Embracing Discipleship: Trust, Sacrifice, and Relationship with Jesus
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to worship and praise our Redeemer, reflecting on Psalm 146 and the profound truths it holds. We were reminded that our trust should not be in mortal man but in the eternal God who created heaven and earth and who executes justice for the oppressed. We then delved into Luke 9, focusing on verses 23-25, where Jesus calls His disciples into a life of discipleship and covenant relationship. Jesus empowers His followers with kingdom authority to go out and live as He did, performing miracles and proclaiming the Kingdom of God.
We explored the miraculous feeding of the 5,000, a testament to Jesus' divine provision and power. This led to a pivotal moment where Jesus asked His disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" Peter's bold proclamation that Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world, set the stage for Jesus to reveal the cost of discipleship. Jesus explained that following Him requires self-denial, taking up one's cross daily, and losing one's life for His sake to truly save it.
We discussed the misconception that following Jesus is about comfort and ease. Instead, it involves suffering, challenges, and a commitment to live out the life of Jesus in the world. Jesus calls us not to a religion of rigid rule-following but to a transformative relationship with Him. This relationship is marked by intimate knowledge and personal connection, far beyond mere religious activities.
In conclusion, we are called to evaluate our desires, deny our flesh, and daily take up our cross to follow Jesus. This path of discipleship is about forming our lives around Jesus, allowing His words and ways to guide every aspect of our lives. We are invited into a deep, personal relationship with Jesus, where we find true life and fulfillment.
### Key Takeaways
1. Trust in the Eternal God: Psalm 146 reminds us to place our trust not in mortal man but in the eternal God who created heaven and earth. This God executes justice for the oppressed and provides for the needy. Our hope and help are found in Him alone, who reigns forever. [11:22]
2. The Cost of Discipleship: Jesus calls us to a life of discipleship that involves self-denial, taking up our cross daily, and following Him. This path is not about comfort but about embracing the challenges and suffering that come with living out the life of Jesus in the world. [38:58]
3. A Transformative Relationship: Jesus invites us into a relationship, not a religion. This relationship is marked by intimate knowledge and personal connection with Him. It's about being known by Jesus and knowing Him deeply, beyond mere religious activities. [54:49]
4. Evaluating Our Desires: Jesus challenges us to evaluate our desires and to deny the things that draw our hearts away from Him. True discipleship involves aligning our desires with the way of Jesus, allowing His words and ways to guide every aspect of our lives. [01:03:23]
5. Living in Covenant Relationship: We are called to live in a covenant relationship with Jesus, forming our lives around His words, will, and ways. This involves daily picking up our cross and following Him, finding true life and fulfillment in this deep, personal relationship. [01:08:06]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[11:22] - Reading from Psalm 146
[26:38] - Prayer and Reflection
[29:25] - Introduction and Greeting
[31:21] - Setting the Scene in Luke 9
[32:40] - Covenant Relationship and Kingdom Authority
[33:29] - Feeding the 5,000
[35:30] - Who Do You Say That I Am?
[37:11] - Peter's Proclamation
[38:07] - Jesus Foretells His Suffering
[38:58] - The Cost of Following Jesus
[40:35] - Misconceptions About Following Jesus
[42:15] - Challenges and Difficulties in Discipleship
[43:26] - Life of Discipleship
[48:52] - Forming Our Lives Around Jesus
[54:49] - Relationship, Not Religion
[01:03:23] - Evaluating Our Desires
[01:08:06] - Living in Covenant Relationship
[01:10:13] - Closing Hymn and Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Psalm 146:1-10
2. Luke 9:23-25
### Observation Questions
1. According to Psalm 146, what are some of the reasons given for placing our trust in God rather than in mortal man? ([11:22])
2. In Luke 9:23, what does Jesus say is required of anyone who wishes to follow Him?
3. How did Peter respond to Jesus' question, "Who do you say that I am?" and why was this significant? ([36:25])
4. What miracle did Jesus perform in Luke 9 that demonstrated His divine provision and power? ([33:29])
### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to "deny oneself" and "take up one's cross daily" as described in Luke 9:23? How might this look in a modern context? ([38:58])
2. How does Psalm 146 describe God's character and actions towards the oppressed and needy? What implications does this have for our trust in Him?
3. Why is Peter's proclamation that Jesus is the Christ pivotal in the context of the Gospel narrative? ([36:25])
4. How does the concept of a "transformative relationship" with Jesus differ from merely following religious rules? ([54:49])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current life. Are there areas where you are placing your trust in people or things rather than in God? How can you shift your trust to the eternal God as described in Psalm 146? ([11:22])
2. Jesus calls us to a life of self-denial and daily cross-bearing. What specific steps can you take this week to deny yourself and follow Jesus more closely? ([38:58])
3. Peter boldly proclaimed Jesus as the Christ. How can you boldly proclaim your faith in your daily interactions? What might be holding you back? ([36:25])
4. The sermon emphasized that following Jesus involves challenges and suffering. How can you prepare yourself to embrace these difficulties rather than seeking comfort and ease? ([42:15])
5. Evaluate your current relationship with Jesus. Is it more about religious activities or a deep, personal connection? What changes can you make to deepen your relationship with Him? ([54:49])
6. Jesus challenges us to evaluate our desires and align them with His ways. What desires in your life need to be re-evaluated and possibly denied to follow Jesus more faithfully? ([01:03:23])
7. Living in a covenant relationship with Jesus involves forming our lives around His words and ways. What practical steps can you take to ensure that Jesus' teachings guide every aspect of your life? ([01:08:06])
Devotional
Day 1: Trust in the Eternal God
Description: Psalm 146 reminds us to place our trust not in mortal man but in the eternal God who created heaven and earth. This God executes justice for the oppressed and provides for the needy. Our hope and help are found in Him alone, who reigns forever. In a world where human leaders and systems often fail us, it is crucial to remember that our ultimate security and trust should be in God, who is unchanging and sovereign over all creation. Reflecting on this truth can bring peace and stability to our lives, knowing that God is our refuge and strength. [11:22]
Psalm 146:3-6 (ESV): "Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. When his breath departs, he returns to the earth; on that very day his plans perish. Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever."
