Cost of Discipleship
Discipleship • Sermon • Submitted
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· 54 viewsThe denial of self-interests and desires, and a total commitment to do the will of God, even to the point of death.
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Examine Your Ways; Whats important and what isn’t?
Examine Your Ways; Whats important and what isn’t?
Someone who is passionate about anything carefully considers what it is that he or she is passionate about. They examine what it is, or they look into and research what it is that they are passionate about...
However, the reason someone would lend themselves to a particular topic in life, is due to the fact that it gives them something in return.
Happiness
Joy
A sense of fulfilment
The trouble however, is whether or not that particular thing, that is sought after, is worth it…
Illustration: I remember as a young person I got into this debt that made me look cool, but when you looked a little closer, all you saw was the a debt. In form of a skyline GTST 33 turbo.
Well that was my girlfriend, now wife’s experience. I had this nissian skyline GTST turbo, black and 19inch chrome rims. 3inch exhausts all the way through. It sounded tough. I got my girl, but for my wife the distraction stopped her seeing the disappointment. We laugh about it now, but it was the same principle in life isn’t it.
“Sometimes the distractions can blind us from seeing the disappointment.”
Link: Don’t let the distractions in life stop you from seeing the disappointment. So it is important for us to examine life to see if that things that we are invested, really giving back to us?
In other words; is it worth it? That is the real issue here in Jesus is saying to the people surrounding him, is the life you are chasing worth it?
That is the real issue here in
23 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. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.
27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.”
22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.”
23 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. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.
23 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. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.
Luke 9:23-
Jesus explains what a follower (disciple ) does. A paradox to a life worth living. One scholar writes;
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 New American Commentary: Luke Comments
Three conditions of discipleship are laid out. The first involves a need to deny oneself.
save your own life? or give it up? (who governs)
The New American Commentary: Luke Comments
The second condition involves the need to take up one’s cross.
The New American Commentary: Luke Comments
The final condition is the need to follow Jesus.
gain the world and loose yourself in the process?
denies and is ashamed of God?
What is it worth?
Link: I want us to look at and we will be looking into this passage alone. And try to answer the question “What is the cost of Discipleship?”
“Deny himself”
“Deny himself”
It is a question of priorities. To bring into question what is more important in life?
It is a question of priorities. To bring into question what is more important in life?
Jesus mentioning “take up your cross daily”.
Readers knew straight away that the mention of “taking up your cross daily” that he was talking about the most humiliating death someone at the time could experience.
Mark and Matthew write “take up your cross”, where as Luke adds in “daily” meaning it is more metaphorical than literally. (Cannot die everyday physically)
It is a
Link: So what does it mean to take up your cross? The answer to that is the answer the life of a disciple.
Because in Lukes gospel its
African Proverb - “For tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today”
Link: Just like “Building without a foundation ends in spiritual disaster”, Luke is pointing out that we should not bite off more that you can chew.
Illustration: Eva-May always biting off more than she can chew. Even the things that she loves, if she puts too much in her mouth she ends up spitting it out all on the clean floor.
Disciples carefully plan their steps.
What is the cost of discipleship?
What is the cost of discipleship?
What is the cost?
What is the cost?
When we look at cost we usually ask how much does it cost? You are saying how much do you value that object. When you are in other countries and you are Bartering, you are saying How much am I willing to pay?
When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
1. The cost of discipleship involves a denial of self-interests and desires.
1. The cost of discipleship involves a denial of self-interests and desires.
The cost involves self-denial
The cost involves self-denial
Luke
23 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.
When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
Exegetical Passage Mark 8:34-37
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.
When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
“Whoever desires, or is “ready” or “enjoy”
For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.
mark 8:
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
There is a difference in tone between “I have to” and “I would love to”
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
Mark 8:
You cannot force someone who isn’t ready.
You cannot force someone who isn’t ready.
For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
Mark 8:38
“Let him deny himself” “refuse to recognise” “ignore” “say no to”
Mark 8:
illustration: Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead they said when your on a fast it’s important to push things out of the way.
Psychologist, Licence food, Saying no to or ignoring it. Out of sight, out of mind.
So the meaning means to simply move away from or taking away what you know is bad for you.
