This Sunday’s sermon “Count The Costs” from Luke 14:25-35, Pastor Kevin Long urges listeners to understand true discipleship. Drawing from Jesus’ provocative words to crowds, he stresses prioritizing Christ above family and self, calculating sacrifices, stewarding possessions for His service, and committing fully without compromise.
Prioritize the Order
Jesus demands God reign supreme. Without God first, discipleship fails; proper order ensures everything aligns, avoiding pitfalls like pastoral burnout from misplaced priorities.
Jesus’ bold statement: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.“(v.26)
In ancient Near Eastern culture, “hate” signified placing something lower in priority, not emotional loathing.
The Discipleship Order
• God
• Family
• Ministry
Weigh the Costs
Discipleship carries a cost such as bearing your own cross. (v.27)
Costs might include standing for faith, losing jobs, opportunities, or friendships. God gives us the truth upfront. The cost is high, but the reward is an eternity in heavenwhich makes the earthly cost look like nothing.
Be my Disciple
If something obstructs your relationship with Him, remove it to truly follow. Discipleship isn’t part-time; it’s a commitment to leverage talents, time, and treasures for His kingdom, ensuring no idols or distractions compete.
Sacrificing barriers that hinder full devotion, like prioritizing other things over Jesus beyond Sundays. (v.33)
Be All In
Being “all in” means that the light you shine and the salt (v.34) you provide actually change the environment around you.
People in your workplace and community may never read a Bible, but they are “reading” your life. If you claim to follow Christ but live like the world, you’re putting a bad taste in their mouths.
In a hurting world seeking peace, true disciples, all in, share the gospel, filling soul voids with the one true God through full surrender.
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