Matt 16:24-27 True Discipleship CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO

In this lesson we learn some more about discipleship. Here we learn about: The Provisions of Discipleship; The Principle of Discipleship; The Practicality of Discipleship; and The Payoff of Discipleship.

The Provisions of Discipleship – 24

Men could be disciples of Christ provided that they met three certain conditions. First, a man had to deny himself [Matt 26:39, 42; Matt 10:37-39; Rom 12:1-2]. Paul did this [1 Cor 9:25-27]. Many others had the problem of wanting “me first” [Lk 9:57-62]. Second, a man had to take up his cross [Jn 19:17]. Paul did [Gal 6:14; 2:20]. Third, he had to follow Jesus [Jn 21:18-22]. Peter did [1 Pet 2:20-21]. As Christians, our walk with the Lord ought to be such that others can follow us as they grow in Christ [2 Thes 3:7-9].

The Principle of Discipleship – 25

A disciple is no longer the boss; Jesus is. This is a practice similar to boot camp. Examples of saving a life and then losing it are Mk 10:21-24 and Jn 11:47-48 w/ Matt 24:2 and Matt 22:2-7. Examples of losing a life to save it are Matt 16:21, Matt 19:27-29, and Lk 14:26-33.

The Practicality of Discipleship – 26

What difference would it make if you could gain the whole world? A man who loves the world is an enemy of God and the world passes away in the end anyway [Jas 4:4; 1 Jn 2:17; 2 Pet 3:10]. The tragedy is that a man without Christ loses his soul for eternity [Matt 10:28; Mk 9:43-48]. Jesus Christ gave his life on Calvary in exchange for our souls [Jn 15:13].

The Payoff of Discipleship

The rewards of discipleship for a Christian show up at the Judgment Seat of Christ [1 Cor 3:11-15]. See the question archives for more information on this judgment. However, some of the payoff comes NOW [Mk 10:28-30].