Radical Commitment: Discipleship and Spiritual Warfare
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we gather to renew our strength in the Lord, as His Word promises that those who wait upon Him shall be renewed. We come with open hearts, seeking conviction, encouragement, deliverance, and healing. We yield ourselves completely to God, letting go of pride and saying yes to His way. We thank Him for His faithfulness and provision, and we pray for His Holy Spirit to move among us.
This morning, we delve into Luke 14:25-30, where Jesus speaks to the large crowds following Him. He challenges them, saying that anyone who does not hate their family and even their own life cannot be His disciple. This strong language emphasizes the need to love Jesus above all else. Jesus also speaks about the importance of counting the cost before committing to follow Him, using the examples of building a tower and going to war. He calls for a total commitment, not just a superficial following.
As we reflect on this passage, we recognize that Jesus was not looking for a fan club but for fully committed disciples. Many in the crowd wanted just enough of Jesus to make their lives better, but Jesus demands a complete reorientation of our lives around Him. This is a call to give up everything for the sake of His kingdom.
We then turn to Matthew 6:19-21, where Jesus teaches about storing up treasures in heaven rather than on earth. He reminds us that where our treasure is, there our heart will be also. This challenges us to examine what we truly value and worship. We often sacrifice for what we worship, and Jesus calls us to worship Him wholeheartedly, not just when it is convenient.
The church is meant to be a battleship, not a cruise ship. This means we are called to engage in spiritual warfare, not just enjoy the comforts of Christianity. We are to worship and war together, recognizing that our battles are won through prayer, worship, and submission to God. This is exemplified in the story of King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles, where the people of Israel sought the Lord in prayer and worship, and God delivered them from their enemies.
Paul's example in Acts 20:22-24 shows us the heart of a true disciple. He considered his life worth nothing compared to completing the task Jesus gave him. This radical commitment is what Jesus calls us to. We must be willing to give up everything for His kingdom, not just seek comfort.
Corporate prayer is crucial in this spiritual battle. The early church understood this, as seen in Acts 2 and Acts 12, where they gathered to pray and saw miraculous results. Today, we often undervalue and underutilize prayer. We need to return to a place where prayer is central to our lives and our church.
As we close, we are reminded that Jesus must increase, and we must decrease. This means giving up our own desires and allowing Jesus to lead our lives completely. We are called to be part of a battleship, fully committed to the mission of God's kingdom. Let us not be content with just a little bit of Jesus but seek to give Him our all.
### Key Takeaways
1. Total Commitment to Jesus: Jesus calls us to love Him above all else, even our own lives. This means reorienting our entire lives around Him and being willing to give up everything to follow Him. This level of commitment is not just about making our lives better but about fully surrendering to His will and purpose. [32:23]
2. Storing Treasures in Heaven: Jesus teaches us to store up treasures in heaven rather than on earth. This challenges us to examine what we truly value and worship. Our hearts should burn for the kingdom of God, and we should be willing to sacrifice for it. Where our treasure is, there our heart will be also. [01:08:12]
3. The Church as a Battleship: The church is meant to be a battleship, not a cruise ship. This means engaging in spiritual warfare through prayer, worship, and submission to God. We are called to be fully committed disciples, not just casual followers. This requires a shift in mentality from seeking comfort to seeking God's kingdom. [49:59]
4. The Power of Corporate Prayer: Spiritual battles are won through prayer, worship, and submission to God. The early church understood this and saw miraculous results when they gathered to pray. Today, we need to return to a place where prayer is central to our lives and our church. Prayer is the crockpot of spiritual victory, requiring patience and persistence. [51:04]
5. Jesus Must Increase, We Must Decrease: Our lives should be centered around Jesus, allowing Him to lead completely. This means giving up our own desires and seeking His will above all else. We must move away from a mentality of what Jesus can do for us and instead ask how He can use us for His kingdom. [01:06:19]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[30:43] - Opening Prayer
[31:28] - Introduction and Scripture Reading
[32:23] - Total Commitment to Jesus
[33:34] - Jesus' Call to Discipleship
[34:38] - The Large Crowds Following Jesus
[35:24] - Jesus' Challenge to the Crowd
[36:16] - Loving Jesus Above All Else
[37:04] - Reorienting Our Lives Around Jesus
[37:45] - The Cost of Discipleship
[38:37] - Accepting the Benefits of the Cross
