A DEVOTED FOLLOWER OF JESUS IS....
To live a gospel-centered life means that the gospel forms the core of our understanding of who God is and of how we engage in all of life’s situations.
“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures”
“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him...”
The defining characteristic of a follower of Jesus is belief in the truth of the gospel message: Jesus Christ died as the atoning sacrifice for the sin of humanity and was raised to life in triumph over sin and death, so that all who believe in Him are forgiven of their sin and made righteous before God. This truth is the center of all human history and should be central to all who place their faith in Jesus. To live a gospel-centered life means that the gospel forms the core of our understanding of who God is and of how we engage in all of life’s situations. Gospel centrality means understanding the gospel’s implications on our beliefs and our behaviors. Following Jesus is not merely an issue of intellectually understanding the facts of the gospel, but of building our lives, in both belief and action, on a reliance upon the truth that Jesus died for our sins.
Other Verses: Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 1:18, Galatians 2:20
WHAT WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO KNOW:
NEXT STEPS:
A DEVOTED FOLLOWER OF JESUS IS....
Unity, lived out and expressed in humble, devoted love, service, and care to one another in the context of a local church, portrays a picture of the gospel to the world.
“[Jesus prayed] ‘I in them and you in me, that they may be perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.’”
Having been saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, followers of Jesus are brought into the family of God, known as the Church. The worldwide body of believers is to be both diverse, yet unified. That diversity comes from being a global entity, made up of people who are all made in God’s image – different races, ethnicities, nationalities and socio-economic backgrounds, people with different talents, personalities, and gifts. Knitting this diverse group together is the overriding, unifying gift of salvation by the grace of God through faith in Jesus. Though local churches may differ on minor issues within the lived-out expression of following Jesus, there is to be joyful unity over the large truths of the gospel message. That unity, lived out and expressed in humble, devoted love, service, and care to one another in the context of a local church, portrays a picture of the gospel to the world.
Other Verses: Ephesians 2:19-22, 1 Peter 2:9-10, 1 Peter 3:8, Hebrews 10:19-25
WHAT WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO KNOW:
NEXT STEPS:
A DEVOTED FOLLOWER OF JESUS IS....
The proclamation of the gospel, boldly spoken in word and humbly modeled in deed, to all the nations of the earth is to be the driving motivation in the life of all followers of Jesus.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Having been saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, followers of Jesus are commanded to take the message of the gospel to the ends of the earth. Motivated by the grace of God shown to us in Jesus Christ, we humbly, obediently, and passionately long to share the message of grace for the rest of our lives. The proclamation of the gospel, boldly spoken in word and humbly modeled in deed, to all the nations of the earth is to be the driving motivation in the life of all followers of Jesus. We are to long for heaven be a crowded place, filled with men and women from every tribe, nation, and tongue, redeemed from sin by faith in Jesus Christ, worshipping the glory of God for all of eternity.
Other Verses: Mark 16:15, John 17:18, Revelation 7:9-10
WHAT WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO KNOW:
NEXT STEPS:
A DEVOTED FOLLOWER OF JESUS IS....
It is the aim of every follower of Jesus to continually grow in likeness to Christ.
“I therefore... urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
Having been saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, followers of Jesus are to live lives marked by an increasing likeness to Christ. Growth in holiness, known as sanctification, is not a requirement for salvation, but rather an obedient and joyful response to our salvation. Sanctification is a lifelong process. It is the aim of every follower of Jesus to continually grow in holiness and likeness to Christ. A reliance upon the gospel and the guidance of the Holy Spirit empower followers of Jesus to recognize the presence of sin in their lives, humbly repent and turn away from their sin, and to walk in obedience to the commands of God. Doing so bears witness to the grace and work of God in the life of a believer and displays the character of God to the world around them.
Other Verses: Galatians 5:16, Ephesians 5:15-17, 1 Peter 1:13-15
NEXT STEPS:
A DEVOTED FOLLOWER OF JESUS IS....
Devoted followers of Jesus make disciples through the context of intentional relationship, allowing the gospel to impact their own lives in such a way that faith in Jesus is multiplied in the lives of others around them.
“...and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”
Having been saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, all followers of Jesus are to live out the command to “make disciples of all nations.” Devoted followers of Jesus make disciples through the context of intentional relationship, allowing the gospel to impact their own lives in such a way that faith in Jesus is multiplied in the lives of others around them. This includes sharing the message of the gospel, known as evangelism, and teaching others what it means to follow Christ. Making disciples, or other devoted followers of Jesus, is not solely the work of those in ministry professions, but is a gospel-motivated responsibility for all who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ. By sharing the truth of the gospel and all its practical implications, followers of Jesus point others toward faith in Christ and increased faithfulness to Christ.
Other Verses: Matthew 28: 18-20, 1 Corinthians 11:1
WHAT WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO KNOW:
NEXT STEPS:
