20/06/2026
THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP | Luke 14:25–33
Lifelong response is to follow and obey Jesus.
Jesus freely gives us salvation, but discipleship costs us everything. To follow Christ means making Him both Lord and Savior of our lives. We surrender everything because we have been saved.
For us to grow as Christians, we must fully surrender to God. May we follow Christ not with conditions, but with pure motives and wholehearted devotion.
I. PEOPLE — Surrendering Relationships
“Who do you love most?”
- Luke 14:26
- Matthew 10:37
God does not command us to stop loving our family. Rather, He calls us to love Him more than anyone else.
Our devotion to the Lord must surpass every earthly relationship.
- Ephesians 6:1–3
We naturally desire approval, understanding, and companionship from those closest to us. However, when loyalty to family conflicts with loyalty to Christ, we must choose Christ.
Christ above family, not against family.
Obedience to Christ, not rebellion against parents.
A disciple loves Christ above every earthly relationship.
II. PREFERENCES — Surrendering Priorities
“Who do you seek first?”
- Matthew 6:33
- Philippians 3:7–8
Following Christ requires us to realign our priorities. His Kingdom must come before our plans, desires, and personal pursuits.
A disciple seeks Christ above personal priorities.
III. PLEASURES — Surrendering Comfort
“What comforts or joys do you cling to?”
- Luke 9:57–58
- Hebrews 11:24–26
Jesus never promised a life of comfort. Following Him often involves trials, sacrifice, and hardship that shape our character and faith.
Moses chose suffering with God's people rather than enjoying the temporary pleasures of sin.
A disciple values Christ above pleasures, ambitions, conditions, and personal comfort.
IV. PURPOSE — Surrendering Personal Ambitions
“What are you living for?”
- Luke 9:59–61
- Proverbs 3:5–6
- James 4:14
Many people live for personal dreams, achievements, and ambitions. Yet discipleship requires surrendering our plans to God's will.
Life is brief, and only God's purposes have eternal value.
A disciple releases personal ambitions and embraces God's purpose.
V. PERSON — Surrendering Self
“Who ultimately rules your life?”
- Luke 9:23
- Galatians 2:20
The ultimate cost of discipleship is surrendering the throne of your life to Jesus Christ.
To follow Him means denying ourselves daily, taking up our cross, and allowing Christ to rule every area of our lives.
A disciple fully gives himself or herself to Christ.
The cost of discipleship is surrendering:
- Relationships — we surrender.
- Priorities — we realign.
- Comforts — we leave behind.
- Ambitions — we release.
- Ourselves — we give fully.
- Matthew 16:24
- John 3:30
“He must increase, but I must decrease.” — John 3:30
Salvation is free because Christ paid for it in full. But discipleship costs us everything.
- Mark 10:28–29
The disciples stumbled, doubted, failed, and struggled—yet they continued to follow Christ. Likewise, what matters is not that you are perfect today, but that you have decided to follow Jesus.
