Embracing the Cost and Vision of Discipleship
Summary
### Summary
Today, we explored the profound journey from being a believer to becoming a disciple of Christ. Discipleship is not merely about following a person but embracing a grander vision that Jesus has for a new world. This vision is rooted in the restoration of Israel and the creation of a new world order where Jews and Gentiles are united in God's family. Jesus' selection of the 12 apostles symbolizes the new Israel, and their mission is to carry forward His teachings and establish this new creation.
We delved into the Gospel of Luke, particularly chapters 6 to 9, which serve as a roadmap for discipleship. Jesus taught His disciples through His actions, miracles, and teachings, preparing them for their mission. He emphasized the cost of discipleship, which includes rejection, suffering, and the need to adopt a new worldview concerning money, security, comfort, and relationships.
Jesus' teachings challenge us to love our enemies, do good to those who hate us, and overcome evil with good. This new way of thinking is essential for creating a new world where grace, mercy, and peace triumph over war, hatred, and selfish ambition. Our identity as children of God calls us to be merciful and kind, just as our Father is.
The cost of discipleship is further highlighted in Luke 9, where Jesus asks His disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" This question is crucial for understanding the true nature of Christ and the commitment required to follow Him. The parable of the sower in Luke 8 illustrates the different responses to Jesus' message, emphasizing that only those who fully commit to following Christ will bear fruit.
Personal experiences and testimonies were shared to illustrate the challenges and rewards of discipleship. Despite trials and suffering, God's grace sustains us, and we are called to persevere and remain faithful. The journey of discipleship is a lifelong transformation towards Christlikeness, requiring us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus wholeheartedly.
### Key Takeaways
1. Discipleship as a Grand Vision: Discipleship is not just about following a person but embracing Jesus' vision for a new world. This vision includes the restoration of Israel and the creation of a new world order where Jews and Gentiles are united in God's family. Understanding this grand vision helps us see the bigger purpose of our journey as disciples. [56:08]
2. The Cost of Discipleship: Jesus emphasized the cost of discipleship, which includes rejection, suffering, and adopting a new worldview. This reality check challenges us to rethink our perspectives on money, security, comfort, and relationships. Embracing this cost is essential for true discipleship. [01:02:35]
3. Loving Our Enemies: Jesus taught His disciples to love their enemies, do good to those who hate them, and overcome evil with good. This radical teaching is foundational for creating a new world where grace, mercy, and peace triumph over hatred and selfish ambition. Our identity as children of God calls us to be merciful and kind. [01:13:20]
4. Understanding the True Nature of Christ: Jesus' question, "Who do you say that I am?" is crucial for understanding the true nature of Christ and the commitment required to follow Him. The parable of the sower illustrates the different responses to Jesus' message, emphasizing that only those who fully commit to following Christ will bear fruit. [01:25:42]
5. Perseverance Through Trials: Personal testimonies highlight the challenges and rewards of discipleship. Despite trials and suffering, God's grace sustains us, and we are called to persevere and remain faithful. The journey of discipleship is a lifelong transformation towards Christlikeness, requiring us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus wholeheartedly. [01:38:05]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[54:55] - Introduction to Discipleship
[56:08] - Jesus' Vision for a New World
[57:41] - The Role of the Apostles
[59:17] - Jesus as the New Moses
[01:00:53] - Roadmap for Discipleship
[01:02:35] - The Cost of Discipleship
[01:04:16] - Personal Testimony of Rejection
[01:07:19] - Reversal of Fortunes
[01:10:24] - Reality Check in Luke
[01:11:52] - Loving Your Enemies
[01:13:20] - Overcoming Evil with Good
[01:16:03] - Kingdom Values
[01:18:43] - Basis for Treating Others
[01:20:09] - Identity as Children of God
[01:21:28] - Practical Application
[01:24:16] - Question of Christ's Identity
[01:25:42] - Herod's Perplexity
[01:27:05] - Crowd's Speculation
[01:28:07] - Peter's Confession
[01:30:37] - Jesus' Own Answer
[01:31:55] - Parable of the Sower
[01:33:58] - Different Grounds of Understanding
[01:34:24] - Personal Testimony of Trials
[01:38:05] - Sustained by God's Grace
[01:40:57] - Reflection Questions
[01:43:09] - Conclusion and Commitment
[01:47:28] - Song: I Have Decided to Follow Jesus
[01:50:36] - Encouragement to Persevere
[01:52:55] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Luke 6:12-14 - "In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles."
