The Cost of the Cross: A Call to Discipleship
Summary
As we journey towards Easter, we reflect on the profound significance of the cross and the immense cost Jesus paid for our salvation. The narrative of the cross is not just a story of suffering but a testament to the depth of God's love for humanity. The cross represents the ultimate sacrifice, where Jesus, the perfect and sinless Son of God, bore the weight of the world's sins. This act of love and sacrifice is unparalleled, and it challenges us to consider the cost of our own discipleship.
In our daily lives, we often weigh the cost of things, whether it's the price of gas or the value of material possessions. Yet, the cost of the cross transcends all earthly measures. It is a reminder that God's love is not transactional but sacrificial. Jesus endured unimaginable pain and suffering, not because we deserved it, but because His love for us is boundless. This love calls us to a life of surrender, where we prioritize our relationship with Christ above all else.
The story of the two criminals crucified alongside Jesus illustrates the simplicity and power of faith. One criminal mocked Jesus, while the other recognized His divinity and asked to be remembered in His kingdom. Jesus' response, "Today, you will be with me in paradise," underscores the truth that salvation is not about ticking boxes or performing rituals but about genuine belief in Jesus as Lord.
As followers of Christ, we are called to pick up our cross and follow Him. This path is not easy, but it is filled with joy and fulfillment that the world cannot offer. We may face sacrifices and challenges, but in surrendering to Jesus, we find true life. The cost of following Christ is high, but the reward is eternal life and a relationship with our Savior.
Reflect on your own journey of faith. Are you willing to surrender your desires and ambitions to follow Jesus? Are you living a life that reflects the sacrificial love of Christ? As we approach Easter, let us remember the cost of the cross and live in response to the incredible gift of salvation that Jesus has given us.
Key Takeaways
1. The cross is a profound symbol of God's sacrificial love, challenging us to reflect on the cost of our own discipleship and prioritize our relationship with Christ above all else. [04:41]
2. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was not transactional but an act of boundless love, calling us to a life of surrender and faith in Him as our Lord and Savior. [07:40]
3. The story of the two criminals crucified with Jesus highlights the simplicity and power of faith, emphasizing that salvation is about genuine belief, not rituals or checklists. [13:39]
4. Following Christ involves picking up our cross and embracing a path that may be challenging but is filled with joy and fulfillment that the world cannot offer. [18:35]
5. As we approach Easter, we are reminded of the incredible gift of salvation through Jesus' sacrifice, urging us to live in response to His love and grace. [25:27]
Youtube Chapters
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [04:41] - The Cost of the Cross
- [07:40] - Sacrificial Love
- [09:58] - Misunderstanding the Messiah
- [13:39] - The Sacrificial Lamb
- [16:16] - Jesus' Suffering and Sacrifice
- [18:35] - The Call to Discipleship
- [21:28] - The Reality of Following Christ
- [25:27] - The Thief on the Cross
- [29:07] - Living in Response to the Cross
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Luke 23:32-43
2. Romans 6:23
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Observation Questions:
1. What were the reactions of the two criminals crucified alongside Jesus, and how did Jesus respond to each of them? [21:28]
2. How does the sermon describe the physical and emotional suffering Jesus endured on the cross? [16:16]
3. What does the pastor mean by the "cost of the cross," and how does he illustrate this concept with personal anecdotes? [04:41]
4. How does the pastor differentiate between "done" and "do" religions, and what significance does this have in understanding Jesus' sacrifice? [09:58]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the story of the two criminals highlight the simplicity and power of faith, as mentioned in the sermon? [25:27]
2. How does the pastor's story about the cost of gas relate to the cost of discipleship and following Jesus? [04:41]
3. What does the pastor suggest about the nature of God's love through the analogy of sacrificing a child, and how does this deepen our understanding of Jesus' sacrifice? [07:40]
4. How does the pastor's description of the disciples' misunderstanding of Jesus' mission challenge our own expectations of what it means to follow Christ? [09:58]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own journey of faith. Are there areas in your life where you struggle to surrender your desires and ambitions to follow Jesus? How can you begin to address these struggles this week? [18:35]
2. The pastor mentions the simplicity of faith as demonstrated by the criminal who believed in Jesus. How can you cultivate a more genuine and simple faith in your daily life? [25:27]
