Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• Some words of Scripture are quite radical
• We must lay aside everything
• Do we try to rationalise this - it is about discipleship and not salvation?
• Questions:
• Does Jesus separate discipleship from salvation?
• Why should we shy away from this demand?
• A very challenging passage:
• Salvation is not easy
• It is not a matter of just praying a prayer
• There must be understanding of the choice and the cost of following Him
• Personal example
• Jesus is saying that people need to use their minds
• Christianity is first and foremost of the mind
• The will then responds to this truth
• Jesus taught people to think and weigh up, not be impulsive or rash
• Hard teaching next to glorious teaching in Scripture
• Last week: the parable of the great supper
• After this He has multitudes following Him
• He is concerned they understand the cost of following Him
• v26-27
• Overview:
• Being a disciple
• The cost of being a disciple
• v26, 27, 33 - the terms of being a disciple
• Emphasised 3 times
• v35 - Jesus does not want the people to remain blind

Being a disciple

• To learn from your master and put this into practice
• A disciple is not above their master
• The first disciples
• Called to leave their profession
• Luke 5:1-11 – Peter and co left all
• Luke 5:27-28 – Levi left his livelihood but not his house
• Luke 18:28-30 – Jesus promises a reward for those who have sacrificed
• Example
• Do we need to forsake all?
• Mary & Martha and other Christians kept their homes
• Paul often stayed in the homes of believers
• 1 Cor 7 - stay in your calling (job/relationship state)
• No - but it should be at God's disposal
• Have a light hold
• Quote
• How much?
• You are asking the wrong question
• Example
• Luke 9:23-25
• Deny yourself - you renounce yourself and surrender to Him
• Not the cost of discipleship separate from salvation but the terms of salvation
• Luke 9:57-62
• Jesus has no physical security
• He is trusting His heavenly Father
• Do not use family situations as an excuse to follow God
• Whether a burial
• Whether turning back
• It is not part time but a whole way of life
• Someone who follows the Lord Jesus
• "Dulos" - a slave
• A free offer of salvation
• He offered Himself as Lord and Saviour
• Not to preach a half message - you must count the cost

The cost of being a disciple

• To call people to think
• The person sits down - 2 examples in v28 and v31
• Explanation
• No 'pressing a person into the kingdom'
• Personal example
• A radical decision
• Christ must come first
• Before our family and other relationships:
• Not to hate - Scripture clearly calls us to love
• Jesus is using this word metaphorically
• He is Lord - allegiance to Him comes first
• You love Him above all your dreams and desires
• The cost to some Christians is very great - examples
• Christ must come before ourselves
• Example of Paul
• Matt 13:44-46
• Christianity is not an insurance but a great treasure
• The cost:
• Example of Rosaria Champagne Butterfield
• Are you prepared to crucify yourself?
• Consider the example of marriage
• Enter carefully into the kingdom of heaven
• Salt – v34-35
• Has your life become insipid?
• Are you holy?
• What about life - do you love sin?
• Are you abiding in Jesus?
• Is the savor of God in your life?
• The discipline or the wrath of God
• They did not finish
• Have you 'closed' with Christ?
• Come as you are but understand the cost