Refocusing on True Discipleship in Challenging Times
Summary
### Summary
In this season, it's crucial to maintain focus and not get distracted. Many of us feel like the Lord is trying to get our attention, urging us to mature and simplify our walk with Him. This year has been a journey of wrestling with disappointments, transitions, and tensions. Yet, these struggles are opportunities for growth and realignment with God's purpose. The simplicity of the gospel and discipleship are central themes that the Lord is pressing upon His church.
We can become complacent in our faith, losing the freshness of our relationship with God. Jesus calls us to be true disciples, which means counting the cost and being willing to lay down everything for Him. This isn't about a critical view of the church but a personal introspection to ensure we are living as He intended. The American church, in particular, has drifted towards a comfort-driven, consumer-based religion, losing sight of the true gospel and the call to discipleship.
Jesus' teachings in Luke 14 emphasize the importance of counting the cost of discipleship. He challenges us to put Him above all other relationships and to carry our cross daily. This means dying to self, our own ideas, and desires, and fully submitting to God's will. The journey of discipleship is a lifelong commitment to learning, growing, and being led by the Holy Spirit.
The gospel of the kingdom, not just salvation, should be our focus. Salvation is the entry point, but living out the kingdom's ways is the true call. Jesus' harsh sayings were meant to test the hearts of those following Him, to see if they were truly committed. We must continually evaluate our walk with Him, ensuring we are not just believers but true disciples.
In this critical time, we must not lose sight of Jesus. The distractions and challenges we face are opportunities to reset and refocus on Him. We need to be willing to make adjustments in our lives, cutting out distractions, and fully surrendering to His will. This is not about self-promotion but about being led by the Holy Spirit and being effective in His kingdom. Our obedience and willingness to follow Him in every area of our lives are essential for the times we are in.
### Key Takeaways
1. Focus and Simplicity: In this season, it's vital to maintain focus on Jesus and not get distracted by the complexities of life. The Lord is calling us to a place of simplicity, both in the gospel and in our daily walk with Him. This simplicity helps us to realign with His purpose and avoid becoming complacent in our faith. [00:46]
2. Counting the Cost of Discipleship: True discipleship requires us to count the cost and be willing to lay down everything for Jesus. This means putting Him above all other relationships and carrying our cross daily. It's a call to die to self, our own ideas, and desires, and fully submit to God's will. [15:04]
3. The Gospel of the Kingdom: The primary message of the good news is the gospel of the kingdom, not just salvation. Salvation is the entry point, but living out the kingdom's ways is the true call. This involves a lifelong commitment to learning, growing, and being led by the Holy Spirit. [17:51]
4. Personal Introspection: We must continually evaluate our walk with Jesus, ensuring we are not just believers but true disciples. This involves personal introspection to see if we are living as He intended and making necessary adjustments in our lives. [33:12]
5. Obedience and Surrender: Our obedience and willingness to follow Jesus in every area of our lives are essential. This means being willing to make adjustments, cutting out distractions, and fully surrendering to His will. It's not about self-promotion but about being led by the Holy Spirit and being effective in His kingdom. [54:01]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:46] - The Call to Focus
[01:47] - Simplicity and Discipleship
[02:38] - Wrestling with Transitions
[03:12] - Dissatisfaction and the Church
[04:20] - The Need for Justice
[04:54] - Understanding the Season
[06:10] - Personal and Church Adjustments
[07:49] - Realigning with Jesus
[08:28] - The Importance of Scripture
[09:26] - Freshness in Relationships
[10:13] - Jesus' Harsh Teachings
[11:11] - Counting the Cost
[15:04] - Carrying Your Cross
[17:51] - The Gospel of the Kingdom
[19:50] - Daily Decision to Follow
[24:04] - The Issue of the Heart
[28:12] - Considering the Cost
[33:12] - Personal Introspection
[34:45] - The Life of a Disciple
[37:55] - Adjusting to Jesus
[39:48] - Relationship Dynamics
[41:23] - Tests of Surrender
[43:11] - Obedience and Trust
[46:22] - Seeking the Kingdom
[48:03] - Avoiding Distractions
[50:11] - The Authority of the Enemy
[52:20] - Quick Obedience
[54:01] - Resetting Our Hearts
[55:34] - The Life of a Disciple
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 14:25-33 - "A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, 'If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple. But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there’s enough money to finish it? Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. They would say, "There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!" Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? And if he can’t, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away. So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Jesus mean when He says we must "hate" our family and even our own life to be His disciple? (Luke 14:26)