But sometimes you have
Link: we all have our weaknesses...
illustration: have you every eaten something bad that you know you should not eat but you do it anyway? I remember when I was a kid, I use to eat chocolate and stuff my face and eat the chocolate before I felt bad. Like I use to almost say shut up to the guilt while shovelling down a chocolate bar. Im sure some of you have done that at a church luncheon. lol
There are usually things that get in the way of life in which
Some would call it a diet, others would call it bad luck
But in all seriousness we may laugh it off when we do little things like that, however, if we apply the same principle to more significant things in life the issue becomes greater. It becomes a greater problem.
The New American Commentary: Luke Comments
This is much more radical than simply a denial of certain things. This mandates a rejection of a life based on self-interest and self-fulfillment. Instead a disciple is to be one who seeks to fulfill the will and the teachings of Christ. Another metaphor to express this act of commitment is to hate one’s own life (14:26). The opposite response can be seen in 12:9; Acts 3:13–14; 7:35.
Where does it all come from?
Pride: One person writes that it is all a manifestation of pride
Understand that their is a weakness and is able to say no.
1000 Illustrations for Preaching & Teaching Manifested as Pride
Manifested as Pride
Pride, usually considered a virtue, is, under some circumstances, a basic form of sin. Dr. Karl Menninger, in Whatever Became of Sin?, reminded us that vanity, egocentricity, arrogance, self-adoration, selfishness, and self-love are really synonyms for pride. Theologically, pride asserts itself into pride of power, knowledge, and virtue.
Writing in Power, A New Social Analysis, Bertrand Russell noted, “Every man would like to be God if it were possible; some few find it difficult to admit the impossibility.”
illustration: Knowing your limits.
Pride: First Sin
15 You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created,
Till iniquity was found in you.
Pride: quotes
Pride: quotes
“We are rarely proud when we are alone.”― Voltaire
― Voltaire
“Pride must die in you, or nothing of heaven can live in you.- Andrew Murray
It was pride that changed angels into devils; ...
The cost of a Disciple is Pride. However something must take place of pride....
“Take up the cross daily”
“Take up the cross daily”
Taking up (somethings) humility and shame.
It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels. - Augustine
Humility: “the quality of having a modest or low view of one's importance.” Wikipedia.
According to the bible humility is;
4 By humility and the fear of the Lord
Are riches and honor and life.
Three tips for cultivating humility.
Because pride tends to step in as a protector of your insecurities. It steps in when you feel belittled or small.
22 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light.
“Given what scientists have discovered about humility, it’s evident that cultivating this quality is not for the faint-hearted, nor does it appear overnight. Yet it would seem that one of the great rewards of humility is an inner freedom from having to protect those parts that we try to hide from ourselves and others. In other words, we develop a quiet, understanding, and compassionate heart.”
“Whoever desires, or is “ready” or “enjoy”
Link: We get so defensive and aggressive when we are humiliated because our pride has stepped in.
We are running late, um I got in the car on time, how about you? I had to get baby ready and before you know it you are arguing on the way to church because one of you has to be blamed because I need to look good…
Link: Understanding ones significance is a key to humility.
9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
1 Peter
Only God can judge you. You don’t need to prove anything to anyone. You just need to
Humility needs to take its place. It comes in by realising that you “are special treasures already”.
There are times where You don’t need to defend yourselves. You do not need to justify yourself. You do not need other peoples approval. Why because they are not you judge. God is.
12 God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?
How do I know? Because you are here today!
9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
Humility will make you the greatest person.
Why? Because I know that I’m being fully seen, heard, and accepted for who I am, warts and all—a precious and rare gift that allows our protective walls to come down.
Why is humility good? Because I know that I’m being fully seen, heard, and accepted for who I am, warts and all—a precious and rare gift that allows our protective walls to come down.
Humility is a gift really from God. It stems out of understanding your worth from God. Not your worth from others or even yourself…but from God.
1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
“You were considered before you were delivered.”
Understanding your value allows you
Extreme: Until dealth
The New American Commentary: Luke Comments
The second condition involves the need to take up one’s cross. This need not be a vaticinia ex eventu, or a prophecy after the fact, but Jesus’ own crucifixion reveals more fully to Luke’s readers that this call is for a commitment unto death.
