Can’t Be A Disciple!

TEXTLuke 14:25-33

INTRODUCTION:

A.  THREE TIMES è “CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE.”

B.  USED MANY TIMES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT.

          1.  A learner.

          2.  An adherent to a discipline.

                   a.  One of a group of adherents.

                   b.  How does one become a disciple in this sense (Matt. 28:19-20).

                   c.  True disciples (John 8:31).  A way of life.

          3.  Only disciples can wear the Name (Acts 11:26).

C.  THE TEXT SAYS SOME ARE REJECTED AS DISCIPLES BY THE LORD.  WHO?

I.  WE MUST LOVE JESUS MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE (Luke 14:26).

A.  PARALLEL VERSES HELP WITH THE WORD “HATE” (Matt. 10:37).

B.  LOVE IS THE MARK OF DISCIPLESHIP (John 13:34-35).

C.  THE BASIS OF ALL HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS (Matt. 22:37-40).  “As Thyself”

          1.  Family (Eph. 5:25Titus 2:3-4).

          2.  Brethren and neighbors (1 John 3:16-18).  “Who is my neighbor?” (Luke 10:29).

          3.  Even our enemies (Matt. 5:43-48).

D.  BUT WE MUST LOVE JESUS MORE.

II.  WE MUST LOVE JESUS MORE THAN OUR LIVES (Luke 14:26).

A.  A SERVANT IS NOT GREATER THAN HIS LORD (John 15:202 Tim. 3:12).

          1.  What did Jesus do? (Phil. 2:5-8).

          2.  What did Pual do? (Acts 20:24).

          3.  What will we do? (1 Pet. 3:13-17Matt. 10:28).

B.  UPON WHAT DO WE CAST OUR GAZE? (2 Cor. 4:165:1).

C.  GOD HAS PROMISED (2 Tim. 4:6-8, 17-18Rev. 14:13).

III.  WE MUST BEAR OUR CROSS (Luke 14:27).

A.  WHAT IS THIS CROSS?

          1.  Not mere duty – An instrument of death.

          2.  Not necessarily a literal cross or death è Luke 9:23DAILY!!

B.  CRUCIFIXION OF SELF (Gal. 2:20Rom. 12:1).

          1.  Given fully to his cause (2 Cor. 8:5).

          2.  Every thought (2 Cor. 10:3-5).

          3.  What does God guard? (2 Tim. 1:12).  “That which I have committed.”

C.  WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT DYING FOR JESUS.

          WHAT ABOUT LIVING FOR HIM?

          1.  That’s the idea of cross bearing (2 Cor. 5:14-151 Pet. 4:1-2).

          2.  It is fair and reasonable (Gal. 2:20Rom. 12:1).

D.  THERE IS A COST TO DISCIPLESHIP.

          1.  Eternal Life is given freely (Rom. 6:23).

          2.  But conditionally (Luke 14:33).

          3.  Paul gives his only example (Phil. 3:3-8).

E.  THERE IS A REWARD.

          1.  Peter. (Luke 18:28 à Matt. 19:27)

          2.  Jesus’ answer (Luke 18:29-30John 14:1-3Rom. 8:16-17).

CONCLUSION:

A.  HOW ABOUT YOU?  ARE YOU A DISCIPLE?

B.  WILL YOU BE REJECTED?