The Cost
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Jesus invites us all to become His disciples
Discipleship is learning from Jesus and living like Him.
A few committed people can turn the world upside down.
Discipleship Costs
Discipleship Costs
As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Not everyone is ready for discipleship.
Discipleship is more than just words.
Jesus sees through to our hearts.
Discipleship is on God’s terms, not ours.
Our terms are always religious - go through the right ceremonies, say the right words, do the right things, keep the right laws, live a perfect life. And we think those are the cost.
But the cost is just the normal cost of a relationship. “Reality, immediacy, and priority.” This is just what it costs to be in love!
But God’s terms are “reality, immediacy, and priority”
If it were up to us - discipleship on our terms - we would tend to make the cost super-high (we call that legalism). Or we would make the cost super-low (we call that cheap grace).
5. Discipleship forces us to change.
Doing different things. Watching Jesus and emulating him. Serving people we never thought we’d serve. Having attitudes we never thought we’d have. Going places we never thought we’d go.
Following Jesus will affect every part of our lives in some way.
Discipleship means...
Discipleship means...
Responding to the call, regardless of the cost. (57-58)
This is just about reality. Jesus wants us to know what we’re in for.
Reality of Relationship.
In some countries, you may actually be persecuted. Joseph Kidder. Nineveh, Mosul, threatened, beaten when he became Christian. Responded to the call of discipleship.
Starting now, knowing it’s never convenient. (59-60)
Immediacy. Jesus doesn’t want us to wait until some convenient time. He wants us to start following him now. No matter what’s going on at work, at home, at school, with your finances. — I’ll follow you after I’ve had my fun. I’ll follow you after I have enough money. I’ll follow you once I’m retired and have nothing better to do with my life. I’ll follow you when I start seeing stuff get really bad in the world.
Reality of Relationship.
Leaving the past, regardless of its pull. (61-62)
Priority. Jesus is more important than all the stuff that used to be important to us. The disciples left their nets, their money, their jobs...
Reality of Relationship.
Sins of the past, addictions of the past, your past character. Mistakes. Irrelevant.
Too Much to Bear?
Too Much to Bear?
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Jesus issues another open call to discipleship.
Jesus offers us the ultimate rest of trusting relationship.
The simplicity of discipleship offers soul relief.
Next Steps...
Next Steps...
I am weary and want to come to Jesus for discipleship rest.
I want to follow Jesus no matter what the cost.
I will read this week and see the freedom of the Kingdom Jesus invites us into.
I will spend some time today or tomorrow considering what it means to follow Jesus in every area of my life.