[39:21] - Living a Cross-Shaped Life
[40:08] - Cruise Ship vs. Battleship Mentality
[41:09] - The Call to Serve
[41:51] - Example of Pastor Dave
[42:27] - Reorienting Our Lives Around Jesus
[43:04] - Sacrifices in Following Jesus
[44:19] - Personal Testimony
[45:28] - The Example of Paul
[46:45] - Paul's Radical Commitment
[47:24] - Seeking God's Will
[47:58] - The Pursuit of God's Kingdom
[48:30] - Radical Commitment in Action
[48:59] - Nominal Church Attendance
[49:28] - The Spiritual Battle
[49:59] - The Church as a Battleship
[50:32] - Worship and War
[51:04] - The Power of Corporate Prayer
[51:33] - Spiritual Battles Won Through Prayer
[52:01] - The Story of King Jehoshaphat
[52:45] - The Battle Belongs to the Lord
[53:19] - Recognizing God's Victory
[54:08] - Worship and Prayer in Battle
[54:33] - God's Deliverance
[54:57] - The Importance of Prayer
[55:22] - Undervalued Prayer
[55:57] - The Reality of Prayer Meetings
[56:23] - The Early Church and Prayer
[56:51] - Examples from Acts
[57:11] - The Power of Prayer
[57:36] - Prayer as a Foundation
[58:05] - Prayer as the Crockpot of Victory
[58:41] - The Story of Jim Cimbala
[59:25] - The Focus on Prayer
[01:00:00] - Seeking God's Help
[01:00:17] - The Glory Belongs to God
[01:00:35] - The Key to Victory
[01:00:56] - The Importance of Corporate Prayer
[01:01:14] - The Least Attended Service
[01:01:36] - The Call to Renounce Everything
[01:01:57] - Seeking God's Kingdom First
[01:02:14] - The Invitation to Discipleship
[01:02:36] - The Call to Commitment
[01:02:52] - Living for Christ
[01:03:12] - The Call to Sacrifice
[01:03:35] - The Need for Agonizers
[01:03:53] - Seeing the World Through Jesus' Eyes
[01:04:17] - The Importance of Prayer
[01:04:32] - Spiritual Principles
[01:04:52] - Unified Prayer
[01:05:29] - Jesus Must Increase
[01:05:57] - The Example of John the Baptist
[01:06:19] - Jesus Must Increase, We Must Decrease
[01:06:40] - The Call to War for God's Kingdom
[01:06:55] - Living Fully for Jesus
[01:07:10] - Jesus Leading the Charge
[01:07:26] - The Hope of a Praying Church
[01:07:52] - Closing Scripture
[01:08:12] - Storing Treasures in Heaven
[01:08:31] - The Call to Worship
[01:08:52] - Sacrificing for What We Worship
[01:09:15] - The Reality of Worship
[01:09:39] - Cruise Ship or Battleship?
[01:09:59] - The Call to Maturity
[01:10:20] - The Purpose of Jesus' Coming
[01:10:37] - The Call to Prayer and Worship
[01:10:57] - Standing Together in Prayer
[01:11:12] - The Call to Battle
[01:11:32] - Praying for Each Other
[01:11:51] - Victory Through Prayer
[01:12:07] - Cruise Ship Mentality
[01:12:25] - Changing Our Mentality
[01:12:43] - Praying for Each Other
[01:14:33] - The Normality of Prayer
[01:14:52] - Using Our Gifts
[01:15:13] - Shifting Perspectives
[01:15:31] - Praying for Family Restoration
[01:15:51] - Praying for Marriages
[01:17:49] - Praying for Prodigals
[01:18:06] - Praying for Relationships
[01:18:22] - Praying for Humility
[01:18:39] - Praying for Forgiveness
[01:18:56] - Praying for Peace
[01:19:11] - Praying for Restoration
[01:19:28] - Praying for Testimonies
[01:19:50] - Praying for Addictions
[01:20:07] - Praying for Victory
[01:23:44] - Praying for Anxiety and Depression
[01:24:01] - Praying for Healing
[01:24:14] - The Importance of Corporate Prayer
[01:28:10] - Pursuit Nights of Worship
[01:28:25] - Recognizing God's Victory
[01:28:44] - Being Part of a Battleship
[01:28:59] - Taking Jesus with Us
[01:29:16] - Closing Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- Luke 14:25-30
- Matthew 6:19-21
- Acts 20:22-24
#### Observation Questions
1. In Luke 14:25-30, what does Jesus say is required to be His disciple? How does He illustrate the importance of counting the cost? ([32:23])
2. According to Matthew 6:19-21, where does Jesus instruct us to store our treasures, and why? ([01:08:12])
3. How does Paul describe his commitment to his mission in Acts 20:22-24? What does he say about the value of his own life? ([46:45])
4. What analogy does the pastor use to describe the church's role, and how does it contrast with a cruise ship? ([49:59])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus use such strong language in Luke 14:26 about hating family and even one's own life? What does this reveal about the level of commitment He expects? ([32:23])
2. How does the concept of storing treasures in heaven challenge our daily priorities and values? What might be some modern-day examples of treasures on earth versus treasures in heaven? ([01:08:12])
3. Reflecting on Paul's statement in Acts 20:24, what does it mean to consider one's life worth nothing compared to completing the task given by Jesus? How can this perspective influence our daily decisions? ([46:45])
4. The pastor mentioned that the church should be a battleship, not a cruise ship. What practical steps can a church take to embody this mentality? ([49:59])
#### Application Questions
1. Jesus calls for total commitment, even above family and personal life. Are there areas in your life where you struggle to prioritize Jesus above all else? How can you begin to reorient your life around Him? ([32:23])
2. Examine your current "treasures." What are you investing your time, money, and energy into? How can you shift your focus to store up treasures in heaven? ([01:08:12])
