Discipleship
Sermon Notes
Discipleship is a process that includes learning bible truth, becoming like Christ, and sharing Christianity with others. There are three questions you should ask.
Who is a Disciple? It does not mean simply one who is saved. He or she is a learner, student, follower, or apprentice. It means one who has been disciplined. Disciplined means being under control. A Disciple is one that has been brought under the control of Jesus.
How do we become Disciples? First, we must receive Jesus as Savior. Then we must decide to be a disciple. We are challenged by the word,
Luke 14:25-26 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. We are convicted by the Holy Spirit; we must voluntarily subject ourselves to Christ. It is deciding to make Jesus Lord over our lives. Listen; we can not have but one Lord, Lord means ruler over.
Luke 14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. To be a true disciple of Jesus requires self-denial. The cross was the most painful and humiliating form of execution for the Romans. To take up one’s cross daily is to expect a painful situation every day because of allegiance to Christ.
What does it cost to be a disciple? Jesus said we should count the cost; He uses two examples to illustrate this.
The man building a tower. Luke 14:28-30 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
The king going to war. Luke 14:31-33 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. This involves not holding onto the material things of this world.
Conclusion: Two things happen when one is unable to pay the price. He is ridiculed as in the case of the tower. He surrenders-as in the case of the king.