Radical Commitment: The True Cost of Discipleship
Summary
### Summary
Welcome to Hope on the Beach Church! Today, we delve into what Jesus requires of us as His followers. This is a place where it's okay to not be okay, and we aim to connect you to the abundant life of Jesus. We are continuing our series on walking with Jesus, focusing today on the often-overlooked topic of discipleship and its demands.
We began by reflecting on the giants within us that hinder our spiritual growth, much like David had to overcome internal battles before facing Goliath. Jesus calls us to a radical commitment, one that surpasses even our closest familial ties. He demands that our love and devotion to Him be greater than our love for our parents, spouses, and children. This isn't about literal hatred but about prioritizing our relationship with God above all else.
We explored the tension within churches to present the gospel in a way that is both truthful and palatable. Often, churches water down the truth to avoid offending people, but this can lead to a shallow faith that doesn't withstand life's challenges. Jesus, however, was clear about the cost of discipleship. He spoke to the crowds following Him, emphasizing that true discipleship requires a willingness to bear one's cross, symbolizing suffering and sacrifice.
Jesus' teachings in Luke 14 highlight the importance of counting the cost before committing to follow Him. He used the analogy of building a tower and going to war to illustrate the need for deliberate and intentional commitment. This commitment is not just about avoiding sin but actively pursuing a life that reflects Jesus' love and sacrifice.
In conclusion, being a disciple of Jesus is not a casual endeavor. It requires serious commitment, suffering, and sacrifice. But the reward is eternal—a crown of righteousness that far surpasses any earthly gain. Let us strive to be true disciples, fully devoted to Jesus, and willing to bear our crosses for His glory.
### Key Takeaways
1. Prioritizing Jesus Above All Else: Jesus calls us to love Him more than our closest family members. This isn't about literal hatred but about prioritizing our relationship with God above all else. Our devotion to Jesus should be evident in our actions, decisions, and lifestyle, surpassing any other love or commitment we have. [24:15]
2. The Cost of Discipleship: True discipleship requires us to bear our own crosses, symbolizing suffering and sacrifice. This isn't a one-time event but a daily commitment to follow Jesus, even when it's difficult. The cross is a burden that we must carry, reflecting Jesus' own suffering and sacrifice for us. [41:05]
3. Intentional Commitment: Following Jesus is a deliberate and intentional act. It's not about convenience or comfort but about a serious commitment to live out our faith. Jesus used the analogy of building a tower and going to war to emphasize the need for careful planning and unwavering dedication. [52:01]
4. No Plan B: Jesus requires us to have no plan B. Our commitment to Him should be absolute, with no fallback options. This kind of grit and perseverance is what leads to true success in our spiritual journey. We must decide if Christ is worth following and commit to Him fully. [59:25]
5. Eternal Reward: The sacrifices we make as disciples of Jesus are not in vain. There is an eternal reward awaiting us—a crown of righteousness. This reward far surpasses any earthly gain and is a testament to our faithfulness and devotion to Jesus. [01:02:46]
### YouTube Chapters
1. [0:00] - Welcome
2. [02:46] - Introduction to Discipleship
3. [14:08] - Facing Internal Giants
4. [15:40] - The Cost of Following Jesus
5. [19:16] - Jesus' Teachings to the Crowd
6. [21:03] - Context of the Great Banquet
7. [22:09] - Radical Commitment to Jesus
8. [24:15] - Prioritizing Jesus Above All Else
9. [35:31] - Faith and Obedience
10. [41:05] - Bearing Your Cross
11. [52:01] - Counting the Cost
12. [59:25] - No Plan B
13. [01:02:46] - Eternal Reward
14. [01:04:26] - Closing Prayer
15. [01:05:11] - Offering and Announcements
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Luke 14:25-33 - "Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, '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. 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? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.'"
2. 1 John 2:15-17 - "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."
3. 2 Timothy 4:6-8 - "For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing."
### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus mean when He says we must "hate" our family members to be His disciples? (Luke 14:26) [22:09]
2. According to 1 John 2:15-17, what are the things in the world that we are warned not to love?
3. In Luke 14:28-30, what analogy does Jesus use to explain the importance of counting the cost of discipleship?
4. How does Paul describe his life and ministry in 2 Timothy 4:6-8?
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus use such strong language about hating family members in Luke 14:26? What is He trying to emphasize about discipleship? [22:09]
2. How do the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16) conflict with a life of discipleship?
3. What does it mean to "bear one's own cross" as described in Luke 14:27? How does this relate to the daily life of a believer? [41:05]
4. In 2 Timothy 4:6-8, Paul speaks of a "crown of righteousness." What does this reward signify, and how does it motivate believers to remain faithful?
