Not a Disciple - 3 Conditions to Examine: Luke 14: 25,27

25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said:  

1. Loving his own family over God:  - Caring Circle

26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters 

2. Loving his own life over God: - Being Circle

— yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 

3. Loving his own will over God's Will: - Innermost Being Circle

27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 

Are you His Disciple? If you believe Disciples are spiritually superior to Christians, keep reading — there's a surprise in store for you.

3 Priorities to Examine:   The Parable of the Great Banquet - Luke 14: 15-20 

15 When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.”

16 Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’

1. Prioritize Possession over Time with God

18 “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’

2. Prioritize Profession over Time with God

19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’

3. Prioritize Family over Time with God

20 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’

Then Who is a Disciple?

According to John 8:31-32 

31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

A disciple is student of Christ - Someone who spends time with the Word of God & Prayer in order to obey His teachings & to know Him better and love to walk with Him more closely.

Disciples are Christians: Acts 11:26

26 and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. 

Aren't we now witnessing that not all Christians are truly Disciples. Are you a Christian or Disciple?

Disciples have 3 Objectives:

1. Continue to Know God's Teachings Better, So that we can Trust God / Obey his Commandments Well. (Knowing Objective Truth)

2. Continue to Trust/Obey God Better, So that we can Serve Others Well. (Subjective Life Experience)

3. Continue to Serve  Others Better, So that we can bring Glory to God. (Fear & Honor God)

Disciples have 4 Attitudes:

1. Fear of God  (It's not the Knowledge of the Bible, It's all about the Reverence to God) 

2. Humility     (It's not "Know it all", It's about "I'm here to learn & unlearn")

3. Gentleness  (It's not "I say & you listen", "It is about "You say & Let me listen")

4. Patience (It's not "Waiting for the right time to Speak the Truth", It's about the "Waiting for the Work of the Holy Spirit in us & others to reveal the Truth")

This ministry is targeted to challenge & ignite the passion among the believers

• To grow in the Knowledge of Christ and

• To experience the depth, breadth, width and height of His love & wisdom through His Grace.

• Discipleship is not a program, course, or book to be completed within a set period. Instead, it is a lifelong journey of commitment and continuous submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in every area of our lives—emotional, spiritual, financial, social, and professional etc.

• Discipleship is not driven by a pastor, mentor, leader, or church. Rather, it is self-driven through the work of the Holy Spirit, characterized by a renewed mind and a regenerated heart.

• Discipleship is not a checklist of common tasks to be trained on. Instead, it is a continuous and progressive experience of walking with God.

• Discipleship is not about achieving spiritual milestones, accomplishments, or comparing ourselves with others. Rather, it involves:

• Humbly examining ourselves through the Word of God.

• Joyfully experiencing Him through the power of God.

• Radiantly impacting others through the presence of God.

Ground Reality is

• Only few will find & enter into the Narrow Gates:  Mathew 7:13-14

13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

• Only few True Disciples will enter the Kingdom of Heaven:  Mathew 7:21-23

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

• Only few will practice Jesus Teachings: Mathew 7:24-27

24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

Stages of Discipleship is beautifully explained in Mathew 13 , Click here Kingdom of Heaven

Discipleship has

• 3 Levels of Faith to Grow

  • • • Spiritual Birth

      • Spiritual Growth

      • Spiritual Maturity

• 3 Circles to Experience, Effect & Connect

  • • • Being Circle

      • Caring Circle

      • Sharing Circle

Sermons to Meditate:

• The Narrow Gate & the Narrow Way - Paul Washer

• It will cost you everything - Paul Washer

• Cost of Not Following Christ - Paul Washer

• Only few will find the Life - Zac Poonen

True Faith is not only a sure knowledge whereby I hold for truth all that God has revealed to us through His Word, but also a hearty trust. We hope that everyone will be challenged to read and reread the scriptures to see whether or not what we believe is written in the Holy scriptures.

Click to Examine

After we examine ourselves, it's time to realign and refocus to experience personal growth through the power of the Holy Spirit and to find God's plan for us. Based on our experiences and observations, most believers lack proper understanding in at least one of the following areas, which are means to grow in grace. 

Click below links to Hear and Challenge your state of faith

• Importance of Word of God

• Importance of Prayer

• Importance of Church

• Role of Holy Spirit

Ask yourself 2 pretty serious questions after listening to above sermons:

• Do you genuinely experience the things they preach?

• Has you life been transformed by the power of the Gospel?

Knowing the right answers or knowing what we should say is not the same thing as really believing or experiencing the things being preached. As disciples, we are diligently seek from God what he has freely given. In addition to believing the essential truths about the gospel, disciples experience the transforming power of God's grace.  The Scriptures speak of Christ and His Spirit dwelling within His people. We go from being spiritually dead, to spiritually alive - Ephesians 2:1-10. 

As we grow in grace all true disciples will come to love the things that God loves and hate the things that God hates.

Click to Experience 

After experiencing enough personal spiritual growth, it's time to impact others. We can't make a difference when we're alone; it's God's plan for us to work together as a group. The idea of coming together to impact others and glorify God reflects a strong sense of community and shared purpose. Working together despite our differences can lead to powerful outcomes, especially when unified by Holy Spirit and a common goal to Glorify God. When true followers of Christ fellowship in one spirit and mind, the effect is powerful and transformative. 

• God's Presence: Matthew 18:20:

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. 

• Great Joy:  Psalms 133:1:

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! 

• Great Comfort and Encouragement: Philippians 2:1-4: 

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 

Click to see the Effect 

If you are moved by the Holy Spirit then Click here to Connect 

May the Good Lord Bless You!!