Disruptive Discipleship

1. Warm up

Intro - Who I am

a bit about me

The Kingdom is Upon Us … Disruptive Discipleship

Starting at the beginning of the chapter we are told Jesus comes down the mountain, he’s just finished the greatest sermon, it’s his declaration about the consistency of the kingdom of God. Sean covered the beginning chapter 8, and it kicks of with 3 healing that display the authority Jesus to heal.

In other words, Matt 5-7 Jesus declares the KOG through his teaching and Matt 8 Jesus shows the KOG/Authority by healing a leper, a gentile and a woman!

Jesus declaring the Kingdom and Showing the Kingdom

So the passage we are about to read is written by Matthew and it’s to Jewish audience to show that yes Jesus is a King, and He has authority that was beyond that of the scribes a Pharisees(remember Matt7?) but he is also a Rabbi(which is the Hebrew name for a teacher, master or DISCIPLER) and we are about to learn the authority that he has as a Discipler.

Please turn your bible to Matt 8:18 & stand with me to read.

Read Matthew 8:18-23

Matthew 8:18–23 CSB

When Jesus saw a large crowd around him, he gave the order to go to the other side of the sea. A scribe approached him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus told him, “Foxes have dens, and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” “Lord,” another of his disciples said, “first let me go bury my father.” But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” As he got into the boat, his disciples followed him.

This is Gods word… Glory be to God

A. Here’s why Empire Strikes Back is the best Star wars movie

{It’s this amazing story of the Rebel allience fighting the Evil galactic empire. But more than that it’s this beautiful telling of Luke Skywalker’s story, Luke is a recently orphaned farm boy who is beginning to follow in the foot steps of the Jedi. }

(tropes done well) Good vs Evil… Self sacrifice

details the Hero’s journey (departure, initiation, return)

culturally formative

excellent writing

2. Confirmation Bais Layer

C. If you look closely enough at the star wars overarching narrative… Allegory for discipleship is unveiled.

loosely, but it is there (not as masterfully as LOTR or not quite as obnoxiously obvious as CON)

There is master who is learned and takes on an apprentice

The apprentice must learn over many years under the tutelage of the master through many trials

The path of learning (discipleship) requires mental ascent, physical discipline, that culminates in metaphysical or supernatural birth.

The final test of mastery is unveiled as a rite of passage marked by self sacrifice or self death.

Universally we all know that Discipline is a worthwhile pursuit.... and we have this built in hope that WE BELIEVE is SCRIPTURAL .

Redemption is possible through self sacrifice.

as christian we acknowledge that it’s not through our own sacrifices we are given hope and redeemed it’s through the Sacrifice of Jesus.

Narrative/Story informs Culture

Now, while ESB was formed out culture saturated in Judeo/Christian value, the culture we live in is VERY different!

We don’t live in great britian where’s theres a king and queen and they have authority. So when we come to passages like this in the bible they’re hard for us to understand because our minds and the way we think have been formed by a radically individualist culture.

It’s all about the individual and their choices.

We live in a very consumeristic culture.

Everything is a product to be consumed or purchased with promises of bettering your life!

If it requires hard work have some else do it

Narrative informs culture and this is the very culture Jesus is calling us out of.

and i don’t mean christian ghetto, I mean in the way that God had to not only remove the children of Israel from Egypt BUT THEN spent 40 yrs of desert time removing Egypt from them.

They were learning as a nation how to stop living in the kingdom of Egypt and what it would take to live in the KOG

A. This where we are at as a church… we think people are gonna get saved and think they’re good to go…

But that’s just the beginning!

That’s merely the start of discipleship.

Jesus calls us out of the broken kingdoms of this world as HE disciples us into the KOG.

It’s a process and a costly one.

3.

The issue is the way most of us come to discipleship is not in recognition of Jesus a King and more akin to the ideal that we are the King and Jesus is a jester to make us laugh or pick us when were feeling down.

We (all of us) are in a discipleship crisis.

The author of the book The Cost of Discipleship (Dietrich Bonhoeffer) said “When Christ calls a man, he bid him come and die....”

Brutal

do we believe that.

Do we actually believe that Christ has called us to die to this world and our old way of lie.

Barna reports that %67 of those who graduate HS will eventually leave the church as they go off to college.

Thats a crisis.

The creed of our Church era is “it’s a relationship, not a religion…” it seems this phrase summarizes our discipleship well.

We get it! Lol you don’t like being told what to do and you’re tired of being judged. You want to do your thing and not somebody else’s… sheeeeeesh

If you don’t believe me, they remind you of the statistic, Sean shared with us about Millennials and Gen Z in America, 47% of practicing millennial and Z’er Christians, believe that it is immoral to share your faith in hopes of converting someone.

