many people would live because of his sacrifices and obedience?
- How could the disciples know how many people would find salvation because of their sacrifices and obedience?
- Then, how can we know how many will enter into the kingdom of God because of our sacrifices and obedience?
We have to steady our hearts. Stick to God’s plan, and stop being shipwrecked and dashed against the rocks of own thoughts and emotions. The saying: “I feel, therefore I am” is not found in the Bible. We are not our emotions, and they do not represent the will of God. We count the cost, make the plan, and stay the course.
Discourse On Sacrifice
How We Touch God
Matthew 25:44-45 “Then they will also answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and didn’t help you?’ (45) “Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you didn’t do it to one of the least of these, you didn’t do it to me.’”
Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the middle of them.”
Discourse On Sacrifice
RUN, RUN, RUN, With Endurance! Keep Your Eye On The Prize!
Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore let’s also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with perseverance the race that is set before us, (2) looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Discourse On Sacrifice
Discourse On Sacrifice
Discourse On Sacrifice
Discourse On Sacrifice
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