Counting the Cost: The True Call of Discipleship

Devotional

Day 1: Divine Harmony in Worship and Word

The alignment of worship and the preached word is not merely coincidental; it is a divine orchestration by the Holy Spirit. When worship songs and the sermon message resonate, it serves as a powerful affirmation that God is actively speaking and working within the congregation. This synchronization helps deepen the understanding and commitment to Christ, making every service a transformative experience. It reminds us that God is not only present but actively involved in the minutiae of our spiritual gatherings, ensuring that each element of the service contributes to a cohesive message that speaks directly to the hearts of the believers. [26:05]

Psalm 19:1-4 (ESV): "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. Their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world."

Reflection: How have you experienced the alignment of worship and sermon in your own life, and what impact did it have on your spiritual growth?

Day 2: The Profound Cost of Discipleship

Jesus’s call to discipleship is a radical invitation to prioritize Him above all else, even our closest relationships and most cherished possessions. The hyperbolic language of 'hating' one's family in Luke 14 is not a literal command but an illustration of the depth of allegiance Jesus requires. This challenges believers to evaluate their priorities and ensure that Christ reigns supreme. True discipleship demands a reorientation of one’s life, where every personal tie and material possession is secondary to the relationship with Christ. This call is not easy; it is a lifelong commitment that may require significant sacrifices but is ultimately rewarding in the spiritual richness it brings. [38:58]

Luke 14:26-27 (ESV): "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple."

Reflection: What are some personal ties or possessions that might be competing with your commitment to Christ?

Day 3: Embracing the Cross in Daily Life

The metaphor of bearing one's cross is not just about enduring life's burdens but actively embracing the suffering and sacrifices that come with following Jesus. This involves a daily commitment to die to oneself and live for Christ, which might include facing hardships and persecutions. This call to bear the cross is a vivid reminder of the depth of commitment required to follow Jesus and mirrors His own journey to the cross. It is a profound spiritual practice that shapes believers into the likeness of Christ through the trials and tribulations they endure. [44:17]

1 Peter 4:1-2 (ESV): "Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God."

Reflection: In what ways are you currently bearing your cross, and how can you more fully embrace this aspect of discipleship?

Day 4: The Deep Significance of Communion

Communion is a profound act of remembrance and proclamation that connects believers to the suffering and victory of Christ. It is not merely a ritual but a sacred moment that urges us to live lives worthy of the sacrifice Jesus made. As believers partake of the bread and wine, they are reminded of the physical and spiritual significance of Christ's sacrifice, which should inspire a deeper devotion and a more sincere commitment to living out the gospel. This sacrament is a powerful tool for spiritual reflection and renewal, drawing believers closer to the heart of God. [01:09:24]

1 Corinthians 11:26-28 (ESV): "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup."

Reflection: How does participating in communion shape your understanding of Christ's sacrifice and its impact on your life?

Day 5: Keeping an Eternal Perspective

The decision to follow Jesus should always be considered with an eternal perspective. The costs of discipleship, though real and significant, pale in comparison to the eternal separation from God that results from not following Him. This perspective helps believers to endure earthly losses and sacrifices with grace, knowing that these are temporary and that the eternal rewards far outweigh them. Keeping an eternal perspective is crucial in maintaining spiritual resilience and motivation, especially during challenging times when the costs of discipleship weigh heavily. [36:25]

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: What is one area in your life where you need to adopt a more eternal perspective to better align with your discipleship journey?

Sermon Summary

Today, I explored the profound implications of truly following Jesus, emphasizing that it's a commitment that transcends the superficial and demands deep, personal sacrifice. We began by reflecting on the nature of our worship, recognizing that the alignment of our songs with the sermon isn't mere coincidence but a testament to the Holy Spirit's work among us. This set the stage for a deeper dive into the reasons why Jesus is worth following, beyond the immediate benefits He offers.

We delved into the scriptural passage from Luke 14:25-33, where Jesus speaks candidly about the cost of discipleship. He challenges us to consider our relationships and possessions, urging a commitment that might seem radical to many. This call to discipleship isn't just about forsaking material wealth or familial ties, but about a profound reorientation of our lives around Christ.

I shared personal anecdotes and broader scriptural interpretations to illustrate that following Jesus means prioritizing Him above all else. This includes our closest relationships and most cherished possessions. The hyperbolic language Jesus uses, such as 'hating' one's family, underscores the intensity and exclusivity of the commitment He demands. It's a stark reminder that our allegiance to Christ must surpass all earthly ties.

Moreover, the concept of bearing one's cross was unpacked, highlighting that discipleship involves enduring suffering and making sacrifices that mirror Christ's own journey to the cross. This metaphorical cross isn't just a symbol of burden but a call to embrace the challenges and persecutions that come with living a life committed to Jesus.

