Costly Discipleship
Commentary
One of the great tragedies that has befallen the modern Christian church is the current-day movement placing great emphasis on all the benefits which will come to any who accepts discipleship. Miracles are promises; riches are assured. Both individuals and nations who hew the line, accept the promise, and send in an offering can know that they have it made. The more spectacular and outrageous the promises, the greater the number who seem ready to join the crowds that stream into tents and auditoriums, lining up for their goodies.
One is sometimes hard put to tell the difference between the charlatans, exploiters, and the well meaning, but one must not be misled either by their sincerity or insincerity. All of them miss the point.
The point is that the faith we share is not a faith that proclaims favoritism or special benefit. It does offer a call to self-giving and self-sacrifice. And the truth is that most do not wish to hear that call.
This may be a good time to pick up a copy of Dietrich BonhoefferÕs Cost of Discipleship for another reading.
Let it not be concluded that there are no benefits to Christian discipleship. There is that sense of wholeness which is GodÕs gift to his own; that gift of joy which passes understanding; that sense of power and courage for life, such as came to Isaiah; and, above all else, a sense of assurance that, whatever comes in life, we are in fellowship with one who can take the brightest and the darkest moments of life and weave them full of meaning. And, of course, we mustnÕt forget the meanings of Easter.
OUTLINE I
Confidence in the Face of Adversity
Isaiah 50:4-10
Introduction: There is no doubt that when the great prophet of the middle chapters of Isaiah brought his message to the people there were detractors. Many must have pointed to the failure of their God to keep them safe from exile in Babylon, and scoffed at current declarations that he was capable of doing anything. It was no easy time to make the bold declaration of chapter 40, or to seek out an interpretation of events that would make sense and be accepted by the people. Courage was needed and that courage could be rooted in no other place than the faithfulness of God. Let the text speak for itself.
A. The Word is GodÕs Word. Most preachers would speak with more courage, forthrightness, and credibility if what they said rang with the sound of Òthus saith the Lord.Ó Frequently both preachers and laypersons speak their own minds and then seek to make it sound as if it were GodÕs will. This prophet is convinced that he speaks for God, and therefore can stand against his opposition and detractors.
B. The Aggressive Prophet. The prophet does more than take a defensive position. He offers a challenge to any who would speak a word contrary to his. God has done his work. He has brought his people through the fiery furnace and refined them. Now they are readied to hear his call to come home again and be made into a new people. There are those who do not want to come home. They have built homes and businesses and fortunes in Babylon. Not many will listen. Some will stay and become devotees of Marduk, whom they consider more powerful. The strong challenge is needed.
Conclusion: Sometimes we offer our invitations to discipleship in such quiet and gentle terms that there is no real contrast with what people already have. They are doing quite well, thank you, and see no benefit in making a change. Isaiah gives us a model for challenging others; that model is based in an absolute confidence in God.
OUTLINE II
Faith and Works
James 2:1-5, 8-10, 14-18
Introduction: In no other place in scripture is the problem of faith and works addressed more directly and clearly. Once again it is important to remember that the problem being addressed must have been very real in JamesÕ church. There must have been those who were always ready with a kind word and a pat on the back for any who were in need.
It shouldnÕt be very difficult to extrapolate the message of James for our own day.
A. The Neighbor. Most of us will see this lesson from the view of those in need in our church or on our street. ThatÕs okay. We ought to begin there. All of us are aware that more than a kind word is needed at times. You can think of illustrations that are relevant to your hearers.
B. Beyond the Neighborhood. It is not easy to arouse concern for others in our society who are in need. Most of us have been brought up believing that, in this nation, all who wish to succeed will and can succeed. All others are either lazy or prefer dependence. The most difficult task I know is to raise money or gather necessities for such persons.
C. Beyond Our Line of Sight. It is much easier to raise money or to gain support for those who can be categorized as the exploited or the unfortunate or the backward of the world. They are far removed from us and we can conjure up visions that enable us to be generous.
Conclusion: Help your listeners to see how we tend to categorize people into classes that fit our own prejudices. Work with JamesÕ material to help break down these prejudices, so that each hearer will begin to be differently motivated.
OUTLINE III
Differing Visions
Mark 8:27-35
Introduction: One of the interesting things about the Gospel reports is the way in which they portray the disciples as seemingly incapable of understanding JesusÕ vision of his role as Messiah. I think we can understand. We have been taught certain understandings and expectations all our lives, and the images associated with them become so much a part of us that no other message can break through. So it was with the disciples.
