- Luke 14:25–35
- Jesus demands total allegiance: one must “hate” family and even life comparatively to follow Him.
- A disciple must “carry their cross” — accept suffering, death to self, and follow Jesus.
- Jesus calls believers to “count the cost” (tower and king analogies): plan and assess ability to finish.
- Those who will not give up everything cannot be Jesus’ disciples.
- Salt metaphor: disciples must retain “saltiness” (distinctiveness); if not, they are useless and discarded.
- Revelation 3:10 (quoted)
- Promise connected to patient endurance: kept from “the hour of trial” for those who endure patiently.
Definitions and Key Terms
- Discipleship
- Definition: Active following of Jesus; commitment that changes life and priorities.
- Characteristics: cruciform living (dead to self), persistent obedience, enduring persecution.
- Count the Cost
- Meaning: Intentionally evaluate sacrifices and commitment required to follow Jesus.
- Illustrations: estimating cost of building a tower; assessing military odds before war.
- Carrying the Cross
- Meaning: Willingness to suffer, deny self, and accept consequences for faithful allegiance.
- Saltiness
- Purposes of salt: flavor, preservation, creating thirst, purifying.
- Spiritual meaning: distinctiveness, influence, purifying witness; loss of saltiness = spiritual compromise.
- Rapture/Dispensationalism (terms addressed)
- Rapture theology described as modern (approx. 200 years) and not the historic church position.
- Historic view emphasized one coming of Christ and the church enduring tribulation.
Historical Examples
- Polycarp (69–155)
- Arrest, refusal to renounce Christ, statement: “For 86 years I have been his servant.”
- Burned and then killed by spear; last prayers and praise recorded.
- Used to illustrate costly faith and martyrdom as faithful perseverance.
- Early Church Persecution
- Roman motivations: refusal to worship Caesar, perceived intolerance, alleged family division.
- Tertullian quote: persecution increases Christian numbers; “The blood of the Christians is their harvest seed.”
Grouped Concepts
- Allegiance and Priority
- Jesus demands absolute allegiance above family, possessions, comfort, and life.
- Allegiance is an act of will and determines the path (narrow vs. broad).
- Cost and Commitment
- Discipleship costs everything: time, relationships, safety, comfort, possibly life.
- Count the cost before committing to a life of discipleship.
- Suffering and Perseverance
- Followers are promised tribulation and hatred like Jesus experienced.
- Endurance and patient perseverance are essential; they produce spiritual fruit and power.
- Authentic Faith vs. Nominal Faith
- Nominal Christianity comforts the self and avoids costly obedience.
- Authentic Christianity produces changed behavior, denial of self, and sacrificial living.
Practical Applications
- Self-Examination Questions
- Who has your greatest allegiance? Christ or something else?
- Are you willing to take up the cross and accept suffering for Christ?
- Is your faith resulting in changed priorities and behaviors?
- Personal Spiritual Steps
- Count the cost: meditate on what true discipleship requires this week.
- Surrender rights and comforts: consider practical areas where allegiance is divided.
- Pursue cruciform discipleship: practice denial of self, obedience, and holy living.
- Seek the Holy Spirit’s power: submit sin and selfishness to allow the Spirit to work.
- Church-Level Considerations
- Emphasize discipleship (not spectatorship) in teaching and programs.
- Avoid measuring success solely by size; measure disciple-making and perseverance.
- Prepare congregants for suffering and perseverance rather than promising escape.
