The All-Encompassing Everythingness of Following Jesus
Luke 14:25-35
Introductory words:
“Great crowds accompanied Jesus” - v 25
“Accompanying” Jesus is not the same as "coming after” Jesus
“Disciple"
Disciple = anyone who so aligns their beliefs and their lifestyle to the teachings of another person that they become identified with them.
5 Defining Words of a Disciple of Jesus
HATE - v26
“If anyone comes to me and does not HATE his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.”
HATE =
A figure of speech
Means to love LESS THAN in comparison to
CANNOT be my disciple=
Not possible, not strong enough, no capacity for
BEAR AND COME AFTER - v27
“Whoever does not BEAR his own cross AND come after me CANNOT be my disciple.”
BEAR = A call to an obedience so comprehensive that it is best compared to DEATH
COME AFTER = Going beyond listening to and believing in Jesus to living as He lived in practical obedience to the Word of God
RENOUNCE - v33
“So therefore, any of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.”
Renounce = to formally declare one’s abandonment of a claim, a right, or a possession; to forsake
“Use the car, use a coat, use a computer in such a way that people around you assume that is not your treasure.” John Piper
Some ways to live as disciples now?
1. How to “hate”
Find out what pleases the Lord (Ephesians 5:10)
Be a student of His Word
Be in Community with accountability
2. How to “bear the cross” and “come after Jesus”
Literally and practically obey Jesus
Repent of picking and choosing which of God’s words to obey
Be in Community with accountability
3. How to “renounce all that we have”
Take inventory of everyone and everything in your life
Fast
Be in Community with accountability