A Discipleship Training Course By Jefferson Vann

The whole course is available in a printable  pdf  format : The Commands of Christ about 500kB download.

Scripture designated NAU is taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960,1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1988, 1995.Used by permission.

Scripture designated NKJ is from The New King James Version NKJV (NKJ), Copyright © 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved.

Scripture designated NRS is from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible, Copyrighted 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America, and are used by permission.

Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Scripture designated NLT is from HOLY BIBLE, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. All rights reserved.

Scripture designated OBC is from the Oro Bible College English edition – unpublished, uncopyrighted.

Introduction

This little devotional booklet is the text for a discipleship training course. It emerged from a specific need I felt as adviser to the 2nd year class at Oro Bible College in the Philippines. My duties included organizing and conducting class chapels for the students. While planning for that task, it occurred to me that a study of the commands of Jesus would give a nice overview of his teachings, and that it could fit very well into a year’s schedule of class chapels.

Each of these studies was first produced individually. In fact, I distributed each study to my students in a reproducible one-sheet document designed for them to use in teaching. This booklet contains all 24 lessons. Each lesson ends with review questions. I encourage you to use it to teach our Lord’s commands.

All these commands of Christ can be summarized in this short outline:

• PERMANENCE: Invest your life in eternity.
• DEVOTION: Put God First.
• GENUINENESS: Be What You Claim to Be.
• TRUST: Rely on God to do what you cannot do.
• PRAYER: Keep in contact with God.
• TRUTH: Learn, Proclaim & keep God’s Word.
• POWER: Be Used by God to Fulfill His Will.
• ADVENT: Live in Expectancy of Christ’s Second Coming.

Table of Contents

Introduction
1. WHAT DISCIPLERS DO
2. CHOOSE TO CHANGE
3. OBLITERATE THE OBSTACLES
4. ADJUST THE ATTITUDE
5. DECIDE TO DO SOMETHING
6. SETTLE ON THE SAVIOR
7. SUBMIT THE SELF
8. CONTINUE IN CHRIST
9. PROVE YOUR PROFESSION
10. STOP BEING SIDETRACKED
11. MANAGE YOUR MOTIVES
12. GO BEYOND THE BASICS
13. FORGET YOUR FEARS
14. REMEMBER HIM AND REJOICE
15. CONTINUE WITH CONFIDENCE
16. SUPPLICATE IN SECRECY
17. DEPEND ON THE DEITY
18. PETITION FOR PARTNERS
19. DETERMINE TO BE DISCIPLED
20. BEWARE OF THE BLIND
21. LISTEN TO LEARN
22. MAKE COMMUNICATION YOUR CAUSE
23. COOPERATE WITH THE COUNSELOR
24. ALWAYS BE ALERT!

Chapter 1 WHAT DISCIPLERS DO

Therefore, after you go, disciple all the nations, by baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, by teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and look, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.Matthew 28:19-20 OBC English Version [1]

The Great Commission contains only one imperative. In spite of the fact that most versions translate the initial participle [2] as a command, there is no logical reason for doing so. In fact, logic dictates that Jesus cannot command them to go, after he had already commanded them to stay in Jerusalem!
They were to stay in Jerusalem until after Pentecost, when they would be clothed with God’s power.[3] They would need that supernatural power to do what Jesus actually did command them: disciple all the nations.

Jesus himself had discipled them, so they knew what the process entailed. They were to train others the way Jesus had trained them. It involved a commitment to spend time recruiting, explaining, answering questions, illustrating truths, and serving as an example.
No doubt the apostles felt inadequate for the task. Imagine having to replace the Lord Himself as a teacher! They were to disciple others as Jesus did. This probably seemed an impossible command to obey. Sensing this fear, the Lord added some qualifying statements, to let the apostles know just what he expected. While these are not imperatives either, they constitute a helpful breakdown of the elements of the discipling task.

