The Heart of a True Disciple
June 29, 2008 Pastor Larry Baldridge
*disciple – a committed follower of Jesus Christ and practitioner of His teachings
*disciple = learner + doer of the teachings of God’s Word.
And so when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments, and reclined at the table again, He said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you?”You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. "If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.”For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. "Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master; neither is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him.”If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them.” [John 13:12-17]
1. The heart of a true disciple is exemplary of the SERVANTHOOD OF JESUS.
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in your power to do it. [Proverbs 3:27]
“And calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, ‘You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. But it is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.’” [Mark 10:42-45]
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. [Phil 2:3-4]
The heart of a true disciple manifests itself by being more concerned about the interests and need of others, than my own.
“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books which were written.”[John 21:25]
Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent." [John 6:29]
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. [Phil. 2:5-8]
2. The heart of a true disciple is exemplary of the HUMILITY OF JESUS.
True humility is demonstrated through sacrificial obedience to God. It is not concerned about title, position, personal gain, or payback.
Now the man Moses was very humble, more than any man who was on the face of the earth. …“My servant Moses, He is faithful in all My household. [Num 12:3, 7]
True humility is demonstrated by one’s willingness to listen to God and follow/obey what God says. An indication of true humility is faithfulness/follow-through/dependability.
3. The heart of a true disciple is exemplary of the LOVE OF JESUS.
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." [John 13:34-35]
How we relate to people and respond to the needs of others is an indication of how we truly love Jesus Christ!
"He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me; and he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I will love him, and will disclose Myself to him."
[John 14:21]
We are to care about each other and what is going on in the lives of others! That kind of heart is created in its purist form as a result of walking with Jesus .
"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” [John 15:13-14]
The heart of a true disciple that is exemplary of the LOVE of Jesus Christ is demonstrated by the sacrifice of one’s wants, desires, and life -- for the benefit of another.
“Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” [1 Corinthians 13:4-8]