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current priorities. Are there relationships or commitments that you have placed above your devotion to Jesus? How can you realign these priorities? [24:15]
2. Bearing one's cross involves suffering and sacrifice. What are some specific ways you can embrace this in your daily life? [41:05]
3. Jesus calls for an intentional commitment without a plan B. What are some "plan B" options you might be holding onto that prevent you from fully committing to Jesus? [59:25]
4. The sermon mentioned the importance of not watering down the truth of the gospel. How can you share the gospel truthfully yet lovingly in your interactions with others? [18:22]
5. Paul speaks of fighting the good fight and finishing the race. What are some practical steps you can take to ensure you remain faithful in your walk with Christ? [02:46]
6. Reflect on the eternal reward mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:8. How does this promise of a crown of righteousness influence your daily decisions and actions? [01:02:46]
7. The sermon highlighted the need for no fallback options in our commitment to Christ. What steps can you take this week to demonstrate that Christ is your only choice? [59:25]
Devotional
Day 1: Prioritizing Jesus Above All Else
Description: Jesus calls us to love Him more than our closest family members. This isn't about literal hatred but about prioritizing our relationship with God above all else. Our devotion to Jesus should be evident in our actions, decisions, and lifestyle, surpassing any other love or commitment we have. This radical commitment is a reflection of the first and greatest commandment: to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and mind. When we prioritize Jesus, we align our lives with His will and purpose, allowing His love to transform us and those around us. [24:15]
Matthew 10:37-39 (ESV): "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."
Reflection: Think about your daily schedule and commitments. Is there an area where you need to prioritize Jesus more? What practical steps can you take today to make Him the center of your life?
Day 2: The Cost of Discipleship
Description: True discipleship requires us to bear our own crosses, symbolizing suffering and sacrifice. This isn't a one-time event but a daily commitment to follow Jesus, even when it's difficult. The cross is a burden that we must carry, reflecting Jesus' own suffering and sacrifice for us. Embracing this cost means we are willing to endure hardships, persecution, and challenges for the sake of Christ. It is through these trials that our faith is refined and our relationship with Jesus deepened. [41:05]
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: Identify a specific challenge or hardship you are currently facing. How can you view this situation as an opportunity to bear your cross and grow closer to Jesus?
Day 3: Intentional Commitment
Description: Following Jesus is a deliberate and intentional act. It's not about convenience or comfort but about a serious commitment to live out our faith. Jesus used the analogy of building a tower and going to war to emphasize the need for careful planning and unwavering dedication. This means evaluating our lives, making intentional choices that reflect our faith, and being prepared for the spiritual battles we will face. Our commitment to Jesus should be evident in our daily actions and decisions, demonstrating our dedication to His teachings and mission. [52:01]
Luke 14:28-30 (ESV): "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? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.'"
Reflection: Reflect on your current spiritual practices. Are there areas where you need to be more intentional in your commitment to Jesus? What specific steps can you take to strengthen your dedication to Him?
Day 4: No Plan B
Description: Jesus requires us to have no plan B. Our commitment to Him should be absolute, with no fallback options. This kind of grit and perseverance is what leads to true success in our spiritual journey. We must decide if Christ is worth following and commit to Him fully. This means trusting in His provision and guidance, even when the path is uncertain or challenging. By eliminating alternative plans, we demonstrate our complete reliance on Jesus and our unwavering faith in His promises. [59:25]
Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV): "Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: Consider an area of your life where you have been holding onto a "plan B." What would it look like to fully trust Jesus in this area and let go of your backup plan?
Day 5: Eternal Reward
Description: The sacrifices we make as disciples of Jesus are not in vain. There is an eternal reward awaiting us—a crown of righteousness. This reward far surpasses any earthly gain and is a testament to our faithfulness and devotion to Jesus. Our focus should be on the eternal perspective, recognizing that our temporary sufferings and sacrifices are preparing us for an everlasting glory. This hope encourages us to persevere in our faith and remain steadfast in our commitment to Jesus, knowing that our ultimate reward is with Him in eternity. [01:02:46]
2 Timothy 4:7-8 (ESV): "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing."
Reflection: How does the promise of an eternal reward influence your daily decisions and actions? What can you do today to keep your focus on the eternal perspective and live in a way that honors Jesus?
