MY FRIENDS THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP WHAT IS IT WORTH?

Oct. 12, 2016

MY FRIENDS THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP WHAT IS IT WORTH?

In Luke 14:16-33 (NKJV) Christ tells a parable about “a certain man who gave a great supper and invited many. Then He sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘Come, for all things are now ready.’ But they all with one accord began to make excuses.” One needed to go and see about some new real estate property he had just purchased, another his cattle farm, another had just gotten married and could not come at all. My friends, “Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb [and accepts His invitation]” Rev. 19:9 (ESV)

This invitation will go out to potential disciples, so there are stipulations. “If anyone comes to Me” must hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life” and then they can become Christ disciples, they must also bear their cross and [seek Him with a passion]. My friends “we cannot lightly assume the responsibility of discipleship” and what is required.

Christ tells us, which one of you will start to build a house without knowing if you have enough finances to finish it. So Christ is telling us not to start this process of discipleship if we have no intentions of finishing. Christ needs us to stay focused on the journey and finishing the course He has planned for us here on this earth.

So the cost of discipleship must be our willingness to forsake our all. And our all is the “greatest possible” of what we can give our Savior which goes beyond a path or a treasured idea that to the entire world appears to be right, but in the end, it leads to death.” And our all, in the end, may even be our life. So my friends the cost of discipleship and life eternal is it worth the cost.

It was to the “merchant who was seeking a beautiful pearl, who, when he had found one of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it [because no price was too great to obtain that pearl of great worth] Matt 13:45-46 (NKJV) The martyr John Huss, “when asked to recant his errors said “what errors, shall I renounce”? [My friends. He had found that pearl of great worth so nothing was going to get Him to relinquished it, not even His life.]

So he cries out. I know myself guilty of none. I call God to witness that all that I have written and preached has been with the view of rescuing souls from sin and perdition; and, therefore, most joyfully will I confirm with my blood that truth which I have written and preached. He then began to sing, “Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.” And so he continued till his voice was silenced forever [in the flames.]” (E.G. White, The Great Controversy)

The cost of discipleship is high and we must remember “wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who [will] go in by it.” but to be a disciple of Christ and take up our cross as we eliminate self, along with all preconceived notions of what we thought was a straight path to Gods kingdom, for narrow is that gate and difficult is the way which leads to life eternal.

And there are few who will find it or are willing to seek until they have found it’s worth] Matt 7:13-14 (NKJV paraphrased) Friends if we seek God’s kingdom, we must continue until we have crossed the threshold into the promise land and our savior tells us personally, “Well done, good and faithful servant!…. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ Matt. 25:23 (NIV)