Luke 14:25-33

The Cost of Discipleship



Introduction:

This passage before us is peculiar to Luke’s gospel. When our Lord uttered these words there had been a large crowd of people following Him. What is interesting about our Lord is that when His message was forsaken He was not depressed. And when His teaching became popular, He was not elated. He was calm and wise in the midst of excitement.

The passage before us is not one that would win and influence our friends. But our Lord’s aim was to win men by the truth. Following Christ involves radical life changes.


  1. WHAT IS THE COST?


  1. What ever happened to the word commitment? Rom. 6:17

  1. Complete devotion to Christ – v. 26, 27


  1. A loving Jesus uses the word “hate”

  1. The first major rule of hermeneutics – Matt. 10:37

  2. Hate must be understood as “to love less” Gen. 29:30, 31

  3. Jesus commands us to love even our enemies – Matt. 5:44

  4. Hatred by comparison

  5. A True disciple must even hate his own life – John 12:25, 26

  6. Christ must be given the pre-eminence – Col.1:18


  1. The Reformers View of Discipleship:

  1. Sola Scriptura – Scriptures Alone- II Cor. 10:4-5; Mk.1:15; Acts3:19; 17:30

  2. Sola Fide - Faith Alone- James Boice

  3. Sola Gratia –Grace Alone- Rom. 11:5, 6



  1. Can you imagine Jesus saying? …



  1. AVOIDING THE COST


  1. Inadequate commitment

  1. Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones Matt.24:13

  2. Parable of the Sower


  1. Biblical examples:

  1. The people of Israel leaving Egypt – Num.11:5

  2. Jesus’ early preaching – John 6:65, 66

  3. Paul’s disciple, Demas- II Tim.4:10

  4. Children of Believing Parents – I Cor.7:14


  1. PAYING THE COST


  1. A cheap religion –

  1. Building a tower – v.28; Turn To II Peter1:5-10

  2. Fighting a war – v.31


  1. Spurgeon’s Sermon – “Counting the Cost”



Questions for preparation of the Lord’s Table:


  1. What does the word “commitment” mean to you?


  1. Have we seen some professed believers who started out well in the Christian life but ended poorly?


  1. Since being a disciple of Christ involves counting the cost, name two areas in your life where you count the cost of being Christ’s disciple?


  1. Jesus gave two concrete examples of being His disciple in Luke14:25-33 (Building a tower and Fighting a war) Discuss the details of engaging in both of these and then site two projects in your life that must be completed.


  1. The Reformers viewed discipleship within the Three Sola’s (The Scripture alone, Faith alone and Grace alone) How much time do we spend a day reading or listening to the Scriptures on our Ipod’s?


  1. Obviously Jesus did not necessarily mean that in order to be His disciple we must literally carry a cross. What does carrying a cross mean to you?


  1. Is there such a thing as a “secret disciple”? See John 19:38, 39



Other Questions:

What must I pay to be a Christian?

  1. I must pay the price of not trusting myself for salvation – (self-righteousness)

  2. I must pay the price of surrendering my opinions to Scripture – II Tim.3:16

  3. I must pay the price of the world’s friendship – Jam.4:4

  4. I must pay the price of my life – I Cor.6:19, 20

  5. I must pay the price of surrendering my own will – Rom.12:2

  6. I must pay the price of denying self – Luke 9; 23, 24














Pastor Nick Iamaio

Reformed Presbyterian Church

207 South First Street, Fulton, NY 13069

Web Site fultonrpc.org

3/30/08