Choosing Christ: The True Cost of Discipleship
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound journey of discipleship, emphasizing that it is not merely about church membership but a deep, personal commitment to follow Jesus Christ. Discipleship requires us to deny ourselves, a challenging task given our natural inclination to prioritize our own desires. We must decide whether to follow God or ourselves, as both cannot coexist in our hearts. This decision is not to be taken lightly, as discipleship demands a direct and unwavering path, one that cannot be circumvented.
Jesus' words in Luke 14:28 remind us to count the cost of discipleship, understanding that it involves both triumphs and trials. The journey is filled with ups and downs, but through it all, we are reminded not to complain, as God has already paved the way for us. The scripture we examined today highlighted three individuals who desired to follow Jesus but were hindered by their own priorities and attachments. These examples serve as a reminder that being a disciple means more than just attending church; it means becoming the church and living out the teachings of Christ in our daily lives.
We are called to be role models, not just members, and to embrace the responsibilities that come with discipleship. Jesus emphasized that love is the true mark of a disciple, and if we truly love others, we will go to great lengths for their well-being. Discipleship is not a part-time endeavor; it requires full commitment and a willingness to sacrifice personal comforts and relationships if they hinder our walk with Christ. We must continually strive to be more like Jesus, allowing Him to empower us through His Holy Spirit to do greater works.
Ultimately, discipleship is about choosing Jesus above all else, letting nothing come between us and our Savior. When we make Christ the center of our lives, He promises to guide us through challenges, provide for our needs, and grant us peace and favor. In realizing that Jesus is all we have, we come to understand that He is all we need. As we commit to this path, we are reminded that Jesus chose us first, and in response, we must choose to be His disciples, dedicated to finishing the course and hearing Him say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."
Key Takeaways:
1. The Cost of Discipleship: Discipleship requires us to deny ourselves and prioritize God's mission over our own desires. It is a path that demands full commitment and cannot be circumvented. We must count the cost and be prepared for both triumphs and trials, knowing that God has already paved the way for us. [01:38]
2. Becoming the Church: Being a disciple means more than just attending church; it means becoming the church and living out Christ's teachings in our daily lives. We are called to be role models, embracing the responsibilities that come with discipleship and demonstrating love as the true mark of a follower of Jesus. [05:31]
3. Full Commitment Required: Discipleship is not a part-time endeavor; it requires full commitment and a willingness to sacrifice personal comforts and relationships if they hinder our walk with Christ. We must continually strive to be more like Jesus, allowing Him to empower us through His Holy Spirit. [06:46]
4. Choosing Jesus Above All Else: We must choose Jesus above all else, letting nothing come between us and our Savior. When we make Christ the center of our lives, He promises to guide us through challenges, provide for our needs, and grant us peace and favor. [27:54]
5. Empowered to Do Greater Works: Jesus empowers us to do greater works through His Holy Spirit. We must have faith in His promises and take action, believing that we can accomplish great things in His name. Our journey as disciples is about choosing Jesus and living out His mission on earth. [09:25]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [01:38] - The Cost of Discipleship
- [03:01] - Counting the Cost
- [03:54] - Embracing Challenges
- [05:31] - Becoming the Church
- [06:46] - Full Commitment Required
- [08:02] - Empowered by the Holy Spirit
- [09:25] - Greater Works Through Faith
- [10:39] - Material Comforts and Sacrifice
- [12:34] - Heartfelt Giving
- [14:08] - Relationship vs. Standing
- [16:53] - Sanctification Process
- [18:17] - Prioritizing Christ
- [21:06] - Spiritual Priorities
- [27:54] - Choosing Jesus Above All Else
- [30:44] - Finishing the Course
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 14:28 - "For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?"