As we transitioned into communion, we reflected on the physical and spiritual significance of Christ's sacrifice. This sacrament serves as a powerful reminder of the cost Jesus paid and the love He demonstrated, reinforcing why He deserves our unwavering devotion.

In closing, I urged the congregation to consider the eternal consequences of their choices. Following Jesus might entail earthly losses and sacrifices, but the eternal rewards far outweigh these temporary hardships. The alternative, a life estranged from God, bears a cost too great to bear.

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Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Jesus mean when He says we must "hate" our family and even our own life to be His disciple? ([38:58])
What are the two illustrations Jesus uses to explain the cost of discipleship in Luke 14:28-32?
According to the sermon, what does it mean to "bear one's cross" in the context of following Jesus? ([44:17])
How does the alignment of worship and the sermon serve as a testament to the Holy Spirit's work among us? ([26:05])

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus use such strong language, like "hate," to describe the level of commitment required to follow Him? How does this hyperbolic language help us understand the depth of allegiance He demands? ([38:58])
What does it mean to "count the cost" of discipleship, and why is it important to do so before deciding to follow Jesus? ([30:19])
How does the metaphor of bearing one's cross relate to the daily sacrifices and sufferings a disciple of Jesus might face? ([44:17])
In what ways does communion serve as a powerful reminder of Christ's sacrifice and our commitment to Him? ([01:09:24])

Application Questions

Reflect on your current relationships. Are there any that you prioritize over your relationship with Jesus? How can you reorient these relationships to ensure Christ remains supreme? ([38:58])
Think about a recent decision you made. Did you "count the cost" in terms of how it would affect your discipleship? How can you apply this principle to future decisions? ([30:19])
Bearing one's cross involves daily sacrifices. What is one specific area in your life where you need to "die to yourself" to follow Jesus more closely? ([44:17])
How does the act of taking communion help you remember and appreciate the sacrifice Jesus made for you? How can this remembrance influence your daily walk with Him? ([01:09:24])
Jesus calls us to renounce all that we have to be His disciple. Is there something in your life that you need to formally renounce or give up to follow Jesus more fully? ([53:31])
The sermon mentioned the eternal perspective of following Jesus. How does keeping an eternal perspective help you endure the temporary hardships of discipleship? ([36:25])
Identify one practical step you can take this week to deepen your commitment to Jesus, even if it involves personal sacrifice or discomfort. ([49:19])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "The dope thing about Jesus when he's saying he's worth the follow is that once you follow him, he actually enables you to do the things he's calling you to do by following him. He don't leave you on your own to try to figure out how to die to your flesh and how to let the relationships go and how to renounce everything in your life. No, he empowers you with the Holy Spirit to do these things." [01:04:19]( | | )

2. "Every time we get together as a family, if we can remember and reflect on what it is Jesus has done for us, it should compel us to live a life that honors him." [01:07:56]( | | )

3. "The reality is, so many things are accessible to us at the click of a button, so we follow so much stuff. And little do we realize that every single thing we follow, we are a disciple of. Every person that we follow, every YouTube podcast, every video we watch, everything that we follow, every TV show, social media influencer, real estate mogul, whoever it is, everyone we follow is actually discipling us." [28:19]( | | )

4. "Jesus gives them full truth and what it means to follow him. He's like, yo, I know I did some miracles, and y'all like that. I know that when we together, you know, there's mad food that tastes good that happens. I know that there is good fellowship when we're together. I know in community, you start having good feelings, and the tingles happen. Like I know all of that is true. I know it feels good when we together, but that's not enough of a reason to follow me." [57:58]( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "Following Jesus might entail earthly losses and sacrifices, but the eternal rewards far outweigh these temporary hardships. The alternative, a life estranged from God, bears a cost too great to bear." [36:25]( | | )

2. "Jesus challenges the crowd to really think about and weigh if they can afford to follow him. However, the reality is people can't really refuse to follow him because the cost of not following Jesus is far greater than the cost to follow him." [35:30]( | | )

3. "Jesus is not just a ritual but a profound act of remembrance and proclamation. It connects us to Christ's suffering and victory, urging us to live lives worthy of the sacrifice He made for us." [01:09:24]( | | )

4. "The metaphor of bearing one's cross is a vivid reminder of the suffering and sacrifice inherent in following Jesus. It's a daily commitment to die to oneself and live for Christ, embracing the hardships as part of our spiritual journey." [44:17]( | | )

5. "The ultimate decision to follow Jesus should be weighed with an eternal perspective. The costs of discipleship are real and significant, but they are nothing compared to the eternal separation from God that comes from choosing not to follow Him." [36:25]( | | )

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