Cost of discipleship

The cost of discipleship involves a denial of self-interests and desires

The cost involves self-denial

Matthew 16:24 NKJV

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

See also Mt 10:38; Lk 14:27

Self-denial means not living for oneself

Romans 14:7 NKJV

For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.

See also 2 Co 5:15; Ga 2:20; 1 Pe 4:2

The cost of discipleship is to be carefully considered

Luke 14:28–32 NKJV

For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace.

The cost of discipleship means total commitment to the will of God

Total surrender is required

Luke 14:33 NKJV

So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

See also Php 3:7–8

The security of the world is to be resisted

Matthew 8:19–20 NKJV

Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

Jesus Christ must have first priority

Luke 9:59–60 NKJV

Then He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.”

See also Mt 19:16–21; Col 1:18

Jesus Christ must come before family ties

Luke 9:61–62 NKJV

And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.” But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

See also Mt 10:37; Lk 14:26

The cost of discipleship is constant

Luke 9:23 NKJV

Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

The cost of discipleship includes persecution

John 15:20 NKJV

Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.

See also Ac 14:22; 2 Ti 3:12

The cost of discipleship includes willingess to suffer and die for Jesus Christ’s sake

Matthew 10:38–39 NKJV

And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

See also Mt 16:24–25; Jn 12:25