Embracing the Cost and Call of Discipleship
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound call to discipleship that Jesus extends to each of us. Discipleship is not merely about believing in Jesus as our Savior but involves a deep, committed relationship where we follow Him wholeheartedly. We began by defining what it means to be a disciple—a student, a learner, someone who follows the teachings of another completely. This is distinct from merely being a Christian, which can sometimes mean just believing without fully committing to follow Jesus in every aspect of life.
We delved into the personal and costly nature of discipleship. Jesus calls each of us individually to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him. This call is not about earthly rewards or an easy life; it’s about surrendering control and letting Jesus lead. We discussed how true discipleship involves daily Bible study, fervent prayer, and fellowship with other believers. It also means growing in love, compassion, and service to others.
Jesus was clear about the cost of discipleship. He said that those who do not give up everything cannot be His disciples. This involves a daily commitment to let go of our plans and embrace His. We used the analogy of an apprenticeship to illustrate how closely we must follow Jesus, learning from Him and becoming like Him in every way.
We also examined Luke 9:23, where Jesus explains that discipleship is personal, costly, and the greatest adventure of our lives. He calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him. This means rejecting the idea that our life is all about us and instead, putting Jesus and others first. It’s a daily decision to live for Jesus rather than for ourselves.
Finally, we were reminded that while discipleship is demanding, it comes with promises. Jesus assures us that those who follow Him will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life. He also promises treasure in heaven for those who are willing to give up earthly possessions and follow Him fully. The challenge for us today is to examine our hearts and lives to see if we are truly living as disciples of Jesus.
### Key Takeaways
1. Discipleship vs. Christianity: Being a disciple goes beyond just believing in Jesus; it involves a committed, all-encompassing relationship where we follow His teachings completely. This distinction is crucial because while all disciples are Christians, not all Christians live as true disciples. [18:11]
2. Personal Call to Discipleship: Jesus extends a personal invitation to each of us to follow Him. This call is individual and cannot be answered by anyone else on our behalf. It requires a personal decision to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him. [28:39]
3. Cost of Discipleship: Following Jesus is costly. It requires us to deny our own desires, take up our cross daily, and put Jesus first in our lives. This means letting go of our plans and comforts to embrace the life He has called us to. [36:08]
4. Daily Commitment: Discipleship is a daily decision. Every day, we must choose whether to live for ourselves or for Jesus. This involves daily Bible study, prayer, and fellowship, as well as growing in love, compassion, and service to others. [44:35]
5. Promises of Discipleship: While discipleship is demanding, it comes with promises. Jesus assures us that those who follow Him will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life. He also promises treasure in heaven for those who are willing to give up earthly possessions and follow Him fully. [48:16]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[03:18] - Opening Prayer
[04:06] - Worship: "There is None Like You"
[12:03] - Worship Continues
[14:04] - Introduction to Discipleship
[15:39] - Definition of a Disciple
[16:38] - Difference Between a Christian and a Disciple
[18:11] - Not All Christians Are Disciples
[19:04] - The Process of Discipleship
[20:46] - The Cost of Discipleship
[22:42] - Letting Jesus Lead
[23:48] - The Apprenticeship Analogy
[25:38] - Luke 9:23: The Call to Discipleship
[28:39] - Personal Call to Discipleship
[36:08] - The Cost of Discipleship
[44:35] - Daily Commitment
[48:16] - Promises of Discipleship
[53:02] - Invitation to Respond
[55:22] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Luke 9:23 - "Then he said to them all: 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.'"
2. Luke 14:33 - "In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples."
3. John 8:12 - "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'"
### Observation Questions
1. According to Luke 9:23, what are the three requirements Jesus gives for being His disciple?
2. In Luke 14:33, what does Jesus say is necessary to be His disciple? How does this compare to the requirements in Luke 9:23?
3. What promise does Jesus give in John 8:12 for those who follow Him? How does this promise relate to the demands of discipleship mentioned in Luke 9:23 and Luke 14:33?
4. The sermon mentioned that discipleship involves daily Bible study, prayer, and fellowship. What are some specific ways these practices help in following Jesus? [19:04]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus emphasizes the need to "deny themselves and take up their cross daily" in Luke 9:23? What does this imply about the nature of discipleship?
2. How does the requirement to "give up everything" in Luke 14:33 challenge common perceptions of what it means to follow Jesus? [21:39]
3. In John 8:12, Jesus promises that His followers "will never walk in darkness." How might this promise provide encouragement to someone considering the cost of discipleship?
