THE DEFINED ATTITUDES AND ACTIONS OF DISCIPLESHIP

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LUKE 14:25-35
Lesson #41
THE DEFINED ATTITUDES AND ACTIONS OF DISCIPLESHIP

• Memory Verse: Luk 14:33
• In our previous lesson we learned that God chose the Jews, called Jews and Gentiles to be part of His kingdom, and invited all humans to come to know God.
• The question now is this: Chosen, called, and invited for what purpose?
• Read Luk 14:25-33 Discipleship
  • ^“ If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple”.(26)
  • How could Jesus say this when the Bible teaches throughout that we are to love and honor our parents, to value our families, and to love all people?
    • This type of speech is called hyperbole which means that it is exaggerated to get attention.
    • This type of speech is used for its shock value.
      • In other words, Jesus did not mean this literally.
      • We have already seen that the context of Luke 14 is a dinner in the house of a Pharisee where the atmosphere was extremely tense, and where the purpose of the dinner was to trap Jesus.
    • The point of this statement is that man should examine his priorities.
      • If a believer puts his relationship with God first, then that is the most important priority in his life.
      • Everything else by contrast appears to be hated, including his normal and natural affection for his family.
      • Remember the verse, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Mat 6:33)
  • Notice that Jesus is speaking about discipleship again. The word “disciple” appears 3 times in these verses.
    • For emphasis He repeats in verse 27, “whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.”
    • Discipleship is the purpose why Jesus chose, called, and invited us to be part of His kingdom.
      • He wants to make us disciples that are submitted to Jesus Christ in obedience.
      • He wants to use us for His kingdom to reach others for God.
        • Can’t God do this without us? Of course He can!
        • But He gives us the privilege and joy of letting Him work in us and through us.
        • We become partners with the Holy Spirit for God’s purposes.
  • The Parable of the Tower Builder (Luk 14:28-30)
    • Background:
      • Pilate had begun a building program on a tower. He had not been able to finish the tower because of a lack of funds. He was unable to get some needed funds from the temple treasury.
      • Therefore, the building was abandoned half finished.
    • Who does the person represent that is going to build a tower? The person represents the prospective believer in Jesus Christ.
    • What does the tower represent?
      • The tower represents the Christian walk.
      • In other words, the prospective believer in Jesus Christ is contemplating building a new life in Christ.
    • Discussion: What are some important things one must consider before building a literal tower or building?
      • Before beginning to build any building, you must first have a good reason to build, a desire to build, and a determination to build.
      • The wise builder must have an architectural plan.
      • The wise builder must have governmental approval to build and an environmental impact report.
      • The wise builder must have a building contract and sub-contracts.
      • The wise builder must have adequate building materials.
      • The wise builder must have more than sufficient funds to complete the job.
    • Discussion: What do you think a person must consider before he decides to build his Christian life on Christ?
    • What is the central truth of the parable of the tower builder?
      • This parable is about construction work. The believer is to build his life on Jesus Christ, the foundation stone.
      • Before the believer begins to build his life on Christ, he must consider that to follow Jesus, there will be a personal cost.
      • He must consider the ultimate value of a life built on Christ and evaluate whether or not it is worth the cost.
  • The Parable of the King Going to War (Luk 14:31-33)
    • Who does the king represent? The king represents the prospective believer in Jesus Christ.
    • Who does the enemy king represent? Obviously the enemy king represents Satan, our adversary.
    • Discussion: What are some important things one must consider before engaging in a literal battle?
      • A leader of an army must first consider the strength of the enemy.
      • He must also consider the location of the battle.
      • Important to consider is the time of day and the weather conditions.
        • Many battles have been lost when the losing army faced the blinding sun.
        • Many famous battles have been lost when the invading army was defeated by heavy snow or became bogged down in mud.
      • The wise commander will also consider the number of troops in his command and their level of preparedness regarding physical strength and stamina.
      • The wise commander will also consider the amount of his provisions and the availability of supply on the battlefield.
      • It will be important to the commander to consider the adequacy and sophistication of his available weapons.
      • Of great importance to the commander, will be the morale of his troops as well as the element of surprise.
    • Discussion: How do think the things that a commander must consider before going to war relate to the Christian life?
    • What is the central truth of the parable of the king going to war?
      • While the previous parable was one of construction, this parable is one of destruction. The prospective believer must consider what is involved in fighting, as well as the cost of fighting against a powerful enemy, Satan.
      • Read Eph 6:12-18
    • The failure to adequately count the cost of following Christ results in an unfinished life.
      • Read Gal 5:7
      • Read 2Cor 4:8-11
• Summary: Some possible costs of following Christ:
