October 01, 2021: SOAP #4320:  Zechariah 10-12; Psalm 126; Luke 14

SCRIPTURE:  Luke (NIV) 14:25 Large crowds were travelling with Jesus and turning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. 27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. …
33 In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

OBSERVATION: Yes, it is a high cost.  The high cost of being a disciple of Jesus is exceeded only by the much higher cost of NOT being His disciple! 

Discipleship is more than the impartation of knowledge; it is also the impartation of understanding and training of life skills.  It is setting life priorities.  The disciple learns life (what it is and how to live it) from his mentor. 

APPLICATION:  When I compare the cost of being Jesus’ disciple to the cost Jesus paid in leaving heaven, being born as a baby in a manger, living among men, and dying on the cross… The cost of discipleship is not unreasonable. 

When I compare the cost of being Jesus’ disciple to what is gained for all eternity…  The cost of discipleship is not unreasonable. 

When I consider the joy and peace of His indwelling presence, the cost of discipleship is not unreasonable. 

PRAYER: Sins forgiven, indwelling Holy Spirit, being a friend of God, insight into what is happening in the world, the enlightening of the Bible, the availability of more wisdom than can be found in all the books in the library of congress, personal assistance with relationships, a twenty-four hour-a-day friend who never sleeps, and even more…yes, Lord, it is more than worth-while being your disciple!  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!