Yesterday, we discovered that in the Great Commission Jesus called us to make disciples, not converts. What is the difference? A convert is the person gets saved and is now in position to receive eternal life. A disciple lives the life Jesus wants us to live. The convert knows Jesus as savior. The disciples knows Jesus as Lord. Yes, God is looking for converts, but disciples are needed to do the work of the sharing the Gospel message.
So here are the five things Jesus said over the course of His ministry about the expectations of being a disciple…
1. A disciple must serve and love God first…
“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:26)
2. A disciple must bear his cross…
“And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:27)
3. A disciple must forsake all…
“So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:33)
4. A disciple must live in the Word…
Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.” (John 8:31)
5. A disciple must love other disciples…
“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)
