Choosing Jesus: The Cost and Commitment of Discipleship

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound implications of aligning ourselves with Jesus and the natural outcomes that follow such a decision. Using a personal anecdote about attending a football game, I illustrated how the teams we choose to support can lead to emotional highs and lows. This analogy extends beyond sports to the choices we make in life, including our political affiliations, friendships, and ultimately, our spiritual alignment. The core question posed was whether we align ourselves with Jesus or with the world, as this decision carries significant consequences.

We delved into John 15, where Jesus warns His followers that the world may hate them because it first hated Him. This is a stark reminder that following Jesus is not always met with acceptance or approval from the world. The world’s values often clash with those of Jesus, leading to potential conflict and opposition. However, Jesus assures us that being hated for His sake places us in good company, as He too faced rejection and persecution.

The message also highlighted the reality of persecution faced by Christians around the world, contrasting it with the relative ease of practicing faith in places with religious freedom. Stories of believers in countries where Christianity is illegal serve as a sobering reminder of the cost of discipleship. These believers are often asked challenging questions about their willingness to sacrifice for their faith, underscoring the seriousness of their commitment.

As we reflect on our own lives, we are called to examine where we stand. Are we truly on Team Jesus, or are we straddling the line, trying to fit in with the world? The challenge is to be willing to stand in opposition to the world if it means following Jesus wholeheartedly. This requires a deep commitment and an understanding that the world’s approval is not the ultimate goal.

Key Takeaways:

1. Alignment and Consequences: The choices we make about whom we align with, whether in sports, politics, or faith, have natural outcomes. Aligning with Jesus means accepting the possibility of being misunderstood or opposed by the world. This alignment requires a conscious decision to prioritize spiritual values over worldly ones. [03:45]

2. Understanding Persecution: Jesus warned that His followers might face hatred because of their association with Him. This is not a call to seek conflict but an acknowledgment that living out Christian values may lead to opposition. The world’s values often conflict with those of Jesus, and this tension is a natural part of the Christian journey. [11:15]

3. Global Perspective on Faith: Christians in countries with severe persecution face life-threatening challenges for their faith. Their commitment serves as a powerful example of the cost of discipleship. This perspective challenges us to consider the depth of our own commitment and willingness to stand firm in our beliefs. [28:24]

4. Self-Examination: It is crucial to evaluate where we stand in our faith journey. Are we truly committed to following Jesus, or are we trying to blend in with the world? This self-examination helps us identify areas where we need to realign our values and actions with those of Jesus. [26:43]

5. The Cost of Discipleship: Following Jesus may come with sacrifices, including social rejection or professional setbacks. However, the spiritual rewards and the assurance of being in God’s will far outweigh these challenges. Embracing this cost is part of living a life fully devoted to Christ. [31:39]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:45] - Aligning with Teams and Consequences
- [08:50] - Introduction to John 15
- [11:15] - Jesus' Warning of Hatred
- [15:16] - Good Deeds and Public Perception
- [17:34] - Eddie the Eagle and Worldly Acceptance
- [19:07] - Defining Success Differently
- [25:03] - Self-Evaluation: Team Jesus or Team World?
- [26:43] - The Danger of Middle Ground
- [27:35] - Willingness to Oppose the World
- [28:24] - Global Persecution and Commitment
- [29:54] - The Traveler's Story
- [30:45] - Prayers of the Persecuted
- [31:39] - The Cost of Following Jesus
- [32:35] - Prayer and Reflection

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- John 15:18-19

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Jesus mean when He says, "If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first"? How does this relate to the experiences of His disciples? [11:15]

2. In the sermon, the pastor shared a personal story about attending a football game. How does this story illustrate the concept of alignment and its consequences? [03:45]

3. What examples were given in the sermon about the natural outcomes of aligning with certain groups or ideologies, such as political affiliations or friendships? [03:45]

4. How does the pastor describe the difference between being on "Team Jesus" and "Team World"? What are the implications of being in the middle ground? [25:03]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of being hated for following Jesus challenge the common perception of Christianity as a path to personal peace and social acceptance? [11:15]

