Radical Discipleship: Prioritizing Christ Above All
Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the profound implications of discipleship and what it truly means to follow Christ. We began by considering the words of A.W. Tozer, who asserted that the most important thing about us is what we think about God. This concept is foundational because our perception of God shapes our beliefs and, consequently, our actions. Our experiences and environments, our nature and nurture, influence our understanding of God. For instance, King David, a shepherd, warrior, and musician, saw God through these lenses—as a shepherd, a king, and a warrior.
We delved into the idea that our image of God not only shapes our thoughts but also our responses to life. If we believe God is love, we will see God as loving. However, we must be cautious of the shadow side of our beliefs—the absence of light. For example, believing that God loves only us and our immediate circle is a shadow side of the truth that God loves everyone. Similarly, thinking we are holy because of our own goodness, rather than God's holiness, is another shadow.
We examined the cost of discipleship through the lens of Luke 14, where Jesus challenges us to prioritize Him above all else, including our family and even our own lives. This radical call to discipleship requires us to carry our cross, signifying a willingness to face persecution or even death for the sake of following Christ. Jesus doesn't seek casual followers; He desires those who are willing to count the cost and commit their entire being to Him.
In the sermon, we also reflected on the importance of community and the support we can offer one another in our walk with Christ. We are not meant to carry our burdens alone, and the church is a place where we can find solace, encouragement, and companionship.
Key Takeaways:
- Our understanding of God is shaped by our experiences and environment, but it is also nurtured by our ongoing relationship with Him. As we witness God's faithfulness in our lives, our initial nature-inspired beliefs are reinforced, leading to a deeper trust in God's providence. [36:49]
- The image of God we hold in our minds not only influences our thoughts but also dictates our responses to life's circumstances. This image can cast shadows when we misinterpret God's attributes, such as believing God's love is exclusive to us or that our holiness is based on our own merits. Recognizing and addressing the shadow side of our beliefs is crucial for a healthy spiritual life. [39:33]
- True discipleship demands that we prioritize Jesus above all else, including our closest relationships and personal ambitions. This radical commitment is not about losing our identity but finding our true purpose and fulfillment in Christ. [01:01:15]
- The cost of following Jesus is not merely a metaphorical cross but a literal willingness to face persecution or death. This sobering reality calls us to consider whether we are prepared to fully submit to Christ, not just in word but in the totality of our lives. [01:09:40]
- As disciples, we are called to be salt and light in the world, preserving goodness, adding flavor to life, and being catalysts for positive change. Our discipleship should compel us to address the burdens we perceive in the world, recognizing that God may have equipped us specifically to tackle those challenges. [01:13:06]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 14:25-34 (NIV)
> Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’ Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples. Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus mean when He says we must "hate" our family and even our own life to be His disciple? ([49:00])
2. According to the passage, what are the two examples Jesus uses to illustrate the importance of counting the cost of discipleship? ([49:15])
3. What does Jesus say about the value of salt and its saltiness in relation to discipleship? ([49:54])
4. How does the sermon describe the "shadow side" of our beliefs about God? ([39:00])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus use such strong language about hating family and life in Luke 14:26? What is He trying to convey about the nature of discipleship? ([49:00])
2. How do the examples of building a tower and going to war help us understand the commitment required to follow Jesus? ([49:15])
3. In what ways can the "shadow side" of our beliefs about God affect our spiritual life and actions? ([39:00])
4. What does it mean for a disciple to "lose their saltiness," and how can this be prevented? ([49:54])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current understanding of God. How have your experiences and environment shaped this understanding? Are there any "shadow sides" you need to address? ([39:00])
2. Jesus calls us to prioritize Him above all else, including our closest relationships. What practical steps can you take to ensure Jesus remains your top priority? ([49:00])
3. The sermon mentioned the cost of discipleship, including the willingness to face persecution or even death. How prepared do you feel to make such a commitment? What steps can you take to deepen your commitment to Christ? ([49:06])
4. How can you support and encourage others in your church community to carry their burdens and follow Christ more closely? ([51:01])
5. Think about a specific area in your life where you might be holding on too tightly (e.g., family, career, personal ambitions). How can you begin to "hold it loosely" and trust God more fully in that area? ([55:02])
6. The sermon emphasized the importance of being salt and light in the world. Identify one specific way you can be a catalyst for positive change in your community this week. ([01:13:06])
7. Reflect on the idea that true discipleship makes it impossible to casually follow Jesus. What changes can you make in your daily routine to ensure you are fully committed to following Him? ([01:13:08])
Devotional
Day 1: Perception Shapes Discipleship
Understanding God through our unique lens shapes our discipleship journey. Our experiences and environment significantly influence how we perceive God, which in turn affects our beliefs and actions. As individuals, we may see God in various roles, such as a shepherd, a king, or a warrior, depending on our personal backgrounds and experiences. This perception is not static; it evolves as we continue to grow in our relationship with God and witness His faithfulness in our lives. Our initial nature-inspired beliefs about God are reinforced through our ongoing relationship with Him, leading to a deeper trust in His providence. It is essential to recognize that while our understanding of God is deeply personal, it must also be informed by the truth of His word and character as revealed in the scriptures.
