The Cost of Discipleship
John 12:25
The Cost of Discipleship
John 12:25
Jesus tells us in scripture that if anyone wishes to follow him, they must take up their cross and follow him (Mark 8:34; Matthew 16:24). “Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life” (John 12:25). We read that Jesus is calling for a total denial of our claims of prominence or self infatuation. The hard truth the gospels tell is that we are called to a grace of forgiveness and mercy, found only in Jesus Christ, that demands our lives be of worshipful service to God. However, for many centuries, the preaching of God’s grace has failed to couple this with a call to discipleship (worshipful service to God and His Kingdom). Dietrich Bonhoeffer, German theologian and pastor during WW2, calls this understanding of the Christian walk “cheap grace.” In his book The Cost of Discipleship, he differentiates this understanding from Biblical grace (he calls this “costly grace”) by writing, “Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: "ye were bought at a price," and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God.”
The good news of Jesus tells me that I can be empowered by the Holy Spirit to live a life in obedience to Christ as I emulate his teachings. This comes by laying down my life (my own ambitions and desires) and taking up the ambitions and desires of Christ. I pray that we may be a people, a church, a redeemed community of believers, that live our lives in worshipful obedience to Jesus Christ and the hard truths of His gospel.
Announcements:
Potluck Meal is this Sunday!!!
Adult Sunday School Classes - 9:45
Mitchell and Sarah Davidson are hosting a weekly Bible Study at their house on Thursdays (6-8)
Their address and number are listed below
Fall Festival/Harvest Festival will be Oct. 25.
Sign up sheet is at the back of the sanctuary
Children’s Church (Preschool and Elementary School) Sunday School teachers are need
Sign up sheet is at the back of the sanctuary
Trail Life's initial meeting is this week. We will be setting up times for future engagements
Speak with Pastor Steven or Damon Hargraves for more information
Church Weekly Schedule
Sunday worship at 11am
Sunday School at 9:45am
I am teaching through the Gospel According to Matthew
Wednesday Prayer Posse 12pm
Thursday Bible Study with Mitchell and Sarah
6-8pm
1815 E Rezanof Dr.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Mitchell (907-942-0381)
Pastor Steven’s Office Hours 8-4 Mon-Thursday
I have an open sign (if it is on, I am here)
If I am not in the office at these times, I am meeting with someone out of office
Call or text me 972-921-2516
Email steven@kodiakcbc.org