Opening Prayer Pg1
Heavenly Father we ask that you join us in our study tonight, as we attempt to learn more about how to become a worthy disciple. . We ask that no word be spoken here tonight which might be contrary to your will. Bless those who are here tonight with the perfect understanding of those things which You would have us learn from this study. Bless our brothers and sisters in Christ who need your healing touch, give them reassurance that even though you are not present in body, you are most certainly with us in spirit. We ask these things in Jesus’ name Amen
Luke 14:25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said:
Luke 14:26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters--yes, even their own life--such a person cannot be my disciple.
Luke 14:27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
Luke 14:28 "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won't you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?
Luke 14:29 For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you,
Luke 14:30 saying, 'This person began to build and wasn't able to finish.'
Luke 14:31 "Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won't he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand?
Luke 14:32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace.
Luke 14:33 In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.
Did Jesus practice what he preached ? Pg2
Having made your decision to become a Christian you then are to take the action that makes this decision a commitment.
Then there is that commitment which Jesus states, that one must hate father and mother sister and brother, husband, wife, children, or even one’s own life One must realize that anything which separates them from the love of Christ is not of God. If those of our loved ones do not accept that our commitment to Jesus is all encompassing, without compromise in any way, then they are not seeking our best interest, but their best interest for us, and that is unacceptable to God.
And then there is the Greatest Commandment which Jesus quoted as “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important commandment. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments”
Jesus has now gotten our full attention, how are we to follow the greatest commandment if we have to hate our family members. This is the point of the passage. In order to be a disciple, we must be willing to give up everything for Jesus. All passions, loves and ambitions, this is the cost of being his disciple. This is not an easy choice, and of course it is of the wholesome nature that we should love our family members and want our family members to love and follow God. But here Jesus has made a statement to us that needs further explanation. Jesus has gotten our attention, has he not?
Here it would seem that there may be a conflict, we are to love God, and our neighbor as well, there is no room in the Christians heart for hate, (or is there), Jesus hates sin, God hates sin, and the whole of Gods word is built around the concept of love, as opposed to any other emotion. But The Christian must hate sin.
Q.1 How did Jesus react to the money changers and merchants using the temple? John 2:15
Q.2 What was Jesus’ overall opinion of the Pharisees? Matthew 23:27
Q.3 How can Jesus’ actions in these two examples be justified?
Q.4 In what way can we compare Jesus feelings in these incidents, to what we are studying?
__________________________On being a disciple___________________ ________Pg.3
Luke 14:26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters--yes, even their own life--such a person cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
Here we have the basis for becoming a Christian. Not that there must be a casting off of our loved ones nor hatred of Mother, Father, children, brothers and sisters, but as a Christian Soldier one must pledge ones allegiance to Jesus Christ no matter the cost, and if the cost demands such, one’s life. Those that undertake to follow Christ must count upon the worst, and prepare accordingly. Jesus gave his life for us, we must be prepared to accept the same choices if we would be his disciples. If family and friends forsake you because of your Christian faith, and your savior Jesus Christ, then you must be prepared for whatever that brings to your relationships.
Q.1 What does Jesus mean by all the hate references, even that we must hate our own life
Q.2 What is the cross that the Christian must bear? Is there a proper description?
Q.3 How might these verses be explained where one might more easily understand?
Q.4 What is Jesus speaking of as to why one “cannot be my disciple”?
Q.5 What might be some typical circumstances whereby one would choose not to serve God and accept Jesus’offer of salvation?
____________________________Count the costs______________________________
Luke 14:28 "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won't you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? 29 For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, 30 saying, 'This person began to build and wasn't able to finish.'
If we are to be full on Christians, we must count the costs, there will be setbacks and disappointments. There are crosses to bear and sacrifices to endure and hard choices to make. Jesus is teaching us those things in these two allegories. As a Christian, the losses have no write off possibilities, and the consequences are not temporary, they are eternal. Jesus begins to explain what a Christian must consider if one is to make that commitment. He describes the building of a watch tower, as it was sometimes necessary to build a watch tower in their vineyard to watch out for thieves.
And he describes how foolish it would be if one started such a project, and had not enough money or resources to finish it. It would be a very grave miscalculation, having not planned it out to the finish of such a project. It is not a good feeling. And in such cases, failure is magnified. Being a committed Christian has risks, and costs, It requires the use of our time, resources and will power. If we fail to take the costs into account, we face failure.
Jesus hanging from the cross repeats the last words that should leave a Christians lips if that one has been fully committed to living the Christian life, “It is finished”
Q,1 Have you ever done such a thing? Start a project then find that you cannot finish it because you did not count the cost, or did not have the resources to finish it?
Q.2 What are some of the costs that being a Christian will make on ones life?
