Faithful, or a Fair weather Fan!
Tim McGraw – Martina McBride concert – rain; it wasn’t that I was a huge fan of either, I wanted a good seat for the show.
Being dedicated – no matter what’s going on – what’s being done – you’re there. Genuine interest.
In Luke 14 Jesus finds himself again surrounded by a huge crowd of followers – but he’s gonna separate out the spectators from the disciples.
Read Luke 14:25-27
All things that matter have a cost. Today, if you want to live a life pleasing to God, there are cost involved.
There are things I will never have – or become, because I’m not willing to commit what is necessary. I refuse to give up my time to be with God’s people.
If I can be honest, there are those that don’t want to pay full price. You see, life distracts them.
Power – money – prestige – even family. Notice what Jesus goes on to say in Luke 14.
Tonight, will you ask the question “what’s holding me back from being truly His disciple” and answer it honestly?
I’m going to share three D’s with you tonight and that will be our lesson on Discipleship.
1st – Decide
Joe’s now going to lead us in the song “I have decided”.
At the foundation of our walk with Christ is our initial “decision” to follow or stay where we are (in sin).
Read verses 28-30: Jesus lays out what the cost will be and like a builder we must look over the plans and decide what is needed.
If we try to cut corners, our plan will fail and Jesus said, “ridicule” awaits us.
God has never wanted to make us He wants us to decide for ourselves what we are willing to do for Him. 2 Cor. 9:6-8
It’s up to us. Caleb the other day while we drove home called out to his mommy and said, “Mommy, when I get big I can help old ladies across the street.”
I’m not sure where things like that come from. What I wonder most is where thinking like that goes.
Peter, Andrew, James and John – left all and followed. We haven’t really been asked to do that have we? Not many will ever have to decide to leave all (family, security, lives) and follow.
Do you remember the story of Isaiah’s call to ministry? In Isaiah 6, following the death of King Uzziah, we find Isaiah has an encounter with Lord. Read Isa. 6:1-5
How many of us can relate to Isaiah? He didn’t even feel worthy in a vision to be in God’s presence.
Like Isaiah there something we must do – I could come up with a better term than – Digest.
We need to understand and truly realize that no matter where we’ve been – God’s concern is where we are going.
Grace is a difficult thing to grasp, but without none of us would have hope. I can’t adequately explain why God gave me love when I did nothing to deserve it. But I’m glad that he did.
Truly digesting what God has done – makes completing his work easier in our life. You see, when I remember what he has done and continues to do, then it’s easier to care for others.
Paul said it like this – Gal. 6:1-5
Do you remember what Jesus said about the one who picks at the brother with a speck – moat.
Remember our first D – we made the decision to follow. God asks we “carry each others burdens.”
Asked an older preacher – when is it time to preach? Can’t keep it to yourself. When we realize and truly accept what God has done, we can’t keep quiet.
It’s up to us to DECLARE – the good news to everyone we come in contact with. (John’s lesson this morning).
I Peter 2:7-12
Chosen to live a life that declares the Glory of God daily – I think many of us need to be reminded it’s not that we have to preach to declare, but how we live.
One of my favorite passages is John 13:34-35:
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Our love for others declares the message! How simple can that be?
Being a disciple begins with decision to live a life in the midst of this evil world that understand and declares God’s tender mercy and grace to all those we see!
There’s more to share, but I will save those for another time. Over the past few months I have shared a lot about me through the lessons I have shared. I do that because it helps me understand better – maybe along the it will help you too.
As I worked on this lesson I thought about one thing. PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT.
Prayer – man named Van prayed wonderful prayers – growing up he’d be called on when a need arose, he turned up his oxygen and poured out his heart. I asked “how can I pray like you”, his response, “practice.”
Getting a grip on God’s AMAZING GRACE helps me to put it into practice with my brothers and sisters and those I come in contact with.
We never know who we might be entertaining. But we can be like Isaiah, once we truly understand what God has done for us the answer will come quick – Here am I send me!