3. Consider the pastor's analogy of the cost of gas. What are some "costs" in your life that you are willing to pay for your relationship with Christ, and what are some that you struggle with? [04:41]
4. The sermon challenges us to live in response to Jesus' sacrificial love. What is one specific way you can demonstrate sacrificial love to someone in your life this week? [29:07]
5. As we approach Easter, how can you intentionally reflect on the significance of the cross in your personal life and in your community? What steps can you take to make this reflection meaningful? [29:07]
6. The pastor talks about the joy and fulfillment found in following Christ despite challenges. Can you identify a recent challenge where you found unexpected joy in your faith? How did it impact your relationship with God? [18:35]
7. How can you ensure that your faith is not just about checking boxes or performing rituals, but about a genuine relationship with Jesus? What changes might you need to make in your spiritual practices? [25:27]
Devotional
Day 1: The Cross as a Symbol of Sacrificial Love
The cross stands as a profound symbol of God's sacrificial love, challenging believers to reflect on the cost of their own discipleship. It is a reminder that the love demonstrated by Jesus on the cross is not transactional but sacrificial, calling us to prioritize our relationship with Christ above all else. The cross is not merely a historical event but a living testament to the depth of God's love for humanity. As we contemplate the cross, we are invited to consider what it means to truly follow Jesus, embracing a life of surrender and devotion. [04:41]
"For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised." (2 Corinthians 5:14-15, 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?
Day 2: Jesus' Sacrifice as an Act of Boundless Love
Jesus' sacrifice on the cross was an act of boundless love, not a transactional exchange. This love calls us to a life of surrender and faith in Him as our Lord and Savior. The immense cost Jesus paid for our salvation is a testament to His love, which is not based on our worthiness but on His grace. As we reflect on this sacrifice, we are reminded that our response should be one of gratitude and a willingness to live a life that honors Him. The cross challenges us to move beyond a superficial faith and embrace a deep, transformative relationship with Christ. [07:40]
"In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John 4:10, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a specific way you can demonstrate sacrificial love to someone in your life this week. How can you reflect the love of Christ in this action?
Day 3: The Simplicity and Power of Faith
The story of the two criminals crucified with Jesus highlights the simplicity and power of faith. One criminal mocked Jesus, while the other recognized His divinity and asked to be remembered in His kingdom. Jesus' response, "Today, you will be with me in paradise," underscores the truth that salvation is not about ticking boxes or performing rituals but about genuine belief in Jesus as Lord. This narrative invites us to examine our own faith, encouraging us to move beyond mere religious practices and embrace a heartfelt trust in Christ. [13:39]
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on your own faith journey. Are there areas where you have been relying on rituals or checklists rather than genuine belief? How can you shift your focus to deepen your trust in Jesus?
Day 4: The Call to Discipleship
Following Christ involves picking up our cross and embracing a path that may be challenging but is filled with joy and fulfillment that the world cannot offer. This call to discipleship is not easy, but it promises a life of purpose and eternal significance. As we navigate the challenges of life, we are reminded that true fulfillment comes from a relationship with Christ, not from worldly achievements or possessions. The cost of following Jesus is high, but the reward is eternal life and a deep connection with our Savior. [18:35]
"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.'" (Luke 9:23-24, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific way you can take up your cross and follow Jesus this week? Consider a challenge or sacrifice you can embrace as part of your discipleship journey.
Day 5: Living in Response to the Gift of Salvation
As we approach Easter, we are reminded of the incredible gift of salvation through Jesus' sacrifice, urging us to live in response to His love and grace. This season invites us to reflect on the cost of the cross and the profound impact it has on our lives. We are called to live in a way that honors the sacrifice of Christ, embracing a life of gratitude, service, and love. The cross is not just a symbol of suffering but a call to action, challenging us to live out our faith in tangible ways. [25:27]
"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: As you reflect on the gift of salvation, what is one way you can live in response to Jesus' sacrifice this week? Consider a specific action or attitude you can adopt to honor His love and grace.
