Jesus’ Words:
Luke 9:23 NIV
Then he said to them all:
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
John 15:1-4 NIV
1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
New Testament Discipline:
1 Peter 4:10 NIV
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
Colossians 3:23-24 ESV
23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
Galatians 6:4-5 KJV
4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For every man shall bear his own burden.
1 Corinthians 9:27 ESV
27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
Proverbs Discipline:
6:10 A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest—
6:11 and poverty will come on you like a thief
and scarcity like an armed man.
10:4 Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.
12:11 Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.
12:24 Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.
Gospel Message:
- …Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day… [1Cor15:3-4. Context]
- For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23 ESV)
- If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9 NIV)
Further reading:
- Denying the carnal self and living in accordance with the Spirit; Romans 8:5-17
- The great commission
- The parable of The Vine, Living for God not the World, and the Holy Spirit John 15
- Concise message from the apostle Paul with only 4 chapters Colossians