The Cost of Discipleship | The Individual
April 6, 2025
Luke 14:25-33
Lent 5
Rev. Teer Hardy
Jesus, in His wisdom, knew that we cannot live the Christian life in isolation. It is through the community of faith, through the gathered body of believers, that we are nourished and shaped. We are not disciples because of our individual accomplishments but because of the grace of God working through the church. The church is where we are molded into the image of Christ—not through our own efforts or achievements, but through the power of God's transformative grace.
When one part of the body grows, all parts grow. This is the beautiful mystery of the body of Christ. The growth of one member of the body is not just a personal victory; it is a victory for the whole body. As each member is transformed, the entire church is impacted, growing in unity, grace, and mission. Our discipleship is intertwined with the discipleship of others. We are formed together.
The church’s mission isn’t to create religious consumers. It’s not about attracting people who treat the church like a spiritual supermarket where they take what they need and leave. No, the church’s mission is to form a people who embody the gospel. We are called to become a people who live out the love, grace, and mercy of Christ in the world. This is what discipleship looks like—a people marked not by self-interest but by radical selflessness, serving others and living fully for Christ.