2. What does the pastor mean by saying that aligning with Jesus might lead to being misunderstood or opposed by the world? How does this align with the teachings in John 15? [19:07]

3. How does the pastor's story about Christians in persecuted countries deepen our understanding of the cost of discipleship? What lessons can be drawn from their experiences? [28:24]

4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that self-examination is crucial for determining one's true alignment with Jesus? How does this relate to the idea of being on "Team Jesus"? [26:43]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your current social circles and affiliations. How do they influence your spiritual journey and alignment with Jesus? Are there any changes you feel prompted to make? [03:45]

2. Have you ever experienced opposition or misunderstanding because of your faith? How did you respond, and what might you do differently in the future? [11:15]

3. The pastor mentioned the danger of being in the middle ground between "Team Jesus" and "Team World." How can you ensure that your values and actions align more closely with Jesus? [25:03]

4. Consider the sacrifices made by Christians in persecuted countries. What steps can you take to deepen your commitment to your faith, even in the face of potential challenges? [28:24]

5. How can you prepare yourself to face potential social or professional setbacks for the sake of following Jesus? What practical steps can you take to strengthen your resolve? [31:39]

6. Identify one area in your life where you feel the tension between worldly values and spiritual values. What specific actions can you take this week to prioritize your spiritual alignment? [19:07]

7. Reflect on the pastor's call for self-examination. What specific questions will you ask yourself this week to evaluate your commitment to Jesus, and how will you act on the answers? [26:43]

Devotional

Day 1: Aligning with Jesus and Its Consequences
Aligning with Jesus requires a conscious decision to prioritize spiritual values over worldly ones. This alignment may lead to being misunderstood or opposed by the world, as the values of Jesus often clash with those of the world. The choices we make about whom we align with, whether in sports, politics, or faith, have natural outcomes. When we choose to align with Jesus, we must be prepared for the possibility of facing opposition or rejection. This decision is not about seeking conflict but about standing firm in our faith and values, even when it is challenging. [03:45]

John 15:18-19 (ESV): "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you feel pressure to conform to the world’s values, and how can you choose to align more closely with Jesus today?


Day 2: Understanding the Reality of Persecution
Jesus warned His followers that they might face hatred because of their association with Him. This is not a call to seek conflict but an acknowledgment that living out Christian values may lead to opposition. The world’s values often conflict with those of Jesus, and this tension is a natural part of the Christian journey. Understanding this reality helps us prepare for the challenges we may face and encourages us to remain steadfast in our faith. It is important to remember that being hated for Jesus' sake places us in good company, as He too faced rejection and persecution. [11:15]

2 Timothy 3:12 (ESV): "Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."

Reflection: How do you respond when you face opposition or misunderstanding because of your faith? What steps can you take to remain steadfast in those moments?


Day 3: A Global Perspective on Faith
Christians in countries with severe persecution face life-threatening challenges for their faith. Their commitment serves as a powerful example of the cost of discipleship. This perspective challenges us to consider the depth of our own commitment and willingness to stand firm in our beliefs. While we may experience relative ease in practicing our faith, it is important to remember and pray for those who face persecution. Their stories remind us of the seriousness of our commitment to Jesus and the sacrifices that may be required. [28:24]

Hebrews 13:3 (ESV): "Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body."

Reflection: How can you support and pray for persecuted Christians around the world today? What can you learn from their example of faith and commitment?


Day 4: Self-Examination in Our Faith Journey
It is crucial to evaluate where we stand in our faith journey. Are we truly committed to following Jesus, or are we trying to blend in with the world? This self-examination helps us identify areas where we need to realign our values and actions with those of Jesus. It requires honesty and a willingness to confront areas of compromise in our lives. By examining our hearts and actions, we can ensure that we are fully devoted to Christ and not straddling the line between faith and the world. [26:43]

2 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV): "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!"

Reflection: What specific areas of your life need realignment with Jesus’ teachings? How can you take practical steps to address these areas today?