  • Sometimes we have to give up family relationships if it comes to following Christ or pleasing family members who are opposed to our relationship with Christ. Jesus Christ has every right to ask us to give up our family relationships because Jesus left his own heavenly Father and his heavenly home to come to this earth for us.
  • Sometimes we have to give up our own physical life for him in martyrdom. Jesus Christ gave up his physical life for us on the cross.
  • Sometimes we have to give up physical comfort or freedom if government opposes Christian belief. Jesus Christ was persecuted by earthly authorities for us.
  • Usually we have to give up friends whose values and allegiances are contrary to the direction in which God is leading us as Christians. Jesus Christ endured betrayal by Judas, a close friend.
  • Usually we have to give up our pride to endure some kind of ridicule to be a Christian in public. Jesus Christ was laughed at and spit upon publically.
  • We all have to give up our own will, our own selfish desires, and the control of our lives. Jesus Christ gave up his will in the garden of Gethsemane when he prayed, “not my will but thine be done.” (Luk 22:42)
  • We all have a personal enemy, Satan, against whom we fight a spiritual battle. In prayer we fight temptation and deception as Satan seeks to destroy our relationship with Christ.
• Application:
  • In these two parables on discipleship, there is a destruction and a construction:
    • The Destruction:
      • We consider dead our old life style.
      • We consider dead our own desires and plans.
      • We must fight the temptations to destroy the works and influence of the enemy in our lives through the power of the Holy Spirit.
    • The Construction:
      • Then we can build a lifestyle in obedience to Christ.
      • This is a life that He has planned for us with works that only we can do with His guidance and help.
  • All life, and specifically discipleship, comes down to priorities. We all make them. We all have them. Is Christ at the top of your list?
  • ^“ So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” (33)
    • Discussion: What did Jesus mean by this verse?
      • We are all to constantly consider how important are material possessions in my life?
      • Only you can answer that question, but here are some things to think about:
        • How giving are you of your time, your talent, and your money?
        • How much of your possessions are made available for the purpose of extending God’s kingdom?
    • How willing are you to share the material possessions that God has given to you?
• Read Luk 14:34-35 The Parable of Salt and its Savor (Mat 5:13)
  • What is the central truth of this parable?
    • A believer’s life fully committed to the Lord is of great worth to God and worthy of reward.
    • A believer’s life not fully committed to God is of no value and no influence and is overcome by the world system.
  • What is meant by salt?
    • Salt is a chemical combination of chlorine gas from the air above and sodium, a metal from the earth.
    • Combined, they make a new substance now white in color.
  • Likeness to the believer:
    • The believer’s life is a combination of the Holy Spirit from above and our own humanity, dust from the earth.
    • Combined, we are a new creation in Christ made pure and white with the righteousness of Christ.
  • How can salt lose its saltiness?
    • Chemically it cannot lose its saltiness.
    • However, if salt is not well refined, it contains fillers and its saltiness is diluted.
      • A believer compromises his witness when his life is polluted and diluted by sin.
      • The Jews obtained their salt from the shores of the Dead Sea. This salt was of the rock or fossil kind. The outer layers contained impurities that were useless and did not have the acceptable level of flavor. The people would strip off the useless outer layers to obtain the valuable flavorful salt.
    • What is meant by this illusion to salt that has lost is savor?
      • A carnal Christian is one who is salt without savor.
      • A carnal Christian is a believer that has accepted Christ in his heart and is saved but his lifestyle is no different than that of a non-believer.
        • Read Col 4:6
        • Discussion: How do you think this verse relates to the parable?
  • What are some general characteristics and uses of salt?
    • =1= Salt is used for flavoring.
      • The more you get used to tasting salt, the more you miss it when you don’t have it.
    • =2= Salt is used for preservatives.
      • Salt preserves food by penetrating in a subtle way.
    • =3= Salt is used for cleansing.
      • Salt is not antiseptic which means it does not kill poison.
    • =4= Salt is used for medicinal healing.
      • Salt is asceptic which means it prevents the spread of corruption.
  • Discussion: How do these four uses apply to the Christian life?
  • What does Mat 5:13 mean when it says that worthless salt is good for nothing, is cast out, and trodden under foot?
    • “good for nothing”
      • The carnal Christian does not hold back evil.
      • Instead he either participates in evil or promotes it.
    • “cast out”
      • The carnal Christian has done nothing that is worthy of any heavenly rewards.
      • Rewards are given at the judgment seat of Christ to believers who are faithful disciples of Christ.
    • “trodden under foot”
      • The carnal Christian exemplifies a life that doesn’t appear any different than any non-Christian. He is not a true disciple.
      • His witness for Jesus Christ is trampled by worldliness.
      • The Biblical example is Lot’s wife.
      • Read Gen 19:24-26

Homework
Luke 15:1-32

• Application of Luk 14:25-35
  • What would you say is your greatest hindrance to discipleship as Jesus explained it?
  • What do you need to change in your life to make you a true disciple of Christ?
    • Attitudes
    • Actions
    • Priorities
    • Perspective
• Preparation for Luk 15:1-32
  • Read Luk 15:1-32 The Parable of the Lost Possessions
    • Why does this parable have 3 parts: The lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son?
    • What do each of the three parts represent?
• Memory Verse: Luk 19:10