The first way to fulfill the Great Commission is by baptizing. [4] This is the evangelism portion of the command. A baptizer proclaims the Gospel until someone responds with a commitment to follow Christ. Then, he leads the convert in the ritual of water baptism, as a testimony to that commitment.
By submitting to water baptism, the convert testifies to all of the following truths:

1. That he believes the gospel message (Acts 2:41; 8:12).“When they believed… They were baptized”
2. That he is a disciple of the triune God (Matt. 28:19).“In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit”
3. That he has repented from his sins (Acts 19:4).“A baptism of repentance”
4. That his sins have been forgiven (Acts 2:38).”Repent and be baptized… for the forgiveness of your sins.”
5. That he trusts in the name of Christ (Acts 19:5).“baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.”
6. That he is part of the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13).“baptized in one Spirit into one body”
7. That he is equal with every other Christian (Gal. 3:27-28). “all of you who were baptized … you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
8. That he has been raised to new life (Rom. 6:3-4; Col. 2:12-13).“buried with him in baptism and raised with him”

This appears to be the result of an extensive training session in which the convert learns all these things about his commitment to Christ.But baptism is the beginning of the discipling process, not the end of it. Thus baptism is a way of saying “I am ready to be taught.”

The second way to fulfill the Great Commission is by teaching.[5] A disciple is a learner. You cannot be a true disciple unless you are being taught something. The apostles understood the command to disciple as a command to teach:

1. …what Jesus taught,
2. …how Jesus taught it,
3. …with the same purpose that Jesus had in teaching it.

This is our goal as well. We want to learn the basics of Christianity, so that the lives we are living reflect the teachings of Christ. But what are those basics? The clue that Jesus gave his apostles was this phrase: “teaching them to observe all that I commanded you.”

So this course is designed to teach the actual commands that Jesus gave his apostles, as recorded in the four Gospels.

REVIEW

1. What is the one imperative found in Matthew 28:19-20?
2. Why should the participle in Mt 28:19 be translated “after you go”?
3. What five things does a discipler do?
4. What two qualifying statements did Jesus use to show his apostles what he expected them to do?
5. Which qualifying statement implied that disciplers would evangelize the lost?
6. What eight truths does the convert testify to by being baptized?
7. The Discipler must teach ______ Jesus taught.
8. The Discipler must teach _______ Jesus taught it.
9. The Discipler must teach with the same purpose that Jesus had
in teaching it.
10. What are the basics of Christianity?

[1] The OBC English Version is my own rendering from the original Greek (or Hebrew OT).
[2] poreuthentes
[3] Luke 24:49
[4] baptizontes
[5] didaskontes

Chapter 2 CHOOSE TO CHANGE.

Discipleship begins with a choice. The unbeliever must choose to change. The Bible calls this choice repentance. To repent means to change the mind.[6] Jesus always began with this command. It is a challenge to change the mind, with the expectation that a changed mind will result in a changed life.

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark 1:15 NAU) Jesus expects us to choose to change our minds about three things.First, we must change our minds about time. We need to stop putting off the ultimate decisions of life until tomorrow. Tomorrow never comes. Today is already here, and the time for repentance is today. There will never be a better time for change.

Secondly, Jesus challenges us to change our minds about God’s kingdom. People tend to make two serious errors about God’s kingdom. Some believe that God is already ruling this chaos, and for some reason chooses to put up with evil for eternity. Others believe that God is too far away from this evil world to change anything in it.

The good news is that neither of these views accurately reflects the truth. The truth is that the kingdom is “at hand.” This means that it is possible for God to make a difference in this world. His kingdom is available today, but it must be entered into. That is the choice unbelievers are challenged to make.

Thirdly, Jesus challenges us to change our minds about the gospel. Unbelievers are not challenged to look within themselves for the answer. Instead, they must accept the message that God has given, and choose to reorder their lives according to that message. The choice to change begins with that basic belief: that there is an answer and it has already been revealed by God.

Both Jesus and John the Baptist challenged people to repent. This challenge was not unusual in Jewish preaching. The radical nature of their message was not what they preached, but to whom they
preached. Both John and Jesus shook their society by preaching this message to the Jews. But the Jews thought that they were already saved because they were Jews. They needed to repent, to change their minds about themselves and see their deep spiritual need.

“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. (Matt. 7:13-14 NAU)

The philosophy of life that Jesus preached was quite simple. While there are many paths that one can take in life, they can all be reduced to two directions. Everyone who is living is currently heading
in one direction or the other. Nobody is neutral. Everyone has made their choice.

Jesus calls repentance the choice of the narrow gate. Failure to repent is also a choice. It is the choice of the wide gate. Each gate leads to only one inevitable destination. The narrow gate will result in life. The wide gate will result in destruction.

