​ IN-DEPTH DISCIPLESHIP

TEACHER: VEN. ISSAC TEJEVBO

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
2. TEACHING ONE: INTRODUCTION SERIES TO DISCIPLESHIP(WHO IS A
DISCIPLE)
3. TEACHING TWO: ​THE DISCIPLES’ MINDSET
4. TEACHING THREE​:​ A TEACHABLE SPIRIT
5. TEACHING FOUR: THE EASY YOKE
6. TEACHING FIVE​:​ THE EASY YOKE- PART TWO
7. TEACHING SIX: THE EVIDENCE
8. TEACHING SEVEN: THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP
9. TEACHING EIGHT: THE COST (B)
10. TEACHING NINE: COUNTING THE COST
11. TEACHING TEN: COUNTING THE COST(II)
12. TEACHING ELEVEN: ​BEARING FRUIT(PART-1)
13. TEACHING TWELVE: BEARING FRUIT(PART-II)
14. TEACHING THIRTEEN: THE DISCIPLES’ REWARD
15. CONCLUSION
 ​ INTRODUCTORY REMARKS

In dealing with the issue of discipleship/spirituality, we need to start from 'The Great
Commission' given to us by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in Matthew 28:18-20.

"And Jesus came and spoke to them saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on
Earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have
commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age'".
Our Lord Jesus asked us to produce 'disciples', not followers of a religion or denomination. (We
will define disciple later). Someone changing one denomination for another doesn't make
him/her a disciple!

The discipleship process begins with 'conversion'. In Acts 3:19, Peter the Apostle told his
audience,
"Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing
may come from the presence of the Lord,."

This is one of the major problems of preaching today. How often are people challenged to
'repent'(change one's mind about the direction of their lives, and their lifestyles, and turn to Jesus
for a new life and direction? This is what repentance actually means). Following repentance,
Peter talked about conversion. When there is conversion, there is a change from one state to
another. It is therefore no wonder the Bible declares,
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all
things have become new."(2 Corinthians 5:17. This is what the born again experience is about.
John 3:3-8).
It is people like these we are meant to be, and to produce for our Lord Jesus Christ, and the
Kingdom of God!!!
TEACHING ONE: INTRODUCTION SERIES TO DISCIPLESHIP

TOPIC: Who Is A Disciple?

A disciple has been defined as 'a person who professes to receive instructions from another; a
person who follows or believes in the doctrine of another.'
In our context we are talking about a disciple of Jesus Christ, one who follows and believes in
the doctrine of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In the context of Matthew 28:19, our Lord Jesus Christ asks us to "make disciples" of all nations.
In other words, we are expected to be, and to make all nations His followers. Not just followers
but people who would learn from Him and be like Him.
In preaching the gospel, we are expected to bring people to our Lord Jesus Christ, where they
would submit to Him as Lord, follow His lifestyle and His teachings in order to be like Him.
In Acts 4:13 we read, "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that
they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been
with Jesus."

This is what discipleship is all about! By observing the disciples Peter and John, the Jewish
leaders related their bold stand for Jesus to the fact that these men had been with Jesus.
Hallelujah!!!
In Acts 11:26b we read, "And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch." Why were
they called Christians(little Christs)? As was with the case of Peter and John earlier, from
observing the lifestyle and teachings of the Christians in Antioch, the people concluded that
these were people who belonged to Jesus Christ!
It is not simply by singing, dancing, shouting, preaching, etc that one is seen as a disciple of
Jesus Christ! It is by reflecting the lifestyle and teachings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
When others observe us, would they conclude that we are disciples of Jesus Christ?
 TEACHING TWO: ​THE DISCIPLES’ MINDSET

Mindset is very important in the discipleship experience.

'Mindset' is defined as 'attitude or 'habit of mind'. In other words, a person's mindset has to do
with his state of mind, who he has decided to be, and what he has decided to do; this now
determines his whole life pattern.

