WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST?

1)   One must hate his/her own father, mother, wife/husband, children, brothers, sisters, and his/her own life to become a disciple of Jesus Christ. (What He meant was to have an overwhelming love for God that surpasses the love of family; is stronger than the typical love for family, the type of love one can only have for God/Jesus Christ – and ultimate love).

2)  One must be completely willing to follow Christ through carrying his/her own cross as if it were his/her own execution to follow Christ.

3)  One must deny him/herself and put Christ first, presenting his/her goals, desires, dreams, and aspirations to God to glorify Him; using all your gifts for His purpose not for oneself.

4)   One must consider the cost of following Jesus Christ as His disciple to insure he/she can follow through and finish his/her discipleship by forsaking everything that he/she has (materially, financially, and his/her family ties) to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Nothing can hold one back from service to Christ in his/her discipleship.

(Luke 14:26-33 [VOICE])

26.   Jesus: If any of you come to Me without hating your own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, and yes, even your own life, you can’t be My disciple.

27.   If you don’t carry your own cross as if to your own execution as you follow Me, you can’t be part of My movement.

28. Just imagine that you want to build a tower. Wouldn’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to be sure you have enough to finish what you start?

29. If you lay the foundation but then can’t afford to finish the tower, everyone will mock you:

30.   “Look at that guy who started something that he couldn’t finish!”

31. Or imagine a king gearing up to go to war. Wouldn’t he begin by sitting down with his advisors to determine whether his 10,000 troops could defeat the opponent’s 20,000 troops?

32.   If not, he’ll send a peace delegation quickly and negotiate a peace treaty.

33.   In the same way, if you want to be My disciple, it will cost you everything. Don’t underestimate that cost!

(MATTHEW 19 [VOICE])

19. Go out and make disciples in all the nations. Ceremonially wash them through baptism in the name of the triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.