2. Luke 9:18-20 - "Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, 'Who do the crowds say that I am?' And they answered, 'John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.' Then he said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' And Peter answered, 'The Christ of God.'"
3. Luke 9:23-24 - "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.'"
### Observation Questions
1. According to Luke 6:12-14, what significant action did Jesus take before choosing the twelve apostles?
2. In Luke 9:18-20, what were the different responses given by the crowds about Jesus' identity?
3. What does Jesus say is required of anyone who wants to follow Him in Luke 9:23-24?
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus spent the entire night in prayer before selecting the twelve apostles? What does this tell us about the importance of this decision?
2. How does Peter’s confession of Jesus as "The Christ of God" in Luke 9:20 contrast with the crowd's various speculations? What does this reveal about Peter’s understanding of Jesus?
3. What does it mean to "deny oneself and take up one's cross daily" as mentioned in Luke 9:23-24? How does this concept challenge common views of discipleship?
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the idea of Jesus' grand vision for a new world where Jews and Gentiles are united in God's family. How does this vision influence your understanding of your role as a disciple?
2. Jesus emphasized the cost of discipleship, including rejection and suffering. Can you identify a time in your life when following Jesus cost you something significant? How did you handle it?
3. Jesus taught His disciples to love their enemies and do good to those who hate them. Think of someone who has wronged you. What practical steps can you take this week to show them love and kindness?
4. Peter’s confession of Jesus as the Christ required a deep understanding and commitment. How would you answer Jesus' question, "Who do you say that I am?" and what does your answer imply about your commitment to Him?
5. The parable of the sower in Luke 8 illustrates different responses to Jesus' message. Which type of soil do you identify with most in your current season of life, and what steps can you take to become more fruitful?
6. Personal testimonies in the sermon highlighted perseverance through trials. How can you draw on God’s grace to sustain you through a current challenge or trial you are facing?
7. The sermon emphasized the lifelong journey of transformation towards Christlikeness. What specific area of your life do you feel called to deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Jesus more wholeheartedly? How can you start making changes in that area this week?
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Jesus' Grand Vision
Discipleship is not just about following a person but embracing Jesus' vision for a new world. This vision includes the restoration of Israel and the creation of a new world order where Jews and Gentiles are united in God's family. Understanding this grand vision helps us see the bigger purpose of our journey as disciples. Jesus' selection of the 12 apostles symbolizes the new Israel, and their mission is to carry forward His teachings and establish this new creation. This vision is rooted in the restoration of Israel and the creation of a new world order where Jews and Gentiles are united in God's family. Jesus' selection of the 12 apostles symbolizes the new Israel, and their mission is to carry forward His teachings and establish this new creation. [56:08]
Ephesians 2:14-16 (ESV): "For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility."
Reflection: How can you actively participate in Jesus' vision of unity and restoration in your community today?
Day 2: Counting the Cost of Discipleship
Jesus emphasized the cost of discipleship, which includes rejection, suffering, and adopting a new worldview. This reality check challenges us to rethink our perspectives on money, security, comfort, and relationships. Embracing this cost is essential for true discipleship. Jesus taught His disciples through His actions, miracles, and teachings, preparing them for their mission. He emphasized the cost of discipleship, which includes rejection, suffering, and the need to adopt a new worldview concerning money, security, comfort, and relationships. [01:02:35]
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 comforts or securities are you holding onto that might be hindering your full commitment to following Jesus?
Day 3: Loving Our Enemies
Jesus taught His disciples to love their enemies, do good to those who hate them, and overcome evil with good. This radical teaching is foundational for creating a new world where grace, mercy, and peace triumph over hatred and selfish ambition. Our identity as children of God calls us to be merciful and kind. This new way of thinking is essential for creating a new world where grace, mercy, and peace triumph over war, hatred, and selfish ambition. Our identity as children of God calls us to be merciful and kind, just as our Father is. [01:13:20]
Romans 12:20-21 (ESV): "To the contrary, 'if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Reflection: Think of someone who has wronged you. How can you show them love and kindness this week?