Day 5: Embracing the Cost of Discipleship
Following Jesus may come with sacrifices, including social rejection or professional setbacks. However, the spiritual rewards and the assurance of being in God’s will far outweigh these challenges. Embracing this cost is part of living a life fully devoted to Christ. It requires a willingness to prioritize our relationship with Jesus above all else and to trust that He will provide for our needs. By embracing the cost of discipleship, we demonstrate our commitment to Jesus and our desire to follow Him wholeheartedly. [31:39]

Luke 14:27-28 (ESV): "Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?"

Reflection: What sacrifices might God be calling you to make in order to follow Jesus more closely? How can you embrace these challenges with faith and trust in His provision?

Quotes



"Jesus said, If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. Now he's talking to his disciples, he's talking to people that are following him, and what they already know is that there's a lot of people, a lot of influential people who actually hate Jesus. The religious leaders, they're called Pharisees, they're referred to, some religious leaders were experts in the law, some of them were scribes that wrote the Old Testament down and copied it for people so they could have it. Most of the religious leaders didn't like Jesus." [00:09:41] (32 seconds)


"And in a world, while the Jewish people were governed by Rome, their own self-government and their culture in the Jewish world, the religious leaders were the most important people in the world. Because the Jewish people were a religious group of people. And so the most influential people didn't like Jesus. They actually hated Jesus. They would talk about Jesus behind his back. The Pharisees would because Jesus was turning people towards him and away from them. They would plot things. They would try to trap Jesus into tricks, conversations, to ask him hard questions in front of the people that followed him with the sole purpose of just trying to discredit him in front of his followers." [00:10:51] (40 seconds)


"Jesus says, hey, I want you to be aware that if you follow me, the world may not follow you. Now, one of the things that Jesus said in here, he says, if you go back to verse 18, he says, if the world hates you. It's almost conditional. Like maybe the world won't. And sometimes, let's be honest, if we are, if we're living our lives like Jesus calls us to, like if we're loving our neighbors, if we are ministering to orphans and widows, if we're seeing people who are down and trying to lift them up, if we're encouraging people, if we love people like we love ourselves, like certainly some people are going to like us, right? I mean, that is a part of it." [00:12:10] (39 seconds)


"Listen, I'll tell you, the worst place you can probably be is right in the middle. That's the most dangerous place. You have people that are on Team World. It's probably safer in this, where we live now, to be on Team World than in the middle. Because Team World at least knows, hey, I value what the world values. I have the same agenda as the world agenda. I look like everyone else. I'm going the same direction. Success is the same. The person that's the most dangerous for themselves is to think that they're on Team Jesus, but yet their values and everything else align with Team World. That's a dangerous place to be." [00:25:05] (35 seconds)


"And maybe there's some adjustments that need to be made. Some of you may need to step from death, which is team world, into life. But a lot of people who are in church on a Sunday morning need to have the examination of deciding which line am I on and adjusting their life to that. Here's the second thing, kind of next steps, question to answer. You be willing to be in opposition to the world in order to follow Jesus. Listen, every one of us in here is like, yes, yes, yes, yes." [00:26:48] (31 seconds)


"In one of these countries, they were talking to one of the missionaries from A2 and they can't say the missionaries. They can't even say the name, they can't even say the country. All they say is the country's primarily Hindu. That when someone in the church, typically underground church, comes and makes a decision to follow Jesus, and they want to be baptized, they're given seven, I believe, questions to answer. Here are the questions. Put those up on the screen for us. Are you willing to leave home and lose the blessing of your father? Are you willing to lose your job?" [00:27:38] (33 seconds)


"Are you willing to go to the church? Are you willing to go to the village and those who persecute you, forgive them and share the love of Christ with them? Are you willing to give an offering to the Lord? Are you willing to be beaten rather than deny your faith? Are you willing to go to prison? Are you willing to die for Jesus? If you don't answer yes to those questions, they don't baptize you into their church. Because that's the world in which they live. we have it pretty easy. We live in a world of United States of religious freedom, but that's the world right now." [00:28:44] (35 seconds)


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Transcript
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