The Cost And Reward Of Discipleship Luke 9:23-24 Series

The Cost and Reward of Discipleship Luke 9:23-24

Introduction:

Today we gather to delve into the timeless truths of God's Word as we explore what it means to be transformed by the truth of discipleship. Our passage from Luke 9:23-24 sheds light on the essence of following Jesus, revealing both the cost and the reward of discipleship. Let us open our hearts and minds to receive God's wisdom and guidance as we journey through His Word together.

"Then he said to the crowd, 'If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.'" (Luke 9:23-24, NLT)

1 The Call to Deny Self (Luke 9:23):

Jesus begins by addressing the crowd, laying out the foundational principle of discipleship: self-denial. He emphasises that to follow Him, one must be willing to relinquish their own desires, ambitions, and plans. This call to deny self is radical and requires a complete surrender to the will of God.

2 Taking Up the Cross (Luke 9:23):

Jesus continues by instructing His followers to take up their cross daily. In the context of His time, the cross symbolized suffering, sacrifice, and ultimately, death. By taking up their cross, believers are called to embrace a life of sacrifice and obedience, even in the face of challenges and opposition.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said, "When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die." This profound statement captures the essence of self-denial and taking up the cross in discipleship.

3 The Promise of True Life (Luke 9:24):

In verse 24, Jesus contrasts two paths: holding onto one's life versus losing it for His sake. He assures His followers that those who are willing to lose their lives for His sake will find true life and salvation. This paradoxical truth reveals the transformative power of discipleship and the eternal reward that awaits those who faithfully follow Christ.

Charles Spurgeon remarked, "The cross is not only the badge of Christianity but the heart of it." Indeed, the cross serves as a central symbol of Christian discipleship, reminding believers of the sacrificial love of Christ and the call to emulate His example.

Matthew 16:24-25 (NLT): Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.

In this passage, Jesus speaks directly to his disciples, emphasising the necessity of self-denial and sacrifice for those who wish to follow him. The imagery of taking up one's cross carries profound weight, symbolising a willingness to endure suffering and persecution for the sake of Christ. Jesus contrasts the worldly desire to preserve one's life with the eternal gain found in surrendering to his will.

Philippians 3:8-10 (NLT): Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death,

In this passage, the Apostle Paul reflects on the surpassing worth of knowing Christ intimately. He considers all earthly achievements and possessions as insignificant compared to the immeasurable value of a personal relationship with Jesus. Paul expresses his desire to identify fully with Christ, embracing both the fellowship of his sufferings and the power of his resurrection. For Paul, true righteousness comes not from adhering to the law but through faith in Christ.

Mark 8:35 (NLT): If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.

Similar to Matthew 16:24-25, this verse from the Gospel of Mark underscores the paradoxical nature of discipleship. Jesus reiterates the principle that clinging to temporal life results in spiritual loss, while surrendering one's life for the sake of the gospel leads to eternal salvation. It echoes the call to sacrificial living and wholehearted devotion to Christ.

Conclusion:

In summary, these passages call believers to a radical commitment to Christ, characterised by self-denial, pursuit of intimacy with Him, and readiness to suffer for His sake. They remind us that the path of discipleship requires relinquishing our own desires and embracing the cross, yet in doing so, we find true life and purpose in Christ.