DISCIPLESHIP Lesson 10 for June 6, 2009

“Let all things be done decently and in order.” “He has established the world by His wisdom.” Jeremiah 10:12 GOD IS A GOD OF ORDER “Let all things be done decently and in order.” 1 Corinthians 14:40

ORDER IN HEAVEN Angels are organized in ranks that have different responsibilities: Seraphims (Isaiah 6:2) Cherubs (Genesis 3:24) Archangels (1 Thessalonians 4:16) Angels (2 Chronicles 32:21) …

“nd Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people: rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, y rulers of tens.” Exodus 18:25 ORDER ON EARTH

Dios established and order of leaders and servants, teachers and disciples.

Rabbis in Jesus’ time chose the best students in the synagogue schools to be their disciples. Only the best among them could go on as their disciples. Only the most prepared students could become part of the “school” of the rabbis.

When Jesus came to Earth, He had disciples that followed Him When Jesus came to Earth, He had disciples that followed Him. He chose twelve people from those disciples: the apostles. Jesus didn’t choose them because they were the most prepared intellectually, but because they were willing to live really close to Him.

Each one of us can be a disciple of Jesus.

WHAT DOES JESUS DEMAND FROM HIS DISCIPLES Obedience (Hebrews 5:9) Following the Teacher in everything He demands. Loyalty (Matthew 10:32) Following the Teacher under any circumstance. Following the Teacher by renouncing to ourselves. Sacrifice (Mark 8:34)

OBEDIENCE “He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” (Hebrews 5:9) “Obedience—the service and allegiance of love—is the true sign of discipleship. Thus the Scripture says, ‘This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments’ (1 John 5:3). ‘He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him,’ (chap. 2:4). Instead of releasing man from obedience, it is faith, and faith only, that makes us partakers of the grace of Christ, which enables us to render obedience.” Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 60

LOYALTY “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32) “Let us, in the few probationary hours left us, walk humbly with God and do the work He has committed to our hands with fidelity.” Ellen G. White, The Upward Look, July 27)

SACRIFICE “He said to them, ‘Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.’ ” (Mark 8:34) “Following Christ, as spoken of in these words, is not a pretense, a farce. Jesus expects His disciples to follow closely in His footsteps, enduring what He endured, suffering what He suffered, overcoming as He overcame. He is anxiously waiting to see His professed followers revealing the spirit of self-sacrifice.” Ellen G. White, Counsels on Health, p. 512)

THE REWARD OF DISCIPLESHIP “Then Peter answered and said to Him, ‘See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?’ ” Matthew 19:27

THE REWARD OF DISCIPLESHIP “So Jesus answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.’ ” Mark 10:29-30

We are discipleships of the only true Lord we are loyal to. Our feelings must not be divided between Jesus and the world. “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.” (Luke 16:13)

Jesus is our Lord, He is sovereign over our lives, our thoughts, our words and our acts. “and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:11