What it means to be a disciple of Jesus.

Intro:

Christ now openly announced His coming suffering and death. He had intimated His death in various symbols in John 2:19, 3:14, 6:51, and Matt. 9:15 and 12:40–41; but now He spoke of it openly (Mark 8:32). Of course, the disciples were shocked at the news, especially Peter, who repeated Satan’s temptation of Matt. 4:8–10 by trying to detour Christ from the cross. Satan was obviously using Peter to be a stumbling block in Christ’s path of obedience. Satan was to use Peter again to hinder Christ’s work (Luke 22:31ff). Christ rebuked Peter and then taught the disciples the importance of the Cross in the life of the believer. “Bearing the cross” means dying to self, bearing Christ’s reproach, and crucifying the world and the flesh as we follow Him in obedience. Peter was to learn that suffering and glory always go together (1 Peter 4:12–19; 5:1, 10).

I. Discipleship should be considered carefully Luke 14:28-32.

A. Discipleship means consecration to Jesus.

1. We spend much time in considering lifestyle changes. (we should for discipleship)

2. We are consecrated to our families.

3. Discipleship means to we are commited to Christ for life.

B. Discipleship must be decided before attempting to follow Jesus.

1. As we commit to one another in marriage, we are to commit to Christ for life.

2.

C. Finishing is more important than starting well.

28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

II. The cost of discipleship involves a denial of self-interests and desires.

A. Total surrender is required.

1. We submit to our wives, husbands, children and others. (God is greater than all)

2. Taking up our cross is mandatory for a disciple.

3. Death to our sinful self is expected by God.

4. Realize that God is in control.

One mark of spiritual maturity is the confident acceptance that God is in control, without understanding the whys and whens of happenings. “Woe to him who strives with his Maker,/an earthen vessel with the potter!/Does the clay say to him who fashions it, ‘What are you making?’ ” (Isa. 45:9).

B. He must come first. (before family ties.) (putting his desires ahead of ours.)

1. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. Matt. 10:37

Self-denial has its place in a Christian’s life, but God doesn’t ask you to choose what is most painful to you. If you followed this path, you would soon ruin your health, reputation, business, and friendship.

Self-denial consists of bearing patiently all those things that God allows to pass into your life. If you don’t refuse anything that comes in God’s order, you are tasting of the cross of Jesus Christ.

—François Fénelon, The Seeking Heart

C. Must be willing to take up our cross.

To deny self does not mean to deny things. It means to give yourself wholly to Christ and share in His shame and death. Paul described this in Romans 12:1–2 and Philippians 3:7–10, as well as in Galatians 2:20. To take up a cross does not mean to carry burdens or have problems. To take up the cross means to identify with Christ in His rejection, shame, suffering, and death.

III. Discipleship means total commitment to the will of God.

A. Discipleship means seeking and doing Gods will.

1. Not our own will.

12 And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, 13 To keep the commandments of the LORD, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?

a. Living for the will of God does not rob us of anything. (Devil’s lie)

b. We learn that Gods will is ultimately ours to if we are following him.

c. We are blessed in doing the will of God.

B. We die to ourselves, and live the life of Christ.

1. In accordance with our obedience, God lives is live thru us.

2. We’ve been bought with a price. (the blood of Christ)

C. Our will must come second to his.

1. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

2. If more of the will of God was done on earth, earth would be a lot more like heaven.

IV. Discipleship requires faithfulness.

A. Unfaithfulness is not an option.

B. He expects us to be consistent.

C. God expects us to follow his son faithfully.

V. Discipleship requires us to learn and to go.

A. It means to learn from and about him.

B. It means to reflect him and his ways.

C. It means to love others and serve others.