Complete Commitment Demanded
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Disciple vs. Discipleship
Disciple vs. Discipleship
(speak to the congregation about being involved, about engaging)
When you think about disciple and discipleship, what is the difference? If there a difference?
You know we hear about being a disciple of Jesus all the time, but what does it mean?
A disciple is a follower of a teacher.
Discipleship is a person who is a follower and adherent of the doctrines, teaching of another.
In this short passage today you will see that complete commitment is what Jesus is demanding from His followers. Jesus wants us to count the cost of being a disciple.
Our passage today is going to be broken down as such.
Commitment - Jesus knows the cost (Lk9:57-58)
Commitment - it takes precedence (LK9:59-60)
Commitment - leaves no room for excuses (Lk9:61-62)
Open Bibles to Lk9:57-62
Commitment - Jesus knows the cost
Commitment - Jesus knows the cost
One of the best parts about Bible class is we get to get into the Bible and breakdown scriptures so let’s do this together this morning, first just a few primary questions
Why were the people following Jesus, your thoughts?
Do you think they were following to fill their wants, needs, desires? Is that wrong?
Or, were they commited to the mission and ready to pick up their cross and follow Jesus?
Now having contemplated on that, let’s break down the passage.
57 As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
What was said to Jesus (v.57)?
What was said to Jesus (v.57)?
What was Jesus response (v.58)?
Commitment, discipleship has a cost and we need to know, and need to help others to understand the cost. We need to be willing to pay the price and teach others to be willing to do the same. But know this, when you obeyed the gospel He gave you the Spirit to do it.
7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
What was the cost (v.58)?
Think about this, is He not calling for them to trust Him, have faith in Him, surrender to Him. May not be said directly, but seems it is implied.
Commitment - takes precedence
Commitment - takes precedence
59 And He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.” 60 But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.”
LK9:
What is the objection to following now (v.59-60)?
Now that looks like a good reason to reject the call, doesn’t it? But think about Jesus statement, what do you think that means?
The physically dead have no ability to hear the Good News and share it with others, but those who are spiritually dead do, so do that!
Commitment takes precedence, but only you can answer the call Jesus gives you. Only you can make yourself a disciple.
26 “If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.
Not on the screen but a couple of questions
what is the point blank statement Jesus makes?
Does Jesus mean hate or what does it mean?
III. Commitment - no room for excuses
III. Commitment - no room for excuses
61 Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home.” 62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
What is the excuse of this other person (v.61)?
What was Jesus response (v.62)?
The call to commitment is a call to follow without excuse, without delay
23 And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. 24 “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.
25 “For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself? 26 “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
Lk9:25-26
Lk9:23-24
27 “But I say to you truthfully, there are some of those standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”
(insert story about not obeying when knew the calling)
Once you commit you don’t turn back, don’t look back, if you do, you are not fit for the kingdom. Do you think this is a salvation issue in (v.62)?
Paul warns too, using his life as the illustration.
13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Commitment to Jesus is far beyond saying “I’m a believer” it is backed by our discipleship, our walk, and that is contrary to the way of the world.
Speaking of walking, we have a few minutes let’s look at some passage about our walk.
1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,
3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Commitment comes with some work doesn’t it? Diligence and perseverance, protection of the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
10 so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Commitment to Jesus means walking in a manner that is pleasing to Him and is fruit being in every good work.
Oh but He called us, through the gospel into His kingdom and glory
12 so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.
Our walk is one that should glorify Jesus!
Commitment is not always in the big things (like our salvation; our rebirth); but oftentimes in the ordinary things.
Thinks like
20 And He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.”
Who do you say that I am? Does your life prove it out? Are you a disciple of Jesus or just someone who says “I believe?” Remember (v.62)
62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
(insert illustration about plowing a straight row) - Jesus says the way is narrow (some versions say straight is the path
14 “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
We may all struggle at times with unbelief in different areas, it is not uncommon. But may we be like the father who brought his son to Jesus
Mk9:24
24 Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.”
But to keep things in context (summarize Mk9:1-22)
(Not on screen)
Transfiguration (vv.1-13)
Man with possessed son (vv.14-22) - brought to Jesus but he was gone and disciples could not cast out the demon.
Mk9:23
19 And He answered them and said, “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!”
20 They brought the boy to Him. When he saw Him, immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth. 21 And He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood.
Mk9:
22 “It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!”
23 And Jesus said to him, “ ‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.”
M9:24
24 Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.”
Do we need to cry out at times to help us in our unbelief? Even in unbelief, don’t turn back. We may not understand everything, that is why it is called faith, we are to live and walk by faith!
What can you do to show you are a disciple of Jesus Christ?