4. The sermon used the analogy of an apprenticeship to describe discipleship. How does this analogy help us understand the relationship between a disciple and Jesus? [23:48]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily routine. How can you incorporate more consistent Bible study, prayer, and fellowship to deepen your discipleship? [19:04]
2. Jesus calls us to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily. What are some specific desires or comforts you need to let go of to follow Jesus more closely? [36:08]
3. The sermon mentioned that discipleship is a personal and costly decision. Have you experienced any personal costs in your journey of following Jesus? How did you handle them? [28:39]
4. Jesus promises that those who follow Him will have the "light of life" and not walk in darkness. Can you recall a time when following Jesus brought clarity or direction to a difficult situation in your life? [48:16]
5. The analogy of a trapeze artist was used to illustrate letting go of the old life to embrace the new life in Jesus. What is one "bar" you need to let go of to fully grasp the life Jesus is calling you to? [51:54]
6. The sermon emphasized the importance of loving others as part of discipleship. Identify one person in your life who needs to experience Christ's love through you. What specific action can you take this week to show them love and compassion? [20:46]
7. Jesus' call to discipleship is not for the faint of heart. How can you prepare yourself mentally and spiritually to face the challenges of true discipleship? What steps can you take to strengthen your commitment? [31:59]
Devotional
### Day 1: The Depth of Discipleship
Discipleship is a committed, all-encompassing relationship with Jesus.
Discipleship goes beyond merely believing in Jesus; it involves a deep, committed relationship where we follow His teachings completely. This distinction is crucial because while all disciples are Christians, not all Christians live as true disciples. Being a disciple means being a student, a learner, and someone who follows the teachings of Jesus wholeheartedly. It requires us to immerse ourselves in His Word, engage in fervent prayer, and actively participate in fellowship with other believers. This level of commitment transforms our lives and aligns us more closely with Jesus' example. [18:11]
Luke 14:27 (ESV): "Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple."
Reflection: Think about your current relationship with Jesus. Are there areas where you are merely a believer rather than a committed disciple? What steps can you take today to deepen your commitment and follow Him more closely?
### Day 2: The Personal Call
Jesus extends a personal invitation to each of us to follow Him.
Jesus' call to discipleship is deeply personal and individual. It is an invitation that cannot be answered by anyone else on our behalf. This call requires a personal decision to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him. It means rejecting the idea that our life is all about us and instead, putting Jesus and others first. This personal call is a daily decision to live for Jesus rather than for ourselves, and it involves a willingness to surrender our own desires and plans to embrace the life He has called us to. [28:39]
Matthew 16:24 (ESV): "Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.'"
Reflection: Reflect on the personal nature of Jesus' call to you. How can you respond to His invitation today? What specific actions can you take to deny yourself and follow Him more closely?
### Day 3: The Cost of Discipleship
Following Jesus is costly and requires us to put Him first.
Discipleship is not about earthly rewards or an easy life; it’s about surrendering control and letting Jesus lead. Jesus was clear about the cost of discipleship, stating that those who do not give up everything cannot be His disciples. This involves a daily commitment to let go of our plans and comforts to embrace the life He has called us to. It means putting Jesus first in every aspect of our lives, even when it is difficult or inconvenient. The cost of discipleship is high, but the rewards are eternal. [36:08]
Luke 14:33 (ESV): "So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple."
Reflection: Consider the cost of following Jesus in your own life. What are you holding onto that you need to let go of to follow Him more fully? How can you begin to surrender these things to Jesus today?
### Day 4: Daily Commitment
Discipleship is a daily decision to live for Jesus.
True discipleship involves a daily commitment to follow Jesus. Every day, we must choose whether to live for ourselves or for Him. This involves daily Bible study, prayer, and fellowship, as well as growing in love, compassion, and service to others. It is a continuous process of learning from Jesus and becoming more like Him in every way. This daily decision requires intentionality and dedication, but it leads to a life that is deeply rooted in Christ and His teachings. [44:35]
Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
Reflection: How can you incorporate daily Bible study, prayer, and fellowship into your routine? What specific steps can you take today to grow in love, compassion, and service to others?
### Day 5: Promises of Discipleship
Discipleship comes with the promise of eternal rewards.
While discipleship is demanding, it comes with promises. Jesus assures us that those who follow Him will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life. He also promises treasure in heaven for those who are willing to give up earthly possessions and follow Him fully. These promises provide hope and encouragement as we navigate the challenges of discipleship. They remind us that the sacrifices we make now are worth the eternal rewards that await us. [48:16]
John 8:12 (ESV): "Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'"
Reflection: Reflect on the promises Jesus gives to His disciples. How do these promises encourage you in your journey of discipleship? What earthly possessions or comforts are you willing to give up to follow Jesus more fully?
