What does it cost to be a disciple of Jesus?
What does it cost to be a disciple of Jesus?
I want to follow Jesus’s call and be a disciple. What will it cost me? Am I prepared?
There is only one answer and it is simple but direct. I must give up everything!
Does that mean?
- Give up my family.
- Give up my money.
- Give up my house.
- Give up my hate.
- Give up my lust.
- Give up my pride.
- Give up my contempt.
It means exactly that and the list goes on and on. Give it all, Jesus demands.
The call is simple. Follow me!
Jesus is walking along. Jesus turns to me and is direct. Jesus asks me if I will give up everything. Jesus is serious. Jesus is waiting for an answer.
Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’
“Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.
“Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out.
“Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”
Source: Matthew 14:25-35
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The lessons taught at CTCI are not designed to be learned just in the classroom. They are not simply taught in a week or a month program. Rather, they come through the furnace of daily living and are hammered into useful form on the anvil of unrelenting daily life and common struggles. The hammer must fall repetitively over and over before the shape takes form. This type of experiential learning is formative.
Learning is driven by an insatiable curiosity in God’s ways. The value of hard work and the merits of creative problem-solving are by-products of “fleshing out” Biblical principles and watching them come to life through God’s creative power. Families are transformed and young people are reformed.
When given the right conditions of sunlight and good soil, an acorn grows into a mighty oak. When the same acorn is crowded out by larger trees and the elements for health are lacking, the tree grows crooked and deformed.
When a family arrives tattered and worn, we provide the sunshine and nourishment of God’s word in daily life experiences – and the transformation is nothing short of remarkable.
When a young person arrives soiled in the mud and mire of worldly ways, we provide the nutrients which build character and integrity for future leaders – and the reformation is nothing short of miraculous.
This is what we do: Transformation and Reformation. Learn more here.
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What is it Going to Cost to follow Jesus?
Kiara Clemonts poses the question that the Lord asked of her this summer: what is it going to cost to follow Him?
“Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
For which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn’t first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it?Otherwise, after he has laid the foundation and cannot finish it, all the onlookers will begin to ridicule him.”
Luke 14:27-29 Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
Check out our upcoming ministry programs for young adults and families. Please click here.
Our programs are like an immersion into a new language – the language of living in Jesus. The goal is fluency in the language of relationships. Programs share a sequential vision, building an understanding of relationships and family culture. The foundation is an encounter with Jesus. This encounter is the means for both insight and vision. Encountering Jesus leads a radical change in living and relationships.
Heroes Semester is a 10-week residential, “family style” living experience like no other! | — The 2020 date will be announced soon. | Participants ages 18-26 come with one purpose – to go deeper with the Lord. Learn more about our programs here.
Strengthening & Restoring Family Relationships — Train to Reign Program — Oct 20 – Nov 2 | Family is the most vital relationship and the one under the most pressure and attack. Come strengthen your family in a strong relationship with God. Learn more here.
If you would like to donate to the Christian Training Center, please click here.
What did it cost me?
My dad (perhaps like your dad) always reminded me that there is no such thing as a free lunch.
And … he was right.
- What did it cost me?
- Am I willing to pay it?
- Will I accept a cheap imitation that costs me nothing?
Jesus wants to know if I will pay the price. Jesus wants to know if I have counted the cost.
But the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.”
2 Samuel 24:24
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Check out our upcoming ministry programs for young adults and families. Please click here.
Our programs are like an immersion into a new language – the language of living in Jesus. The goal is fluency in the language of relationships. Programs share a sequential vision, building an understanding of relationships and family culture. The foundation is an encounter with Jesus. This encounter is the means for both insight and vision. Encountering Jesus leads a radical change in living and relationships.
Heroes Semester is a 10-week residential, “family style” living experience like no other! | — Sept 2 – Nov 9, 2019 | Participants ages 18-26 come with one purpose – to go deeper with the Lord. ow.ly/Nhag30oRYRK
Strengthening & Restoring Family Relationships — Train to Reign Program — Oct 20 – Nov 2 | Family is the most vital relationship and the one under the most pressure and attack. Come strengthen your family in a strong relationship with God. http://ow.ly/l5SU30oS5pQ
If you would like to donate to the Christian Training Center, please click here.
Is God first in my life? Am I trying to fool Him? Can He be fooled?
God knows. God cares.
God knows how to do surgery. He can bring about internal purification. I can trust Him. He is good, all the time.
God knows me. I’m not fooling Him. There is no hiding with God. It is all out in the open. No point lying to myself and others.
- Is God first in my life?
- Is He second in my life?
- Is He third?
Jesus wants to be my only priority. Jesus wants to the one and only. Jesus wants me to pick up my cross and follow Him. Jesus wants me to count the cost and be prepared to pay it.
What does Jesus want? He wants me and my complete life.
Not only does God know how but God cares. He loves us and paid for our redemption with the blood of His only Son. Jesus brings us good news. God is in a good mood.
I need more of that and only that. I can pay that price. He gives me strength.
If you would like to donate to the Christian Training Center, please click here.