"O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways." - Psalm 139:1-3
Reflection: How has your understanding of God changed over time, and what life experiences have been most influential in shaping this perception?
Day 2: The Shadow Side of Belief
Our image of God not only influences our thoughts but also dictates our responses to life's circumstances. However, this image can cast shadows when we misinterpret God's attributes. For instance, believing that God's love is exclusive to our group or that our holiness is based on our own merits can lead to a skewed spiritual life. It is crucial to recognize and address these shadow sides, as they can hinder our relationship with God and with others. By confronting these misconceptions, we can embrace a more accurate and healthy understanding of God's nature—one that acknowledges His universal love and the source of our holiness in Him. [39:33]
"But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'" - 1 Samuel 16:7
Reflection: What are some misconceptions you've held about God's nature, and how can you seek to align your beliefs with the truth of His character?
Day 3: Prioritizing Jesus in Discipleship
True discipleship demands that we prioritize Jesus above all else, including our closest relationships and personal ambitions. This radical commitment is not about losing our identity but finding our true purpose and fulfillment in Christ. It requires a willingness to let go of anything that competes with our devotion to Him. As we make Jesus the center of our lives, we discover the joy and peace that come from living in alignment with His will. This level of commitment is a journey of transformation, where we continually learn to put Jesus first in every aspect of our lives. [01:01:15]
"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." - Matthew 10:37
Reflection: What are some areas in your life where Jesus is not yet your top priority, and what practical steps can you take to change that?
Day 4: Embracing the Cost of Discipleship
The cost of following Jesus is not merely a metaphorical cross but a literal willingness to face persecution or death. This sobering reality calls us to consider whether we are prepared to fully submit to Christ, not just in word but in the totality of our lives. Embracing this cost means understanding that discipleship is not a path of convenience but one of sacrifice and unwavering commitment. It is a call to live out our faith courageously, even in the face of adversity, trusting that our ultimate reward is in Christ. [01:09:40]
"For to you it has been granted for the sake of Christ that you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake." - Philippians 1:29
Reflection: Are there any fears or hesitations you have about fully committing to Jesus, and how can you address them to deepen your discipleship?
Day 5: Being Salt and Light Through Discipleship
As disciples, we are called to be salt and light in the world, preserving goodness, adding flavor to life, and being catalysts for positive change. Our discipleship should compel us to address the burdens we perceive in the world, recognizing that God may have equipped us specifically to tackle those challenges. By living out our faith actively, we can make a tangible difference in our communities and beyond, reflecting the love and truth of Christ in all we do. [01:13:06]
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden." - Matthew 5:14
Reflection: What is one way you can be a positive influence in your community this week, and how can your actions reflect your commitment to Christ?
Quotes
1) "When Jesus says prioritize me, it's not because he's a lunatic. It's not because he's an egomaniac. It's because you know that on this side of heaven, these things you're fighting so hard to hold on to will let you down or disappear or lose their significance at some point." [01:03:49]
2) "We need each other. That's okay. But if we're going to do this journey together with God, we have to be willing to let others in. You have to be willing to, yes, get down off the stage, get out of the darkness, and just crack the door open." [01:18:35]
3) "Am I becoming more and more like Jesus? Is that the head knowledge? Is that even the service that I do pray out about that we love to serve, we love the people we love to serve? Are you actually becoming more like Jesus? That's the question he's asking." [01:01:15]
4) "What Jesus asked for is all of you. And our human tendency, our natural tendency, is to hold on, right? And then what's interesting is you have this juxtaposition of a Western culture where it says, like, be your best self. And Jesus is like, that's not possible without me." [56:37]
5) "The complacency in following Jesus fully is there, and it's not okay, because the cost of following Jesus is literally the full payment of you. The cross that we carry, we do not carry it alone. I love that even Jesus' cross was not carried by Jesus alone." [01:16:34]
6) "Jesus is proposing a discipleship that makes it impossible to casually follow him. It makes it impossible. How can you prioritize Jesus above everything else and casually follow him? How do you say, Jesus is the most important person in my life, that's who I fully live for, and casually follow him? It's impossible." [01:13:06]
7) "The call to follow Jesus is hard, and that's okay, because God is still on your side. God is still with you. God is still in you. God is still working for you. I know it's hard. Remember, we have a God who overcame the world." [01:14:17]
8) "Love to them was about position, was about priorities, and was about posture. Position means that who is first in your life? Like, who are you actually living for? Who are you prioritizing as the most important person in your life? And posture is, are you actually living that way?" [54:17]
9) "Are we living in a way that we're actually preserving and making better the world that we're in? There's so many of us who love to be molding everything wrong about the world. And I love that. That's the first step. You know what the second step is? God says it's awesome." [01:12:36]
10) "This passage should be unsettling and I think that's what Jesus is going for. Reading it should get a reaction. We're eating dinner, I think it was last night or the night before, we're eating dinner in the family and one of the kids was like, So what are you preaching on on Sunday?" [52:33]
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