Sermons on Costly Discipleship:

Following Jesus Christ, Not Denominations And A Call To Unity And Discipleship Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Dec 12, 2024

In this sermon, we will explore the biblical imperative to follow Jesus Christ, rather than denominations, and examine the implications of this call to unity and discipleship.

As believers, we are often faced with a plethora of denominational options, each with its own distinct traditions, practices, and interpretations of Scripture. While denominations can provide a sense of community and belonging, they can also lead to division, confusion, and a lack of unity among ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24, John 17:21

Discipleship In The Original Jewish Context: Elijah, Elisha, And Jesus

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Jan 6, 2025

Today we are going to look at Elijah and Elisha and note their potential influence upon the life and ministry of Jesus.

Discipleship in the Original Jewish Context: Elijah, Elisha, and Jesus Parallels between Jesus’ ministry and that of Elijah/Elisha (I Kings 19:1-9, 15-16 compared with Matthew 4:1-11) When Protestants have visions, they usually have visions of Jesus. When Roman Catholics have visions, they often ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11, 1 Kings 19:1-9, 1 Kings 19:15-16

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Faith That Gives: Discipleship, Generosity, And The Overflow Of Life In Christ Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jan 24, 2026

One of the clearest indicators of true discipleship is not how loudly we sing or how much Bible knowledge we carry—but how freely we give. In a world obsessed with holding on, Jesus calls His followers to live with open hands.

Faith That Gives: Discipleship, Generosity, and the Overflow of Life in Christ Introduction: Following Jesus with Open Hands Church, one of the clearest indicators of true discipleship is not how loudly we sing or how much Bible knowledge we carry—but how freely we give. In a world obsessed with ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:6, James 2:17, 2 Corinthians 8:9, Matthew 6:21, Acts 2:44-45, Romans 4:25, Romans 10:9, Philippians 4:19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Counting The Cost Series

Contributed by Allen Hern on Feb 17, 2004

When everyone else turned away from Jesus, the disciples had to count the cost. Their answer is still our answer: Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.

 200409.ser “Counting the Cost” CLBC Feb 15 04 a.m. Subject: Discipleship Theme: The Cost of Discipleship Passage: John 6: 60 - 71 It was a difficult time for the 12 ...read more

Scripture: John 6:60-71

Denomination: Baptist

Many Are Called, But Few Are Chosen Series

Contributed by Terry Stivers on Jul 15, 2003

Jesus, in picking His disciples, shows us what following Him is all about. Series on Mark

MANY ARE CALLED BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN Mark 1:16-20 INTRO: The Plan Hernando Cortes had a plan. He wanted to lead an expedition into Mexico to capture its vast treasures. When he told the Spanish governor his strategy, the governor got so excited that he gave him 11 ships and 700 men. Little did the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:16-20

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Disciple's Cross

Contributed by Gary Birch on Feb 27, 2007

Following Jesus has become too easy for many people. We like to take the benefits without the discipline and responsibilities. What does it really mean to take up our cross and follow him?

The Italian freedom fighter Garibaldi offered his men only hunger and death to free Italy. Garibaldi had an incredibly committed volunteer army. He would appeal for recruits in these terms: “I offer neither pay, nor quarters, nor provisions; I offer hunger, thirst, forced marches, battles and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-28

Choice And Testing

Contributed by Jyoti Banerjee on Nov 27, 2006

Testing and temptation: Jesus’s encounter with the Devil was a shadow of the cross in the wilderness.

We just heard the reading from Matthew 4. When Matthew wrote his book, he had no idea that there was going to be a chapter break right at that point of his book. So I suggest we take a look at a few verses before Matthew 4 to get a sense of Matthew’s thought pattern. At the end of Chapter 3, we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 4:1-11

Denomination: Anglican

Answering Jesus' Most Important Question

Contributed by Michael Stover on Apr 12, 2005

Have you ever been faced with a difficult question? Jesus asked life’s most important question; our lives will be forever affected by how we answer it.

ANSWERING JESUS’ MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION Mark 8:27-35 Have you ever been faced with a difficult question? • “May I see your fishing license?” • “Do you know why I stopped you?” • “How many calories are in a mouse?” • “Will you marry me?” • “Are you saved?” The disciples were asked one of the most ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:27-35

Denomination: Baptist

Doing Your Best

Contributed by Robert Travis on Jan 9, 2007

Do your best and receive God’s blessing!

ANOINTED AT BETHANY Joh 12:1-11 1 Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. 2 There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him. 3 Then took Mary a pound of ...read more

Scripture: John 12:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

A Follower Or A Fan?

Contributed by Victor Yap on Feb 5, 2017

Discipleship

THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED (LUKE 9:57-62) A man wrote to his pastor: “Dear Pastor, you often stress attendance at worship as being very important for a Christian, but I think a person has a right to miss now and then. I think every person ought to be excused for the following reasons and the number of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:57

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Disciples Without Understanding - Part 1 Series

Contributed by Bruce Pierce on Apr 15, 2023

Discipleship

Introduction: Discipleship Joke: A preacher was preaching in an unfamiliar church one Sunday morning. As he stood in the pulpit to begin the service, he tapped the microphone to make sure that it was on. He heard nothing, even though, it was working fine. So he leaned closer to the microphone ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:43-56, James 1:5

Paying The Cost To Not Be The Boss

Contributed by Austin Mansfield on Sep 18, 2007

Jesus demonstrates for us that there is a difference between salvation and discipleship.

Other Scripture used: Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Philemon 1-20 Psalm 1 In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Amen. (Psalm 19:14) I. Intro God’s definitely got ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-33

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Consider The Cost Series

Contributed by Todd Stiles on Oct 12, 2006

What does it take to follow Jesus? Find out in this message about the tower builder and the king.

"Consider the Cost" Luke 14:25-35 Have you ever got involved in something, only to realize afterwards that it wasn¡¦t what you thought? Even though they told you what was required, for some reason it just didn¡¦t sink in¡Kand so you found yourself feeling like an unhappy camper just halfway into ...read more

Scripture: Luke 14:25-35

Denomination: Baptist

Mixed Metaphors Series

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Oct 10, 2006

3 of 5 messages in Colossians. This message deals with spiritual growth and the source of spiritual strength. Several illustrations and thoughts came from Brian Bill - Sermon Central Contributer.

Life 101 Deeply Rooted Mixed Metaphors In Colossians 2:6-7, Paul mixes several metaphors in order to describe the process of spiritual growth: Many commentators believe that this is the theme of the entire book, sort of like the hinge point of Colossians. Spiritual progress is an orderly ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:5-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Cost Of A Christ-Centered Life

Contributed by Tony Searles on Nov 3, 2003

Salvation is a free gift, it can’t be earned or deserved. However, for the Christian to live a life Centered on Christ...it will cost us something. David would not give what did not cost him anything...so what are our "costs"?

"The Cost of a Christ-Centered Life" SONG TO INTRODUCE THE MESSAGE - "Yes, Lord, Yes" Oh, how we MUST say yes! -Like Isaac’s willingness as he gave his life on the altar...we too must be willing to say YES to what God asks? Now, I know that most of us have already said yes to the Lord...being ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 24:18-25

Denomination: Other