Quotes
1. "One line in that song that really struck me It says, I'm calling the God of David who made the shepherd boy courageous I may not face Goliath But I got my own giants know, a lot of times we think about how evil the world is outside But some of the greatest giants are inside of us that are keeping us to being what God wants us to do God had to raise David to be able to face that Goliath He had to fix him inside to have faith to go do that He had to fix him to be king to be battle He did that with Moses who doubted him and he made Moses secure in him so Moses could go out and approach a Pharaoh and lead his people The greatest giant for Moses was not Pharaoh the great Egyptian country It was the voice inside So this today's word is a word for inside" [14:08] (61 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Whenever something looks like too good to be true it's what? Not true, right? There's always a good catch to it, right? And John Maxwell the leadership guy he always said there is no such thing as a free lunch there's always a cost and when it comes to being a disciple I think the church often has presented itself like a coupon book everything's free it's a big giveaway it's a great deal it's all available for you it's all free no cost no requirements it's simple and easy to be a Christian and if you dare add requirements to it oh, wait a minute there's the catch that's man that's your religion that's not truly Jesus and Scripture" [16:20] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Jesus says look it's not only just in your spouse but also your children my goodness the world would gas at that right now mean some of you grew up in the age and time right and I would call this an extreme a little bit extreme right there was some homes I went into that children were to be seen and not heard oh you've been there right so you're seen not heard that's a pretty extreme thing with children but it also told children where their place was right so there was some some good thing about that compared to where we are today where are children today children are in charge what are you talking about seen not heard they're what's heard they're what's listened to they got the full picture the full attention devotion of their parents they're at the center of it I mean parents had authority here now children have the authority children call the shots where are we going to go what are we going to do oh we got to make sure they're happy we got to make sure their needs are met they got to make sure that they have everything they needed they have everything like everybody else they can't be disappointed they can't be hurt they all got to win they all got to be cheered and only positive discipline no negative only positive things we say we only celebrate positive things we never say no negative things we never call them out what that that's worship we're worshiping children in the family today there are idols maybe it's connected to people's self esteem or feel like that's the way we have to be to be a good parent to meet every single need but the reality is kids aren't meant to be worshipped they can't handle that kind of attention and responsibility and expectation besides spoiling them and entitle them they become confused and destructive because of lack of reality security and contentment because they're young they don't know what they want and it changes all the time and they keep moving to anything their little selfish world desires and craves and this is why maybe you follow stories of while childhood celebrities got so messed up this is why we live in a culture today where kids can't go I'm a boy or a girl I don't know at five years old they're told they should be able to know and they can decide go back to this world do you think that conversation happened? I love kids trust me I love kids but they're not to be worshipped your love for your kids your love for your grandkids should not surpass your love and devotion to God" [31:17] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Jesus said it this way he says the most important thing the most important is hear old Israel the Lord your God the Lord is one and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart all your soul all your mind and all your strength all not part not some not just your mind like I have a mental agreement with God he is important not just your heart like oh of course I love God I have a great relationship but I do whatever I want to do I don't follow any truth I make up my truth I make up what it is to be a Christian I make up what it is and I call myself a Christian but I just have this emotional connection with God or I just like hey my soul is good because I'm saved and I just got that life insurance in my back pocket and I go or it's just with all my strength it means that I am actively pursuing him I'm actively doing things seeking his kingdom first as we learned before like it's visible in my life by what I do by decisions I make that my love and devotion is for God first not for my husband not for my parents not even for my wife not even for my children" [33:46] (67 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Jesus says this Luke 14 27 next He says whoever does not bear his own cross and comes after me cannot be my disciple He calls you to bear a cross now in our world today crosses are pretty they're artful they're jewelry and there's nothing wrong with that I don't have a problem with that but here's the issue the cross is not a problem the cross is ugly cross is painful the cross isn't something dainty around the neck it is a burden it is a weight it is bigger than us it is painful and it doesn't let up there's no breaks Jesus was nailed to a cross He couldn't say hey that was good I need a break I'm going to get down for a little bit and I'll try it back later I'm not going to break I'm not just going to pick up my cross on Sunday and then put it back down the rest of the week did my thing I mean Jesus really picked up a cross when He came to earth when He is the God of all creator of all and could play with galaxies with His pinky He humbles Himself to a single cell and takes on our flesh He took on our burdens He took on our pain He took on our sin He who had no sin and then was out on a mission of suffering remember we talked about that earlier where Jesus said man I wish this cross would be over I mean I wish this baptism of fire the cross would be