Who is a Christian? They are someone who believes in Jesus. However a disciple of Jesus wants to do what Jesus wants them to do through the teachings and practice of Jesus.

Purpose of the message:

To not play church anymore; transition from being an ordinary Christian to a true disciple of Jesus.

Luke 14: 26-27, 33

The word “cannot” repeats many times in these verses. These are the words of Jesus; we must study and examine them for their full meaning.

The message seems to be harsh, demanding and hateful.

But Jesus is supposed to be message of love. (Matthew 5:43-45, John 13:35, Ephesians 5:25, Exodus 20:12)

So what is Jesus saying in Luke?
Jesus is telling His followers that to be a true disciple then He must have it ALL.

God doesn’t need anything but He still wants us. What an awesome love! He died on the Cross because He wants us.

To be a true disciple of Jesus:
1. Jesus has to be above everything else, becoming the preeminent Person of our lives. (Mark 12:30)

2. We have to live in Him. We cannot co-habit with Christ, living together without commitment. (Galatians 2:20)

3. We need a committed life with Jesus Christ; no relationship competes with the relationship with the Father. No matter the circumstances, we stay committed to Jesus.

4. We have to die to ourselves and come after Jesus. When we lose everything, we gain Christ. God’s desires and dreams becomes our own. People will not see us but will see Christ in us. (Luke 14:27, Philippians 1:21)

Conclusion:
Matthew 10:29 reveals that He knows all about us. He wants us.

It is a joy to be a disciple of Jesus. Once we see Christ for who He is, we don’t see the commitment as a requirement but a natural response to His goodness and love towards us.

The only factor to our commitment is that God is God and nothing else.