1. The Commitment of a Disciple The Parable of the Sower Mark 4:3-9 (Explanation, verses 16-19)

2. The Commitment of a Disciple Disciple – a learner, pupil. Jesus demands great sacrifice from his disciples (Lk. 14:26-27)

3. Luke 14:26-27 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”

4. The Commitment of a Disciple Disciple – a learner, pupil. Jesus demands great sacrifice from his disciples (Lk. 14:26-27) Note the following illustrations: Builder – Luke 14:28-30

5. Luke 14:28-30 “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it -- 29 lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’”

6. The Commitment of a Disciple Disciple – a learner, pupil. Jesus demands great sacrifice from his disciples (Lk. 14:26-27) Note the following illustrations: Builder – Luke 14:28-30 King – Luke 14:31-33

7. Luke 14:31-33 “Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”

8. The Commitment of a Disciple Disciple – a learner, pupil. Jesus demands great sacrifice from his disciples (Lk. 14:26-27) Note the following illustrations: Builder – Luke 14:28-30 King – Luke 14:31-33 Farmer – Luke 9:57-62

9. Luk 9:57-62 Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” 59 Then He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.” 61 And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.” 62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

10. The Commitment of a Disciple Disciple – a learner, pupil. Jesus demands great sacrifice from his disciples (Lk. 14:26-27) Note the following illustrations: Builder – Luke 14:28-30 King – Luke 14:31-33 Farmer – Luke 9:57-62 Bondservant – Galatians 1:10; 2:20

11. Galatians 1:10; 2:20 (1:10), For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. (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.

12. Conclusion “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8) Revelation 2:10

13. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.