The Cost of Discipleship

Emoji introduction.

Introduction: Tell the story of the Vineyard owner hiring men to work in the vineyard. Matt 20:1-16

A denarius a day. Everyone gets the same in the end but not all do the same amount of work or put as much effort in. What’s the difference and what does it have to do with us. It all has to do with your worldview. Are you a disciple, a Christian or just seeking?

What’s the difference? Well that’s what we are going to try and determine.

Trans Sentence: I will tell you this up front; The cost of being a disciple of Christ Jesus is high and there are few who are really willing to pay the price.

I. Discipleship defined.

A Disciple is: The Greek word mathetes is translated as disciple. This word is used 262 times in the New Testament. And a disciple is learner, or pupil. In other words, a disciple is a pupil of a certain teacher. However, the disciples of Jesus were different because He is more than just a teacher, teaching facts or how to do something. Biblical disciples follow Jesus in a way that shapes their identity, worldview and way of life.

a. So what do the Epistles to the churches say about being a disciple? Nothing. The word mathetes is never used in the the letters to the churches. The letters to the churches teach us how to be a good Christian and follow the teachings of Jesus as a part of His Church. The cost of being a Christian isn’t the same as that of being a disciple. As a part of the Church you will be changed, but we aren’t walking with Jesus as a part of the Church. This is where counting the cost comes into the equation. Follow the teachings of how to be in the Church or follow Jesus?

b. What about the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) and the book of Acts say about mathetes or discipleship? Well everything. All 262 uses of the word mathetes are in these five books. The big difference is these books talk about Jesus’ time walking with us. They are the histories of Jesus and those who walked along with Him, and those who walked away.

In light of the Epistles teaching us how to live well as Christians in the church you could almost leave the Gospels alone. The only problem with this is that you never really learn what Jesus taught, you could know enough but not the whole story. You would never learn what Jesus really wanted those who followed Him to do or how much it would really cost to follow Him.

Jesus expected His disciples to pay a high price. The price was so high that many walked away. They weren’t willing to pay it. They wouldn’t go as far as He expected. Do you remember what is said about Veteran Memorial Day? All gave some, some gave all. This is what happened with Jesus’ disciples, all gave some and some gave all. Count the cost

c. What does the difference mean to you: The difference is how high of a price are you willing to pay!

II. The cost of being in the church (The Epistles)

They are teaching us how to live as a part of the church and be a good Christian.

a. Nothing (Seeker - won’t accept the cost or just can’t let go of the worldly opinions that keep you stuck in the tomb that is so comfortable and dark.)

b. Some time and money (This is a Christian: saved by faith, sealed by the Holy Spirit but hasn’t changed their identity, worldview or way of life beyond the bare minimum.) The question to ask according to the Epistles is: Where’s the fruit? Where’s the fruit that shows the change in the life of this Christian?

c. Lots of time and money (Where’s the fruit? It’s obvious your growing in the Spirit, your identity, worldview and way of life are lining up with the teachings of Christ Jesus.) Use gifts of Spirit and give happily.

d. Everything: Now Your walking like a Disciple. Now you are adhering to His teachings, your identity is in Him and your worldview and way of life conform to His teachings. Way to go - you've made it, your a disciple. But at what cost, how much has it taken?

I can think of two questions you may ask - Is it worth it? What do I get out of it? This could be a part of counting the cost.

III. So what is the cost of walking with Jesus (According to the Gospels and Acts)

Read (Luke 14:25-33)

a. Hate your Father and Mother Describe (v 26!)

b. Your Stuff - give it away, and don’t fret about not having anything (v 33)

c. Your own Life (v 27) All but one of the first seven Alliance missionaries to the Congo perished within 6 months. They had a habit of packing their things in a coffin so they would be prepared for death.

Give your life to Jesus, not necessarily die for Him but, put aside your desires and serve Him by serving His Body the church.

Discipleship is hard and costly in this life. But there is a pay back. But you have to have faith that you will receive it. Matthew 19:27-29

Matthew 19:27–29 NASB95

27 Then Peter said to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?” 28 And Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life.

But you say: Jesus isn’t here for me to walk with Him. But I say He is. Look for Him. There are opportunities all over the place for someone to give up all they have in this life and become a disciple, working in the harvest fields. There are numerous missions organizations that will sponsor you to Go and make disciples, and there are at least seven churches right here in the Northeastern District of the Alliance that need Pastors.

The field is ripe for the harvest but the workers, the disciples are few.

Conclusion: So, now what’s your worldview about discipleship?

Are you seeking Jesus, trying to decide if you can accept the cost? Have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior through Faith and have been washed in His blood? Great, that makes you a Christian, but how much have you given? Have you joined the church? Do you give of your time and money to support the Church? Or have you given far more?

Have you picked up a cross and truly followed Jesus? Are you a disciple? A follower, a learner, someone who is walking the walk, not just talking the talk. A disciple will have their identity in Christ Jesus, their worldview will be shaped by the teachings of Jesus, and their life will be shaped by Jesus.

A disciples life is shaped by Jesus because a disciple will have given everything to Jesus.

Jesus challenged those who listened to His words to see just how many of them will give everything to follow Him. Remember what jesus said in Luke 14:26-27

Luke 14:26–27 NASB95

26 “If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple. 27 “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

But that’s not enough He also said: Luke 14:33

Luke 14:33 NASB95

33 “So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.

So, where do you stand? Are you, a church member or a disciple? It’s alright to be a church member, God’s will is that we know Jesus and believe in Him by faith. Many of those who heard His teachings stopped following Him but continued to believe in Him as the Messiah.

But Jesus wants disciples, He wants those who love Him more than the things of this world. He needs workers willing to step out into the harvest field and start reaping because the harvest is ripe.

Choose this day, will you continue on believing or will you start following? I chose to be a disciple, what about you?

Pray