The Discipleship Test

The Discipleship Test Jan. 29, 2014 Luke 9.51-62

Luke 9:51-62 (NASB) 51 When the days were approaching for His ascension, He was determined to go to Jerusalem; 52 and He sent messengers on ahead of Him, and they went and entered a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him. 53 But they did not receive Him, because He was traveling toward Jerusalem.54 When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, "Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?"55 But He turned and rebuked them, [and said, "You do not know what kind of spirit you are of; 6 for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them."] And they went on to another village. 57 As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, "I will follow You wherever You go." 58 And Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." 59 And He said to another, "Follow Me." But he said, "Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father." 60 But He said to him, "Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God." 61 Another also said, "I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home." 62 But Jesus said to him, "No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

ETS: Jesus stressed the necessity of total commitment in being an effective follow of His.

ESS: Following Jesus is the absolutely most important priority in the life of a Christian.

PQ: What do you think Jesus would say about how well you’re following Him?

OBJ: I hope you will decide to follow after Christ regardless of the personal cost.

UW: Questions

TS: Let’s look at 3 tough questions that test the depths of discipleship.

aa I What’s in it for me?

bb II Can I follow You later?

cc III Do I really have to put You first, Jesus?

I What’s in it for me?

Luke 9:57 (NASB) 57 As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, "I will follow You wherever You go."

A Matthews gospel tells us this man was a scribe who would have been familiar with the relationship between a Rabbi being followed by his students.

Matthew 8:19 (NASB) 19 Then a scribe came and said to Him, "Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go."

1 The students were cared for by their Rabbi. (physical & spiritual)

a The scribe was most probably a new convert with the zeal of a new Christian.

aa Set the world on fire, called to preach at the biggest crowds.

bb Got accolades, assets, accommodations, acknowledged!

b The man assumed that following Jesus as a disciple meant he’d be on easy street.

2 Jesus never had riches or reservations.

Luke 9:58 (NASB) 58 And Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."

a Matthew 10:24 (NASB)24 "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master.

aa I don’t have a home... don’t expect to be comfortable.

bb Matthew 10:22 (NASB) 22 "You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.

Matthew 24:9 (NASB) 9 "Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name.

John 15:18 (NASB)18 "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you.

b Jesus said, if you’re gonna follow me wherever I go, know it’s going to be a hard road to hoe.

B When we choose to follow Him we must set aside any idea of great things in this world.

1 Luke 9:23 (NASB) 23 And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.

a If we’re going to follow after Jesus we can’t do it from a distance or at large, but be willing to give up everything to follow Him.

b I’ll follow if...

aa He takes care of me, provides, heals me.

bb I don’t have to change.

2 Following Jesus won’t cost you something, it will cost you everything!

a If you can’t handle it, don’t pretend to follow.

b Discipleship promises difficulties... that’s why there are only a few.