True Cost of Discipleship Outline

John 13:31–38 ESV

When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.” Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”

The Mark of True Discipleship

Bible Passage: John 13:31–38

Summary: In this passage, Jesus prepares His disciples for the reality of His impending departure and teaches them about the new commandment to love one another, which is a hallmark of true discipleship.

Application: This sermon emphasizes the call to genuinely love one another as a reflection of our faith in Christ. In the struggles of daily life, Christians often find it challenging to maintain love in relationships. By understanding and practicing this commandment, believers can strengthen their communities and show the world the transformative power of Christ's love.

Teaching: This sermon teaches that true discipleship is characterized by love—especially the sacrificial and unconditional love Jesus exemplified. It challenges the audience to evaluate their relationships and the authenticity of their love in light of Jesus's command.

How this passage could point to Christ: Jesus, in His farewell discourse, not only prepares His disciples for His departure but also embodies the ultimate example of love through His impending sacrifice on the cross. This connects to the broader narrative of Scripture, which often highlights the necessity of love as integral to God’s covenant relationship with His people.

Big Idea: True discipleship is not just about following the teachings of Jesus but embodying His love in our lives, demonstrating that love as a defining characteristic of our faith.

Recommended Study: As you prepare for this sermon, consider examining the historical context of Passover as it relates to this teaching in John. Use your Logos library to look into commentaries that address the Johannine themes of love and discipleship. Additionally, explore discussion on the Greek terms for love used in this passage to deepen your understanding of the text's command and implications.

1. Proclaiming Christ's Glory

John 13:31-32

Perhaps you can begin with highlighting how Jesus's glorification and impending departure sets the stage for His teaching on love. Jesus announces His glorification which points to the cross—the ultimate act of His love. True discipleship begins with acknowledging Christ's supreme act of love, serving as the foundation for the love we are called to embody. This enables believers to root their discipleship in Jesus's example, offering a transformative model for love in their communities.

2. Parenting with Love

John 13:33

You could consider emphasizing Jesus's tender address to His disciples as "little children" to illustrate the intimate relationship He desires with His followers. Despite His departure, Jesus instructs His disciples to carry on His legacy of love. This reminder serves as a cornerstone for believers to recognize the nurturing care Jesus provides, encouraging them to abide in His love even in His physical absence.

3. Practicing the New Commandment

John 13:34-35

The new commandment to love one another as Jesus has loved is central to this passage. Maybe expound on how this love differentiates Jesus's followers from the world. The love Jesus demonstrated—sacrificial, unconditional, and serving—becomes the mark of genuine discipleship. By mirroring this love, believers reveal Christ's transformative power, offering a tangible witness to their faith that captivates those around them.

4. Overcoming with Christ's Strength

John 13:36-38

Perhaps you could focus on Peter's denial prediction as a means to discuss human weakness and dependency on Christ's strength. This section shows that despite our intentions, without reliance on Christ, we often fall short in our commitment to love. Encourage believers to reflect on their shortcomings, leaning into the grace and strength found in Jesus to grow as true disciples who persevere in love.

John 13:31–38 ESV

Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.

In the early church, true discipleship was not just about following Jesus; it demanded a radical transformation of life. The story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who stood against the Nazi regime in Germany, illustrates this well. He understood that being a disciple meant sacrificing safety, and ultimately his very life, to uphold God's truth. Bonhoeffer's commitment serves as a poignant reminder that true discipleship invites us into a life that may cost us dearly, echoing Jesus' words, 'Take up your cross and follow me.'