2. John 14:12 - "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father."
3. Matthew 10:34-39 - "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword..."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus mean when He talks about counting the cost of discipleship in Luke 14:28? How does this relate to the examples given in the sermon? [03:01]
2. In John 14:12, Jesus mentions that believers will do greater works than He did. How was this concept explained in the sermon? [09:25]
3. How does the sermon describe the difference between being a church member and being a disciple of Jesus Christ? [05:31]
4. What are the three hindrances mentioned in the sermon that prevent people from fully committing to discipleship? [10:39]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of denying oneself challenge the modern understanding of personal fulfillment and success? [01:38]
2. What does it mean to "become the church" rather than just attending church, according to the sermon? [05:31]
3. How can the idea of "greater works" in John 14:12 be practically applied in the life of a believer today? [09:25]
4. How does the sermon interpret Jesus' words in Matthew 10:34-39 about prioritizing Him over family and personal relationships? [22:06]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to choose between your personal desires and following God's mission. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome? [01:38]
2. In what ways can you actively "become the church" in your daily life, beyond just attending services? [05:31]
3. Identify a personal comfort or relationship that might be hindering your walk with Christ. What steps can you take to address this? [10:39]
4. How can you demonstrate the love of Christ in a tangible way to someone in your life this week? [06:46]
5. What specific actions can you take to ensure that Jesus remains the center of your life, especially during challenging times? [27:54]
6. Consider the concept of "greater works" mentioned in John 14:12. What is one area in your life where you can step out in faith to do something greater for God's kingdom? [09:25]
7. How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with Christ, moving from just having a standing in faith to a more intimate connection? [14:08]
Devotional
Day 1: The Cost of True Discipleship
Discipleship is a profound journey that requires us to deny ourselves and prioritize God's mission over our own desires. It is not a path to be taken lightly, as it demands full commitment and cannot be circumvented. The decision to follow Jesus involves counting the cost, understanding that it includes both triumphs and trials. This journey is filled with ups and downs, but through it all, we are reminded not to complain, as God has already paved the way for us. The scripture highlights individuals who desired to follow Jesus but were hindered by their own priorities and attachments. These examples serve as a reminder that being a disciple means more than just attending church; it means becoming the church and living out the teachings of Christ in our daily lives. [01:38]
Luke 9:23-24 (ESV): "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.'"
Reflection: What personal desires or attachments are currently hindering your commitment to fully follow Jesus, and how can you begin to let go of them today?
Day 2: Becoming the Church
Being a disciple means more than just attending church; it means becoming the church and living out Christ's teachings in our daily lives. We are called to be role models, embracing the responsibilities that come with discipleship and demonstrating love as the true mark of a follower of Jesus. This involves a transformation from being mere members to embodying the essence of the church in our actions and interactions. The journey of discipleship is about choosing Jesus above all else, letting nothing come between us and our Savior. When we make Christ the center of our lives, He promises to guide us through challenges, provide for our needs, and grant us peace and favor. [05:31]
1 Peter 2:9 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
Reflection: In what specific ways can you embody the teachings of Christ in your daily interactions with others this week?
Day 3: Full Commitment to Christ
Discipleship is not a part-time endeavor; it requires full commitment and a willingness to sacrifice personal comforts and relationships if they hinder our walk with Christ. We must continually strive to be more like Jesus, allowing Him to empower us through His Holy Spirit. This journey involves a conscious decision to prioritize Christ above all else, letting nothing come between us and our Savior. When we make Christ the center of our lives, He promises to guide us through challenges, provide for our needs, and grant us peace and favor. [06:46]
Matthew 10:37-39 (ESV): "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 4: Choosing Jesus Above All Else
We must choose Jesus above all else, letting nothing come between us and our Savior. When we make Christ the center of our lives, He promises to guide us through challenges, provide for our needs, and grant us peace and favor. This choice involves a deep, personal commitment to follow Jesus Christ, understanding that discipleship requires us to deny ourselves and prioritize God's mission over our own desires. It is a path that demands full commitment and cannot be circumvented. [27:54]
Colossians 3:1-3 (ESV): "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God."
