The Obstacles to Discipleship

Luke 9:23 KJV 1900

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Pre-Sermon Ice Breaker

Charlotte Nadin from the Christians who enjoy Good Clean Jokes Group writes: When I was in 5th grad our teacher announced she wanted us to line up at the door to go out for recess, only she wanted the Christian’s to line up first, this time.

I was surprised so see that the entire class eventually, line up as I sat quietly in my chair. My teacher, Mrs. Adam’s came over to me and said, “Charlotte, I’m surprised not to see you in line! Aren’t you a Christian?” I responded proudly, “No Ma’am, I’m a Baptist!”

Introduction

If you stop people on the street and ask them, “Are you a Christian?” Some people would say, “yes.” Others would say, “What do you mean?” Some would tell you, “Yes, but...” or “No, but...” And some would flat out say, “No, I’m definitely not a Christian.”

Here’s a strange fact: The first followers of Jesus didn’t call themselves Christians. The term was actually a derogatory term used by people outside of Jesus community.

Acts 11:26 KJV 1900

And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

It’s not the name they chose for themselves. So, if the first Christians didn’t call themselves Christians, What did they call themselves” You see the answer is right there in the same verse: Disciples. The word Christian is only used 3 times in the whole Bible. Disciple is used 256 times in the King James Bible.

What is a disciple? The standard definition of “Disciple is someone who adheres to the teachings of another. It is a follower or a learner. It refers to someone who takes up the ways of someone else. Applied to Jesus, a disciple is someone who learns from him to live like him - someone who, because of God’s awakening grace, conforms his or her words and ways to the words and ways of Jesus. Or, you might says, as others have in the past, disciples of Jesus are themselves “little Christs” (Which is what the word Christian really means.)

In today’s culture many are not disciples or Biblical Christians, they are cultural Christians. they are Christians because their parents were or because we live in what was once called a Christian Nation.

In our text today we take a look at a verse that has often been thought of as the explanation of what a disciple is. As we look at it this morning I want to look at it in reverse. Because if this verse tells us what a disciple is, it then will also tell us what the obstacles are to being a disciple. If you are only a Christian in name, then this passage will reveal what kind of Christian is not a disciple. A disciple is not...

Body

I. …Indulgent Christian

Luke 9:23 KJV 1900

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Let Him deny himself.

Luke 9:24 KJV 1900

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

Galatians 2:20 KJV 1900

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Luke 14:33 KJV 1900

So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

II. …Infrequent Christian

Luke 9:23 KJV 1900

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

…and take up his cross daily

Many think that Jesus is telling us we need to bear some burden for Jesus. They think that poverty, or sickness, or problems are their cross to bear. But this is a significant misunderstanding of what Jesus is speaking of. In Jesus time the cross was not a symbol of something else, it was one thing: the most painful death one could suffer. Jesus is speaking to us about dying to self. as we spoke of in the previous point. What I really want to focus on here is the word we so often neglect to notice. It is the word “Daily”

The word “Daily” appears 22 Times in the New Testament.

Our faith is not something that we live only on Sunday, or at Christmas and Easter. It is something we do daily.

We pray daily

Matthew 6:11 KJV 1900

Give us this day our daily bread.

We serve daily

Mark 14:49 KJV 1900

I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.

We preach Jesus daily

Mark 5:42 KJV 1900

And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.

We encourage each other daily

Hebrews 3:13 KJV 1900

But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

III. …Independent Christian

Luke 9:23 KJV 1900

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Follow Him

Matthew 4:19–20 KJV 1900

And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.

1 Corinthians 4:16 KJV 1900

Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

1 Corinthians 11:1 KJV 1900

Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

John 15:5 KJV 1900

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Conclusion

Are you a Christian? I would hope that you can answer yes. If not you should take care of business with him today.

But I would ask you another question this morning: Are you a disciple?

Today I encourage to Surrender your indulgence, Surrender your Infrequency, Surrender you Independence and become a disciple of Jesus.