"For as he thinks in his heart, so is he."(Proverbs 23:7a).​

In order to be a disciple of Jesus Christ one has to make up his/her mind to be with Him all the
way through regardless of cost or challenges that may be involved in the process
In Luke 9:61.62 we read of a man who wanted to be a disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ. "And
another also said, 'Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at
my house.' But Jesus said to him, 'No one, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back,
is fit for the Kingdom of God.'"

In deciding to be a disciple of our Lord Jesus Christ, there has to be no competition with Jesus,
nor double mindedness. You are either a disciple or you are not. This is one of the tragedies of
today's Christianity. Many are in the Church, but it's difficult to determine where they stand in
terms of the things of God.
You don't follow Jesus because others are doing so; it's a personal decision once taken, no
looking or going back!

Paul the Apostle wrote:

"Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of
that for which Christ Jesus had also laid hold of me...but one thing I do, forgetting those things
which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal
for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."( Philippians 3:12-14)
This is the Disciple's mindset!!!
 ​TEACHING THREE​:​ A TEACHABLE SPIRIT

We had earlier mentioned that a disciple is someone who is a pupil, or a follower of a teacher.

The disciple wants to be like his Teacher/Master. In order to achieve this objective, the disciple
has to be teachable! What does the word 'teachable' mean? The word means, 'capable of being
taught; willing and quick to learn, responsive to teaching.' Some people feel that they have
already 'arrived'; they know it all, and therefore have no need to be taught by anyone!

A very good example of one who is teachable is a disciple called Apollos. Apollos had gone to
Ephesus to preach the Word of God (Acts 18:24-28). From the way Apollos was described in
this passage one would have thought that he had 'arrived'! In vs 24,25 he was described as, "an
eloquent man, and mighty in the Scriptures"; "instructed in the way of the Lord; and being
fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord..." But having listened to
him minister, we are told that Aquila and his wife Priscilla "...took him aside and explained to
him the way of God more accurately."(Acts 18:26).

Apollos humbled himself and submitted to their instructions. The result of this is seen in the
further effectiveness of his ministry as recorded in vs 8 where we are told that in Achaia "he
vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ." We
note further that Apollos became so effective that when a division broke out in the Corinthian
Church along 'party' lines based on who their 'favourite' minister was, a group actually aligned
themselves with Apollos, equating him with Peter and Paul! Commenting on the situation Paul
the Apostle wrote, "Now I say this, that each of you says, 'I am of Paul', 'I am of Apollos', or 'I
am of Cephas' or 'I am of Christ'. Is Christ divided?"(1 Corinthians 1:12,13a). The more
teachable a person is, the more he/she will advance as a disciple of Jesus Christ!!!
 ​TEACHING FOUR: THE EASY YOKE

The Easy Yoke

In talking about Christian discipleship we are talking about being connected to our Lord Jesus
Christ, and not to any human leader.
In Matthew 11:29,30 our Master Jesus Christ said,
"Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for My yoke is easy and My burden is light.'
What is a yoke? A yoke is 'a wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two animals
and attached to the plough or cart that they are to pull.' The idea being that the only way for the
animals to move and be effective, they have to move together! We read in Amos 3:3,
"Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?"
Thus, the only way for one to walk with Jesus is to be in complete agreement with Him!
Being yoked with Jesus is not as hard as one may think. Satan and many others have deceived
and discouraged people by making them think that being a disciple of Jesus Christ is a life of
difficulties and hard labor all the time. This may be so sometimes, but in totality, according to
what our Lord Jesus Christ says in Matthew 11:29 "
Matthew 11:30, being linked to Him is 'easy', and His burden is 'light'. This means that we are
the ones who make walking with Jesus a joyless and burdensome experience! This is why many
don't want to follow Jesus completely! In the main passage, our Lord Jesus Christ said
concerning following Him, "...you will find rest for your souls."
The yoke of the Jewish law is 'hard labour', while the yoke of Jesus is easy because of His
available grace! Hallelujah!!!
TEACHING FIVE​:​ THE EASY YOKE- PART TWO

The Easy Yoke (pt2).

