And he said to all,
“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross
daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever
loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he
gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of
me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his
glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. But I tell you truly,
there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the
kingdom of God” (Luke
9:23-27).
Jesus did not call us to build churches. He
said clearly that He would build His Church… “On this rock I will build
my church” (Matthew 16:18). He gave us a very clear job. Jesus called
us to make disciples… “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”
(Matthew 28:19). Our Teacher, the Holy Spirit, presents great encouragement
and insight in today’s text for those of us serious about becoming and making
disciples. He inspired Luke to record Jesus’ teaching about the consequences of
true discipleship. Jesus had just prophesied about His suffering, crucifixion,
and resurrection. Now He challenged His disciples to take a deeper step of
faith and follow His example. There is exhortation here for serious Christ
followers in every age to examine themselves and to encourage one another to
reflect the evidence of maturing discipleship.
The maturing disciple denies himself. Evidence
of maturing discipleship is a growing understanding and appreciation of the
great exchange that took place at the moment of our new birth… “Therefore,
if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold,
the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). We have not received a changed
life, we have received a new life! The Spirit compelled Paul to exhort growing
disciples to deny themselves by consistently putting the old life to death so
we might experience the fullness of the new life in Christ… “I have been
crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.
And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved
me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). Maturing disciples have
seen the Lord transform their hearts, replacing old selfish desires with hunger
and anticipation of growing intimacy with Christ.
The maturing disciple takes up his cross.
Evidence of maturing disciples is an increasing desire to know all of Christ.
Young believers are hungry for the power of God to energize their ministry and
witness… “And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony
to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all” (Acts
4:33). Maturing believers get to know the Lord better through suffering… “For
as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share
abundantly in comfort too” (2 Corinthians 1:5). The Spirit inspired
Paul to exhort growing disciples to seek and share in both the power and the
suffering of Christ… “That I may know him and the power of his
resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death”
(Philippians 3:10). Maturing disciples are willing to get close to the
cross and share in Christ’s sufferings as we anticipate the resurrection.
The maturing disciple follows Christ. Evidence
of maturing discipleship is a willingness to go where Christ would go. He
gathered no personal possessions, achieved no earthly position, and attached
himself to no particular place. He carried no baggage and let nothing keep him
from the journey toward the cross. He was undeterred by prearranged agendas but
He was sensitive and responsive to needs that arose around Him. Often as He
journeyed from place to place Jesus was moved with compassion to change His
plan and take a life-transforming detour… “Now when Jesus heard this, he
withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the
crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore
he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
(Matthew 14:13-14). Maturing disciples are willing and eager to follow the
Lord’s leading into deeper and more effective areas of ministry as we fulfill
the Great Commission.
As we grow up into Christ His Word and
His Spirit humble us and sharpen us to increasingly reflect…
The Evidence of Maturing Discipleship.
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