Q.3 The costs are not all monetary, nor are they all sacrificial, can we list some other costs?
___________________________Fight the good fight_________________________ Pg.4
Luke 14:31 "Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won't he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand?
Luke 14:32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace.
The. first of these two allegories rather points to the building up of the Christian life in the heart and life, and the hard choices and steep costs that must be borne by each one. And the importance of completing the work of being Christian, which then guards our soul from Satan’s deceitful ways of stealing our salvation. It must be a finished work. 2 Timothy 4:7
This allegory is an image of the warfare which’ every Christian must wage against the world, its passions, and its lusts. If we cannot brace ourselves up to the’ sacrifice necessary for the completion of the building up of the life we know the Master loves; if we shrink from the cost involved in the warfare against sin and evil, It would be better for us not to begin the building or risk the war. The only thing to then consider is how long is eternity, because your choice determines where you will spend it.
Q.1 Make a list of what Jesus had to go through in order to make salvation available to all?
Q.2 Can you honestly say that is something you would do? Remember, He had choices.
Q.3 Make a list of what the world offers that must be resisted by the aspiring Christian.
Q.4 With whom does one negotiate our terms of peace if there is no victory in sight?
Q.5 And contrariwise who does make our peace with Victory over sin and death.?
_________________________Cannot be my disciples_____________________________
Luke 14:33 In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.
“Cannot be my disciples” seems to be a recurring phrase. Jesus is making a point of telling us that there are many things that must be overcome in order to be his disciple He is emphasizing something of an eternal nature and this phrase is punctuating it.
Q. 1 What effect does the realization that some “Cannot be His Disciples” have on you?
Q. 2 Isn’t that what the “Uninvited Guest also realized, and thus wanted changes in her life?
Q. 3 In our world today, what is meant by giving up everything you have?
Q. 4 Are Christians the world over doing that?
Q. 2 When you enlisted as a Christian Soldier did you realize the demands, sacrifices and costs it would have on your lifestyle?
Closing Prayer
Dear God, you know our hearts, you know our thoughts, and just as Jesus loved his family you know that we love our family. Give us the grace and courage to follow Jesus in such a way as to never hear the words “You cannot be my disciple” Now we pray your strength and comfort be with those of our midst that need your healing touch_____________. Be with us now as we depart lead us safely through the week and join us again as we meet next week. Amen.
Your Choices Pg.5
Meditation: Every landowner who could afford it walled in his orchard as a protection from intruders who might steal or harm his produce. A tower was usually built in a corner of the wall and a guard posted especially during harvest time when thieves would likely try to make off with the goods. Starting a building-project, like a watchtower, and leaving it unfinished because of poor planning would invite the scorn of the whole village. Likewise a king who decided to wage a war against an opponent who was much stronger, would be considered foolish if he did not come up with a plan that had a decent chance of success. Jesus tells his would-be disciples that they, too, must count the cost if they want to succeed as his disciples. Jesus assures success for those willing to pay the price.
What does Jesus have to offer that's worth giving up everything else? More than we can imagine! Jesus offers the gift of abundant life and everlasting peace and happiness with God. It's natural to ask what it's going to cost before you sign up or pay for something. Jesus was utterly honest and spared no words to tell his disciples that it would cost them dearly to follow after him. There can be no room for compromise or concession with God. We either give our lives over to him completely or we keep them for ourselves. Paul the Apostle says, "We are not our own. We were bought with a price" ( 1 Cor. 6:19,20). That price is the blood of Jesus shed for us on the cross. Jesus knew that the way of the cross was the Father's way to glory and victory over sin and death. He counted the cost and said "yes" to his Father's will.
When my will crosses with God's will, then his will must be done. The way of the cross involves the sacrifice of laying down my life each and every day for Jesus' sake. What makes such sacrifice possible and "sweet" for us is the love of God poured out for us in the blood of Jesus Christ. Paul the Apostle reminds us that "God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit" (Romans 5:5). We can never out give God. He always gives us more than we can expect or imagine. To place any relationship or any possession above God is a form of idolatry. Jesus challenges his disciples to examine who they love first. Jesus' way to glory and power is opposite the world's way of glory and power. The choice is ours, but the Lord does not leave us alone if we choose to follow him.
Questions:
1. Do you put God first in all you do? Are you conscious of doing it?
2. How does this parable compare with the way we live our lives today?
3. Do we have hindrances that take our time away from the worship of God?
4. Can you compile a list of those things that restrict your time with God?
5. Is there a way to do all you have to do, and still have time for God?
6. Is there anything in our lives that we must give up, in order to be faithful to God?
7. Have you ever thought about just chucking it all and changing your life?
8. Do you know anyone who has done this?
9. Do missionaries do it”
10. Do disciples do it?
11. Are you a disciple?
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