Disciples

By David Maas
{DISCIPLES OF THE LAMB}

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{THE CROSS}
  1. To Follow Jesus - {PDF Copy} - (Jesus submitted to a shameful death on the Cross, and he summons us to follow his example and path)
  2. Christ's Radical Message - {PDF Copy} - (Jesus summoned his disciples to proclaim the Good News to every nation, and to give complete allegiance to him and his kingdom)
  3. The Word of the Cross - {PDF Copy} - (The power and wisdom of God are revealed in the proclamation of the Messiah who was crucified by the Roman Empire)
  4. Obedient unto Death - {PDF Copy} - (We are called to adopt the same mind that Jesus had when he poured out his life even unto death for the sake of others – Philippians 2:5-11)
  5. My Way or His Cross - {PDF Copy} - (Following Jesus means a life of self-denial and service, and a willingness to suffer persecution and loss for his sake)
  6. My Rights or His Cross - {PDF Copy} - (Following Jesus means a life of self-denial and service, and a willingness to suffer persecution and loss for his sake)
  7. The Spiritual Man - {PDF Copy} - (The spiritually-minded man understands that the proclamation of Christ Crucified is the Power and Wisdom of God - 1 Corinthians 2:14)
  8. Servants or Overlords? - {PDF Copy} - (The submission of Jesus to an unjust death stands in stark contrast to the political mechanisms and ideologies of this age)
  9. Opposition and Rejection - {PDF Copy} - (To be the disciple of Jesus one must take up the cross and follow in his footsteps, even if it results in rejection, impoverishment, or death - Mark 6:7-30)
  10. His Path - {PDF Copy} - (Jesus proclaimed a new political reality, the Kingdom of God, one that bears little resemblance to the political systems of this age)
  11. Lamb or Beast - {PDF Copy} - (Humanity is divided into two and only two groups – the followers of the Lamb and the subjects of the Beast)
  12. City on a Hill - {PDF Copy} - (Contrary to the claims of politicians and far too many church leaders, Jesus is the only light able to illuminate this dark world)
  13. To Whom Homage? - {PDF Copy} - (Satan offered Jesus unlimited political power for his messianic mission if only he accepted the Devil as his overlord)
  14. Embracing the Cross - {PDF Copy} - (To be the Messiah of Israel meant suffering and death for others, and Jesus summoned his disciples to follow that same path – Mark 8:31)
  15. On the Way - (On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus explained what it meant to be the Messiah and the destiny of the suffering Son of Man - Mark 8:27-38) -  {PDF Copy}
  16. Let Him Slay Me! - {PDF Copy} - (“Though He slays me yet will I trust in him, and I will maintain my ways before him”)
  17. Slaves of His Kingdom - {PDF Copy} - (Becoming a citizen of God’s Kingdom requires a life of self-sacrificial service for the Gospel and others, not power over them – Mark 10:35-45)
  18. The Way of the Cross - {PDF Copy} - (To follow Jesus requires a lifetime of self-denial and sacrificial service for others and a willingness to lose everything for the Gospel)
  19. Cost of Discipleship - {PDF Copy} - (To be the disciple of Jesus means taking up the cross and following in his footsteps, even if it results in impoverishment or death - Mark 6:7-30)
  20. Appointed for Tribulation - {PDF Copy} - (The disciple who faithfully bears witness to the Gospel and Jesus will endure tribulation and persecution for his sake)
  21. Jesus, the Faithful Witness - {PDF Copy} - (In the greetings sent to the Seven Assemblies, Jesus is called the Faithful Witness because of his self-sacrificial death – Revelation 1:5)
  22. The Imperative of the Cross - {PDF Copy} - (Christ Crucified is the example we are summoned to follow daily, and it is the test of the genuine Apostolic Faith and true spirituality)
  23. The Mind of Christ - {PDF Copy} - (The submission of Jesus to an unjust death becomes the paradigm for the love and service to others that disciples are summoned to manifest)
  24. Signs and Wonders or Christ Crucified? - {PDF Copy} - (Claims that the Church will reap a great harvest of souls through displays of mighty "signs and wonders" do not square with Scripture)
  25. Faithful or Saltless? - {PDF Copy} - (Faithful disciples will receive great rewards, but those who harm their weaker brethren run the risk of Gehenna)
  26. Governing Authorities - {PDF Copy} - (Paul instructs believers living in the Roman Empire not to resist the government since its existence and authority are arranged by God)
  27. The Neronian Problem - {PDF Copy} - (God allows evil rulers to govern nations and uses them to accomplish His purposes, and He summons believers to show them due respect)
  28. Overflowing Righteousness - {PDF Copy} - (Mercy and love are defining characteristics of his disciples and reflect the true nature of his Father – Matthew 5:43-48)
    29.
  29. Delivered up to Death - {PDF Copy} - (To be the disciple of Jesus means living a life of self-sacrificial service to others, especially to the weak and the insignificant)
  30. Spiritual Warfare - {PDF Copy} - (Disciples wage spiritual warfare with Satan through right conduct, acts of love and mercy, and by proclaiming the Gospel)
  31. His Unparalleled Kingdom - {PDF Copy} - (Jesus proclaimed a unique political reality, the Kingdom of God, one that differs radically from the governments and ideologies of this present age)
  32. True Greatness - {PDF Copy} - (Disciples of Jesus are summoned to self-sacrificial service for others just as Jesus gave his life as a ransom for many – Mark 10:35-45)
  33. Sanctified Wholly -  {PDF Copy} - (Considering the future arrival of Jesus, Paul summons the Assembly to become sanctified completely by that Day – 1 Thessalonians 5:23)
  34. True Power - {PDF Copy} - (The power of God is revealed in the proclamation of a Messiah, one who was crucified by the World Empire on a Roman Cross)
  35. Ransom for Many - {PDF Copy} - (Christ’s disciples are called to self-sacrificial service for others just as Jesus gave his life to ransom many from sin’s bondage – Mark 10:35-45)
  36. Christ's Priestly Kingdom - {PDF Copy} - (The disciples of Jesus reign with him as priestly kings who mediate His light and proclaim His Good News to the world)

