Dr Tom Hover
June 1, 2025
Matthew 8:18-22, Luke 9:23,57-62
JESUS ON THE COST DISCIPLESHIP
JESUS ON THE COST DISCIPLESHIP
Text: Matthew 8:18-22, Luke 9:23,57-62
Introduction - This account is of Jesus Speaking on Discipleship in Matthew is found also in the Book of Luke. We will today be looking at both books in order to harmonize the Gospels and get a more complete account of this powerful teaching from our Lord Jesus Christ. I want to speak primarily on the subject of Jesus on the Cost of Discipleship, not what you and I may think The Cost Discipleship is, but rather take the exact words of Jesus on the subject. That is JESUS ON THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP! Discipleship Defined: The word discipline is taken from the root word for disciple. As a noun, Disciple means Follower. As a verb it describes a process whereby leaders and teachers produce Followers and Learners. A Disciple of Jesus Christ is a Learner and a Follower of Jesus who teaches and shows others about Jesus. The closest contemporary word to “disciple” is probably “apprentice.” A disciple is more than a student who learns lessons by means of lectures and books. He is one who learns by living and working with his teacher in a daily “hands on” experience.
I. JESUS COMMANDS COMMITTED DISCIPLESHIP Luke 9:23
A.) Four things Jesus teaches us in this verse about His Disciples –
They are to Be:
1. Cross Bearers - “take up thy cross”
2.. Followers - “follow Me”
3.. Self-Deniers - “deny himself” Luke 9:24
4. One Who Realizes Daily Dependency on God - “Daily”
B.) Discipleship to Jesus meant Self-Sacrifice.
C.) In the following verses, Jesus teaches His truth to three Would-Be Disciples.
II. JESUS CORRECTS CONFUSED DISCIPLESHIP
Matthew 8:19-20, LUKE 9:57-58
A.) The Setting: Jesus has been teaching on Discipleship.
Matthew 8:19, calls this man “a certain Scribe”
B.) The Time: Six months before the cross.
C.) The Bold Statement: Luke 9:57 “I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.”
D.) The Clarifying Answer: Luke 9:58 “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head.”
E.) One Confused Would-Be Follower.
F.) Jesus Calls us: Not to be a Fan but a Follower; not one who just gives a Compliment but gives Commitment; not Rashness but Reality.
G.) Jesus Corrects this Confused man: Because he was one who had Sentiment without Sincerity, Motion without Devotion and Adherence without Perseverance.
III. JESUS CONFRONTS CONDITIONAL DISCIPLESHIP
Matthew 8:21-22, Luke 9:59-62
A.) Jesus Confronts those who would put conditions on following Him.
No one wants to give Jesus a flat refusal, so they put conditions on our Lord’s Unconditional Call to follow Him. These next two Would-Be Disciples were trying to offer a sort of conditional discipleship.
B.) Jesus Confronts them and all would-be followers.
Today who are sinfully inflicted with the “BUT” and “ME FIRST” Syndrome. Nick names for these two could be “Brother Comings But” and “Mr. Me First”. Both offer the same Contradiction in terms. You can say “but” and you can say “me first”, No one can say it with Lord in the same sentence. “Lord”, “but”, and “me first” cannot go together without contradiction. (“But” the aversive conjuncture)
C.) Jesus Confronts their statements.
Their statements did not seem to be unreasonable at all. “To go and bury my father”, “go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.” Jesus calls us from one of the highest duties of man to an even higher duty, the duty to God to follow Jesus. Jesus’ answers to them seem hard. Luke 9:60 “Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62 “No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” Matthew 6:24, Matthew 6:33
INVITATION: Jesus calls us to break from the old life and to hurl ourselves into the future in a very decisive way. Not to equivocate but to decide! To Unconditionally Set Each of our Feet into the Foot Steps of Jesus. Have you put conditions on your call from Jesus to Follow Him? Is there a sticking point in your life? You know the “I want to follow Jesus “But” or “Let Me First”. Make a decisive unconditional commitment to follow Jesus Today. To decide not to decide is to decide! Matthew 12:30 A real Disciple of Christ is a mind through which Christ thinks; a heart through which Christ loves; a voice through which Christ speaks; a hand through which Christ helps.
Jesus gave Himself FOR ME
So, He could give Himself TO ME
So, He could live His life THROUGH ME.