We've made the point that to be yoked with Jesus Christ is to walk in agreement with Him. We
read in Amos 3:3,
"Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?"

The answer of course is, No!

To be yoked together is to move and do things together in agreement. This is why the believer in
Jesus Christ is exhorted in 2 Corinthians 6:14,
"Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness
with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?"

Thus, the genuine believer, child of God cannot comfortably be in a deep relationship with an
unbeliever because they operate at different levels! Hence it is described as 'unequal' yoke!
Jesus Christ wants disciples who will, "...learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in
heart..."(Matthew 11:29a)

Paul was such a disciple as he told the Thessalonian Christians,

"But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children."(1
Thessalonians 2:7).
Regrettably, we observe these days that many of our leaders in the Church are far from this
standard, far from being "gentle and lowly in heart." Many of them are like tyrants, dictators to
the extent that many of their members and those working with them are afraid to go close to
them, and tremble when they are around! In the Church of God!

Peter the Apostle wrote,

"The elders who are among you...Shepherd the flock of God which is among you...not as being
lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd
appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away."(1 Peter 5:1-4).
TEACHING SIX: THE EVIDENCE

We have understood 'Christiam Discipleship' as the lifelong process of following Jesus Christ,
learning from him in order to be like Him; the process also involves receiving and practising His
teachings, while at the same time raising other disciples.

Paul the Apostle wrote to Timothy, "...And the things that you have heard from me among many
witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.'(2 Timothy 2:2)
See Mark 3;13-19. There are several ways by which one can be portrayed as a disciple of Jesus
Christ. But there is only one evidence that our Master Jesus Christ actually talked about! This is
found in John 13:35 where Jesus said, 'By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you
have love for one another.'

Notice the phrase, 'by this'; love for one another is the ultimate evidence that someone is a
disciple of Jesus Christ! Paul the Apostle understood this well when he wrote, 'Though I speak
with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a
clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all
knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I can remove mountains, but have not love, I am
nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be
burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.'(1 Corinthians 13:1-3) What a powerful and
challenging presentation! Very much emphasis in the Church today is placed on miracles, signs
and wonders, while the love relationship among Christians is very low! There's so much
division, backbiting, malice, hatred, etc, and yet people pride themselves in their so called
'spirituality'! What is the nature of the kind of love that Jesus Christ and Paul are talking about?
It is 'agape', God's kind of love that is unselfish, self giving and unconditional. Hallelujah!!! This
is the kind of love that Jesus' disciples are expected to exhibit; this will be the evidence that they
are His disciples! 'But God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were yet
sinners, Christ died for us'( Romans 5:8).
 'Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
does not behave rudely, does not seek it's own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice
in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures
all things.'( 1 Corinthians 13:4-7).
TEACHING SEVEN: THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP

Topic: The Cost (A)

The discipleship journey, though exciting and profitable has some demands that need to be met.
Our Master Jesus Christ said, " ...If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and
take up his cross, and follow me."(Matthew 16:24).

What does the word 'Cost' mean? In our context The word means ' the effort, loss or sacrifice
necessary to achieve or obtain something.' In Matthew 16:24, our Lord Jesus Christ talks about
two cost factors that should be met in order to be His disciple: Denying self; and Taking up one's
Cross. To deny oneself is not the same as despising or putting down oneself. It doesn't mean
seeing oneself as worthless, as some Christians tend to see themselves. To deny oneself is more
of a mindset. Paul the Apostle brings out this mindset when he wrote, " Let nothing be done
through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than
himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of
others."( Philippians 2:3,4) The second condition Jesus Christ talked about is that of taking up
one's cross.

Does this mean that one should make or buy a physical cross, and wear or carry it around? Of
course not! The cross is a symbol of shame, pain, disgrace, betrayal, rejection and death. In
following Jesus, one will encounter these elements at one point or another! We hardly hear
preachings or teachings on this subject today! This is not that surprising, considering what our
Lord Jesus Christ said in Matthew 24:12,13), " And because lawlessness will abound, the love of
many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved." Notice the word 'endures',
implying pushing/ moving on inspire of challenges/obstacles on the way.

