30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 14 25-33 The cost of discipleship 02 Preparedness for discipleship
📖 Luke 14:25-33
24Dec19 - *Preparedness for discipleship* - _Luke 14:25-33_ - Bible reading: _II Timothy 3:10-12_
Jesus gave two analogies as He spelt out the specifics of the cost to be His disciples. These analogies are found in _Luke 14:28-32_ The core idea from these two analogies is preparedness. We need an internal preparation to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.
_Luke 14:25 Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them,_ It is interesting to note here that at the very height of His popularity, when people were flocking Him, Jesus chose to speak to them about the cost of discipleship. We have a principle right there. A disciple of Jesus Christ will never run after popularity. Check out this criterion in your own life. Are you seeking popularity? If so, you are not a disciple of Jesus Christ. Remember, seeking for popularity is a motive of the heart, which God sees.
_Joshua 24:25 So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and made for them a statute and an ordinance in Shechem._ After challenging the people to follow God, single-mindedly, Joshua led the people to make a covenant with the Lord and made their commitment into an ordinance and statute. Yet, we know from history that God’s people were not faithful to the Lord.
This is the reason why preparedness for discipleship is critical. _Matthew 10:21-22 “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. (22) And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved._ Are we prepared?
Paul made it clear to the disciples that he was prepared to die for the name of Jesus. _Acts 21:10-13 And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. (11) When he had come to us, he took Paul's belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, 'So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.' " (12) Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. (13) Then Paul answered,_ ```"What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."```
As he had lived in preparedness, Paul wanted Timothy also to be prepared to pay the cost of discipleship. _II Timothy 3:10-12 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, (11) persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. (12) Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution._
*Thought to ponder*
Are we prepared and are we preparing the body of Christ to be disciples of Jesus or are we lulling each other to sluggishness?