DCLM HIGHER EVERYDAY 21 March 2022 — Cost of discipleship
DCLM Higher Everyday 21 March 2022 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Cost of discipleship
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TOPIC: COST OF DISCIPLESHIP
TEXT: LUKE 14:25-33
25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,
26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
MEMORY VERSE: “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?” (LUKE 14:28).
MESSAGE:
Christian discipleship is the process by which a disciple – a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ – grows in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and is equipped by the Holy Spirit, who resides in his or her heart, to overcome the pressures and trials of this present life and become more and more Christ-like.
This process involves putting Jesus first in all things, following Christ’s teachings, fruitfulness in life and ministry, love for other disciples, commitment to evangelism, and readiness to lay down one’s life for the cause of Christ. Churches today house hundreds of people, but few disciples.
Following Jesus is not a walk in the park. It is an all-out commitment to abide by all the teachings and demands of Christ. It is also a voluntary decision.
Every convert or believer in Christ must be made to understand the implication of his or her decision to follow Christ. He or she must be acquainted with the cost of discipleship. And after counting the cost, he or she must decide to pick up his or her cross daily and follow Christ.
QUOTE: Be acquainted with the cost of discipleship.
CHALLENGE: Not all converts are disciples.
PRAYER: Help me, Lord, to remain committed.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
