What Being A Disciple Really Means (Luke, Part 7) Series

What being a disciple REALLY means (Luke, Part 7)

Luke 14:25-35

Introduction / Recap

- The study of Luke is an interesting one for believers to explore

-- We see Luke’s interest in humanity (it’s genuine, rem: career as a physician)

-- We also get to experience how Jesus interacts with society; He goes to them!

- Last week, we saw three critical challenges for Christians:

o We are to avoid the hypocrisy of the world and be faithful witnesses

o We must understand that everything we do will be examined by God

o And in that examination, we will be saved/condemned by our choices

- Today, I’d like us to consider being followers and maybe trying new things

-- What we have in this place is safety, and prayerfully, we’ll all experience that

- Read Luke 14:25-35 / Pray

Point 1 – What does it mean to “deny yourself”?

- Once again, large crowds are following Jesus (v25)

-- For Jesus, His only thought was about the sacrifice that was coming (cross)

-- RE: His primary mission was to give His life as a ransom for all (prophecy)

-- But, in order to carry the mission forward … followers are required

- Most of these followers will do one thing: give everything for the ministry

-- Big Fact: To follow Jesus, a half-hearted effort is not going to get it done

-- To deny oneself means that everything you value is second place

- Jesus’ words seem harsh as he talks about family denial – but what does it mean?

-- A man must put Christ FIRST (v26) in order to be a true follower

-- The words “hate everyone else” (Greek: ou misei) are very strong here

- It means there is no favoritism, no desire to do things we want or prefer

-- APP: To really follow Jesus, being a disciple must & will cost you everything

- Here are three ways that discipleship will cost you:

• Jesus is to be first in your life

• He must hold the place of honor before self or family

• For companionship, comfort, and lifestyle – Jesus is your go-to

- Mark 10:28-31, “Then Peter began to speak up. “We’ve given up everything to follow you,” he said. “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life. But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.”

- Please know this: Denying your preferences is always a challenge

-- Remember I said two weeks ago that we are ALL in this together?

- Here is a perfect demonstration … Ask: do you trust me? (repeat)

-- Like to ask everyone to stand up, gather stuff, and go sit in another section

-- There are four sections … pick anyone you would like

- OK, let’s chat …

-- Do you notice anything different? Other than the view?

-- The chair is the same, the message is the same, even our God is the same

-- Yet, b/c it’s different, b/c it’s change, it can cause us to resist and rebel

- APP: When we move away from our preferences, something happens

-- We become more receptive to what God wants to do … Why?

-- Because we stop making life about us … (which it never was anyway)

- Once we are freed of our wants, we can willingly carry our own cross (v27)

-- This means taking on the very same mission as Jesus – to die to yourself

-- To choose: I want what God offers, and that will completely sustain me

-- EX: Leaving what you think you should do and fully submit to God’s mission

-- It doesn’t mean that you won’t question … but in the end … you obey (follow)

- TR: So, obviously, following Jesus has a cost associated with it. So …

Point 2 – What is the cost of discipleship (or following Jesus)?

- Jesus gives two parables to consider the cost of discipleship (v28-33)

- In the first, we see it from a construction viewpoint

-- No one goes to build something without first deciding if they can afford it

- Consider: Starting to build a home and running out of money

-- What good is that home to you and your family if it’s half-finished?

-- APP: Before we begin, we have to have the conversation: “Can we do this?”