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We all desire to live a life full of purpose and meaning.
We all desire a life that matters.
Last week we discussed, how Jesus calls us into that very kind of Life – A life of discipleship.
However, choosing a life of discipleship is hard – sacrificing – pick up your cross and follow.
Often people quit – settle for being a Church goer rather than a disciple.
Others because of the sacrifice choose to quit Jesus all together.
I believe God is calling this church – You and me to move from church attendance and into a discipleship and disciple making.
In other words, he is calling us into a life of purpose and meaning
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But that life also calls for self-sacrifice.
It is a life that calls us to give up authority of our own life – And to bow our lives to Jesus as King!
Will we choose to be our own ruler and settle for the normal life?
The pain of self-denial – humility – loving others more than self – real forgiveness – long suffering will test our commitment to Jesus as King.
Will we choose to be our own ruler and settle for the normal life?
Or will we choose to bow our whole life to Jesus and live in purpose and meaning>
The Spirit of God gave us as a church a simple phrase for the year!
Don’t Quit.
Strike your arrows and keep striking until the last arrow breaks.
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Today I want to talk with you about the first two steps of Choosing the Life of Discipleship!
Let me remind you what discipleship to Jesus is.
· A disciple believes was Jesus believed – Transformed mind
· Lives as Jesus lived – Transformed life
· Loved as Jesus loved – Transformed heart
· Ministers as Jesus ministered – Transformed service
· Leads as Jesus led – Transformed influence
· Disciples others as Jesus discipled -Transformed relationships
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There are two initial steps to choosing the call of discipleship to Jesus.
The First Step To Being A Disciple of Jesus is
COUNT THE COST
Elijah is passing the prophetic mantel to Elisha.
The Glory of the Mantel -
Speak to kings, set kings in power, remove kings, speak to the nation on behalf of God
But this mantel also comes with great cost!
No king wants to be told they have lost the approval of God and will be removed.
People of power do not want to be told they are in sin and must repent.
No one likes it when we are confronted with our evil in plain view.
No one wants to be told their national religion is not the worship of the true God.
Elijah has been on the run – hiding in a cave in fear of his life
King Ahab and his wife Jezebel want his head!
He is an outcast / The nation has a love hate relationship with the prophets.
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When Elijah places the mantel on the shoulders of Elisha he commands him to
GO BACK AND THINK ABOUT WHAT HAS BEEN DONE!
COUNT THE COST!
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Jesus like Elijah demands that we too count the cost before we enter the life of Discipleship.
Luke 14:
A disciple of Jesus is choosing a life of purpose and meaning.
lUKE 14:25
A disciple of Jesus is choosing a life of purpose and meaning.
They are choosing the Life that builds the influence of the Kingdom of God in the heart of people.
A disciple is choosing the only way that can bring transformation to this world.
A disciple is choosing to go into war with the weapons of humility and love.
But they are also choosing the life that:
Loves their enemy as much as their own life.
A life that forgives before it ever takes offense
A life that will be seen as foolish to the world
A life that will cause those you love to be uncomfortable around you.
A life that will cause the powers and principalities to take aim at you through those you love.
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Have you counted the cost?
My family that I was nuts -
I lost friends
Dad never understood why I gave up pursuing a professional baseball career.
I chose a profession that is not respected today
My mother thought I was misguided for not seeking a large church with large attendance.
It is very difficult for me to have close friendships.
Count the Cost!
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The second step
BURN THE PLOW
Elisha knew he would be tempted to return to the old life when times got hard.
His solution was to burn the bridge back to his old life.
Burn the Plow
We are all tempted to hold onto something, just in case this following Jesus thing does not work out.
I am reminded of a story of a young man who was unwilling to let go and burn the plow.
What are you still holding on to that you need to burn?
· Relationship
· Job
· Money
· Dream
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For me I have always struggled with the desire of being important.
When I first came to this church, it was difficult to me.
I wanted to be important on a big stage.
I received a couple opportunities at much larger churches, but God would not let me walk away.
3 years ago, I fell in love with rural ministry – burned the plow of my dream – chose to be here.
1 month ago, I was offered my dream job.
Plant a church with unlimited resources, a few hundred people to start with, work with a mentor of mine, and Callie would be helped to start a free clinic.
Two weeks later, I called the friend back and said sorry but no.
Do you know why?
I saw Jacob, Jordan, Jeremey, Todd, Allandis, and Kayla in my mind.
I saw the people God had called me to.
I could chase fame and my desire to feel important or I could live a life of purpose.
Once we count the cost we have to burn the plow!
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What is holding you back from choosing the life of Discipleship?
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Family ties?
Worship team up
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Count the cost
Burn the Plow
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God has called each of you to never quit
Never stop striking your arrow until the last one breaks
But before you can enter a life of purpose/ discipleship
You need to count the cost
You need to burn the plow.
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Over the next week I would ask that you seek God in prayer and meditation.
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