Count the Cost: The True Nature of Discipleship

Bible Passage: Luke 14:25–33

Summary: In Luke 14:25–33, Jesus discusses the high cost of discipleship, emphasizing that true followers must be willing to prioritize Him above all else, including family and personal ambitions. He uses the illustrations of building a tower and a king going to war to illustrate the importance of deliberate commitment and sacrifice in following Him.

Application: This passage challenges Christians to evaluate their commitment to Christ and the sacrifices required for genuine discipleship. In a world filled with distractions and competing loyalties, it encourages believers to prioritize their relationship with Christ and to take practical steps to live out their faith wholeheartedly, despite the potential costs.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that true discipleship is about making conscious choices to follow Christ above all other aspects of life. Jesus' call for total devotion requires an assessment of what it means to follow Him and the implications it has on our relationships, goals, and daily living.

How this passage could point to Christ: This theme shows Christ as the ultimate example of sacrificial love and commitment. Just as He bore the cross, true disciples are called to embrace their own crosses, demonstrating their allegiance to Him. The cross becomes a central symbol of what it means to follow Jesus, highlighting His selflessness and the transformative power of His sacrifice.

Big Idea: Discipleship demands total commitment to Christ, reflecting the willingness to sacrifice personal desires and relationships in pursuit of His kingdom.

Recommended Study: As you prepare your sermon on this crucial text, consider diving into the socio-historical background of first-century discipleship in your Logos library. Explore commentaries that detail the cultural expectations of family loyalty and social status to better illustrate the radical nature of Jesus' call. Additionally, look into the original Greek terms used in the text to fully grasp the depth of the words Jesus employs when discussing hate and love regarding attachments.

1. Prioritize Christ Above All

Luke 14:25–27

You could explore how Jesus begins His discourse by setting the conditions for discipleship, emphasizing that one's love for Christ should surpass all other attachments, even familial. Highlight that true discipleship involves a willingness to bear one's own cross, just as Christ did, showing selflessness and total devotion.

2. Plan With Purpose

Luke 14:28–30

Maybe discuss the importance of deliberate planning in discipleship using the illustration of building a tower. Suggest that believers must assess their personal resources, including emotional, spiritual, and relational, to ensure they can commit to a lifelong journey with Christ, thus reflecting the depth of their commitment.

3. Sacrifice for the Savior

Luke 14:31–33

Perhaps delve into the analogy of a king assessing his ability to wage war, which Jesus uses to illustrate the need for sacrifice and strategic decisions in following Him. Emphasize that true discipleship may require relinquishing one's comforts and pursuits for the sake of Christ, highlighting the transformative journey.