Radical Discipleship: Embracing Christ Above All

Devotional

Day 1: Radical Commitment to Christ

The call to discipleship is a call to radical commitment, one that often stands in stark contrast to the values of the world. Jesus demands that His followers prioritize Him above all else, even above their closest relationships and personal desires. This commitment is not about making superficial changes but involves a profound transformation of one's values and lifestyle. Embracing this call means being willing to leave behind what is familiar and comfortable to fully engage in His mission. The journey of following Christ is not one of convenience but requires a willingness to embrace the challenges that come with living according to His principles. [01:11:45]

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 prioritizing comfort over commitment to Christ? How can you take a step today to realign your priorities with His mission?

Day 2: Counting the Cost of Discipleship

Discipleship is not a casual endeavor but requires careful consideration of the cost involved. Jesus uses the illustrations of building a tower and going to war to emphasize the importance of understanding the sacrifices required to follow Him. This upfront commitment ensures that no future challenge will easily shake our faith. As followers of Christ, we are called to evaluate the cost of discipleship and be prepared to give up everything for His sake. This process of counting the cost is essential to building a strong foundation for our faith journey. [01:26:06]

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: What is one specific sacrifice you need to make to follow Jesus more closely? How can you begin to make that sacrifice today, trusting in His provision and strength?

Day 3: Embracing the Daily Cross

Embracing discipleship means being willing to carry our cross daily, just as Jesus did. This involves a readiness to endure hardships and make sacrifices for the sake of His mission. It is a call to live a life marked by total selfless allegiance to Christ. Carrying the cross is not a one-time event but a daily commitment to follow Him, even when it leads to suffering or discomfort. This aspect of discipleship challenges us to examine our willingness to endure for the sake of the Gospel. [01:23:11]

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 hardship or challenge you are currently facing that you can offer up to God as part of your daily cross? How can you find strength in Him to persevere through it?

Day 4: Confronting the Clash of Values

Stepping into God's kingdom often leads to a confrontation with worldly values. This clash requires us to adopt a new way of thinking and living, challenging our comfort zones and demanding a radical transformation of our values. As followers of Christ, we are called to live according to the principles of His upside-down kingdom, which often stand in opposition to the world's systems. This transformation is not easy, but it is essential for living a life that is distinct and useful in advancing God's kingdom. [01:10:44]

Romans 12:2 (ESV): "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Reflection: In what ways do you find yourself conforming to worldly values? What specific steps can you take today to renew your mind and align your values with God's kingdom?

Day 5: The Reward of Discipleship

While the cost of discipleship is great, the reward is infinitely greater. Jesus promises that those who sacrifice for His sake will receive a hundredfold in this life and eternal life in the age to come. This assurance encourages us to pursue a life of radical discipleship, fully committed to His mission. The rewards of following Christ are not always immediate or tangible, but they are eternal and far surpass any temporary sacrifices we make. This promise of reward motivates us to remain steadfast in our commitment to Him. [01:42:53]

Mark 10:29-30 (ESV): "Jesus said, 'Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.'"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to trust in God's promise of reward? How can you remind yourself of His faithfulness and the eternal rewards of following Him today?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound and challenging call to discipleship as presented by Jesus in the Gospel According to Luke. The journey of following Christ is not one of comfort or convenience but demands a radical commitment that often clashes with worldly values and personal priorities. Jesus' teachings in Luke 9:57-62 and Luke 14:25-35 emphasize the necessity of prioritizing Him above all else, even above our closest relationships and personal desires. This call to discipleship is not about superficial changes but requires a deep transformation of our values and lifestyle.

The narrative began with the story of a family transitioning from a close-knit Christian community to a secular environment, highlighting the clash of values that often accompanies a commitment to Christ. This story serves as a metaphor for the broader spiritual journey, where stepping into God's kingdom inevitably leads to a confrontation with worldly values. Jesus' teachings remind us that His kingdom operates on principles that are often upside down compared to the world's systems, requiring us to leave behind what is familiar and comfortable.

Jesus' call to discipleship is marked by three distinct challenges: the willingness to embrace uncertainty and sacrifice, the prioritization of His mission above all else, and the readiness to carry our cross daily. These challenges are not meant to deter us but to prepare us for the reality of following Him. The illustrations of building a tower and going to war underscore the importance of counting the cost before embarking on this journey. Discipleship demands an upfront commitment to give up everything, ensuring that no future challenge will easily shake our faith.