Quotes
"So what is the cost of the cross? This is the question that I've been wrestling with over this last week thinking why in the world if God is such a loving God such a perfect God such a all-encompassing truly just love, straight love, then why? Why the cross? Why is something so, so incredibly difficult?" [00:04:27] (28 seconds)
"The book Done focuses on the fact that there are two types of religions. One, that everything is done and has been done for you. Jesus Christ has finished the work on the cross. He has finished the work by raising himself from the dead. Or there's the do religions, the religions that you have all these things to do, a checklist of things, you have to be the right person, you have to be all the right things." [00:05:32] (28 seconds)
"And to gloss over the cost of the cross does a disservice to what Jesus did on the cross. You see, we come through the Last Supper where Jesus is with his disciples. Jesus is speaking so plainly. Listen, guys. I love you. But my life is going to end soon. I'm going to be given up as a sacrifice. I'm going to be given to cover the cost of the sins of this world. They don't get it." [00:08:03] (38 seconds)
"Jesus is left to carry the burden of the sin 100 by himself. That's the way it's supposed to be. It doesn't make it easy it doesn't make it feel good it's just the way that it's supposed to be that's the way it's supposed to be it doesn't make it easy it doesn't make it easy as I thought of what a sacrificial lamb is like. That's what we refer to Jesus as, the sacrificial lamb." [00:13:37] (30 seconds)
"But Jesus had to endure the pain of our sin. The perfect man who never sinned in his entire life. Had to endure the sin of the entire world. That is a massive burden to bear. The physical cost, Paul says in Romans 6:23, But now, speaking to us as people after the resurrection, you are free from the power of sin and you have become slaves of God." [00:14:55] (38 seconds)
"The mob mentality grew so strong that people that didn't even know who this Jesus really was were shouting, crucify him. Give us the sinner. Give us this guy who clearly has broken so many laws that he deserves crucifixion. No one deserves crucifixion. This guy deserves crucifixion. And Jesus sat there silently. Jesus took it all on his chin." [00:16:16] (32 seconds)
"Jesus did every single time the next right step. He was stripped of his clothes. He was spit on. He was insulted. Ultimately nailed to a cross. They pierced his side with a sword, with a spear, to confirm that he had no life left in his mortal body. Because the wage of sin is death. But the free gift of God is that Jesus did that for us." [00:16:41] (41 seconds)
"My only desire has to be this Jesus that gave up his life on the cross. My only desire is what he did. I am nothing without him. So there are physical costs to us. We live in a really great, cushy world. Not world. We live in a great, cushy country. You all chose to get up this morning to get in your cars that you started with a key or a push button, and you drove the fuel that you purchased already to drive here." [00:18:05] (34 seconds)
"The cost of the cross is so great that me and myself, I'm going to go from gas station to gas station to gas station, and every single one of those gas stations is going to be way too expensive, willing to fuel up my truck because the cost is so, so incredibly high. We see that in the Garden of Gethsemane. We see that as Jesus is preparing himself. He knows what is about to unfold." [00:19:10] (32 seconds)
"Then he said, Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. And Jesus replied, I assure you today, you will be with me in paradise. In the face of this agonizing pain, exhaustion, taking everything in that people are throwing at him, even though he lived a perfect life, even though he loved unconditionally over and over and over again." [00:23:37] (32 seconds)
"This is not what's supposed to happen but the truth of who Jesus is the truth the undeniable truth that this man was born lived perfectly loved perfectly gave of his life on the cross and overcame all of those pains and difficulties and death and defeated sin so that everyone here in this room in this community in this state in this world just by believing in his name Jesus you are my lord we can be saved the cost is high the cost to follow Christ is high it means that we give up of who we want to be because I want to be known as a follower of Jesus." [00:26:40] (56 seconds)
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