The second condition involves the need to take up one’s cross. This need not be a vaticinia ex eventu, or a prophecy after the fact, but Jesus’ own crucifixion reveals more fully to Luke’s readers that this call is for a commitment unto death.
The significance of the cross - public humiliation and self-denial.
Robert H. Stein, Luke, vol. 24, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1992), 279.
It was something until death....a way of life. Halakah = It’s what the Laws of God runs on.
public humiliation and self-denial.
Link: Non of this makes sense to most people, let alone Christians. There is something missing and it is found in the first part of the passage.
: “Whoever desires”
: “Whoever desires”
or is “ready” or “enjoy”
There is a difference in tone between “I have to” and “I would love to”
Obligation and choice.
You cannot force someone who isn’t ready.
but let them know how much God loves them. Through actions or by words. T
Part of the reason why I am here today and haven’t given up is because I know God loves me.
illustration: through my sister who showed the unconditional love towards me. Humility. Even though they were studying theology and people were starting to question she still said Mia you are always welcomed here”
“What you See and your perspective don’t always line up.” You may think something is good for you, you may work one way, you may believe one think, but don’t be so sure that you can never be corrected.
22 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
I got a glimpse of unconditional love of our Heavenly Father who would accept me regardless… You are welcomed here whenever.
POINT OF SERMON: A disciple one who loves God, and moves the things that distract him/ or her from God out of the way because it is getting in the way of their relationship with God.
ignore or dismiss or say no to the things that weaken them spiritually.
POINT OF SERMON: A disciple one who loves God, and moves the things that distract him/ or her from God out of the way because it is getting in the way of their relationship with God.
It is also
“his cross”
Shame
Suffering
Whydon’t we do these things easily? Why is it so hard to resist these things?
Link: One author highlights the ingredients in which it comes down to “Pride”
1000 Illustrations for Preaching & Teaching Manifested as Pride
Manifested as Pride
Pride, usually considered a virtue, is, under some circumstances, a basic form of sin. Dr. Karl Menninger, in Whatever Became of Sin?, reminded us that vanity, egocentricity, arrogance, self-adoration, selfishness, and self-love are really synonyms for pride. Theologically, pride asserts itself into pride of power, knowledge, and virtue.
Writing in Power, A New Social Analysis, Bertrand Russell noted, “Every man would like to be God if it were possible; some few find it difficult to admit the impossibility.”
Self-denial means not living
Self-denial means not living
For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.
See also ; ;
Lent
Fast from criticism, and feast on praise.
Fast from self-pity, and feast on joy.
Fast from ill-temper, and feast on peace.
Fast from resentment, and feast on contentment.
Fast from jealousy, and feast on love.
Fast from pride, and feast on humility.
Fast from selfishness, and feast on service.
Fast from fear, and feast on faith.2
See also
See also
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
The cost of discipleship means total commitment to the will of God
Total surrender is required
Total surrender is required
So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.
See also
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
Jesus Christ must have first priority
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 ;
Jesus Christ must come See also ;
Jesus Christ must come See also ;
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 ;
“daily”
“daily”
“daily”
“daily”
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.
Illustration: Pr Martin & Adolf Hitler
1000 Illustrations for Preaching & Teaching In the Struggles of Life
In the Struggles of Life
Adolf Hitler could not silence pastor Martin Niemöller, and kept him imprisoned for seven-and-a-half years. His ministry during and after incarceration was courageous and constructive. Having read many of his books and heard him during frequent trips to America, I was pleased that he granted me an interview in the Ecumenical Center in Frankfurt. He was warm and outgoing, repeating frequently, “We are responsible for mankind.”
Toward the end of our visit he said: “Christianity is not an ethic, nor is it a system of dogmatics, but a living thing. One cannot deal with God in solitude or in remoteness only, but in the struggles of life.”
Daily devotions in the word
By yourself and God
With your family
With your friends
With your church
Will push you in the direction of life.
Illustration: I remember as a young person, I would never commit to anything because I may miss the opportunity of something else greater.
The cost of discipleship includes persecution
The cost of discipleship includes persecution
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 ;
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 ;