The motivation that would lead someone to repent is also very simple. Those who enter the narrow gate are looking for permanence. They are willing to follow the road less traveled, because that road leads to life.

The motivation for the opposite choice is a bit more complicated. The paths leading from the wide gate are extremely diverse. There is the path of deception. Those following this path have been taught falsehood. They embrace this falsehood as the truth and live by it. Most never even consider the possibility that they are wrong. Some even defend to the death the false teachings they have received.
Being deceived is a reason that many do not follow Christ, but not an excuse.

Another path often taken is that of avoidance. These people know all about the narrow gate, and have every intention to enter it – someday. Check your calendar. There’s a Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and a Saturday. But there is no Someday. It does not exist. Those who choose to put off repentance are choosing the wide gate. That path leads to destruction just as surely as the path of deception does.

A third path leading to destruction is the path of rejection. We human beings are creatures of habit, and this path can only be explained as a dangerous habit. It is the habit of knowing the good, and choosing the evil. It is the habit of ignoring eternity, and choosing to live for today. I think that on the Judgment Day we will find that most people chose to follow this path.

“Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal.” (John 6:27 NAU).

The context of this command shows that a large crowd was searching for Jesus for the wrong reason. They had a good meal and a miracle, and they went looking for Jesus so that he could give them a repeat performance. They traveled the seven miles by small boat from Tiberias to Capernaum. That is a lot of hard work for just “dinner and a show.”
The command that Jesus gave them can be misinterpreted. He was not saying that you have to work for your salvation. Notice that eternal life is given by the Son of Man. It is not earned by our work.
Salvation is God’s free gift through Christ.

However, what Jesus said here is very important. He implies that our work indicates which gate we have entered. If we have repented, that choice is going to change our life orientation. It will cause us to seek the “food that endures.” It will keep us from wasting our lives on pursuits which have only temporary results. Even seeking Jesus with that “dinner and a show” mentality is working for “food which perishes.”

REVIEW

1. What does the word “repent” mean?
2. According to Mark 1:15, what are three things the unbeliever needs to change his mind about?
3. What was so radical about the message of repentance as taught by Jesus and John the Baptist?
4. According to Matt. 7:13-14, what are the results of entering the two gates?
5. What is the life goal a person would have that would cause him to choose the narrow gate?
6. What are three reasons that few people enter the narrow gate and are saved?
7. Why was the crowd searching for Jesus in John 6?
8. How far is it from Tiberias to Capernaum?
9. What does Jesus imply by commanding us to work for the food that endures?
10. When is it wrong to seek Jesus?

[6] metanoia:   strictly later knowledge, subsequent correction; religiously and morally, as a change of mind leading to change of behavior repentance, conversion, turning (FRIBERG Lexicon)

Chapter 3 OBLITERATE THE OBSTACLES

“If your right eye makes you stumble, tear it out and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. “If your right hand makes you stumble, cut it off and throw it from you; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to go into hell. (Matthew 5:29-30 NAU)
After making the choice to change, Jesus challenges us to do major surgery on ourselves. Without this commitment to radical change, our repentance is just hollow words. Without the change, we are still
heading for hell, no matter how many “sinner’s prayers” we pray. Of course, Jesus does not want us to literally mutilate ourselves by tearing out an eye, or cutting off a hand. This is a figure of speech.
But we need to consider this advice carefully. Jesus is saying that there are some things about us that are keeping us on the wrong path – the path heading to destruction.
These things are obstacles. The dictionary defines an obstacle as “One that opposes, stands in the way of, or holds up progress.” [7] To accept this command of Jesus we have to admit that there are things about us that stand in opposition to the kingdom of God. These things must be obliterated from our lives or we will not progress as disciples. The two examples Jesus gave are also illuminating. These are the two body parts that a person finds it very difficult to do without. The eye is seen as extremely important in scripture. ”The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. (Matthew 6:22 NAU) Without the eyes the whole body is in darkness. Such is the essential nature of this organ. Yet Jesus says that if your eye is keeping you out of his kingdom – preventing you from following his commands – it is better to tear it out.