Ultimately, the call to discipleship is a call to be the salt of the earth, maintaining our distinctiveness and usefulness in a world that often opposes the values of God's kingdom. Jesus' words remind us that the cost of following Him is great, but the reward is infinitely greater. As we reflect on this call, may we be inspired to pursue a life of radical discipleship, fully committed to the mission and values of Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. Radical Commitment: Following Jesus requires a radical commitment that often clashes with worldly values. This commitment demands prioritizing Christ above all else, even our closest relationships and personal desires. It challenges us to leave behind what is familiar and comfortable to fully embrace His mission. [71:45]
2. Counting the Cost: Discipleship is not a casual endeavor but requires careful consideration of the cost. Jesus' illustrations of building a tower and going to war emphasize the importance of understanding the sacrifices involved in following Him. This upfront commitment ensures that no future challenge will easily shake our faith. [86:06]
3. Carrying the Cross: Embracing discipleship means being willing to carry our cross daily, just as Jesus did. This involves a willingness to endure hardships and sacrifices for the sake of His mission. It is a call to live a life marked by total selfless allegiance to Christ. [83:11]
4. Clash of Values: Stepping into God's kingdom often leads to a confrontation with worldly values. This clash requires us to adopt a new way of thinking and living, challenging our comfort zones and demanding a radical transformation of our values. [70:44]
5. The Reward of Discipleship: While the cost of discipleship is great, the reward is infinitely greater. Jesus promises that those who sacrifice for His sake will receive a hundredfold in this life and eternal life in the age to come. This assurance encourages us to pursue a life of radical discipleship, fully committed to His mission. [01:42:53]
** [102:53]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[60:19] - Cultivating Church Culture
[61:16] - Upcoming Events and Registrations
[63:34] - Mission Team Prayer
[66:22] - The Gospel's Challenge
[69:29] - Clash of Values
[71:04] - Upside Down Kingdom
[72:44] - Prayer for Understanding
[74:05] - The Cost of Following Jesus
[78:42] - Chief Business of Christian Life
[81:17] - Radical Love for Christ
[83:11] - Carrying the Cross
[86:06] - Counting the Cost
[91:49] - Total Commitment
[100:54] - True Discipleship

Sermon Clips

The journey of following Christ is not one of comfort or convenience but demands a radical commitment that often clashes with worldly values and personal priorities. Jesus' teachings in Luke 9:57-62 and Luke 14:25-35 emphasize the necessity of prioritizing Him above all else, even above our closest relationships and personal desires. [01:06:22]

Whenever you step into the kingdom of God or whenever you step out the kingdom of God, inevitably you will step into a clash of values, culture, and World Wheels. You can count on it. The kingdom of God does not operate like the kingdoms in the world. It is an upside down kingdom. [01:10:44]

Discipleship isn't something superficial. It challenges us deeply, right to the very core of who we are, and it's going to rattle our will. It will confront the way you think, the way you live, and the way you see everything around you. [01:12:44]

Jesus is saying to this guy, you have a more important thing to do: go and proclaim the kingdom of God. Then came the third person also so say I will follow you, Lord, but first the dreadful word but. [01:16:06]

The seeking after the kingdom of God is the chief business to the Christian Life. The seeking after the kingdom of God is a chief business to the Christian Life, and there is no turning back. The main idea is this: to follow Jesus and living out his mission demands nothing less than full and unwearied commitment. [01:18:42]

Jesus' disciple is useful only when their life is marked by total selfless allegiance to Jesus Christ. You hear that? But those who refuse to follow him in this way is quite honestly of little value. [01:40:54]

The cost of discipleship is great, but the reward is greater. The sacrifice may be heavy, but the treasure is eternal. I pray that you'll look at the total picture, the big picture. Don't just see the cost and the sacrifice. [01:42:53]

Jesus is saying, look, I am calling for true disciples, people who will follow me wholeheartedly, true and true, people who are willing to pay the ultimate price to be the light and sort of Christ. That's what he's looking for. [01:40:54]

Jesus is saying, I want you to be absolutely clear about what I'm asking when I ask you to go to discipleship journey. In essence, he's saying before you follow me, I want you to pause and think carefully, count the cost, count the cost. [01:26:06]

Jesus wants to know if you are 100% then following him all the way. There's no holding back. That's God's term. Discipleship cannot be dictated by our own term; otherwise, discipleship would be reduced to human level of understanding. [01:23:11]

Jesus' words remind us that the cost of following Him is great, but the reward is infinitely greater. As we reflect on this call, may we be inspired to pursue a life of radical discipleship, fully committed to the mission and values of Christ. [01:42:53]

Jesus is saying, look, I am calling for true disciples, people who will follow me wholeheartedly, true and true, people who are willing to pay the ultimate price to be the light and sort of Christ. That's what he's looking for. [01:40:54]

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