Introduction Some of Jesus’ first spoken words were: “Follow Me”: Matt. 4:19; Mk. 1:17; Lk. 5:27; Jn. 1:43 But following Jesus comes at a cost: Lk. 14:25-33 The Master Teacher employs vivid and sometimes, puzzling illustrations to explain spiritual realities and ramifications: Lk. 15:4-7; 6:39-40; Matt. 19:23-24 Jesus’ vagueness wasn’t without an important purpose: Matt. 13:11-13 We must not overextend Jesus’ illustrations beyond their original purposes. 2

Portraits of Discipleship Part 1: What is a disciple? Luke 14:25-33

Luke 9:23 1. What is a disciple? The word “disciple” from Gr. manthana. Vine: “lit., ‘a learner’ …’to learn,’ …indicating thought accompanied by endeavor, …it denotes ‘one who follows one’s teaching” But, there’s much more: Emphasizes teacher-student relationship. More than a learner, a devotee. Accepts teacher’s views & adopts his way of life. More than learning, includes being “conformed” to His “image”: Rom. 8:29 4

2. The demands of discipleship Luke 14:33 Jesus has many “followers,” but very few true “disciples”: Lk. 14:33; Jn. 8:31; cf. Matt. 7:21-23 There’s a big difference between a “disciple” and a “disciple indeed”: Must deny self: Lk. 9:23; 14:26-27; Matt. 10:37 Gal. 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” 5

2. The demands of discipleship Luke 14:33 There’s a big difference between a “disciple” and a “disciple indeed”: Must deny self: Lk. 9:23; 14:26-27; Matt. 10:37 Phil. 3:7-8a: “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord…” cf. Phil. 3:14 6

2. The demands of discipleship Luke 9:23 There’s a big difference between a “disciple” and a “disciple indeed”: Must willingly suffer for Him: Lk. 9:23: “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” 7

2. The demands of discipleship Luke 9:23 There’s a big difference between a “disciple” and a “disciple indeed”: Must willingly suffer for Him: Lk. 9:22: “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.” cf. 2 Tim. 3:12 8

2. The demands of discipleship Luke 9:23 There’s a big difference between a “disciple” and a “disciple indeed”: Must learn from Him: Jn. 8:31: “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.” 9

2. The demands of discipleship Luke 9:23 There’s a big difference between a “disciple” and a “disciple indeed”: Must learn from Christ: Matt. 28:19-20a: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you…” Matt. 11:29a: “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me.” cf. Jn. 6:53-58; Lk. 6:46 10

2. The demands of discipleship Luke 9:23 There’s a big difference between a “disciple” and a “disciple indeed”: Must bear fruit: Gal. 3:26-27; Jn. 15:5 Jn. 15:5, 8: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. …8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” 11

2. The demands of discipleship Fruit bearing involves: Luke 9:23 There’s a big difference between a “disciple” and a “disciple indeed”: Fruit bearing involves: 1) Steady spiritual growth: 2 Pet. 1:5-11; Gal. 5:22-23 2) Good deeds: 1 Jn. 1:7; Titus 2:11-14; Matt. 25:34-46; Eph. 2:10; Gal. 5:6 3) Increasing our talents: Matt. 25:14-30 Must bear fruit: Gal. 3:26-27; Jn. 15:5 Jn. 15:4-6: “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.” 12

2. The demands of discipleship Luke 9:23 There’s a big difference between a “disciple” and a “disciple indeed”: Must love the brethren: Jn. 13:34-35: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” 13

2. The demands of discipleship Luke 9:23 There’s a big difference between a “disciple” and a “disciple indeed”: Must love the brethren: Phil. 2:2-4: “fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. 4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” 14

2. The demands of discipleship Luke 9:23 True disciples: Worship together: Heb. 10:25 Work together in the gospel: Phil. 4:3 Rejoice in one another’s successes: Rom. 12:15 Weep in one another’s tragedies: Rom. 12:15 Bear one another’s burdens: Gal. 6:1-2 Mutual exhortation to faithfulness: Heb. 3:13 Gently point out one another’s sin: Gal. 6:1-2 Care for one another’s needs: 1 Jn. 3:17 Give our lives for one another: 1 Jn. 3:16 15

2. The demands of discipleship Luke 9:23 There’s a big difference between a “disciple” and a “disciple indeed”: Must love the brethren: Eph. 4:2-3: “with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.” 16

2. The demands of discipleship Luke 9:23 There’s a big difference between a “disciple” and a “disciple indeed”: Must love the brethren: Col. 3:14: “But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.” (NKJV) Col. 3:14: “Most of all, let love guide your life, for then the whole church will stay together in perfect harmony.” (TLB) 17

2. The demands of discipleship Luke 9:23 There’s a big difference between a “disciple” and a “disciple indeed”: Must love the brethren: Jn. 17:23: “I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” 18

2. The demands of discipleship Luke 9:23 There’s a big difference between a “disciple” and a “disciple indeed”: Must be committed totally to following Christ: Matt. 22:37: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Luke 14:28-33 John 15:1-8 19

Conclusion The return on true discipleship is more than worth the investment: Matt. 16:26 Jesus warns we must “count the cost,” because the requirements are strict: Matt. 10:38-39 Once began, we cannot “look back”: Lk. 9:62 But, the rewards are incalculably great: 1 Pet. 1:4; Phil. 3:20-21 Claiming discipleship must be done on His terms: Matt. 28:19-20 20