Counting the Cost: True Discipleship and Sacrifice
Summary
In the narrative drawn from Luke chapter 18, a certain ruler questions Jesus about the requirements for inheriting eternal life. Jesus responds by highlighting the commandments, which the ruler claims to have followed since his youth. However, Jesus points out that the ruler still lacks one thing: he must sell all he has, distribute to the poor, and follow Jesus to gain treasure in heaven. This demand causes the ruler great sorrow, as he is very wealthy. Jesus then comments on the difficulty for the rich to enter the kingdom of God, likening it to a camel passing through the eye of a needle. This prompts the question of who can be saved, to which Jesus replies that what is impossible with men is possible with God.
The narrative continues with Peter pointing out that he and the other disciples have left everything to follow Jesus. Jesus assures them that anyone who has left their possessions or loved ones for the kingdom of God will receive many times more in this life and eternal life in the age to come.
Jason Sharp, in his message, emphasizes the concept of paying a price for following Jesus. He draws parallels between the sacrifices made by Jesus, who lived a life of service and ultimately gave his life as a ransom for many, and the sacrifices expected of believers. He stresses that each member of the body of Christ has a role to play, and that the church functions effectively only when each member contributes to the needs of the body, setting aside personal identity for the identity of Christ.
The message also touches on the idea of consecration, as seen in the Old Testament, where priests were set apart and made holy through specific garments and actions as part of their worship. This consecration is paralleled with the call for believers to be set apart from the world, changing not only their behavior but also their appearance to reflect holiness.
Jason Sharp shares personal stories, including his father's sacrifices in starting a church and living off savings for three years, investing everything into the work of God. He also shares his own commitment to giving a significant portion of his income to the work of God and to fasting and prayer, emphasizing the importance of investing in the eternal kingdom rather than personal gain.
The message concludes with a call to consider the price one is willing to pay to follow Jesus. It challenges individuals to examine what they are holding onto in this world that may be preventing them from fully committing to God. The speaker encourages listeners to be willing to pay any price for the sake of the kingdom, drawing on the parable of the merchant who sold everything to buy a pearl of great price.
Key Takeaways:
- The pursuit of eternal life and the kingdom of God requires personal sacrifice and a willingness to give up worldly possessions and desires. This is exemplified by the story of the rich ruler who struggled to part with his wealth to follow Jesus. The true treasures are not of this world but are found in the life to come. [01:20]
- The body of Christ functions optimally when each member contributes beyond their personal needs, working together in unity. This concept is not just about individual spiritual growth but about the collective health and mission of the church. When believers lose their personal identity in Christ, they enable the church to move forward more effectively. [18:51]
- Consecration and dedication to God involve both internal and external transformation. Believers are called to separate themselves from worldly standards and instead reflect the beauty of holiness, which is attractive to God and draws others to Him. This transformation is a form of worship and dedication to God's service. [22:59]
- Sacrifice is an integral part of worship and service to God. Just as King David refused to offer sacrifices that cost him nothing, believers are called to give to God in ways that require genuine sacrifice, reflecting the value they place on their relationship with Him. This principle of sacrifice applies to all aspects of life, including time, resources, and personal ambitions. [07:36]
- The willingness to pay the price for discipleship is a recurring theme in the teachings of Jesus. He consistently challenged individuals to consider the cost of following Him, which often meant prioritizing the kingdom of God over personal relationships, comforts, and even life itself. This radical commitment is what defines true discipleship and leads to the greatest rewards in the kingdom of God. [32:26]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 18:18-30 (NKJV)
- "Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, 'Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?' So Jesus said to him, 'Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not bear false witness," "Honor your father and your mother."' And he said, 'All these things I have kept from my youth.' So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, 'You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.' But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, 'How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.' And those who heard it said, 'Who then can be saved?' But He said, 'The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.' Then Peter said, 'See, we have left all and followed You.' So He said to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What question does the rich ruler ask Jesus, and how does Jesus initially respond? ([00:43])
2. What does Jesus tell the ruler he still lacks, and what is the ruler's reaction? ([01:27])
3. How does Jesus describe the difficulty for the rich to enter the kingdom of God? ([01:27])
4. What assurance does Jesus give to Peter and the other disciples about their sacrifices? ([02:20])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the rich ruler found it difficult to follow Jesus' command to sell all he had and give to the poor? ([01:27])
2. How does Jesus' statement about the camel and the eye of a needle challenge common perceptions about wealth and salvation? ([01:27])
3. What does Jesus' assurance to Peter and the disciples suggest about the rewards of following Him? ([02:20])
4. How does the concept of paying a price for discipleship, as emphasized by Jason Sharp, relate to the sacrifices made by the rich ruler and the disciples? ([02:20])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt God asking you to give up something valuable. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? ([01:27])
2. Jesus said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." How can this statement encourage you in your current challenges or sacrifices? ([01:27])
3. Jason Sharp shared personal stories of sacrifice for the kingdom of God. What are some practical ways you can invest in the eternal kingdom rather than personal gain? ([38:27])
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of consecration and dedication to God. What specific changes in behavior or appearance can you make to reflect holiness in your life? ([22:10])
5. Consider the idea of losing personal identity for the identity of Christ. How can you contribute to the collective health and mission of the church? ([19:14])
6. Jesus challenged individuals to consider the cost of following Him. What are some personal relationships, comforts, or ambitions you might need to prioritize less to follow Jesus more fully? ([12:37])
7. Reflect on the parable of the merchant who sold everything to buy a pearl of great price. What is one "pearl" in your life that you believe is worth sacrificing everything for? ([40:58])
Devotional
Day 1: Sacrifice for Eternal Treasures
True riches require letting go of earthly wealth and desires. The story of the rich ruler serves as a reminder that the pursuit of eternal life often involves difficult choices, including the sacrifice of material possessions. This is not a loss but an investment in the treasures of heaven that far outweigh the temporary pleasures of this world. [01:20]
Luke 18:22-23 - "When Jesus heard this, he said to him, 'You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.' When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy."