{SUFFERING AND PERSECUTION}
  1. "Rejoice and Exult!" - {PDF Copy} - (The followers of Jesus are called to rejoice when they are found worthy to suffer for him and his Gospel)
  2. The Suffering Servant -(Paul summoned believers to adopt the same mind that Jesus had when he poured out his life “unto death” for others – Philippians 2:5-11) - {PDF Copy}
  3. The Narrow Road - {PDF Copy} - (Following Jesus requires a lifetime of self-denial, sacrificial service for his kingdom, and a willingness to lose everything for his message)
  4. Suffering for Him - {PDF Copy} - (Following Jesus requires the willingness to suffer for him. Enduring persecution is the highest honor imaginable for his disciples)
  5. Imperial Idolatry - (Daniel and his three companions refused to participate in the religious rituals of the Babylonian Empire – Daniel 1:14) - {PDF Copy}
  6. Mercy and Enemies - {PDF Copy} - (When we react to hostility with hostility, whether by government, society, or individuals, Satan triumphs)
  7. Paul and Governing Authorities - {PDF Copy} - (Disciples escape God’s wrath, but they endure tribulation to which they have been appointed)
  8. Responding to Persecutors - {PDF Copy} - (When Christians react to hostility with hostility, whether from government, society, or individuals, Satan wins)
  9. Power and Wisdom - {PDF Copy} - (The power and wisdom of God are revealed in the proclamation of the Messiah who was crucified by the Roman Empire)
  10. Tribulation of the Church - {PDF Copy} - (In Revelation, faithful saints undergo tribulation, but the unrepentant inhabitants of the earth  receive wrath, the Second Death)
  11. Tribulation vs Wrath - {PDF Copy} - (Disciples escape God’s wrath, but they endure tribulation, and the Assembly has been appointed to tribulation – 1 Thessalonians 3:1-4)
  12. Expecting Tribulation - {PDF Copy} - (In Revelation, faithful saints undergo tribulation, but the unrepentant inhabitants of the earth receive wrath, the Second Death)
  13. The Dragon's War - {PDF Copy} - (Satan is the Great Red Dragon that attacks the Lamb by persecuting his followers, the men and women who have the Testimony of Jesus)
  14. Martyrs under the Altar - (The fifth seal revealed the souls of martyrs kept underneath the altar where they pleaded with God for vindication and justice) - {PDF Copy}
  15. Martyrs and Overcomers - (In the Book of Revelation, overcoming saints persevere in their testimony for Jesus, whatever the cost, even a martyr’s death) - {PDF Copy}
  16. Love your Enemy - (When we react to hostility with hostility and anger, Satan wins) - {PDF Copy}


Church in Sunlight - Photo by Tim Umphreys on Unsplash
[Photo by Tim Umphreys on Unsplash]


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