Terms of Discipleship
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Learning the terms of discipleship in order to truly follow Jesus rather than just "accompany" Him.
Text: Luke 14:25-27
Date: 05/05/2024, the Combined service.
Series: "Luke: Thy Kingdom Come" Part 148
Description:
After exposing a group of Pharisees to their hypocrisy and entitlement, Jesus returns to the road and soon begins to attract great crowds. After focusing on the dangers of false religion, false piety and a false sense of salvation-- Luke seemingly switches gears to speak of the cost of discipleship. But as we study the text over the next few weeks, we will realize that Luke's train of thought continues to discuss Jesus' essential teaching on who will be included and who will be excluded from the Kingdom of God. In this passage, Jesus will speak of the radical separation discipleship requires-- both from earthly comforts and relationships, and the "old man or woman". We will define what it means to be a disciple and dispel the notion that discipleship is a secondary or optional aspect of salvation. Rather, we will establish that to be a Christian is to be a disciple. We will learn that to "accompany" Jesus is not the same as to "follow" Him, and that to be a "good" disciple, we need to learn and embrace His radical terms of discipleship.
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I. Introduction
II. Exposition of the text, Luke 14:25-27.
A. Context
1. Following Luke's train of thought.
2. What follows the Great Banquet?
B. The terms of discipleship.
1. Setting the scene, vs. 25.
a. The location of the crowds.
b. The makeup of the crowd.
i. The disciples, Luke 18:28; John 6:66.
ii. The "fence-sitters".
iii. The "curiosity-seekers".
iv. The skeptics.
c. The instruction.
i. Exposing error.
ii. A lesson for the church.
2. Separation from relationships, vs. 26.
a. Coming to Jesus.
i. Analyzing the "if", John 14:15; 1John 3:9.
ii. Coming to Jesus.
1) The all-inclusive exclusivity of "anyone".
2) What it means to "come to Jesus".
a) What it does not mean.
b) What it does mean, Acts 11:26.
c) The problem it creates.
d) Room for growth.
b. The stunning condition.
i. The meaning of "hate".
1) What it does not mean.
2) What it does mean, Gen. 29:30-31; Matt. 10:37.
ii. The objects of the condition.
1) Jesus before all relationships, Luke 12:51-53.
2) Jesus before "self".
iii. The meaning of "disciple".
1) To be a disciple of a rabbi.
2) To be a disciple of Jesus, Matt. 4:19; Luke 5:27.
a) Disciples are called.
b) Disciples are subjects of the King.
c) Disciples are world changers, Matt. 5:9,28:19; John 20:21;
Acts 1:8.
3. Separation from the past life, vs. 27, Luke 9:23.
a. Looking at the words.
i. The inclusive/exclusive "whoever".
ii. What it means to "bear".
iii. Bearing a cross.
iv. Coming after Jesus.
1) Defining "come after".
2) What it means to follow after Jesus.
v. The negative outcome.
b. Another call to radical discipleship, 2Cor. 5:17.
III. Application
IV. Conclusion
