Following Jesus 79

Those who disciple are those who by teaching explain the truth of God. “Teaching them… (Matthew 28:20a). Those who disciple are those who after being taught, observe and obey the truth they have been told. “…to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20b). Discipleship is also “…the obedience (agreement, respect, submission) to those teachings that promote the lifelong lifestyle of becoming ever more like Jesus (in my character), thereby bringing Him glory.” 
 
What are the costs of discipleship?
 
Public Witness - Matthew 10:32–33 – “So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32-33 ESV). Affirmation and identification.  Not being ashamed. 
 
Family Discord - Matthew 10:34-37 – “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Matthew 10:34-37 ESV). 
 
Family Harmony. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12. Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
 
Personal Sacrifice – Matthew 10:38-39 - “And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 10:38-39 ESV). 
 

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