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you placing trust in human solutions rather than in God? How can you shift your trust to the eternal God today?
Day 2: The Cost of Discipleship
Description: Jesus calls us to a life of discipleship that involves self-denial, taking up our cross daily, and following Him. This path is not about comfort but about embracing the challenges and suffering that come with living out the life of Jesus in the world. True discipleship means prioritizing Jesus above all else, even when it leads to personal sacrifice and hardship. It is a call to live counter-culturally, embodying the values of the Kingdom of God in a world that often opposes them. [38:58]
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 is one specific way you can practice self-denial and take up your cross today? How can you embrace the challenges of following Jesus in your daily life?
Day 3: A Transformative Relationship
Description: Jesus invites us into a relationship, not a religion. This relationship is marked by intimate knowledge and personal connection with Him. It's about being known by Jesus and knowing Him deeply, beyond mere religious activities. This transformative relationship changes us from the inside out, shaping our character and actions to reflect Jesus more closely. It is an invitation to experience the fullness of life that comes from walking closely with our Savior, allowing His love and grace to permeate every aspect of our being. [54:49]
John 15:4-5 (ESV): "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
Reflection: How can you deepen your personal relationship with Jesus today? What specific steps can you take to abide in Him more fully?
Day 4: Evaluating Our Desires
Description: Jesus challenges us to evaluate our desires and to deny the things that draw our hearts away from Him. True discipleship involves aligning our desires with the way of Jesus, allowing His words and ways to guide every aspect of our lives. This means regularly examining our hearts and motives, surrendering our selfish ambitions, and seeking to cultivate desires that honor God. By doing so, we open ourselves to the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, who shapes our desires to reflect the heart of Christ. [01:03:23]
Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV): "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!"
Reflection: What desires in your life need to be surrendered to Jesus? How can you align your heart more closely with His today?
Day 5: Living in Covenant Relationship
Description: We are called to live in a covenant relationship with Jesus, forming our lives around His words, will, and ways. This involves daily picking up our cross and following Him, finding true life and fulfillment in this deep, personal relationship. A covenant relationship with Jesus is marked by commitment, faithfulness, and a willingness to be transformed by His love and truth. It is an ongoing journey of growth and intimacy, where we continually seek to know Him more and to live out His purposes in our lives. [01:08:06]
Jeremiah 31:33 (ESV): "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people."
Reflection: How can you deepen your commitment to living in a covenant relationship with Jesus? What practical steps can you take to align your life more closely with His words and ways today?
Quotes
1. "We are called into covenant relationship with him and then we are given a responsibility. We're given marching orders and we're given power from Jesus himself to go and to share and to do and to live out the life of Jesus in the world around us." [32:40] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "What we do with the name of Jesus. How we respond to the question of who Jesus is. And you have Peter. Who boldly proclaims. It's a really pivotal moment in the Gospels. Pivotal moment when Peter names who Jesus is. He says, you are. You are the Christ. You're the promised Messiah." [36:25] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If anyone wishes to come after me. He must deny himself. Take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it. But whoever loses his life for my sake. He is the one who will save it. For what is a man profited. If he gains the whole world. And loses his soul. Or loses and forfeits his soul." [38:58] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Jesus says. If you wish to come after me. You're going to have to deny yourself. You're going to have to take up your cross. And you have to follow after the life. And the steps. And the way of Jesus. Now wait a doggone moment here Jesus. I was thinking. That following you. Was all about the feeding of the 5,000. Kind of moments." [40:03] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Jesus told these early disciples. That to follow him. To be ready to deny themselves. To be ready to pick up their cross. Daily. And to be ready to go in the path. Way of Jesus. Wherever he might lead. We talk about what it means to follow Jesus. We talk about following Jesus a whole lot." [42:15] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Jesus is calling people to a life of discipleship. Jesus is calling people to a life of discipleship. When I was serving at a church in Kentucky. There at Eastland. We owned. Our church owned a senior living community. And I ministered in that community regularly. We had a group of retired guys. We would go to breakfast each month." [43:26] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Jesus famously. Says in verse 23 of chapter 9 of the Gospel of Luke. If anyone wishes to come after me. Jesus is saying that there will be those who will desire to go after the way of Jesus. Those who want to form their life around the person in the way of Jesus." [48:52] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Jesus is calling people to a relationship, not to religion. Jesus never invited people into rigid rule following or right religious activity. Jesus instead invited, and he still invites. To this very day, to this very moment, people into right relationship with him." [53:28] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Jesus says, if you want to follow me, give up your own way. What? Give up your idea of success. Give up your ideas of freedom and individuality. Give up your ideas of money and having resources. Give up your ideas on anger and resentment and getting back at your enemies." [01:00:02] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "The God of grace. Who sees the burdens and the guilt and the shame that we carry and we hold on to. And he calls us to come to him. The voice of love. To know him deeply. To know him personally. And to know him. In a transformative way. To know him. To receive his forgiveness. To repent of our sins. To turn from self and to turn towards him." [01:01:40] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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