What is the definition of disciple? The word disciple means “learner.”
Salvation is free, but discipleship costs. We will look at what it means to be true disciples of Jesus.
We must place a higher priority on the relationship with Jesus than we do on any other relationship.
“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:26).
If you love Jesus, you will love your family more. The word “hate” is used here in comparison, to mean choice. As Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24a).
We must not love ourselves more than we love Christ.
The modern theme is, “Fulfill yourself.” You should have a healthy self-image. But if it comes between you and Him, you must say no to yourself and yes to Jesus Christ. Are you willing to do that?
“And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:27).
Jesus followers will worship at any cost. A cross is something that you willingly take up—you don’t have to bear it. (See John 10:17-18.)
We must be willing to do the work of a disciple.
“For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’?” (Luke 14:28).
Our Lord has called us to build. Your life is to be constructed by His plan. It will take sacrifice to construct it. A follower of Christ is a worker who will not back away, no matter the cost.
Disciples are also warriors.
“Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?…So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:31, 33).
There is a war, and it is a fight to the death. You cannot be neutral.
We need warriors: disciples of Jesus who are not cowards, not compromising, and not cautious. Jesus deserves, and demands, preeminence. Does Jesus Christ have everything you have?
Jesus called us the salt of the earth. (See Matthew 5:13.) Salt speaks of witness.
“Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (Luke 14:35).
Salt heals & preserves. Salt is an antiseptic—and our world is sick. The salt of the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ heals broken hearts, broken hopes, and broken homes.
Salt flavors. Can your neighbors see something different about you, or are you bland and tasteless? Why would anybody want to have your faith if he cannot see a change in you?
Salt burns. Rub salt into an open wound, and a person will say, “Ouch! That stings.” Christ followers will irritate people. Jesus said, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you” (John 15:18).
Salt penetrates. A pinch of salt permeates everything you put it in. Disciples of Jesus should be separate from sinners, but not isolated from sinners. Get out of the saltshaker, and into your community as a genuine follower of Jesus.
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