2. According to Luke 14:27, what is required of someone who wants to follow Jesus?
3. Why does Jesus emphasize the importance of counting the cost before deciding to follow Him? (Luke 14:28-30)
4. How does Jesus use the examples of building a tower and going to war to illustrate the cost of discipleship? (Luke 14:28-32)
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does it mean to "carry your own cross" in the context of discipleship? How does this apply to our daily lives? (Luke 14:27)
2. How might the concept of counting the cost of discipleship challenge the comfort-driven, consumer-based religion mentioned in the sermon? [06:10]
3. In what ways does the gospel of the kingdom differ from a focus solely on salvation, as discussed in the sermon? [17:51]
4. How can personal introspection help us ensure we are living as true disciples of Jesus? [33:12]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current walk with Jesus. Are there areas where you have become complacent or distracted? What steps can you take to refocus on Him this week? [00:46]
2. Jesus calls us to put Him above all other relationships. Are there relationships or commitments in your life that are taking precedence over your relationship with Jesus? How can you realign your priorities? [15:04]
3. The sermon mentioned the importance of simplicity in our faith. What complexities or distractions in your life can you simplify to better align with God's purpose? [01:47]
4. Consider the cost of discipleship in your own life. Are there specific things you need to surrender or give up to follow Jesus more fully? [15:04]
5. How can you practice daily obedience and surrender to God's will? Identify one area of your life where you can make a tangible change this week. [54:01]
6. The sermon emphasized the need for personal introspection. Take a moment to evaluate your walk with Jesus. Are you living as He intended? What adjustments can you make to ensure you are a true disciple? [33:12]
7. How can you be more effective in God's kingdom by being led by the Holy Spirit? Share a recent experience where you felt the Holy Spirit guiding you. [54:01]
Devotional
Day 1: Focus on Jesus Amidst Life's Complexities
In this season, it's vital to maintain focus on Jesus and not get distracted by the complexities of life. The Lord is calling us to a place of simplicity, both in the gospel and in our daily walk with Him. This simplicity helps us to realign with His purpose and avoid becoming complacent in our faith. Many of us feel like the Lord is trying to get our attention, urging us to mature and simplify our walk with Him. This year has been a journey of wrestling with disappointments, transitions, and tensions. Yet, these struggles are opportunities for growth and realignment with God's purpose. [00:46]
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Matthew 6:33, ESV)
Reflection: What are the main distractions in your life that keep you from focusing on Jesus? How can you simplify your daily routine to prioritize your relationship with Him?
Day 2: The Cost of True Discipleship
True discipleship requires us to count the cost and be willing to lay down everything for Jesus. This means putting Him above all other relationships and carrying our cross daily. It's a call to die to self, our own ideas, and desires, and fully submit to God's will. Jesus' teachings in Luke 14 emphasize the importance of counting the cost of discipleship. He challenges us to put Him above all other relationships and to carry our cross daily. This means dying to self, our own ideas, and desires, and fully submitting to God's will. [15:04]
"Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:27, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific area of your life where you need to "carry your cross" and fully submit to God's will? What steps can you take today to begin this process?
Day 3: Living Out the Gospel of the Kingdom
The primary message of the good news is the gospel of the kingdom, not just salvation. Salvation is the entry point, but living out the kingdom's ways is the true call. This involves a lifelong commitment to learning, growing, and being led by the Holy Spirit. Jesus' harsh sayings were meant to test the hearts of those following Him, to see if they were truly committed. We must continually evaluate our walk with Him, ensuring we are not just believers but true disciples. [17:51]
"And he said to them, 'To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables.'" (Mark 4:11, ESV)
Reflection: How can you shift your focus from merely seeking salvation to actively living out the principles of the kingdom of God? What practical changes can you make in your daily life to reflect this shift?
