This week we will continue studying how to comply with II Corinthians 13:5: “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith…” Last week we saw how we can evaluate where we are in the faith by the fruit we produce. As the Lord said in John 15, if we abide in Him, we will bear fruit. So, what fruit...

Jesus said those who abide in Him will bear fruit, and those branches that do not bear fruit will be cut off. What fruit are we to bear, and how do we know if we are bearing it? II Corinthians 13:5 exhorts us to “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that...

As we pursue Jesus’ definition for His disciples, we learn it was essential for them to take up their crosses daily and follow Him. True discipleship is a life of sacrifice. It is a daily sacrifice of our own desires to serve Him. Still, to live for Him this way is the greatest, most fulfilling life we can live, regardless of how difficult. And rest assured, this will be the most difficult life we can live. It is a life contrary to all the ways of this...

There is no such thing as an “altar call” in Scripture. Nowhere in Scripture do we see invitations being given to raise our hands if we want to follow Jesus. Could these superficial ways people are now being called to follow Jesus have something to do with the superficial ways many Christians are now following Him?

As Bonhoeffer said, “When Christ calls a man, He bids Him come and die.”...

The main question is not whether we have authority to do the works of Jesus but whether we are His disciples. The multitudes who followed Jesus believed in Him and His works, but not many were called to be His disciples. His disciples were given authority to do His works.

Just believing or following Him does not make us disciples. To be a disciple of any great teacher in Israel...