The Path Of Discipleship

Discipleship 101 Part 3

The Path of Discipleship

Luke 14:25-27

Introduction: This morning we are continuing our study on discipleship. We are going to be studying in Gospel of Luke, chapter 14. We will actually be in

Luke 14 for the next two weeks as we talk about the path of discipleship and the price of discipleship.

I chose the imagery of a path because I see discipleship as a journey as well as a destination. You might say that we are on our way to becoming Jesus’

disciples. Unfortunately, many of those who accept Christ get sidetracked from His path, or simply stop moving forward. Sometimes it is because the path is

more challenging than we thought it would be. I found a great illustration about facing challenges in what can be an uncertain and difficult world. The

following were taken directly for Comment Cards at the Jim Bridger Wilderness Area in Wyoming:

1. In the future, please avoid building trails that go uphill.

2. Why not pave the trails? Chair lifts would also be helpful so we can enjoy the view without having to hike so far.

3. A small deer came into my camp and stole my jar of pickles. Is there a way I can get reimbursed?

4. Escalators would help on steep uphill sections.

5. A McDonald’s would be nice at the trailhead.

6. Could you spray the wilderness to get rid of bugs, leeches and spiders?

7. It’s a very nice wilderness, but there are too many rocks in the mountains.

As we have said in our first two studies on discipleship, genuine disciples of Jesus Christ have understood and acknowledged His Lordship over their lives.

You cannot be a dedicated disciple until you humble yourself to the Lordship of Christ.

So what is the path of discipleship? What road must we be willing to walk if we are going to prove ourselves to be genuine disciples of Jesus Christ? Today

we are going to see Jesus address a large crowd who were following Him but were not ready to be true disciples. Unfortunately, that still happens a lot

today. Many people follow Jesus to Church, but then they leave Him there and go on about their lives the rest of the week. That is not the example of true

discipleship.

Text: Luke 14:25-27

Principle # 1

Traveling With Jesus isn’t the Same as Trusting In Jesus

25 Now great crowds were traveling with Him.

Jesus didn’t have a problem gathering a crowd, but most of those who gathered weren’t true disciples. Like those who came to Him the day after He fed 5,000

plus. Jesus said to them that the only reason they were there was to get another free meal! Sometimes I worry that our churches are filled with free meal

Christians. People who have come to Jesus to get the free gift of salvation, but aren’t interested in the cost of being His disciple.

Having a crowd of people in church doesn’t mean they are all committed. Having 90% of American’s claim they believe in God doesn’t mean they even know what

that means. Numbers mean nothing unless they are genuine reflections of a person’s commitment to Jesus Christ. So what is the acceptable percentage? Do you

feel that being 50% committed to Jesus is ok? How about 60% or maybe 40%? Maybe you are really committed, maybe 85%, is that sufficient?

I think you understand the point. That is the way the crowd looks at things, "what do I have to do?" We live in a world that seems to RISE to the MINIMUM

standard. We need to get out the crowd into a life of dedicated discipleship. The question is, when are we going to move from the crowd to being a committed

disciple?

Luciano Pavarotti is possibly one of the most famous singers of all time. He passed away a year ago, and on his webpage on the internet is his picture and

this quote: "I think a life in music is a life beautifully spent and this is what I have devoted my life to." I also came across an interview with the famous

tenor that told of his early years:

When I was a boy, my father, a baker, introduced me to the wonders of song. He urged me to work very hard to develop my voice. Arrigo Pola, a professional

tenor in my hometown of Modena, Italy, took me as a pupil. I also enrolled in a teachers college. On graduating, I asked my father, "Shall I be a teacher or

a singer?"

"Luciano," my father replied, "if you try to sit on two chairs, you will fall between them. For life, you must choose one chair." I chose one. It took seven

years of study and frustration before I made my first professional appearance. It took another seven to reach the Metropolitan Opera. And now I think whether