Day 4: Continual Personal Introspection
We must continually evaluate our walk with Jesus, ensuring we are not just believers but true disciples. This involves personal introspection to see if we are living as He intended and making necessary adjustments in our lives. The American church, in particular, has drifted towards a comfort-driven, consumer-based religion, losing sight of the true gospel and the call to discipleship. This isn't about a critical view of the church but a personal introspection to ensure we are living as He intended. [33:12]
"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV)
Reflection: Take a moment to examine your faith. Are there areas where you have become complacent or comfort-driven? What steps can you take to realign your life with the true call of discipleship?
Day 5: Obedience and Full Surrender
Our obedience and willingness to follow Jesus in every area of our lives are essential. This means being willing to make adjustments, cutting out distractions, and fully surrendering to His will. It's not about self-promotion but about being led by the Holy Spirit and being effective in His kingdom. In this critical time, we must not lose sight of Jesus. The distractions and challenges we face are opportunities to reset and refocus on Him. [54:01]
"And Samuel said, 'Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.'" (1 Samuel 15:22, ESV)
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?
Quotes
1. "It's just critical right now in this season that we not get distracted. Don't lose your focus. Don't lose who you are. Don't lose sight of him in this moment. I just need my heart reset by Jesus. How many of you would say it's been an interesting year? How many of you would feel like we, you know, it's going to get more interesting? How many of you can say that with joy in your heart?" [00:46] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "And so we kind of, I feel like we've been on a little bit of a journey this year where we've been going after just maturity. When we talk about even like the fivefold, what's part of the goal of that? To bring a maturity and a fullness to the believer and to the church, right? And then there's been this resonating theme of simplicity and even discipleship." [01:47] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "It's interesting because I think we can walk with the Lord for a long time or do anything for a long time in life. And we can suddenly become a little doll. We can become a little jaded. We can become complacent. And I think we can even do that in our walk with the Lord, even in church, Christianity, whatever you want to call it." [02:38] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "And so I think it's just really important in this season that we understand what God is doing and what he wants to do within us. And are there some adjustments that need to be made? Now, when I say that sometimes I feel like this growing tension or dissatisfaction maybe with the church, it's not with a critical lens. I'm not looking at any one place and going, ah, they should be." [06:10] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And I don't mean this to be heavy, because I don't feel that. This is heavy. But I do feel like we're in a moment. And it's like he won't let me leave this place right now. That we're in a moment. I think he wants to realign some things, readjust some things, reset some things, recalibrate some things. And it begins with every one of us. And are we willing to?" [07:49] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "This idea of becoming a disciple, it's not about just us being Christians. It's actually becoming disciples. How many of you ever heard of the guy named Winky Prattney? It's from a long time ago. It's obviously not an American name. But he said this. When you stop learning, you stop being a disciple." [16:11] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "So it is actually possible to come to Christ and to stop being a disciple. That any one of us can stop somewhere along the path in the journey. The goal is to be a disciple for life. That for our entire life, we're a disciple. And that means that we stay growing. We stay learning. We stay flexible and pliable. And we stay being led by the Holy Spirit." [17:07] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "And I feel like with where we're, at where we're going as a people, as a nation, it's just critical right now in this season that we not get distracted. Don't lose your focus. Don't lose who you are and don't lose him. Don't lose sight of him. I'm telling you, like the opportunity to get bumped is every day, every, maybe every minute of every day." [48:03] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "I just think it's critical that we remember we are a follower of Jesus. There is no way that we can make other disciples. If we first aren't a disciple of Jesus, you cannot, again, you cannot reproduce who you aren't. It's probably a better way to say that. And so I think right now, again, this is an opportunity for a reset in our lives." [50:11] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "I really believe this. I believe that the Lord is looking for a people. He's looking for people and a people, his people, that are really surrendered to him, really walking in his ways, listening to his voice, responding. And I find that the longer that I walk with the Lord, it's like the quicker he requires my obedience." [52:20] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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