We could read stats till the cows come home about the state of the church in the west and the Secular humanist conquest that is subverting the gospel with anthropocentric propaganda. Here’s the point.

In other words… We don’t believe the King is the center of His Kingdom…

I am.

You are

Human progress is.

Consumerism is.

Popular acceptance is.

I don’t want you to get too bummed.

I do wanna share with you though a story from my archives, when I was serving as youth pastor…

I don’t remember the specific sermon but I do remember the ending, it was the classic youth pastor declaration “and that’s why we need to read our bibles!” (Oh the plight of youth ministry, pray for Jon) and we broke into small groups to discuss the sermon and it’s application points and I would hop from group to group to check in on them. And in a particular group a hs’er spoke up and said “I don’t believe in reading the Bible, because after all it’s not a religion it’s a relationship… and Jesus wouldn’t want me to do something that makes me uncomfortable…” her small group leader locked eyes with me and her face screamed help!!!!

And I floated on to the next group pretending not to hear a thing… just kidding.

Jesus has become our Therapist/life coach/cheerleader and we’ve become the main character, fighting for the enshrinement of our curated identities and unconditional celebration of our every behavior.

Discipleship is all about me and what I get out of it!

And God better not ask me to do anything to hard...

We’ve lost lordship.

We’ve lost obedience.

Discipleship is dead.

What is Jesus calling his followers to do in this moment where we’ve lost what means to truly be discipled?

Should we return to to more tradition values that harken back to Yesteryear?

Does discipleship need to change? Are we asking to much of people? Is the world so busy, so modernized, that there’s no room for antiquated mentorship dynamics anymore?

Should we give up and hand it over to the robots?

The call of the faithful and the call of the Church is to follow Jesus. Our move, our answer to the blood curdling screams of culture cannot be a watered down Gospel and yet we must be wise to avoid the folk religions of American past.

For followers of Jesus, our only play is costly discipleship.

What we’ll see, when we let him set his terms is that discipleship is costly!

I want us to get into the passage why discipleship is costly and why its WORTH THE COST.

We’ll see two things emerge after our deep dive.

1. Discipleship to Jesus disrupts our expectations.

2. And discipleship to Jesus re-prioritizes our life.

4.

Observations

Matthew 8:18 CSB

When Jesus saw a large crowd around him, he gave the order to go to the other side of the sea.

-v18 we are reminded that while Jesus has spent the last 4 chapters surrounded by crowds he is not a man of popularity or celebrity. Yes, he loves the people, and even heals them! Continuing in Matthews Gospel we see Jesus has compassion on the crowds and sees them as lost sheep without a shepherd, he will even feed the crowd later in Matthew, but he does not exist to be the opioid of the people. His mission is not the contentment of the crowd. He is not merely an artist thriving off peoples fancies. The will he serves is that of the father. The kingdom he builds is that of heaven. Not one that appeals to the consumptive desires or purposed by the felt NEEDS of the people.

Crowds vs disciples

teacher vs lord

Yet while surrounded by crowds, Jesus COMMANDS his disciples to cross to the other side of Galilean sea. We are reminded of his authority. He has positioned himself as the fulfillment of Mosiac ministry, a better leader and a better deliverer. And He has purposes elsewhere, away from the crowds.

Matthew 8:19 CSB

A scribe approached him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”

-v19 Jesus has just come off his tour de force sermon. A scribe is attracted to him and the authority with which he teaches. (remember, He taught like one that had authority, not like the scribes...) This Scribe may be investigating Jesus as means of moving up in his world, a short cut on the ladder of desires. He knew Jesus was traveling minister, and he saw the crowds he drew with teaching and miraculous power, possibly Jesus could mentor this man and hand off valuable teaching tips and tricks pertaining to miraculous healing!

“Teacher” he calls, and yet Jesus is so much more than a teacher. In fact Matthew leaves 2 choices in how we call upon Jesus, Lord or Teacher. The scribe expects to follow Jesus, and grow in his ability to teach, and understand the word of God, stay with him in nice inns as they travel the country side till they make it big!

