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Key Verse:
JOHN 1:35-42 (ESV)
Jesus Calls the First Disciples
35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples,
36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!”
37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus.
38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?”
39 He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.
40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.
41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means Christ).
42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).
The word “disciple” is defined as:
(a) One who receives instruction-a learner.
(b) One who follows the teachings, examples, and precepts of another. Scripture tells us that disciples abide in the Lord’s Word and bare Spiritual Fruit.
John 8:31 (ESV)
So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, John 15:8
John 15:8 (ESV)
By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
There are five steps to discipleship. They are:
STEP I. RECOGNITION OF CHRIST.
1 John 4:2 ESV
By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,
1. Recognize Him as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.
John 1:29 ESV
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
2. As the one who is able to save to the uttermost.
Hebrews 7:25 ESV
Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
3. As the one worth forsaking all else for.
Luke 5:11 ESV
And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.
4. As the one to be trusted and followed.
John 14:1 ESV
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.
Because of these things, John the Baptist recognized Jesus and bore testimony that He was the Son of God … He is God!
STEP II. AN ACT OF FAITH.
JOHN 1:37 (ESV)
The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus.
They heard and they believed. To believe is one thing-to follow is another! Action is the evidence of faith!
James 2:20 ESV
Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?
STEP III. A HEART-SEARCHING QUESTION.
JOHN 1:38 ESV
Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?”
Jesus will test the motives of those who call upon Him.
What do you expect out of following Jesus?
(a) Worldly honor and preference
(b) Material gifts?
(c) Influence for self-exaltation
John 6:26 ESV
Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.
Or, do you seek Christ as Savior, Guide and Friend?
Matthew 16:24 ESV
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
His invitation says:
(a) Come
(b) Receive
(c) Follow
STEP V. A WILLING SERVICE.
True disciples of Christ will be fruit-bearing witnesses.
John 15:8 ESV
By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
We must follow Him as Savior and trust Him! Are You A Follower Of Christ-A True Disciple? Or Are You Just Religious?