Notice as well how many times Jesus used his hands to minister healing to people. The hands are masterpieces of creative genius given by God. Yet for the sake of the kingdom, the hand too is expendable. Then He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.” (Luke 12:15 NAU)
Since we want the best that there is, we should be willing to sacrifice all the other things which are not the best. The best is permanent life in God’s eternity. All of the rest is fighting against the best. That’s why Jesus warned his disciples to watch out for greed. There is only one thing we should want desperately – that’s eternal life. Greed substitutes something else for that essential. Greed is an excessive desire to acquire or possess more than what one needs or deserves, especially with respect to material wealth.[8]It is not greed to want what you need. It is even OK to want what you deserve. But greed enters into the picture when you want what you don’t need, and seek for what you don’t have a right to. This is a dangerous activity. It is another obstacle to the kingdom of God. “Remember Lot’s wife. Luke 17:32 (NAU) Jesus illustrated this truth by referring to the Old Testament story of Lot’s wife. The story is found in Genesis 19. God had sent angels to destroy Sodom. But the angels rescued Lot, his wife and his
daughters. They told them to run away from the city, and to not look back upon its destruction. But Lot’s wife looked back, and she was immediately turned into a pillar of salt. God had offered salvation to Lot and his family, but upon the condition that they forsake everything else. This was only fair because all those things were marked for destruction. That’s precisely the point for us as well. All of those other things – the rest – the things we could be greedy for – are destined for destruction. We must see everything else as obstacles to the one prize of eternal life through Christ.

The parables of the hidden treasure (Matt. 13:44), and the pearl of great value (Matt. 13:45-46) also teach this truth. Those who are really disciples of Christ…
1. …have searched
2. …have settled
3. …have sold all

Review

1. Where is the command to tear out your eye, or cut off your hand?
2. Without a commitment to radical ________ our repentance is just hollow words.
3. Does Jesus want us to literally mutilate ourselves?
4. How is the word obstacle defined?
5. What is the lamp of the body?
6. What are the “masterpieces of creative genius given by God?
7. Where does the Bible warn that life does not consist of possessions?
8. What is the best, that competes with everything else?
9. What Old Testament story illustrates the danger of greed?
10. What Parables did Jesus use to teach that we must seek the best, and avoid the rest?

[7] The American Heritage Dictionary (electronic edition.)
[8] American Heritage Dictionary (electronic edition).

Chapter 4 – ADJUST THE ATTITUDE

NAU Luke 12:5 “But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!

Fear is a destructive emotion. Those who study the human psyche tell us that fear is responsible for many of the problems that we have. It may surprize you, then, to hear that Jesus commanded us to fear. Just like there is good and bad cholesterol, there is also good and bad fear. Bad fear is unhealthy, and can send us “over the edge.” But good fear is healthy.

As parents we learn early that we have to train our children to fear certain things. In their innocence they just don’t know that the burner can hurt them, so we have to teach them that it is something to fear. If we fail this task, there may be serious, irreversible damage.
On the other hand, parents also have to convince their children that some things are not to be feared. To the toddler a puppy may not seem so nice. A child may be deathly afraid of such an animal. So, the parent will have to show him that touching the little critter can be fun.
Adults, too, often fear the wrong thing. Jesus warned us to fear God, and not man. Our attitude about God, and about man is reverse of what it should be. It needs to be adjusted.
There are two major reasons that we have this reversed attitude problem.One reason is our experience of dealing with others of our own species. Thus we know from experience that homo sapiens cannot be trusted. We know that humans are capable of all kinds of violent, dishonest, and treacherous behavior.
Another reason is that our concept of God is distorted. We see God as a benign old gentleman sitting on a big chair, chuckling, as he dispatches angels to take care of our problems.
There is some truth to both of these stereotypes, but they lead to unhealthy attitudes that Jesus commands us to adjust. We must train ourselves to look beyond the things in man that terrify us and see that God has humanity under his control. It is only then that we can say “What can mere man do to me.”[9]
Likewise, we need to adjust our attitudes about God. Man can only kill you temporarily. No matter what man does to you, Jesus will still raise you from the dead to face him on Judgment Day. But God can destroy you permanently in Gehenna!

Matthew 10:28b “fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”

Remember that our goal is permanent life. No man can take that from you, but God can. He is the only one who has immortality,[10] so he is the only source of eternal life. But instead of granting it to (as some teach) he will grant it only to believers.[11] Those who reject Jesus Christ will be punished and destroyed in hell after Judgment.

Another adjustment we need to make to our attitudes is forgiveness.

Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions (Mark 11:25 NAU).

Christians need to forgive those who wrong them for four good reasons.

