Discipleship
Salvation is free but discipleship costs everything!
The word disciple means learner.
* Jesus said discipleship was crucifixion of the self. (Matthew 16:24-26) In the west most have turned the cross into a piece of jewelry.
* Jesus said disciple ship is costly (Luke 14:27-33) not just talking about money. Sometimes that might mean saying sorry to someone we have wronged.
* Jesus said disciple ship is joy (Matthew 5:11-12) when we are persecuted and insulted, rejoice.
*Jesus said that if we are to truly be His disciples we are to “take up our cross daily and follow Him” (Luke 9:23).
But what does that mean?
**This is NOT self denial, this is denial of self. Denying self’s agenda, pride, absorption.
To understand that, we need to understand the meaning of the cross in that time and culture.
*When we see the cross today, it is a symbol of faith, particularly the Christian faith.
But in the time when Jesus made that statement, He had not yet died on the cross(Luke 9). So, in its original context, the cross was a symbol of death.
*In fact, it was the symbol of a very cruel death. The Romans reserved it for the worst criminals. It was a form of torture and humiliation, ultimately leading to a long and painful death.
Why would Jesus use the cross to illustrate what it meant to follow Him?
**Jesus intentionally used a gruesome symbol to get the people’s attention. He did this to say that following Him was not “child’s play.” It is not a game and it is not easy.
In fact, it will cost you to follow Him as a disciple.
*We should ALL— TOGETHER become like a well-oiled machine, doing the work of the Kingdom.
* We don’t perceive the UNITY of the Spirit because We are ONLY doing our part.
** BUT, if we could rise up and view the Body of Christ from a higher perspective, we would know that our part IS vital to the spiritual function of God’s will.
Ephesians 4:16 Under his control all the different parts of the body fit together, and the whole body is held together by every joint with which it is provided. So when each separate part works as it should, the whole body grows and builds itself up through love.
*Serving Christ cannot be an emotional decision, but one that we fully understand and are ready to stand with NO matter what the world says.
*The enemy would have you discount your contribution to that function, but he is a liar. Do not believe the lie that you are unimportant.
*1 Corinthians 12:14 For the body itself is not made up of only one part, but of many parts. (12: 19) There would not be a body if it were all only one part! (12:27) ALL of you are Christ’s body, and EACH ONE IS a part of it.
**Romans 12:4 We have many parts in the one body, and all these parts have different functions. 5 In the same way, though we are many, we are ONE body in union with Christ, and we are all joined to each other as different parts of ONE body.
Why we need to take up our cross daily:
*It causes us to concentrate on God
*It causes us to trust God fully
*It causes us to rely on God’s strength NOT our Own
“Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:27
*Who do you need in order to accomplish your goals?
*What essential pieces do you need/or to have in place in your life to accomplish God’s will?
Some things don’t correct itself!
* We have to learn how to manage our moments!!!
*We have to be willing to be obedient, sacrifice, evaluate and adjust.
Love is costly! It only cost us just a little bit but cost God his Son JESUS.
A godly heart always desires salvation above judgment.
Jesus, thank you for calling me. Thank you for loving me so much to have a plan for me. Remind me that a calling on my life is not an option but a true destination YOU have in mind for my life.
Lord help me Repent and tear up my long list of hurts and wrongs, pick up the cross and follow you.
* If you, God, kept records on wrongdoings, who would stand a chance? As it turns out, forgiveness is your habit, and that’s why you’re worshiped. I pray to God-my life a prayer-and wait for what he’ll say and do. .”(Psalm 130:3-4)Amen