Reflection: What material possession or desire is the most challenging for you to give up for the sake of the kingdom of God?
Day 2: Unity in the Body of Christ
Each believer's unique contribution leads to the church's collective strength and mission. The body of Christ thrives when individuals willingly set aside their personal identities to work in harmony, furthering the church's effectiveness and advancing the kingdom of God. [18:51]
1 Corinthians 12:24-25 - "But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other."
Reflection: How can you contribute to the unity and mission of your church community in a way that goes beyond your personal needs?
Day 3: The Beauty of Holiness
Consecration to God involves a transformation that is both internal and external. Believers are called to live lives that are set apart, reflecting God's holiness in their actions and appearance, which serves as a form of worship and draws others to Him. [22:59]
1 Peter 1:15-16 - "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'"
Reflection: In what ways can you align your daily life more closely with the beauty of holiness that God calls us to embody?
Day 4: The Principle of Sacrificial Giving
True worship includes offering God our sacrifices that cost us something. This reflects the depth of our commitment and the value we place on our relationship with Him. Sacrifice is not limited to financial giving but extends to all areas of life, including time and personal ambitions. [07:36]
2 Samuel 24:24 - "But the king replied to Araunah, 'No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.' So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen and paid fifty shekels of silver for them."
Reflection: What is one thing you can offer as a sacrifice to God this week that will truly cost you something?
Day 5: Counting the Cost of Discipleship
Discipleship demands a radical commitment that may require prioritizing the kingdom of God over personal comforts and relationships. This level of dedication is what defines a true disciple and leads to the greatest rewards in God's kingdom. [32:26]
Luke 14:33 - "In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples."
Reflection: What does counting the cost of discipleship mean for you in practical terms, and what might you need to change to fully commit to this path?
Quotes
1) "When we come together, we create a joint. It's where two members are joined together and now the body has more fluid motion and movement." [20:17] (Download)
2) "If you're going to be a man of God, if you're going to preach mighty messages and have an anointing on your life, there's going to have to be a separation in your life." [25:44] (Download)
3) "People want the move of God. They want the Spirit of God. They want the power of God. They want the blessings of the Kingdom but they lack the willingness to die to their selfish will." [27:03] (Download)
4) "There's always going to be a price to pay and you can choose to put your efforts and your money into the work of God or you can choose to take it and use it for your own gain." [39:11] (Download)
5) "I made a commitment a long time ago to give a minimum of 20 to 25 percent of my income straight into the work of God. Why? Because I am passionate about the kingdom growing." [40:42] (Download)
6) "I'm not going to offer a sacrifice to my God with something that did not cost me anything. So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for 50 shekels of silver." [09:19] (Download)
7) "Jesus says, the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many. He said, my life is the price." [17:21] (Download)
8) "We become greater together and two can set 10,000 to fly. One can set a thousand to fly. We become multiplied times greater in impact, in influence, because we're willing to set aside personal identity for the identity of Christ." [20:17] (Download)
9) "There's something in a believer's life that says I've cut off my options. I've made my decision and now I serve the Lord with a whole heart." [14:08] (Download)
10) "But I'm reaching for the one today that's on the fence says well I really I don't know is it worth it it I know I know it's a lot and and it's going to cost me something are you willing to pay the price Jesus set forth." [44:05] (Download)
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