LESSON TWELVE - Saved to Serve
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO FOLLOW JESUS?
As you read this lesson, be sure to hover over the the Bible verses to read them or look them up in your own Bible. When the Bible passage is longer, you need to click on “more” in the bottom right corner of the pop-up window.
God did not merely provide us a “free ticket to heaven”. Jesus saved us for a purpose. Why did He save us?
Jesus saved us so that we would live for Him instead of ourselves.
2 Corinthians 5:15 (NKJV) Compare translations and the original languageSince Jesus gave His life for us, why wouldn’t we want to live for Him?
We are not saved by good works, but God has good works for us to do. Ephesians 2:8-10 (NASB) Compare translations and the original language
We are trophies of His grace. As God uses us, He is displaying His power to save and transform our lives!
Those who have eternal life follow Jesus. John 10:27-28 (ESV) Compare translations and the original language
Jesus knows us personally by name!
Following Jesus is hard and unpopular. Matthew 7:13-14 (NKJV) Compare translations and the original language
Ask God to give you the courage to follow Him even if none of your family and friends do.
We will suffer for following Jesus, but God will use our suffering to grow us. Philippians 1:29 (KJV); 2 Timothy 3:12 (NASB); 1 Peter 4:12-19 (ESV); James 1:2-8 (NASB); James 1:12 (NASB) Compare translations and the original language
Praise God that we have the privilege of suffering for Jesus who suffered for us, and He is maturing us through it!
Jesus wants us to follow Him in obedience, even if it means that we might have to risk our lives. Mark 8:34-38 (KJV) Compare translations and the original language
If you could go to heaven with family and friends, but Jesus wasn’t there, would you still want to go?
We must love Jesus more than we love our own family. Matthew 10:32-39 (NKJV) Compare translations and the original language
What would it take for you to withhold the Gospel from your family and friends?
We must love Jesus more than we love our own lives. John 12:25-26 (NASB) Compare translations and the original language
Would you rather be with Jesus if He wanted you in heaven rather than here on earth out of His will?
God wants us to do good for other believers. Galatians 6:2-10 (ESV) Compare translations and the original language
What believer do you know that God wants you to help?
God wants us to do good for unbelievers. Titus 3:8 (KJV) Compare translations and the original language
What unbeliever do you know that God wants you to help?
God wants us to tell everyone about the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Matthew 4:19 (NASB) Compare translations and the original language
Who do you still need to tell?
God wants us to teach other believers how to follow Jesus.
Matthew 28:18-20 (NASB) Compare translations and the original languageWho are you teaching to follow Jesus?
Everything we do must be to please God, encourage believers, and see unbelievers turn to Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:31-33 (NKJV) Compare translations and the original language
What do you need to forfeit so that you can better serve Christ?
If we are saved, then we belong to Jesus. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (KJV) Compare translations and the original language
What changes have you made with what you do with your body, now that you belong to Jesus?
We will give an account to God for how we helped make disciples.
1 Corinthians 3:5-15 (NASB) Compare translations and the original languageGod gave you the Gospel so that you will give it to others. How are you caring for the Gospel? Who is dependent on you prayers?
We will give an account for what we have done for Jesus since we started following Him. 2 Corinthians 5:10-11 (NKJV) Compare translations and the original language
Jesus is coming soon. Don’t waste the time that He has given you to glorify Him.
If we believe the Gospel, then when Jesus comes back for us, He will give us a new, glorified body like His. John 14:1-3 (ESV); 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 (NASB) Compare translations and the original language
Praise God that one day, we will never sin again!
Consider memorizing one of the following passages (in whichever translation you prefer) as a summary of this lesson: Luke 9:23 (ESV) or 2 Corinthians 5:15 (NASB) or Ephesians 2:8-10 (KJV) or Titus 3:8 (NKJV) or James 2:20 (ESV).
God knew what He was doing when He chose us to be His mouthpiece. He created in us the skills, strengths, personalities, weaknesses, and backgrounds to accomplish the personalized ministry that He has for us. Trust Him to use you!
We cannot honor God by deceit, but by integrity. We shouldn’t pretend to be something we are not, or think or feel something we really do not; such will become evident to the hearer.
Which friend or family member still needs to hear the Gospel from you?
When we do only what feels comfortable to us, we are trusting ourselves instead of God.
God wants to use you to reach specific people whom He has in mind to receive the Gospel.
Bible References
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Read about the King James Version (KJV) here and its copyright here courtesy of www.biblegateway.com.
Read about the New King James Version (NKJV) here and its copyright here courtesy of www.biblegateway.com.
Read about the New American Standard Bible (NASB) here and its copyright here courtesy of www.biblegateway.com.
Read about the English Standard Version (ESV) here and its copyright here courtesy of www.biblegateway.com.
Read the Bible in its original Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek languages or Septuagint couresty of BLB www.blueletterbible.org.
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