DISCIPLESHIP

By David Maas
{EMULATING JESUS}

[Click on the title below to open an article]

  1. Following Jesus - {PDF Copy} - (The Messiah of Israel submitted to the way of the Cross and summoned his disciples to follow him on the very same path)
  2. Mercy is NOT Optional - {PDF Copy} - (Matthew 5:43-48 - Acts of mercy and love are the defining characteristics of the true disciple and of the nature of God)
  3. To Follow Jesus - {PDF Copy} - (To follow Jesus means a life of self-denial and sacrificial service for others - Matthew 20:20-28)
  4. He Humbled Himself - {PDF Copy} - (Christ’s submission to a shameful death on the Cross is the paradigm for Christian service and conduct)
  5. Whosoever will Follow Me - {PDF Copy} - (Mark 8:27-38 - For a fleeting moment, the eyes of Peter were opened to "see" just Who Jesus was)
  6. Servant of the King - {PDF Copy} - (His disciples are called to lives of self-sacrificial service for others, just as Jesus gave his life a ransom for many)
  7. The Cost of Discipleship - {PDF Copy} - (Mark 6:7-30 - To be a disciple means to take up one’s own cross and follow in his steps no matter where they lead)
  8. His Suffering and Death - {PDF Copy} - (Mark 8:31 - To be the Messiah of Israel means suffering and death, and he summons disciples to walk the same path)
  9. Power and Wisdom - {PDF Copy} - (God's power and wisdom are revealed in the preaching of Christ Crucified)

{SUFFERING}
  1. Though He Slays Me - {PDF Copy} - (“Though He slays me yet will I trust in him, and I will maintain my ways before him” – Job 13:15)
  2. Disciples and Suffering - {PDF Copy} - (Jesus warned us that we will suffer in this life, and his true church will endure persecution for his sake)
  3. Afflicted Disciples - {PDF Copy} - (In this life, the disciple of Jesus will endure “tribulation” and persecution for his sake – 1 Thessalonians 3:1-4)
  4. Tribulation and Endurance - {PDF Copy} - (Exiled on Patmos, John declared himself a “fellow-participant” in the tribulation and endurance “in Jesus”)
  5. Appointed to Tribulation - {PDF Copy} - (Disciples escape God’s wrath but endure tribulation to which they have been appointed)
  6. Summons to Persevere - {PDF Copy} - (Through a series of seven “beatitudes,” Revelation summons believers to faithfulness despite hostility and persecution)
  7. Overcoming Saints - {PDF Copy} - (In the book of Revelation, overcoming saints persevere in the testimony of Jesus no matter the cost, “even unto death”)

{OPPOSITION}
  1. Many Deceivers - {PDF Copy} - (Christ’s Olivet Discourse opens with warnings about coming deceivers who will propagate false expectations and information about the end)
  2. The Spirit of Antichrist - {PDF Copy} - (The Antichrist is a deceiver bent on destroying the church through deception, apostasy, and, if necessary, persecution)
  3. The Persecuting Beast - {PDF Copy} - (The Dragon and his earthly vassals wage war against the saints, the followers of the Lamb, and not against other nation-states)
  4. Persecution and Disciples - {PDF Copy} - (The disciple of Jesus is granted the great privilege and honor of enduring insults, hatred, and even violence on his behalf)
  5. Responding to Persecutors - {PDF Copy} - (Matthew 5:12 - When Christians react to hostility from State or Society with anger and rebellion, Satan triumphs)
  6. Disciple and State - {PDF Copy} - (Paul instructed believers in the very heart of the Empire not to resist the government – Romans 13:1-8)

Narrow Path - Photo by Ante Hamersmit on Unsplash
[Narrow Path - Photo by Ante Hamersmit on Unsplash]

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