Reflection: How can you actively make Christ the center of your life today, ensuring that nothing comes between you and your Savior?
Day 5: Empowered to Do Greater Works
Jesus empowers us to do greater works through His Holy Spirit. We must have faith in His promises and take action, believing that we can accomplish great things in His name. Our journey as disciples is about choosing Jesus and living out His mission on earth. This involves a transformation from being mere members to embodying the essence of the church in our actions and interactions. The journey of discipleship is about choosing Jesus above all else, letting nothing come between us and our Savior. [09:25]
John 14:12-14 (ESV): "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it."
Reflection: What specific action can you take today to step out in faith and allow the Holy Spirit to empower you to do greater works in Jesus' name?
Quotes
1) "When we declare that we want to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, we must really give some serious thought as to what we are asking for. There's an old adage that says, be careful what you pray for. You just might get it. Well, this is surely one of those times when we need to know what we're getting into and understand that the requirements are not for everyone. Some people are not going to pass it. Some people don't want to pass it. Some people are going to try to slide around it. But discipleship is a direct path. You can't go around it. You can't go. Wander it over it. You must go through it. And as a disciple of Jesus Christ, we must learn to deny ourselves." [03:01] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "You have to choose today what impact you're going to have. Because unlike Charles Barkley, Charles Barkley said he's not a role model and don't want to be a role model. I differ with that. Because every human being is a role model, especially men. Because you can either be a good role model or a bad role model, but you're going to be one or the other. So you have to choose today, am I going to be a member? Which comes with obligations, or am I going to be a disciple, which comes with responsibilities? Because only I get to stand before Christ on the judgment day, sitting in the judgment seat of Christ, and give an account for my life." [06:02] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "We must be fully committed to the cause of Christ. And let nothing stand in our way of serving him and being as much like him as is as humanly possible within my limited scope of abilities. But once I accept him as Lord and Savior, once I commit to living for him, he then empowers me through his Holy Spirit to do everything that he did when he was here. And the problem we have today is the church is failing. Because. And most churches don't have the faith to believe you can actually lay hands on somebody and heal them. Because if we did, guess what? We'd be healing some people." [08:02] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "You do not know what it really means to follow me. It means forsaking the comforts and conveniences that you got in your life right now. How many of us right now would go to Africa in the middle of the summer on a missionary trip? Better still, how many of us would go to East Peace Street on a mission trip for the Lord? How many of us are going to show up at 730 on Saturday morning to clean the street that he's so kind to us? How many of us finally allowed us to have our worship center on? How many of us come to Sunday school to learn of him?" [14:08] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "The greatest relationship you will ever have. Is being able to call Jesus. On his first name. And him answer you back by your name. To be able to get in God's face. And not have to ask for permission to speak. But face to face friend to friend. You can speak whatever is on your heart to God. Because if you're on that mountain in God's face. You must be so right with him that he will listen to what you have to say." [26:28] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "You cannot be a disciple of Jesus Christ. And part of this world as well. You're going to have to choose you. You're going to have to choose you. You're going to have to choose this day who you're going to serve. Now whether it's going to be not God. Or man. Christ must reign in the heart of his disciples. Without a rival. Nothing and no one. Can come between you and Christ. On any given day. Every decision you make. Must be Christ centered. So that when you make that decision. He will look at you and be pleased." [27:54] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "When you realize Jesus is all you have. You're going to realize that's all you need. Because in him. Is life. Health. Strength. More mercies. Unspeakable joy. And I'm talking about the kinds of joy. That you can have. Even when the enemy. Turns everybody against you. You can smile. And simply say in the words of Hezekiah. God favored me. In the midst of you. Because I chose to be a disciple. I chose to walk after him. I chose to live like him. I chose to learn more about. Him. I chose to be his. Co-minister on earth. His disciple. To continue the work that he started." [29:37] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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