1. God is the one who judges and punishes evil. Holding a grudge or seeking retribution usurps God’s role.
2. Human beings are always making mistakes that hurt other people. Forgiveness keeps those mistakes from destroying relationships.
3. Jesus commanded forgiveness, and failure to follow his commands is rejecting his kingdom.
4. Lack of forgiveness prevents our own forgiveness from God. Without that forgiveness we would have to face the consequences of our own failures.

Two of Jesus’ commands suggest that disciples should keep a positive attitude:
“…rejoice that your names are recorded in heaven” (Luke 10:20 NAU).
This truth is reason enough for us to rejoice, no matter what temporary problems we face here now. Our citizenship in God’s kingdom is settled by God’s grace. “lift up your eyes and look on the fields (John 4:35 NAU)
Finally, reality is not as bad as you might think. Celebrate God’s victory!

Review:

1. What is the difference between good and bad fear?
2. What are two illustrations of the way that parents help their children gain healthy fear, and overcome unhealthy fear.
3. What are two reasons that our attitude about fear is usually reverse of what it should be.
4. Where in the Bible can we find the quote: “What can mere man do to me?
5. What are four reasons that Christians need to forgive those who wrong them?
6. What two other commands of Jesus suggest that disciples should keep a positive attitude?

[9] Psalm 56:4, 11; 118:6; Hebrews 13:6.
[10]1 Timothy 6:15-16
[11]John 3:16

Chapter 5- DECIDE TO DO SOMETHING

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; (Matthew 6:20 NAU).

In the previous lesson we saw that Jesus wants us to have the right attitude about God, man, and life in general. But the Christian life is not just an attitude. The Christian life is action. It is more than just something to believe, or think. It is a way of life. It is things that you do.
But how do we know if we are doing the right things? In the Old Testament days, it was easy. God gave his laws, and if his people wanted to do the right thing, they would keep his laws.[12] The law was specific; it was not hard to know the right thing to do. But when Jesus came he made doing the right thing more difficult. He required that his followers use their own initiative. He did give us some insight into the kind of actions which are acceptable. Here, for example, he commanded us to make investments in eternity, rather than this age. When it comes to money, or time, or any other kind of investment, we should seek to do things which profit us eternally.
The wise businessman knows that he has to invest in the future if his business is to survive. He cannot use up all of his earnings on current needs. Sadly, many people are using up all their resources on today. They don’t even think about their near future, much less eternity.
Jesus is not commanding us to always think of “pie in the sky by and by.” A treasure stored in heaven is an action that makes a difference in someone’s life on earth now. But it also serves as a basis
for the Christian’s reward in eternity.[13]
Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. (Luke 12:33 NAU).

Giving is a sore spot for many people. They find it hard to give to the needy. There are times when giving is not the right thing to do. But most of the time people refuse to give because they don’t feel that the needy deserve the gift. Perhaps we can avoid this attitude if we ask not “does this person deserve my charity?” but “can I afford to invest this in eternity?”
By the way, this command is NOT about tithing. Our tithe is something we owe to God and his servants because of who he is, and their ministry to us. The charitable gift Jesus describes here goes beyond the tithe. It is an investment in a present need and a future reality. It is a personal choice. So a Christian who refuses to give to anything else other than his church has not begun working on his unfailing treasure!
And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by means of the wealth of unrighteousness, so that when it fails, they will receive you into the eternal dwellings. (Luke 16:9 NAU).
Another good reason for being generous as a Christian is that money makes a great tool, but a poor goal. You can do a lot with money, if you wisely invest it. But if your only goal is to make more money, you will run into trouble.
Take, for example, the parable of the dishonest manager. He is not commended for his dishonesty, but for his quick thinking. He apparently had the authority to adjust the bills of his master’s debtors, and did so. He made friends for himself so that he could rely on them to help him when he was unemployed. He decided to use money as a tool toward his goal, rather than the goal itself.
And he called ten of his slaves, and gave them ten minas and said to them, ‘Do business with this until I come back.’ (Luke 19:13 NAU).
Jesus gives each of us a set of personal assets to do business with until he returns. These assets include our income, our talents, our social status, and our personalities. We cannot do a lot about what we were given. But our responsibility is the same. We are to use these assets in the Master’s service until he returns.
The decision to be a disciple is the decision to do something: to manage our assets in such a way that they do not become our goal, but remain a tool toward the goals and objectives Jesus has for us.

