Journey With Jesus:
Jesus Is Lord
Introduction
This Summer we are focused on the Journey with Jesus: The Daily Trek of Discipleship. Last week we talked about the Beatitudes and how they form the foundation of the daily walk with the Lord. They require a different mindset than is natural because they inform a different kind of life - a Jesus life - that we are aiming to live.
When we talk about being a Disiple of Jesus - a student of His ways - we turn to some passages that have bold and challenging teachings. Sanders: The word “Lord” carries the idea of an owner who has control of all His possessions. Unless we recognize that fact in practice, Christ’s reign over us is purely nominal. We are His by
creation, and we are His by purchase. Now we are His by self-surrender.”
This lesson looks at Seven qualities of discipleship that recognize Jesus as Lord and how we can put them into practice.
1. COST to be counted (Luke 14:27-30)
Luke 14:27-30 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 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? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’
The commitment to be a disciple of Jesus is a costly one - in the sense that our decision to follow Him has consequences in a world that does not recognize Jesus as Lord.
For Jesus, that commitment was a cross. What is your cross? Not just hardships - but the hardships that come because you chose to live the Jesus life.
Sanders: “There is indeed a cost in loyal discipleship, but there is also assurance of abundant compensation.”
2. SUBMISSION to His Authority
1 Peter 3:15 “In your hearts reverence Christ as Lord.”
Romans 14:9 RSV “For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.”
In the Lord’s Prayer we pray “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”.
There are many competing authorities in our lives. As children it was parents and teachers or coaches. As adults it may be our boss or even our spouses, whose thoughts and opinions are high in our esteem. Every authority comes under the level of authority that is presented by Christ. He is our lord now and forever!
3. RELATIONSHIPS under his Direction
John 13:34-35 RSV A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Discipleship demands that our relationships be surrounded in love. Jesus showed us the ultimate love on the cross ... a love that is selfless, forgiving, and sacrificial. This is how the world knows we are disciples of Jesus.
4. GROWTH inward and outward
John 15:4-5 NLT Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”
We seek to grow in our connection to God, His connection to the world around us, and our place in bringing about new fruit. When we live (abide) in him, our own spiritual growth continues as well as the results of it - fruit of the Spirit / fruit of the harvest of souls. This is the natural process.
5. CONSISTENCY without excuses
Luke 9:57-62 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
In this series of encounters Jesus sees into the hearts of those who want to follow... each one has something else that seems to be in the way of their discipleship. While they sound harsh to us - one thing that Jesus is pointing out in these encounters is that a relationship with Him must come in first place. He will not be the second Lord or the second priority. He wants us to commit to him and stick with it. We are grateful for grace when we fall short, but what is our intention? Each of these intended to do something else instead of following Jesus. How easy it is for even important things to rise above our commitment to the Lord!
6. DIRECTION for daily walk
LUKE 6:46-49 “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? 47 I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. 48 It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. 49 But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.”
The disciples' decision is to walk with Jesus every day. A Sunday religion is not what the Lord is looking for! Daily discipleship seeks directions for daily life.
7. PREPARATION
-For the inward battle: temptations, doubt, fear.
-The outward battles - others, enemies, culture
-The lifelong battles - He will never leave us
1 Peter 1:13 NLT “So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious
salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.”
8. THE DAILY TREK: Practicing Discipleship
-Make these qualities a part of your regular prayer life. Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for
righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”
-Notice the weak areas and determine to work on those day by day. This requires faith. Sanders: “Salvation is not merely believing certain doctrinal facts; it is trusting in and embracing the divine Person who is Lord of the Universe and who atoned for our sins.”
-Don’t go it alone. You have a Family of brothers and sisters all walking the same way.
-Repent regularly. Never let a failure set you back, take you off course. Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Sanders: “There is so much to deflect us from the path of full discipleship.”
-In weary times, remember this is a lifelong pursuit. Sanders: “Discipleship is a whole time job and a whole life
job.” This is not done in a day, but it is a daily pursuit.
Conclusion
Jesus concluded his message to a large crowd with these challenging words: “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not what I say? (Luke 6:46). Is Christ the King of my life in daily practice?
Let us not withhold any part of our lives from the mastery of Christ.
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Questions For Discussion
1. When we say that we should 'count the cost' for being a disciple of Jesus - what kinds of things would you characterize as the "cost"? What are we counting?
2. Jesus said, "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." In what ways is love visible to those who are outside of our fellowship? Why does it matter if we love one another as long as we live a godly life?
3. What does it mean to you to "abide in Christ"? How can one tell if they are doing this?
4. In Luke 9:57-62 there is a series of encounters where people express a desire to follow Christ but have other things they want to do first. How does this illustrate the response of people in general when we talk to them about being a Christian? Do you think Jesus was harsh in these pronouncements? What does that tell us about the importance of placing Jesus first?
5. In Jesus' parable from Luke 6, he tells about a person who builds a house, digs deep, and lays the foundation on solid rock. How would you advise someone to build their lives on a solid rock foundation? How could they go about doing that? How has your experience been with this?
6. The qualities of discipleship were presented today as preparation for the daily walk, not just difficult steps to take. How do you think they prepare us for the day ahead and what we may face?
7. The lesson presented five practical ways to practice discipleship. Which is the biggest struggle for you? Which is the one that has blessed you most?