Matthew 8:20 CSB

Jesus told him, “Foxes have dens, and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

-V20 Jesus counters “the son of man, has nowhere to even lay his head”. This is shocking. As Jesus points out even the animals HAVE EVERYWHERE to rest and dwell but Jesus has nothing of the sort. He is ministry is one defined by poverty and uncertain living conditions. What’s more Jesus drops the mic with his preferred title. Son of Man. The scribes mind flashes to Daniel 7, YHWH has chosen a man to stand in his presence and become the cosmic ruler of all existence! He thinks “how can this teacher claim no abode yet in the same phrase claim the highest echelon of royalty to ever EXIST. What kind of King was without a palace, homeless, no place to even lay his head to sleep. This reminds us of Matthews Kingdom agenda… to declare the upside down nature of the Kingdom and now in Matthew 8 the authority of the King. The king is calling citizens into his Kingdom but he is not begging them to come. He invites them on his terms.

Matthew 8:21 CSB

“Lord,” another of his disciples said, “first let me go bury my father.”

-v21 Another disciple speaks up, realizing that this is his chance to get his time off request in before they go to the other side of the lake. Whatever preconceived notions this disciple had about following Jesus he is now face to face with the reality of what his life is like should he continue with out pause.

Consider this...

Jesus orders this man and his fellow followers to go to the other side of the lake, which meant the land of the gentiles. We know from the later half of Matt 8 Jesus and the boys land in Gennesaret located in Galilee (also called Galilee of the gentiles). This didn’t just mean foreigners, it meant the opposition. The very people who couldn’t understand the Jewish way of life. It could end up in defilement, ritual impurity. Would Jesus want to heal them too?

Following Jesus now apparently includes abject poverty, humility of status and cultural distinctives are ignored at best and endangered at worst! wHeN WiLL iT EnD!?

Regardless of the potential hardships to be faced on the journey of discipleship He asks Jesus “FIRST, let me bury my dad”.

Whether he is asking to go and immediately bury his deceased father, or whether he is seeking to postpone his discipleship to go spend time with his living but aged and father before he dies we can’t say 100%. One way or another yet the implication remains the same. This follower of Jesus places the immediate following of Jesus below the premier priority of something else in life. Wether his father be dead or alive, Jesus takes issue that the father is seemingly more important than the immanent reign of the King.

Matthew 8:22 CSB

But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

-V22 Jesus replies with possibly the most metal rebuke in all of Bible history, “let the dead bury their own dead you come and follow me”.

Again, how do we take Jesus words here?

Are they metaphor, or literal? Is this a spiritual teaching? Or pronouncement on this man’s family?

Again the salient point is Jesus re-prioritizes this man’s discipleship to the thing that is most important.

King and Kingdom at all costs.

Discipleship unto Jesus subverts our expectations and prioritization of the Christian life or life within the Kingdom.

Now like the good new testament christians we are, we realize the kingdom isn’t just what the church builds and takes for Christ but the Kingdom is first planted in the hearts of men and women who give their allegiance to the King.

Soooo that means Jesus has the authority to re-prioritize, re-order our lives how He sees fit!

He has the right to say “I know you were expecting this… but we’re actually gonna go here instead.”

Which if you like surprises thats kinda fun… but good luck with a 5 year plan!

*discipleship is to begin by pledging allegiance to the King. To further his domain beyond its current bounds into the frontier. To abide by the law of the land(which is emblematic of his character) and to seek to embody the law and bring others into the kingdom. Essentially the Kingdom mission is Edenic mandate, Subdue the earth and be fruitful and multiply in a way that images God!

this is discipleship !

BUT AT WHAT COST??

We have to give up our right(authority) to define the Kingdom and our terms of Discipleship.

We have to bear our cross daily.

Lets remember the words of John the B

John 3:30 CSB

He must increase, but I must decrease.”

5.

That was a lot.

Lets take a step back and focus on our two points.

Expectations

Whatever expectations you have about following Jesus, throw them out lol. The best thing you can do to get a feel for your life as a disciple is look at Jesus his life.

And this is what he points this scribe to do. The scribe tells Jesus that he’s going to follow him, but Jesus says if you want to follow me, this is the lifestyle you’ll have.

You will be without comfort, and at the mercy of God’s will. That might sound scary, but for citizens of the kingdom, we know God‘s character and that’s why we bought into his kingdom!

That being said, we need to acknowledge the kingdom of God is not your best life now.

In fact, the kingdom is marked by God‘s right here, right now at all costs! Even at the cost of our comfort! Our livelihood even.

That thought may leave us uncomfortable, but before you quit lets read the fine print of the life of Jesus.

Jesus died a single man, he was not married, and had no romance to speak of.

Now if you feel taken aback like “Andrew, why are you attacking me right now“

This is a cultural guarantee in the modern west.

Yet Jesus, his life was rife with self denial, and suffering.

In fact, we might wager to say that Jesus experienced a loneliness that none of us have ever experienced. Total isolation from the presence of God on the cross. All of his friend have abandoned him and his mother watches him die a public death.