Day 4: Understanding the True Nature of Christ
Jesus' question, "Who do you say that I am?" is crucial for understanding the true nature of Christ and the commitment required to follow Him. The parable of the sower illustrates the different responses to Jesus' message, emphasizing that only those who fully commit to following Christ will bear fruit. This question is crucial for understanding the true nature of Christ and the commitment required to follow Him. The parable of the sower in Luke 8 illustrates the different responses to Jesus' message, emphasizing that only those who fully commit to following Christ will bear fruit. [01:25:42]
Matthew 16:15-16 (ESV): "He said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?' Simon Peter replied, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.'"
Reflection: How do you personally answer Jesus' question, "Who do you say that I am?" and how does this shape your daily life?
Day 5: Perseverance Through Trials
Personal testimonies highlight the challenges and rewards of discipleship. Despite trials and suffering, God's grace sustains us, and we are called to persevere and remain faithful. The journey of discipleship is a lifelong transformation towards Christlikeness, requiring us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus wholeheartedly. Despite trials and suffering, God's grace sustains us, and we are called to persevere and remain faithful. The journey of discipleship is a lifelong transformation towards Christlikeness, requiring us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus wholeheartedly. [01:38:05]
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: In what ways can you rely on God's grace to sustain you through a current trial or challenge?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "When Christ came he had a new vision for how this world will be the bible calls it a new creation just like the time of in the old testament where there was chaos and God created the world in six days he created Adam and he asked Adam to to tend and to keep the garden of Eden and he gave them power authority and blessed them over the birds of the air the the the beasts of the field the the fish in the sea over everything that God has created it is in the same way Jesus came to be like the second man the second Adam and God will begin a new world and he will create a new creation through him." [57:41] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "So the reflection I have for you is this. To be a true disciple of Jesus requires you to have a different worldview, right? To create a new world where grace, mercy and peace triumph over war, hatred and selfish ambition. How can you practice that at home, in your workplace, in your community, in the church? How? How do you practice that? Every little opportunity you have to retaliate, to fight back, to shout back, to threaten back, tell yourself, hey, after this sermon, I need to reflect on what it means to be a Christian." [01:20:09] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "What is the basis of why we do what we do? It's our identity as children of God in this new world. And so we have to be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. That's why I cannot understand nations who go to war with other nations and the president or the prime minister or whoever is a Christian. I cannot understand that. Because I think they don't understand what this gospel is, what this discipleship is, what following Christ is." [01:18:43] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So the general rule is this, that you treat others how you wish they would treat you. Luke chapter 6 verse 31, there's this verse, right? It says, and as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. You take out the word wish, it will read, and as others do to you, do so to them. And this world will be in chaos. What you wish? You wish that they would, you wish your boss would not say, I wish that they would speak in a threatening voice to you. Then you don't speak in a threatening voice back to your boss." [01:16:03] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If you look at verse 32, he says, and if you love those who love you, then what benefit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, then what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, then what credit is that to you? So the word benefit and credit, I'm using the English Standard Version, in the original Greek is grace. How have you shown grace if you only love those who love you? Even sinners do that." [01:16:03] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "So in this process of leading the disciples, this is the teaching part. Then he brought them into another aspect of relationship, and he taught the disciples, Jesus taught them how to relate to other people, to relate to others, especially your enemies. And this is what he said, verse 27, but I say to you who hear, love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you. Pray for those who abuse you." [01:11:52] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "So what is discipleship? This next slide. It is more than just saying a sinner's prayer to accept Jesus as your Saviour. It is a lifelong journey of transformation and the pursuit of Christlikeness that you will become sons of the Most High. It is to become a new person with a new set of kingdom values. And each individual becomes different. Then a community becomes different. The whole humanity becomes different. And that must be how we look at it." [01:20:09] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So the reflection question I have for you, you can do this in the cell group or just anytime and that is, what does discipleship mean to you personally? And what does it mean for you to deny yourself to take up the cross and lose your life to follow Jesus? And in what areas of your life do you struggle to fully embrace discipleship?" [01:41:28] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Conclusion, church, before the disciples can be apostles, they need a reality check, a new mindset and a new worldview. They need to learn how to relate to other people, especially their enemies and they need to recognize the cost of following Jesus, the cost of discipleship." [01:43:09] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I want to tell you this while we are while we may be faithless, God remains faithful. He cannot deny himself. I'm standing here today to tell you that God is faithful. You will see his hand of grace if you continue to walk with him and persevere. Even if you have gone through the valley or the shadow of death, you will know that he not forsake you. He has never left you or forsaken you. His rod and his staff will be there to comfort you in the most darkest, most difficult moments and time of your life." [01:48:02] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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