In Philippians 2:8 we are told that our Lord Jesus Christt "...humbled Himself and became
obedient to the point of death, even the death of the Cross." Death of the Cross in those days
was reserved for the worst of criminals who were disgraced publicly. This is what Jesus Christ
went through for us! As Jesus'disciples, we must walk as He walked. What was the result of
Jesus Christ taking to the Cross? Philippians 2:9 tells us, " Therefore God also has highly exalted
Him and given Him the name which is above every Name.." Taking up one's cross leads to
Divine exaltation! Hallelujah!!! "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God,
that He may exalt you in due time.."(1 Peter 5:6).
TEACHING EIGHT: THE COST (B).

In Luke 9:57-62, our Master Jesus Christ brings out some of the challenges involved in following
Him; the cost involved in following Him. This is brought out in various encounters of Jesus
Christ with would be disciples.

1) Someone came to Jesus Christ, desiring to follow Him. Instead of being excited about this, as
would many ministers of the gospel today, Jesus presented the man with the challenge involved
in being a disciple! Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the
Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."(Luke 9 vs 58). Does this imply that to follow Jesus
one would be homeless? Of course not! What Jesus Christ meant was that following Him as His
disciple could involve a life of inconvenience and discomfort! When I was posted to South
Sudan on missionary assignment a few years back, it was challenging to leave a 'comfortable'
and thriving congregation (St Matthew's Church, Nkpogu, Port Harcourt, Nigeria) for a new
nation with really poor facilities, having emerged from many years of civil war. I went, and God
helped one in touching many lives, Anglican and none Anglicans to His honour and glory!!!
Hallelujah!!!
2) Jesus Christ invited another person to "Follow Me." The man was willing to follow Jesus but
wanted to attend to some family issues first! He wanted to go and bury his father. What did Jesus
say to him? "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of
God."(Luke 9:60). Is it wrong for someone to bury the dead? Of course not. What Jesus Christ
meant was that where there is a conflict between serving God, and other issues, serving God has
to be given priority! God, and the things of God, including service, come first!

3) Another person came to Jesus Christ and said to Him, "Lord, I will follow You, but let me
first go and bid them farewell who are at my house."(Luke 9vs 61). The man was willing to be
one of Jesus' disciples, but he wanted to have an elaborate 'send off/forth' first! Notice the word
'first' in man's statement. When it concerns Jesus Christ nothing else comes first! "But seek first
the kingdom of God and His righteousness..."(Matthew 6:33a). Jesus Christ said to the man, "No
one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."(Luke
9:62). Once the decision to follow Jesus Christ as His disciple has been made, there is no looking
back! It is forward ever!!!
TEACHING NINE: COUNTING THE COST

Topic: Counting the Cost

A Church congregations of different denominations today have large numbers of worshippers.

It's now becoming almost like a 'numbers' game! But how many of these people really
understand what it takes to be a disciple of Jesus Christ? One definition of 'Cost' is, "The effort,
loss, or sacrifice necessary to achieve or obtain something."

In Luke 14:26-33 Jesus talked about the cost involved in following Him. He said, "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. And whoever does not bear his cross and come
after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down
first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it- lest, after he has laid the foundation,
and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him saying, 'This man began to build and
was not finish?' Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first
and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with
twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks
conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be my
disciple." Note the background to Jesus' statement as stated in vs 25,

"Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them.." instead of being
happy that a large crowd was following after Him, Jesus rather seemed to be discouraging them
by His 'hard sayings'! A great contrast to what would have been the reaction of many men of
God today! Ministry today seems to be a numbers game! Quantity, rather than quality! Jesus
goes for quality! In talking about 'hating' one's family and self, Jesus did not mean that the
disciple should regard his relatives as enemies. What Jesus our Master meant was that the
disciple's love and commitment to Him should be such that when compared to the love of
relatives and oneself would seem like hatred for the later! The Master Jesus has priority over
everyone else! To some people, this may sound extreme and 'fanatical! But then one is either a
disciple or he/she is not! No two ways about it!
TEACHING TEN:COUNTING THE COST(II)

Topic: Counting the Cost (ii)

We had earlier defined 'Cost' as, 'The effort,loss, or sacrifice necessary to achieve or obtain
something.'
Our main text is Luke 14: 26-33.