Quotes
1. "What is a disciple? What is a disciple? Well, a disciple, according to the Bible, is a student, a learner, or someone who completely follows the teachings of another person. It's very simple. A disciple is someone who's a learner. They're a student of somebody else. They follow. They follow that other person, and they follow them completely. The Greek word for disciple is in the Bible, in the New Testament, 261 times. That's a lot. And most of those are in the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John." [15:39] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "A Christian is someone who believes. Someone who believes in Jesus Christ and has accepted him as their Lord and Savior. Or maybe I should just say as their Savior. A Christian is someone who believes and has accepted Jesus as their Savior. But a disciple, a disciple is a follower of Jesus. Committed. Committed. Someone who has committed their life. Someone who has committed their life to following his teachings. Now, can there be a difference? Sure there can. Sure there can. I know lots of people who claim to be followers of Jesus. But they live their lives as only just believers. They just believe. That's it. They go on and they live their lives, the rest of their lives, the way they want to live." [17:30] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Discipleship is a process. It's a process of learning and growing in your faith. And the goal of discipleship... Discipleship is to become more like Jesus. Remember that definition I gave you? That a disciple is a student, a learner, who completely follows the teaching of another. So, discipleship is a process of growing in your faith. It involves Bible study. It involves praying. It involves fellowship with other believers. All of those things are things we all struggle with. If we claim to be believers and we claim to be disciples of Jesus Christ, then we ought to be in His Word on a daily basis. Getting into His Word and getting His Word into us." [19:04] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "But Jesus was very clear about the cost of discipleship. He said in Luke chapter 14, verse 33, Those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciple. That's pretty... Harsh. He was serious about the cost of following Him. Being a disciple is more than wearing a cross around your neck. It's popular in our society. It used to be a little more popular than it is now to wear a cross. If you wore a cross, you were cool. You were in. But being a disciple is about carrying that cross on your back. Day by day. Discipleship requires a daily commitment to let go of the control that you have over your life and let Jesus lead your life." [21:39] (59 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The call to discipleship is personal, it's costly, and it's the greatest adventure you will ever be on, because it involves your entire self and your entire life. But it's personal, and it's costly. So first of all, the call to discipleship is personal. It's personal. So let's look at it. It says, Then he said to them all, Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. Now, this verse is sandwiched right in the midst of some other things that are happening." [25:38] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Jesus is calling you to a life-changing relationship with him. Life-changing. Just as the Shakespeare book, the life of the Lloyd�에서. Just like the plumber's apprentice. Not just a salvation, but to discipleship. Remember what I said earlier. I was talking about the difference between being just a Christian and a disciple. You can be a Christian. You can believe in Jesus and accept him as your savior, but if that's as far as you go, you're missing the whole picture. You're missing the boat. It's not just about salvation. It is about salvation. but it's not just about salvation he wants all of you the call to Jesus isn't for the faint of heart it's not an add-on to your life it becomes your life ask yourself today have I responded to that call of discipleship not just to believe in Jesus but to truly follow him with everything you've got" [31:59] (67 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Notice the three things that Jesus requires of his disciples deny yourself take up your cross daily and follow me those three things deny yourself discipleship means that we put what Jesus wants first in our lives it means that we deny the desires that we have to put ourselves first that's hard we don't want to admit that we want everybody else to think oh that we're kind and caring and and thinking of others type of people but we think of ourselves way too much the apostle paul said it this way in philippians 2 verse 3 Nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests, but each of you to the interests of others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus." [37:34] (70 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "To follow Jesus means to model your life after His. That kind of begs the question, do you know what His life was like? Have you read the Gospel accounts of Him? Are you well versed in what the Bible says about Jesus and how He lived? How He treated people? How He loved people? To follow Jesus means to model your life after His, to go where He leads, to surrender control of your life to Him. He also gave us some promises, though. I love it when God does this. He will give us ultimatums and He'll say, look, this is the way it needs to be. If you're going to be My disciple, then you need to do this. But I love it that He doesn't leave it there. He doesn't ever leave it there. He says, look, if you will follow Me, here's what you'll get." [46:11] (63 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "The hard truth here, is that you can't follow Jesus while you're holding on to your life. You can't follow Jesus while you're hanging on to everything else. You can't be His disciples and still live for yourself. Discipleship means letting go. So it's time to ask yourself, what are you holding on to that is keeping you from following Jesus fully? Is there something? When I ask that question, I would think that there ought to be something that comes up in your mind that is so important to you that you know that it's gotten in the way of your relationship with Jesus. If you can't think of something, that doesn't mean you're perfect. That means that you need to really pray and think about this." [50:48] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "You've got to let go of the old life to grab a hold of the new life that He is calling you to. Let's call the musicians back up. We're going to have a time of invitation. This is discipleship. This is what it means to be a disciple. We're going to have more lessons on this in the coming weeks. We're going to look at this in a little bit more depth. We're going to see some more examples. But here's the challenge for us today. Jesus doesn't call us to comfort. Although we think He does, He doesn't. He calls us to commit and He calls us to discipleship. And that means saying yes to Him and no to yourself. It means daily taking up your cross and following wherever He leads." [53:02] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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