done because it's so burdensome and Jesus did this suffering and pain I mean even when He's being He's being tortured by Satan and just think about Satan's out there tempting the Pope not just on the desert but He's working through all these different people and it must have been mind-boggling I think because Jesus could have said at any moment I am God I'm going to just take you over Satan right now what a temptation He's more powerful than Satan and yet He knew He had to take the beatings of Satan even the beatings to the cross to defeat Him forever" [41:05] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "I mean another way to look at it you know I love to fish you guys know I like to fish in fact somebody gave me some gift cards and they are burning a hole in my pocket for Bass Pro I gotta go right and while maybe you look at the weather and say hey what am I going to wear today what am I going to do today I look at the weather and I go I wonder what the fishing conditions are today and I wonder what that's doing to the fishing conditions and where are the fish moving and doing this and that depending on how much rain we have where the wind's blowing and all that kind of stuff the temperatures and I watch videos and I train I prepare gear for that time I look forward to that time where I can go fishing and you know if I hear somebody talk about fishing I'm going to jump in and try to learn something and figure it out right why is that something I have to do do I have a whole checklist am I trying to work a master plan of fishing no do it because I love it if you love the Lord and He's your devotion you're just going to do it because you love Him you don't have to think about it it's what you do He's going to be on your mind you're going to be wondering where God's doing where God's showing up where God wants to move you where God wants you to have conversations what God wants to tell you God I'm here I'm available what do you want me to do where are you calling me to be you're the love of my life I want to see whatever you want to see I want to do whichever you want me to do God that's what Jesus did and so our love is ought to surpass this requirement the love and devotions for God is to surpass any other and it comes with an obedience" [39:07] (104 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "I mean being a disciple of jesus is is a simple illustration is is like the lifeguards our lifeguards here they train if you go to the beach service certain times you can see all the men training which really distracts them but they go training swimming they're constantly training and then what do they do they stand up and they shepherd the beach and then when they see a need or a crisis they leave their place they get down and they run towards the crisis fearlessly courageously you risking their lives to save someone they don't even know that's the church god has has placed you in places where people live learn work and play in your areas to be that light to be shepherding those areas of people where you're at and so the church is in every nook and cranny place of this world where we we are out there shepherding and we're looking and we're looking for people who have needs who who need jesus and and we then have to leave our comfort our place of ease our place of peace and we place where we like and and and convenience and be interrupted and go in risk and be fearless with the gospel to help people the church is not some big event program it's it's a church being a church every single day in our lives as we follow him as disciples as those that are about his kingdom and investing in his kingdom and realize this is greater this is a greater cause than any other cause" [45:30] (99 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "Jesus said it this way he said in Luke 14.33, next verse, he goes, So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. What Jesus is saying, you've got to draw the line. You've got to say you're either with me or you're not. You've got to sit there and say, Is this worth it? Is it worth following him or not? Jesus is like, you've had enough. You've seen enough. You've experienced enough. You've heard enough. You've been around enough. Now it's time to say, am I really going to be a follower of Jesus or am I just here for what's good for me? And if you are, then you're not a follower and stop following. Are you going to do what I commanded you or not?" [58:07] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "What Jesus is telling us, what he requires is that you have no plan B. That Christ is your only choice. If it comes to your mother and father, no, Christ. If it comes to your spouse, no, Christ. If it comes to your children, no, Christ. If it comes to these things in the world, no, Christ. If it comes to yourself, no, Christ. If it comes with the culture, no, Christ. I have no plan B. He's the only thing. I mean, it's the reason why someone in America who has all the education, has a great family, has been given all these different things, everything they need in life and has been lavished with all sorts of resources and stuff like that and still ends up not being successful and why somebody can come from another nation with nothing at all and then turn a business and make it successful because the person who came from another nation doesn't have a plan B. They have no other things to turn to. They just have what they've called. They have what they've called to do. And what Jesus is saying, I don't want you to turn to anything else. I want you only with me." [01:00:13] (62 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Paul is saying, man, I've set you an example. I set you an example. Paul says earlier in the book, he says, look, be imitators of me as I'm imitators of Christ. What? We're all to follow that way as a servant who's willing to sacrifice and suffer. And Paul's saying, I'm a living example for you so you know what it's like, so you can see it, Timothy. I want you to follow in this. Because this is what I've done. In my ministry, I've poured myself out. I've given myself as an offering to the Lord. Because I love and devotion is above him above all things. I fought the fight. I finished a race. I've been faithful. Timothy, finish the race. Run the race. It's worth it. It's worth it." [01:02:15] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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