In this second part of the teaching on 'Counting the cost', we look at the two illustrations our
Master Jesus Christ Himself used to bring out the need to consider the possible challenges
involved in following Him as a disciple.
In Luke 14:26-30 Jesus asks, "For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down
first, and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it...." Jesus gave the reason for this step
as the need to avoid being ridiculed for starting something and not finishing it. When one decides
to walk with Jesus as His disciple, it is expected that the person woul follow all the way to the
end! Many people today answer 'alter call' to receive Jesus as their Saviour and Lord, but don't
last in the walk! They were probably moved by mere 'emotions'! Deciding to become a disciple
of Jesus is not a step that should be taken lightly or carelessly. As the saying goes, 'Dont start
what you cannot finish.' in Luke 9:62 our Lord Jesus Christ said,."...No one, having put his hand
to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."(Luke 9:62). Again, in Matthew
24:12,13 Jesus said, " And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.
But he who endures to the end shall be saved."(Matthew 24:12,13).

The second scenario Jesus uses is that of a king wanting to go to war against another king with a
larger army. We find this in Luke 14: 31,32. In assessing the situation, the first King has to make
a very critical assessment of the situation. If going against the other king would be a suicidal
mission, "... while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions for
peace."(vs 32). One should not underestimate the challenges involved in being a disciple of Jesus
Christ!
Jesus concludes by saying,
"So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple."(Luke
14:33).
Jesus Christ the Master must come first!!!
TEACHING ELEVEN: ​Bearing Fruit (pt 1)

In John 15:8, our Lord Jesus Christ said, "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much
fruit; so you will be my disciples."
In John 13:35, Jesus Christ said that it is by loving one another that people would know that we
are his disciples. Here in John 15:8 Jesus Christ said that the way to indicate that we are His
disciples is by glorifying the Father through 'fruit bearing.' Barrenness or unfruitfulness does not
glorify God!

Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself was a fruit bearer! He brought many souls into the Kingdom of
God (which is what soul winning is about, not bringing souls into one's denomination!).
Moreover, Jesus Christ's life displayed and reflected the glory of the Father. Hear what John the
Apostle wrote, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the
glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."(John 1: 14).

Fruit bearing therefore is in two dimensions, 'soul winning' and 'a life that reflects the glory of
God.'
So, when one wins souls, that is bringing them to Jesus Christ and His kingdom, one will be
glorifying the Father, and showing that he is a disciple of Jesus Christ. In John 15:5 Jesus said, "I
am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for
without Me you can do nothing."

Every disciple of Jesus Christ is meant to be a soul winner. "You did not choose Me, but I chose
and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that
whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you."(John 15:16).

"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise."(Proverbs 11:30).
"Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many
to righteousness like the stars for ever and ever."(Daniel 12:3).
TEACHING TWELVE: ​Bearing Fruit (pt 2)

In John 15:8, our Lord Jesus Christ said, ​"​By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much
fruit; do you will be My disciples." In part 1 we talked about 'fruit bearing' as on the one hand
meaning 'soul winning.'

Here in part 2 we will look at fruit bearing as 'a quality of life that reflects the glory and
nature of the Father.' This quality of life comes through the presence and working of the
Holy Spirit in the life of the disciple. In 2 Corinthians 3:18 Paul the Apostle wrote, "But we
all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being
transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."
This transformation into the image or likeness of the Lord is a lifelong process. Becoming
like Jesus is the major mark of 'true spirituality' and 'christian maturity.' Possession of,
and exercise of spiritual gifts is not really a mark of spiritual maturity! A new convert can
on the same day be filled with the Holy Spirit and begin to manifest the gifts of the Spirit!
(Refer to several instances in Acts of the Apostles!). The Corinthian Church enjoyed
abundance of spiritual gifts, yet hear what Paul the Apostle said to them,​ "And I, brethren,
could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ."(1
Corinthians 3:1).​
What truly marks one out as a 'mature', or 'spiritual' Christian and thus a disciple of Jesus
Christ is the manifestation of the 'fruit' of the Spirit as recorded in Galatians 5:22
following, ​"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law...If we live in the Spirit, let us
also walk in the Spirit." Notice the word is 'fruit', not 'fruits'.

