In Micah 6:6-8, the prophet presents, and answers, a very important question. What does The LORD require of you?
To do justly, to Love Mercy, and to walk humbly with HIM.
In today's message, I would like to rephrase and answer the question...
What does JESUS require of us? And the words of JESUS HIMSELF will be the answer to that very question.
Beginning with JESUS’ words in Luke 24:46-47, one can rightly say that JESUS requires us to repent of sin. The command to repent of sin was proclaimed by JESUS during HIS Ministry (Matthew 4:17; Luke 13:3,5) and it was also preached by HIS Apostles as they fulfilled The Great Commission (Acts 3:19, 17:30-31). JESUS clearly requires us to repent!
But what does it mean to repent??? Repent means to primarily change one's mind, to change one’s way of life as the result of a complete change of thought and attitude with regard to sin and righteousness.
To repent is a decision prompted by godly sorrow for one’s sins (2Corinthians 7:9-10) or a decision demonstrated by fervent change in conduct (2Corinthians 7:11).
Have you expressed godly sorrow for your sin, with a fervent desire to change?
Turning to Mark’s account of the Great Commission (Mark 16:15-16), one can rightly say that JESUS requires you to Believe and to be Baptized. That command is the foundation to The Gospel Message (John 3:16, 8:24, 20:30-31 & Acts 2:38, 10:48, 22:16). This was clear, very clear, in JESUS' Own words.
What does it mean to Believe and to be baptized?
To place your Faith in JESUS, that HE died for your sins (John 1:29), to place your Faith in GOD, that in baptism HE will raise you together with CHRIST, having forgiven you of your sins (Colossians 2:11-13; Romans 6:3-7). Just consider the example of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:35-38.
And finally, let's turn to Matthew’s account of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), and we learn that JESUS requires us to become HIS Disciple. The command to become HIS Disciple was expressed as a tender invitation (Matthew 11:28-30). JESUS clearly requires us to become HIS Disciple.
But what does it mean to be HIS Disciple? A Disciple is one who engages in learning through instruction from another, a pupil, or an apprentice. A disciple, when fully trained, will be like his teacher (Luke 6:40). Becoming a Disciple requires abiding in JESUS’ words, loving one another and bearing fruit (John 8:31; 13:35; 15:8) and it also requires denying self/forsaking all (Luke 14:26,33).
Have you made the commitment to follow and learn from JESUS as HIS Disciple?
To do justly, to Love Mercy, and to walk humbly with HIM.
In today's message, I would like to rephrase and answer the question...
What does JESUS require of us? And the words of JESUS HIMSELF will be the answer to that very question.
Beginning with JESUS’ words in Luke 24:46-47, one can rightly say that JESUS requires us to repent of sin. The command to repent of sin was proclaimed by JESUS during HIS Ministry (Matthew 4:17; Luke 13:3,5) and it was also preached by HIS Apostles as they fulfilled The Great Commission (Acts 3:19, 17:30-31). JESUS clearly requires us to repent!
But what does it mean to repent??? Repent means to primarily change one's mind, to change one’s way of life as the result of a complete change of thought and attitude with regard to sin and righteousness.
To repent is a decision prompted by godly sorrow for one’s sins (2Corinthians 7:9-10) or a decision demonstrated by fervent change in conduct (2Corinthians 7:11).
Have you expressed godly sorrow for your sin, with a fervent desire to change?
Turning to Mark’s account of the Great Commission (Mark 16:15-16), one can rightly say that JESUS requires you to Believe and to be Baptized. That command is the foundation to The Gospel Message (John 3:16, 8:24, 20:30-31 & Acts 2:38, 10:48, 22:16). This was clear, very clear, in JESUS' Own words.
What does it mean to Believe and to be baptized?
To place your Faith in JESUS, that HE died for your sins (John 1:29), to place your Faith in GOD, that in baptism HE will raise you together with CHRIST, having forgiven you of your sins (Colossians 2:11-13; Romans 6:3-7). Just consider the example of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:35-38.
And finally, let's turn to Matthew’s account of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), and we learn that JESUS requires us to become HIS Disciple. The command to become HIS Disciple was expressed as a tender invitation (Matthew 11:28-30). JESUS clearly requires us to become HIS Disciple.
But what does it mean to be HIS Disciple? A Disciple is one who engages in learning through instruction from another, a pupil, or an apprentice. A disciple, when fully trained, will be like his teacher (Luke 6:40). Becoming a Disciple requires abiding in JESUS’ words, loving one another and bearing fruit (John 8:31; 13:35; 15:8) and it also requires denying self/forsaking all (Luke 14:26,33).
Have you made the commitment to follow and learn from JESUS as HIS Disciple?