Series: Luke
Sermon Title: So you want to be a disciple?
Passage: Luke 9:21-27
Reno Campus
Pastor Tom Chism
Carson Campus
Pastor Dusty Braun
Campus Announcements / Service Moments
Reno Campus
Starting Point
Carson Campus
Movie Night Volunteer
Series: Luke
Sermon Title: So you want to be a disciple?
Passage: Luke 9: 21-27
- True discipleship is living out Jesus story in our own lives
- True discipleship is living out a story of denial
- True discipleship is living out a story of death
- True discipleship is living out a story of daily resurrection
PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
- What has following Jesus looked like in your life? What have been your hindrances or apprehensions along the way?
- How can we align our daily decisions and actions more closely with the life and teachings of Jesus?
- Read John 13:13-15. In what specific area of your life do you need to more intentionally follow Jesus’ example this week?
- What does it mean practically to deny ourselves in the context of modern life and culture?
- Read Matthew 16:24-25. What is one comfort or habit you could willingly deny yourself of in order to grow closer to God?
- With reference to Luke 9:25, ‘profit’ is used, meaning ‘benefit minus the cost’. Does it help to know true disciples ‘invest’ up front, knowing there will be a payoff someday, even though you feel caught between now?
- How does embracing the concept of dying to self lead to greater spiritual growth and intimacy with God?
- Read Romans 6:6-7 and Galatians 2:20. What aspect of your life needs to “die” in order for Christ’s life to be more fully manifested through you?
- How does the reality of Christ’s resurrection empower us to live victoriously each day?
- In what areas of your life do you need to experience Christ’s resurrection power more fully?
SCRIPTURES TO MEDITATE ON:
RESOURCES:
- ARTICLE | JASON JAMES | EMBRACE THE CRUCIFORM LIFE
- BOOK | KYLE IDLEMAN | NOT A FAN
- BOOK | DIETRICH BONHOEFFER | THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP
- PODCAST | JARRETT STEVENS | THE NAMES WE CLAIM
QUOTE:
“You don’t have to know a lot of things for your life to make a lasting difference in the world. But you do have to know the few great things that matter, perhaps just one, and then be willing to live for them and die for them. The people that make a durable difference in the world are not the people who have mastered many things, but who have been mastered by one great thing.”
– John Piper, Don’t Waste Your Life
MONTHLY SPIRITUAL PRACTICE TO TRY: SABBATH REST
Sabbath is not about God’s followers and people doing another thing to make God happy. Matthew 2:27 reveals to us that it was made for man, not man for it. God knows we need the rest. So as we wrap up this month I encourage you to dig into this discipline. Actively plan to come to Jesus and give him your burdens.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
I have said in the past that Jesus is seen at the end of me. We must reach the end of our “self-determination” and surrender to Jesus, and that is where his life begins to shine through us. In Matthew 5, Jesus instructs his followers that their life for the Kingdom, His kingdom, must be different. Our attitudes, actions and lives will be purposed to point to and reveal God. This can only be accomplished if their is less of “me” and more of Jesus.
This the paradox of our Christian faith, receive this free gift of eternal life, but it will cost you your life. The re-ordering our our desires to align with Jesus must happen in order for the Kingdom to be demonstrated in this life. We can not claim to love Jesus and live with disordered desires, the light of Jesus will became dark and ineffective and we will live a unstable life that does more damage in the name of Jesus.
The disciple who desires to be obedient to the charge of Jesus must become self aware of their sinful values and desires, address those through the power and authority of the cross. The process of Identification, Deformation, Reformation and Integration is the process of living the resurrected life.