DISCIPLESHIP

GRACIOUS JESUS6. MASTER STROKES

Healing the LeperFaith like a CenturianJesus HealsConditions of DiscipleshipJesus Calms the StormJesus Delivers

THE CONDITIONS OF DISCIPLESHIP - PRESENTATION OVERVIEWMatt 8:18-22; Luke 9:57-62IntroductionCrowd – Seeking IndicationScribe – Unthinking DecisionDisciple – Binding AffectionJesus – Loving SalvationDiscussion

BIBLE PASSAGES18 Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. 19 And a scribe came up and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 20 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.” 21 Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 22 And Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.” Matthew 8"If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters--yes, even their own life--such a person cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:25-27

CROWD – SEEKING INDICATIONA large crowd followed Him, because they saw the signs which He was performing on those who were sick. As the crowds were increasing, He began to say, "This generation is a wicked generation; it seeks for a sign, and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah. Luke 11:29Cf. John 6:2

CROWD – SEEKING INDICATIONWhy was the crowd seeking a sign?Why was that attributed as wickedness?

CROWD – SEEKING INDICATIONCuriosity, not commitmentPointers to Christ, not the person of ChristGifts not the Giver

SCRIBE – UNTHINKING DECISION• Scribe made a clear

statement “I WILL follow WHEREVER”

• We make those statements too.

Do we set boundaries for our service?

SCRIBE – UNTHINKING DECISIONGod takes care of creation, but creation has no place for God.Those who follow the creator will also be displaced

SCRIBE – UNTHINKING DECISIONWe give up our luxuryGet rid of complacencyFor the sake of the glory

SCRIBE – UNTHINKING DECISIONfixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb 12:2

DISCIPLE – BINDING AFFECTIONBurying his father is a short term issue.The disciple could have been wanting to do one or more of the following:• Fulfil his duty as oldest

son to be near the father in order to get inheritance

• Remain near body to rebury bones after a year

• Making an excuse

DISCIPLE – BINDING AFFECTION“Let the dead” could have referred to those dead to Christ.The disciple would be dead to Christ if he chose to “bury the dead”What plans do we need to bury to be a worthy disciple?

CHRIST – LOVING SALVATIONSon of man had No recreation No relaxation Only rest in God’s

presence

CONDITIONS OF DISCIPLESHIPJesus never encouraged people to follow HimHe only searched for the right people to follow Him.Those who could: give up comforts let go of affections do not look for signs trust Him above all love Him above all

ARE WE READY?Crowd wanted indication Jesus avoided itScribe stated decision Jesus questioned itDisciple priotized affection – Jesus challenged it

ARE WE READY?To go outside our comfort zone and remain uncompromising though people seem curious, comfortable, complacent and compromising.

THE CONDITIONS OF DISCIPLESHIP - RECAPCrowd – Seeking IndicationScribe – Unthinking DecisionDisciple – Binding AffectionJesus – Loving Salvation

DISCUSSION1. Why did Jesus avoid the crowds? What kind of

people today characterize the crowds? John 6:2, Luke 11:29

2. Were the scribe and disciple genuine in their intent? How do Jesus’ conditions translate in today’s terms? (Luke 9:62)

3. How can we fulfil the requirements that they did not?

4. How did Jesus lead by example? What lesson do we learn from /him?

Matt 8:18-22; Luke 14:25-27;