Review

1. Is the Christian life just an attitude?
2. What is the difference between the Old Testament Law and what Christ requires?
3. What kinds of decisions should Christians make about their money or time?
4. Where is the command for us to “store up treasures in heaven?”
5. What are two benefits to a treasure stored up in heaven?
6. Where is the command for Christians to make themselves money-belts?
7. What question should a believer ask himself when approached by someone asking for money?
8. Is Tithing obedience to this command?
9. What two principles about giving are taught by Jesus in Luke’s parables?
10. What are four assets included in each person’s “set of personal assets?”

[12] Leviticus 18:5; Galatians 3:12
[13]1 Corinthians 3:8,14; 2 John 1:18; Revelation 11:18; 22:12.

Chapter 6- SETTLE ON THE SAVIOR

NAU Luke 12:29-31 “And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying. For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you.”

Behind this command from Jesus is a very comforting reality. God knows what we need. We do not have to keep reminding him that we need our daily bread. He knows us inside and out. He is aware of our spiritual needs, and our physical and emotional needs as well. What’s more: God sees all those needs as his sacred obligation to us. So we do not need to seek these things, because God is already seeking for them. He has promised to provide them.
Our obligation to him is different. We need to seek his kingdom. But what is a kingdom? The word kingdom can mean two things. It can mean the territory a king rules over. It can also mean the subjects who submit to the king. If a king has taken possession of his domain, then he uses the word kingdom in the first sense. But if a king has not yet taken over his territory, but only rules over those subjects who submit to him, then his kingdom is in its dominion stage.
Jesus Christ is the rightful king over this planet. But the planet doesn’t know it yet. Kings, queens, presidents, and governors (instead of Jesus Christ) are currently ruling the world. But believers are responsible to seek his kingdom. That means that our highest authority is Jesus Christ. We have submitted to the dominion of king Jesus, and are waiting for the day that he takes over his domain.
NAU Matthew 6:33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. When Matthew records this command, he includes Jesus’ full expression “His kingdom and His righteousness.”
This shows us that to submit to the dominion of Christ is more than a political obligation – it is a moral one. Believers who seek Christ’s kingdom are obligated to set themselves apart. They must live lives of holiness and purity. But they must also consecrate themselves to living this kingdom message. That means being actively obedient to Christ’s commands.

NAU Matthew 8:22 But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and allow the dead to bury their own dead.”

Following Christ is not easy, because he demands the number one place in our lives. No obligation is greater than our kingdom obligation. When some people came to Christ and said (essentially) “we have cleared some time for you in our busy schedule.” Jesus rejected their “offer for help.” His reply was strong, because he recognized a serious problem. Jesus is king. He does not want only part of your schedule; he wants it all. He deserves it all.
The disciples had chosen to follow Christ. For them it was a total commitment to be with Christ, learn from him, and continue his ministry. They were not temporarily attached to Christ as a means of furthering their own plans. They had no plans except Jesus. They had no ministry except Jesus’ ministry. That is what it means for us to follow Christ as well.
1. Fearing nothing but Christ’s disapproval,
2. Owning nothing but what he provides,
3. Learning from him what I need to know,
4. Loving others as he loves me,
5. Overcoming my own sense of inadequacy,
6. Working for his goals not my own.

NAU Matthew 10:17 “But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues”

Living as citizens of Christ’s kingdom means adjusting our attitude toward everyone else. We cannot trust in others the way we trust Christ. We need to keep our guard up. No matter how kind and benevolent people may seem, we cannot assume that they are the same as believers.
There will be unbelievers who want to be our friends, and we should welcome that. But we should always remember that Satan still has them in his kingdom. He has an agenda for them. He wants to use our unchristian friends to destroy us. If he cannot use them to tempt us away from Christ, he may use them as accusers. The world is not the friend of our Savior. We should not expect it to be kind to us.
Christian history is filled with examples of this. So a mid 6th century proverb stated “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.” And Dostoyevsky said “Men reject their prophets and slay them, but they love their martyrs and honour those whom they have slain.[14] As a citizen of the kingdom, then, you may be only appreciated after you are dead! Do not worry about that. It is the king’s approval we are seeking, not the world’s.