These qualities are all embodied in the one Holy Spirit and are available and manifested as
a whole! So, when one receives Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord, stays connected to Him,
walking with Him daily, the Holy Spirit begins to produce this quality of life in the person.
This is the second understanding of fruit bearing! Becoming like Jesus!!! Praise God!!!
TEACHING THIRTEEN: THE DISCIPLES’ REWARD

Topic:​ ​The Disciple's Reward.

We now conclude the series on "Discipleship". To God our gracious Father in Heaven be all
praise and glory in Jesus Christ's most mighty Name, Amen and Amen!!! In this teaching we
look at the question the disciples asked Jesus, and His response. In Mark 10:28-30 we read,
"Then Peter began to say to Him, 'See, we have left all and followed You.'

So Jesus answered '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 hundred fold now in this time-,houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and
children and lands, with persecution-and in the age to come, eternal life.'" It would have been
enough reward being like Jesus Christ our Master, and walking with Him! But then, it has
pleased Him to give 'tangible' rewards for a life of surrender and commitment to Him! We thank
God that Peter had asked that question! One needed to know, and be assured that the life of
commitment to Jesus Christ as His disciple, forgoing a whole lot of things in order to please Him
is not in vain! Hallelujah!!! This reminds one of Paul the Apostle's statement in 1 Corinthians
15:32, "If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to
me? If the dead do not rise, 'Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!'" Paul made this
observation in connection with the reality of the Resurrection, which is the theme of the whole
of the whole chapter.

In 1 Corinthians 15:19 Paul wrote, "If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men
the most pitiable." Surely there has to be a reward for a life of sacrificial service to the Lord, a
reward beyond this present life! Jesus' answer to Peter's question talks about a reward that begins
here in this life, and extends to eternity!

Hallelujah!!! Thus the reward is both physical/material and spiritual, here and in eternity. It is
important we appreciate these two phases of the reward. More often than not, we think of the
reward mainly in terms of the after now! No! The reward starts here, not just in equal proportion
to what was given up, but "a hundredfold"! Hallelujah!!! But there's an aspect of the Reward we
often overlook, "...and with persecutions."(vs 30). Thus, if one is persecuted for standing with
Jesus Christ as His disciple the person is actually enjoying a reward! Hallelujah!!! It is therefore
no wonder that Peter the Apostle wrote, "But even if you should suffer for righteousness,' sake,
you are blessed..."(1 Peter 3:14a)

The life of discipleship, walking with, and following Jesus is s challenging one, yet it has
multiple and abundant reward, both here and in eternity!!! To God be all the praise and glory for
evermore!!!
CONCLUSION:

The secret to spiritual growth is in your focus.

The same holds true in your spiritual growth. You cannot grow spiritually through self-effort.
Maybe you can live a cleaner, more moral life for a time, but spiritual growth is not about
that. It is about becoming one with Christ (​John 17:20-23​), reflecting Him and building your
relationship with Him. Self-effort causes you to reflect your own corrupt sin-nature, because
what comes out is what you put in. Focus on Christ, and you will grow:

● Your understanding of God’s word will grow by reading the Bible to know the
Author, not just to know about God.
● Your faith will not grow by believing “harder”, but by focusing on the One in whom
you believe: Jesus Christ.
● Spiritual fruit will not be produced by trying to be more loving, more gentle, etc. It
will come by focusing on the source of your spiritual growth: Jesus Christ.
● Revival will happen, not when you focus on revival, but when you seek Christ,
confessing and abandoning all that hinders your relationship with Him, and turning
your will over to Him.