What if you say yes to Jesus and he says he I don’t have that for you… Are we still willing to follow him?

I’m also picking on this one because I think in our particular American Christian subculture we have exalted marriage and family to a role that challenges, the Lordship of Jesus.

Families and couples I’m not trying to make you feel guilty, in fact, my intention is to make you feel passionate about single people in our church! You could disciple them and love them in a way NO ONE ELSE CAN.

Jesus famously said MK 3:35

Mark 3:35 (CSB)

Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.”

If out expectations of family and relationships remain unscathed, can we truly be disciples of Jesus?

If I’m entitled to express my sexuality anyway that I see fit, am I truly a disciple of Jesus?

If I insulate my family or marriage from giving our time, and resources to others in a different stage of life within the church am I truly a disciple of Jesus?

When it comes down to it, do our expectations define our discipleship to Jesus?

Or is this his relationship where he not only shapes the terms and conditions but shapes us as-well?

I have found in my own life with Jesus that I can either have my expectations or I can grow. But I generally can’t have both.

Priorities

The second person, a disciple of Jesus, makes his request to bury his father and Jesus tells him no.

In fact, let the dead bury their own dead, you follow me.

In other words, a disciple of Jesus isn’t to be concerned with that, a Discipleship of Jesus must follow Jesus.

This isn’t to say the other things aren’t important, but there are issues of highest and most important, and there are other things that are of lesser importance. Nobody likes to be told that their idea isn’t as good as somebody else’s, and yet the path of maturity, when following Jesus echoes, the very words of Jesus “not my will be done, but yours“.

During my time as a youth pastor I’ve seen it all.

And not just from students, but from parents as well!

“sorry, we’re gonna stay home to watch the football game…”

“I just don’t want to spend the gas money to take them there and back…”

this ones my fav, “it’s just such a nice day, I would hate for my kids to be trapped inside at church”

Dang I didn’t know YG was that bad😂

Look I get it, stuff happens… For whatever reason time to time, we have to miss things and life happens.

But possibly the most frequent of reasons why people don’t show up to things, skip church, don’t read their Bible, miss small group is

“I just ran out of time…” or said differently “I didn’t have time for that”.

I think this one is just so silly because it’s just logically untrue.

answer honestly.

I chose not to spend my time that way.

Saying “I didn’t have time” doesn’t magically remove our responsibility to respond to the call.

Jesus when confronting the man with the father to be buried, he says to him “you follow me”.

Discipleship is a two way street! Jesus calls and we respond by following.

Jesus redirects the focus from the unfortunate circumstance of an untimely death, and places it on the disciple himself and If he will choose to follow or not.

There are many things in this world that beg for our attention that aren’t Jesus.

Phones, social media, politics, sports, kids, family, finances, career, health, education!

But the disciple of Jesus must choose to put Jesus before all

The hard truth is most of us would rather be happy and than follow Jesus.

Here’s where I’d like to end.

6.

I want to ask us is Jesus worthy of our discipleship?

Matthew 8:23 CSB

As he got into the boat, his disciples followed him.

This segment of our story ends with Jesus’ true followers separating themselves from the crowd and getting in the boat with Him.

Not to ruin next week, but they get lunch handed to them. The sea of Galilee challenges these disciples and their faith.

I can’t Imagine they knew what would come next, but isn’t that the point? The future was uncertain but they trusted Jesus enough to follow him.

They counted Jesus as worthy.

Again, I want to ask us is Jesus worthy of our discipleship?

(The COST is WORTH it)

Is HE worthy?

Would I still follow the King if I knew he were to go through a storm?

Am I in the crowd watching or in the boat, following Jesus?

Though the crowd may be comfortable, and they may have their entertainment, do they really have Jesus the king?

Though getting in the boat is a promise of hardship, fear, and the testing of my faith, I can be sure of one thing… The King is with me, and I am truly following him.

At the end of the book of John Jesus’ tells the disciple of things to come and the cost of being his disciple.

He tells them of the trials they will experience, how others will hate them, and how they will fail him!

But he also says this

John 16:33 (CSB)

I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”

Jesus’ presence in our lives is our greatest reward.

Repent

Mentorship?

family

single

Old

young

Small group

DNA

scheduled bible time to be with Jesus

So as you ask yourself “Is Jesus worthy to disciple me?” you may find yourself realizing you have been saying no to him but today you want to change that...

I want to encourage you to spend some time repenting...

Lets repent of rebelling against Jesus’ authority

Lets give up our expectations for his plan.

Lets trade out priorities for his presence!