Disciples not spectators

Luke 14: 25-32

Jesus is saying – if you are going to follow me in 2012 you should know the cost involved in being a
disciple not a spectator. His message is a tough one.

V.25

Jesus was pursuing an itinerant ministry, travelling around Palestine preaching, teaching, healing. He was doing stunning things, speaking in a hugely compelling way, keeping large crowds dazzled and challenged. Jesus was selling out everywhere and many people were following him around to hear the same stuff again and again. He should put out a DVD.

v.25-27

Jesus turns to these people and says, glad you like the show but it is going to cost you to follow me. Do you really want to be my disciple?

Jesus knew what lay ahead of him. He knew what lay ahead for his disciples and he wants to make sure that they have thought this through carefully.

The example he uses of rejecting one’s family sounds harsh (especially in a Jewish, rural community) but it is actually an Aramaic poetic way of making a point – you exaggerate two sides of an issue in order to show that one thing is most important. Jesus has just told us that we should love our enemies so he is not now turning that on its head to say hate your family. He is saying that if you choose to follow him, he comes first.

James Mumford writes in a recent article on this subject: As a follower of Jesus one’s primary loyalty is no longer to one’s blood relatives. He doesn’t abolish families, but he relativizes them. It doesn’t mean you automatically abandon your family, but it does mean you are no longer determined by it. It means that your fundamental identity lies elsewhere. It means that now your father, brother, mother, sister, children’s view of how you live your life is no longer the most important one.

When Jesus talks about the cross he was referring to a familiar scenario – rebellion against the government or highway robbery would result in crucifixion. People would have seen crosses along the side of the road. Jesus is saying that you will come into conflict with other authorities when you follow Jesus. In our society it is unlikely to mean a court case and punishment but it may lead to dispute and isolation.

v.28-32

Jesus then gives two parables about the need for us to think carefully before we embark on this journey of following him.

Do we really have the commitment to build the whole house or just put in foundations. Or if we want to take on the fight that faces us, how are we going to deal with it.

Sit down says Jesus. Think this through carefully, what is it going to look like when you move from the sidelines and get into the game? From spectator to disciple.

Many of you here are on a journey of discovery. You are asking questions about God and about his church and what we are doing. That’s great. You are welcome and you are doing exactly what Jesus prescribes. Investigate, think ahead, evaluate. Because choosing to follow Jesus is a big deal.

v. 27 & v.33

Jesus wraps around this story a phrase he repeats at the beginning (v.27) and at the end (v33). If … you cannot be my disciple. There is nothing we can do to earn our way into being a disciple – we simply have to be willing to give up everything in preference to him. His invitation presents you with something of a choice. You can stay as a spectator or you can choose to become a disciple. But if you want to become a disciple you need to consider the cost.

The Gees and Griffins have chosen to pay a price to go and church plant. Their call will be costly but they will also have the excitement and fulfilment of seeing the kingdom of God around them. But it isn’t just about what they are going to do.

You see pastors don’t grow churches; churches grow pastors. They will see a church grow around them, but what they will also experience is God growing them and changing them. When we obediently follow Jesus’ calling we may be effective in growing the kingdom but we are definitely on the receiving end of his attention.

When you choose to follow Jesus and say “I give my life to you” you win a great prize - a life in relationship with our loving God who knows you and calls you. You receive his forgiveness made available through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, his son. His grace and mercy fills you with new life. It is all good.

You can live an abundant life in which not only do you begin to live out the deep purpose for which he created you – making a difference - but you also get to be discipled by the great disciple. You change and become whole.

Here is an invitation to walk into 2012:

as a child of God, knowing His love,
as a follower of Jesus, knowing his friendship,
full of His Holy Spirit, knowing his power and presence.

Following him costs everything but that’s because it is worth everything.

Preparation for becoming a disciple

Just as Jesus encourages the builder to check he can afford to build the house, the general to think about how to fight the battle, we need to prepare.

If you are going to bake a cake, you need to get the ingredients, grease the baking dish.

If you are going to grow a beautiful garden you need to buy the plants and weed the borders.

If you want to walk beautifully and fruitfully in an abundant life of following Jesus, here are some things to start with.

They are the first three traits that we cover on our discipleship training material:

Pray – pray on your own, pray in twos and threes, pray in small groups, pray in big groups. Prayer is conversation with God about who he is, his plans for us, about where we are, our questions, doubts, needs, thanks and praise. For some it is best to find a regular time of the day when you get some privacy and space and can pray and meditate. Others are at a busy stage in their lives when they pray whilst doing something else – say driving long distances (turn off the radio and cd player) or doing the ironing. Jesus is ready and waiting to talk with you wherever you are.
Read the bible – find a way to read the bible that works for you. Read the whole bible but concentrate on the gospels, the biographies of Jesus. In particular, over the coming weeks you may wish to read the parables as we teach on them on Sundays (and probably in your housegroup). Sometimes I set up a plan to read the whole bible in a year – you can buy bibles that are set up to help you do that. Sometimes I just focus on some devotional themes and use study notes. Sometimes (as now) I work through a specific book with a combination of study and reflection. My additional plan for is year is to read and write out a verse from Proverbs every day.
Give generously – people often sort out their budgets and spending plans at the beginning of the year. You should do this from time to time and whenever you do spread out your bank statements and chequebooks, or get your budget up on screen and your online bank account and pray. Ask God, how much of all this you have given me do you want me to give back to you as a way of showing you I love you? Decide on the amount, the proportion of your income and set up the standing order or budget to give first. That is money you should give regularly to the church to which you are committed. You may give more from time to time and you may give elsewhere if God directs you to.

Jesus is inviting you to be a disciple not a spectator in 2012.

For some of you that means going deeper into your walk with him.

For others there are big decisions and plans for this year.

For others perhaps today is the day you are going to choose to follow Jesus for the first time.

But as a way of following Jesus - start by praying, reading the bible and giving generously.

Like the man in the parable – do you want to build something in 2012?
Like the man in the parable - is there a battle you want to fight in 2012? With an injustice out there or with an addiction in here?
Do you want to learn in 2012?
Do you want to make a difference in 2012?
Do you want to live an abundant life in 2012?

David Flowers, 08/01/2012