3. Paul was willing to face hardships and even death to complete his mission. What mission or calling has God placed on your life, and what sacrifices might it require? ([46:45])
4. The pastor emphasized the importance of corporate prayer in spiritual battles. How often do you participate in corporate prayer, and what steps can you take to make it a more integral part of your life? ([51:04])
5. Reflect on the analogy of the church as a battleship. What specific actions can you take to move from a "cruise ship" mentality to a "battleship" mentality in your faith community? ([49:59])
6. The sermon highlighted the need for Jesus to increase and for us to decrease. What practical changes can you make this week to ensure that Jesus is at the center of your decisions and actions? ([01:06:19])
7. The pastor shared personal stories of sacrifice for the sake of following Jesus. Can you identify a recent situation where you had to choose between comfort and commitment to Christ? How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? ([44:19])
Devotional
Day 1: Radical Love for Jesus
Jesus calls us to love Him above all else, even our own lives. This means reorienting our entire lives around Him and being willing to give up everything to follow Him. This level of commitment is not just about making our lives better but about fully surrendering to His will and purpose. Jesus uses strong language in Luke 14:25-30 to emphasize the need for this radical love. He challenges us to count the cost of discipleship, making it clear that following Him requires total commitment, not just a superficial following.
Many people in the crowd following Jesus wanted just enough of Him to improve their lives, but Jesus demands a complete reorientation of our lives around Him. This is a call to give up everything for the sake of His kingdom. We must be willing to let go of our own desires, ambitions, and even relationships if they come between us and our devotion to Jesus. This radical love and commitment are what it means to be a true disciple of Christ. [32:23]
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 is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 2: Eternal Investments
Jesus teaches us to store up treasures in heaven rather than on earth. This challenges us to examine what we truly value and worship. Our hearts should burn for the kingdom of God, and we should be willing to sacrifice for it. Where our treasure is, there our heart will be also. This teaching from Matthew 6:19-21 reminds us that our earthly possessions and achievements are temporary, but our investments in God's kingdom have eternal significance.
We often find ourselves prioritizing material wealth, career success, and personal comfort. However, Jesus calls us to shift our focus to what truly matters—our relationship with Him and our impact on His kingdom. This means using our resources, time, and talents to serve God and others, rather than accumulating wealth and possessions for ourselves. By doing so, we align our hearts with God's purposes and experience the joy and fulfillment that come from living for something greater than ourselves. [01:08:12]
Matthew 6:19-21 (ESV): "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take this week to invest in God's kingdom rather than in earthly treasures? How can you use your resources to serve others and glorify God?
Day 3: The Church as a Battleship
The church is meant to be a battleship, not a cruise ship. This means engaging in spiritual warfare through prayer, worship, and submission to God. We are called to be fully committed disciples, not just casual followers. This requires a shift in mentality from seeking comfort to seeking God's kingdom. The church is not a place for passive enjoyment but a community of believers actively engaged in the mission of God.
This battleship mentality involves recognizing that we are in a spiritual battle and that our weapons are not of this world. We fight through prayer, worship, and obedience to God's Word. The story of King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles exemplifies this, as the people of Israel sought the Lord in prayer and worship, and God delivered them from their enemies. As a church, we must stand together, support one another, and fight for God's kingdom with unwavering commitment. [49:59]
2 Chronicles 20:15 (ESV): "And he said, 'Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the Lord to you, "Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God's."'"
Reflection: How can you contribute to your church's mission as a battleship? What specific actions can you take to engage in spiritual warfare and support your fellow believers?
Day 4: The Power of Corporate Prayer
Spiritual battles are won through prayer, worship, and submission to God. The early church understood this and saw miraculous results when they gathered to pray. Today, we need to return to a place where prayer is central to our lives and our church. Prayer is the crockpot of spiritual victory, requiring patience and persistence. The early church's commitment to corporate prayer, as seen in Acts 2 and Acts 12, led to powerful moves of God and miraculous outcomes.
