Word Up Ministries

October 14, 2022

Scripture:

JOHN 7:1-9, LUKE 9:51-56, MATTHEW 8:18-22, LUKE 9:57-62, JOHN 7:10-8:20

The Cost Of A Disciple

As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.”
Luke 9:57

My Takeaways

Something Old

A disciple is a learner of Christ.

Three men came to Jesus saying they wanted to be disciples, but they did not realize the sacrifices they would have to make in following Jesus.

The first man was told to think seriously about his professed intentions, because following Jesus would bring with it physical hardship and discomfort (Luke 9:57-58).
The second was warned that responsibilities towards Jesus must come before ordinary worldly responsibilities. (Luke 9:59-60).
The third man was warned that Jesus’ disciples must give themselves to him completely. There is no place for those whose real interests are elsewhere (Luke 9:61-62).

Jesus clearly teaches us that we should:

Realize how seriously God takes commitment.
Count the cost before I make the commitment.
Make my yes, a yes.
Be prepared to lose something(s) and/or someone

When following Christ:

Keep moving forward.
A ploughman can’t plough a straight row if he keeps looking back.
Hold on the Lord.
A ploughman can’t plough a straight row without holding the plow tight.

If you knew all the costs following Christ would require, would you still follow Him? This isn’t a question of salvation issue; this is a question of surrender.

Luke 9:23

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” (ESV)
And He said to all, If any person wills to come after Me, let him deny himself [disown himself, forget, lose sight of himself and his own interests, refuse and give up himself] and take up his cross daily and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying also]”. (AMPC)

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