Review:

1. What is the comforting reality behind the command in Luke12:29-31?
2. What are the two meanings of the word kingdom and the difference between them?
3. Which kingdom of Christ are believers presently in?
4. According to Matthew 6:33, submitting to the dominion of Christ is more than a political obligation – it is a _______one.
5. What does it mean to consecrate yourself to living the kingdom message?
6. According to Matthew 8:22, no obligation is greater than our ________ obligation.
7. Fill in the acrostic with what it means to FOLLOW Christ:
a. F
b. O
c. L
d. L
e. O
f. W
8. Why can we not completely trust our non-believing friends?
9. Why is it that a Christian may not be appreciated until after he is dead?
[14] The Brothers Karamazov (1879–80) bk. 6, ch. 3

Chapter 7 SUBMIT THE SELF

NAU Matthew 5:39 “But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
The commands of Jesus are personal, not political. He does not command nations to forego protecting themselves from their enemies. He does not outlaw the legitimate action of the police in bringing lawbreakers to justice. But when it comes to our personal lives, Jesus calls his followers not to seek retribution.
The word translated resist in the text can also be translated oppose, or hold one’s ground.[15] It implies an attitude where one takes a stand, and refuses to allow that stand to be altered. It is active opposition to change.
The context of this command is important, because in other contexts it is proper to resist. For example, Paul opposed the actions of Peter in Antioch, because Peter was a Christian giving a bad example to other believers.[16]Paul commanded us to resist in the evil day. [17] James
tells us to resist the devil. [18] Peter gives us the same command.[19] So Jesus is not commanding strict passivity. He commands that we control our urge to defend ourselves by attacking others.
Jesus demonstrated this kind of non-resistance to evil when he endured the passion without seeking retribution against Pilate, the Sanhedrin, or the Roman soldiers. It is not a natural human reaction. It is supernatural. Only by the Holy Spirit of God working within us could we ever expect to react this way in unjust circumstances.
Turning the other cheek implies a confidence that since I belong to God, he will give me justice, so I need not seek it for myself. In fact, it is a sign that I have submitted my self to God. If I am wronged, I will accept it, and trust that God will deal with it. For now, it is enough to know that the matter is in God’s hands. Turning the other cheek is a physical act of prayer.
NAU Matthew 22:21 … Then He said to them, “… render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”
In the United States, we “render to Caesar” every April 15th. That is the date all federal income tax is due. Many Americans complain about taxes, but most complain about the complicated forms they have to fill out. Taxes are actually a small price to pay for the benefits of citizenship.
But complaints about taxes are nothing new. The Jews complained about taxes in Jesus’ day. In fact, such complaints served as a basis for a trap set by the Pharisees and Herodians. They asked Jesus
if it was proper to pay taxes to the Roman government. They knew that if he said “yes” he could be accused of being a traitor against Israel. If he said “no,” he could be branded a rebel.
Jesus’ response turned the trap around. He showed that true discipleship is more than a question of whose services you are willing to pay for. Discipleship requires submission of the self. NAU Luke 17:10 “So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.’”
Rendering the self to God means doing all the things you know you ought to do, but without expecting to be commended for them. These commands of Christ that we are studying are a good start for an
“ought to do” list.
You would think that if people are seriously trying to do all these things, they deserve special recognition. But, here again, you need to remember that Christ’s commands are personal, not political. The goal of these commands is not glorification of the self, but subjection of
the self to a higher will – the will of God.
The reason believers can do this is that we know that even our acts of obedience come from God. Without the prompting of his Holy Spirit, we cannot choose to obey Christ’s commands. Our obedience, then, is not proof that we are good, but proof that God is good. Our faithfulness is a reflection of God’s faithfulness. So, when a Christian says “to God be the glory” he is passing the glory on to the one who really deserves it.

Review:

1. The commands of Jesus are _______, not political.
2. Should a believer assist the police in apprehending a criminal?
3. Should a believer lock his doors to prevent a thief from robbing him?
4. What Biblical texts show that there are times when it is appropriate to resist?
5. When did Jesus demonstrate this kind of non-resistance to evil?
6. What is a “physical act of prayer?”
7. When do people in the United States “render to Caesar.?”
8. What two groups were trying to trap Jesus with the trick question in Matthew 22?
9. Do Christians deserve special recognition for obeying the commands of Christ?
10. What is a Christian doing when he says “to God be the glory”?

[15] anthisthmi
[16] Galatians 2:11
[17] Ephesians 6:13
[18] James 4:7
[19] 1 Peter 5:9