In our fast-paced world, we often undervalue and underutilize prayer. We may pray individually, but there is a unique power in coming together as a community to seek God's face. Corporate prayer unites us, strengthens our faith, and invites God's presence and power into our midst. As we prioritize prayer in our personal lives and as a church, we will see God move in ways we never imagined. [51:04]
Acts 12:5 (ESV): "So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church."
Reflection: How can you make corporate prayer a priority in your life? What steps can you take to participate more actively in your church's prayer gatherings?
Day 5: Jesus Must Increase, We Must Decrease
Our lives should be centered around Jesus, allowing Him to lead completely. This means giving up our own desires and seeking His will above all else. We must move away from a mentality of what Jesus can do for us and instead ask how He can use us for His kingdom. John the Baptist's declaration in John 3:30, "He must increase, but I must decrease," captures the essence of this call to humility and surrender.
As we allow Jesus to increase in our lives, we experience the fullness of His presence and power. This requires a daily commitment to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. It means letting go of our own plans and ambitions and embracing God's purposes for our lives. When we decrease and Jesus increases, we become vessels through which His love, grace, and truth can flow to a hurting world. [01:06:19]
John 3:30 (ESV): "He must increase, but I must decrease."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to decrease so that Jesus can increase? How can you intentionally seek His will and allow Him to lead you more fully?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We have to get to a place where we see the world through the eyes of Jesus and it moves us. It moves us to prayer. It moves us to serve and to give and to pray and to do everything that God calls us to do. Here's the reality though, church. We will never pray if we are content with the way things are." [01:04:17]
2. "See, radical is supposed to be normal in the kingdom of God. See, nominal Christian church attendance doesn't please God and it's not a threat to the devil. I'm going to say that again. Nominal church attendance doesn't please God and is not a threat to the devil. And what I mean by that is just going to church and checking off the box but then living the rest of your life without God in mind is not what God has called us to do." [48:59]
3. "The church is meant to be a battleship, not a cruise ship. I remember talking to a friend of mine, Ray Boro, about five years ago and he said this statement to me and it's stuck with me ever since. Because Jesus, in the middle of that crowd, he was calling people not to be part of a cruise ship where they could just follow him around and every time they got sick, Jesus just gives them a little touch and they're better and they go about their business. Jesus was calling them to a battle." [49:59]
4. "Prayer is the crockpot of spiritual victory. Coming together to seek the Lord, to give direction, to begin to stand upon His Word as a community, corporately. It's so important. I don't know, I don't know if you guys have heard of a guy named Jim Cimbala, but he and his wife, when they were young, God led them to go and take over this church in inner city Brooklyn. It was a struggling church. You know, there was crime and poverty all around them, people getting strung out on drugs, you know, in alleyways right next to them at their church, and they talk about how it was a struggle." [58:19]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Jesus wasn't looking for a fan club. He was looking for fully committed disciples. Does anybody here follow on Facebook? There's a page called Jesus Daily. Does anybody? Does anybody follow that? I see a couple. There's like 30-some million people following this page on Facebook. There's this huge following, and it kind of reminds me of just every place Jesus went, there was a huge following." [35:24]
2. "Many Christians today are willing to accept the benefits of the cross, but are unwilling to live a cross-shaped life. Many Christians today, look at our culture today. We want the benefits of the cross. We want just a little bit of Jesus, enough to make our lives better and easier. But many Christians today are unwilling to live a cross-shaped life. We want to live a cross-shaped life. To give up everything to follow him. Everything. It's so important, church." [39:21]
3. "We have to get away from this mentality of what can Jesus do for me? And we have to say, Lord, what can you do with my life? Jesus, how can you use me? How can you use my gifts? How can you use my prayers as I come together corporately with the rest of the body of Christ? See, there's many people today in the church who will fight for worldly prosperity. But there's not many who are willing to give their life for the kingdom of God." [01:03:12]
4. "Jesus must increase and we must decrease. Jesus must increase. We must decrease. I have a little something I'm going to bring out here. I got a bigger Jesus. Now, I know that Jesus wasn't some white guy with a beard so don't send me any emails as Pastor Dave likes to say. But I brought this as an example, right? I don't know how we're going to set him up here nicely. Let's just put him on right here. There we go. Jesus must increase. We must decrease." [01:05:29]
5. "The pursuit of every Christ follower should be his kingdom, not our comfort. The pursuit of every Christ follower should be his kingdom, not our comfort. Man, I love the example of some of our students that have graduated. I think of Ty Hall sitting over here who, you know, has his own businesses that he's running, you know, is doing well, but God calls him to go on the mission field and so he's willing to lay everything else aside. Everything else aside to say yes to what God has because his heart is to seek his kingdom, not his comfort." [48:30]
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