The Cost of Discipleship

Intro

Lord of the Rings: At the end Frodo can’t live a normal life in the Shire. He has to go to “heaven.” The time he spent with the ring cost him something: a normal life.

Main Idea: Following Christ comes at a cost

Greatest tragedy is that believers do not believe they are required to give up anything for Christ.

Truth #1: We are to prioritize everything (25-33)

Exp. After leaving Pharisee’s house, a crowd follows him. He speaks to them. Verse 26. This may seem harsh, so let’s break this down:

The Jewish way to say: “I prefer this to that.” Malachi quotes God in chapter 2, “Jacob I loved, Esau I hated.” While he judged Esau and his line, he preserved it. Choosing the blessing to go through Jacob.

This hatred is different from our use of despising something. Later, Paul gives instructions on how to properly love your family. Following Christ actually develops greater love for those around you.

Honor/shame culture. Choosing to be Christ’s disciple would mean exile. No “coexisting.”

Exp. His point is that nothing, not even earthly blessings are greater than Christ himself. We must acknowledge he is greater than all things. There’s only one #1.

Ill. GOAT of basketball: Jordan. GOAT of hitting: Barry Bonds. Greatest movie trilogy of all time: LOTR. We can argue about who should be the greatest in these categories. Jesus has no rival. No argument. Nothing can compare.

Exp. In order to follow Jesus, we must bear our cross. Verse 27. He then explains counting the cost through two illustrations: a builder who doesn’t plan ahed and a king who doesn’t prepare for battle. Then verse 33. Jesus becomes our first priority, and everything must go if it needs to.

Christ - Why would we do this? Jesus counted the cost: his own life. Jesus knew what coming to earth would cost him. He did it anyway. He went to the cross for you. He was not ill prepared, but gave up everything.

Truth #2: Disordered lives lead to uselessness (34-35)

Exp. The next section is the result of disordered lives. Verse 34-35. In ancient Israel, salt was used for sacrifices, seasoning, and preservation. Salt from the Dead Sea had other minerals good for soil, but he’s saying that if the salt lost its taste or use, then it is useless.

Ill. Things lose their usefulness. A blown tire is not useful. A bookshelf with no shelves is useless. Tissues with holes in them are useless. We can find a way to be useful. No! God gave salt a purpose, and he gets to decide on what it’s useful for.

Arg. He has decided what usefulness for the believer looks like, and it is a properly prioritized life.

Consider the alternative. If we reject our Lord’s cross and our cross, we become as worthless as ruined salt. But ruined salt had no value; neither does a “Christian” without a cross. - Thabiti Anyabwile

Christ - Following Christ brings us into that purpose. Without the cross, we don’t have Christ. Jesus says we are to follow in his footsteps. Paul writes that suffering with Christ is proof you are a believer. Christ’s usefulness was not in his miracles or even his teaching, but in his saving. His miracles and teaching supported his ultimate salvation.

Application #1: Order your lives as God intended

What is the proper order of things: 1.) Jesus Christ, 2.) The kingdom of God, 3.) Family, 4.) Everything else. What needs to go? 1.) Sin, 2.) Idols.

Application #2: Be ready to suffer

Jesus tells them to bear their cross. This is the cost. You may think it’s odd for Jesus to say that prior to being crucified. No, Luke’s readers were after resurrection. They knew exactly what Jesus was saying. Suffering is a part of it. You may ask, “Why would Jesus allow this?” And the truth is that I don’t know. But I know you’re in good company because our savior also suffered. Your brothers and sisters have suffered. Future believers will suffer.

Application #3: Speak into the lives of others

Brothers and sisters, we must speak into each others’ lives when we see the ordering of our lives as errant. We may shy away from seeing this, but we must be willing to step into this when we see it. The warning is clear, Verse 26-27, Verse 33. Jesus warns, therefore, we should warn. BE GRACEFUL and RECEPTIVE.

Conclusion

Following Christ costs us something. For some, it may cost more than you think.