A. You Are the Christ. One can hear all the old hopes and dreams and images ringing through the disciplesÕ words. The coming of a new champion, the restoration of the throne of David, the defeat of their enemies. Read about them in every other place in the Gospels and they stand forth, like most of their contemporaries, as nationalists -- thinking of the Messiah as their new national leader.
B. JesusÕ Images. Read them again and again. They are contrary to everything the disciples could have had in mind. Isaiah 53 burns alive in every line. He must have sounded as if he were out of his mind. Peter -- zealot, nationalist to the core -- can have none of it and speaks his mind. For Jesus this is GodÕs way. They will not understand now, but the seed is planted. After the cross and the resurrection it will begin to dawn on them. They will have to think about it for a long time. A man named Paul will help them understand. But here and now the contrast is clear.
Conclusion: Use todayÕs selection to draw a clear line of contrast between what many understand to be a rather watered-down version of the meaning of discipleship, and that which is put forth by Jesus in verses 34 and 35.
One is sometimes hard put to tell the difference between the charlatans, exploiters, and the well meaning, but one must not be misled either by their sincerity or insincerity. All of them miss the point.
The point is that the faith we share is not a faith that proclaims favoritism or special benefit. It does offer a call to self-giving and self-sacrifice. And the truth is that most do not wish to hear that call.
This may be a good time to pick up a copy of Dietrich BonhoefferÕs Cost of Discipleship for another reading.
Let it not be concluded that there are no benefits to Christian discipleship. There is that sense of wholeness which is GodÕs gift to his own; that gift of joy which passes understanding; that sense of power and courage for life, such as came to Isaiah; and, above all else, a sense of assurance that, whatever comes in life, we are in fellowship with one who can take the brightest and the darkest moments of life and weave them full of meaning. And, of course, we mustnÕt forget the meanings of Easter.
OUTLINE I
Confidence in the Face of Adversity
Isaiah 50:4-10
Introduction: There is no doubt that when the great prophet of the middle chapters of Isaiah brought his message to the people there were detractors. Many must have pointed to the failure of their God to keep them safe from exile in Babylon, and scoffed at current declarations that he was capable of doing anything. It was no easy time to make the bold declaration of chapter 40, or to seek out an interpretation of events that would make sense and be accepted by the people. Courage was needed and that courage could be rooted in no other place than the faithfulness of God. Let the text speak for itself.
A. The Word is GodÕs Word. Most preachers would speak with more courage, forthrightness, and credibility if what they said rang with the sound of Òthus saith the Lord.Ó Frequently both preachers and laypersons speak their own minds and then seek to make it sound as if it were GodÕs will. This prophet is convinced that he speaks for God, and therefore can stand against his opposition and detractors.
B. The Aggressive Prophet. The prophet does more than take a defensive position. He offers a challenge to any who would speak a word contrary to his. God has done his work. He has brought his people through the fiery furnace and refined them. Now they are readied to hear his call to come home again and be made into a new people. There are those who do not want to come home. They have built homes and businesses and fortunes in Babylon. Not many will listen. Some will stay and become devotees of Marduk, whom they consider more powerful. The strong challenge is needed.
Conclusion: Sometimes we offer our invitations to discipleship in such quiet and gentle terms that there is no real contrast with what people already have. They are doing quite well, thank you, and see no benefit in making a change. Isaiah gives us a model for challenging others; that model is based in an absolute confidence in God.
OUTLINE II
Faith and Works
James 2:1-5, 8-10, 14-18
Introduction: In no other place in scripture is the problem of faith and works addressed more directly and clearly. Once again it is important to remember that the problem being addressed must have been very real in JamesÕ church. There must have been those who were always ready with a kind word and a pat on the back for any who were in need.
It shouldnÕt be very difficult to extrapolate the message of James for our own day.
A. The Neighbor. Most of us will see this lesson from the view of those in need in our church or on our street. ThatÕs okay. We ought to begin there. All of us are aware that more than a kind word is needed at times. You can think of illustrations that are relevant to your hearers.
B. Beyond the Neighborhood. It is not easy to arouse concern for others in our society who are in need. Most of us have been brought up believing that, in this nation, all who wish to succeed will and can succeed. All others are either lazy or prefer dependence. The most difficult task I know is to raise money or gather necessities for such persons.
C. Beyond Our Line of Sight. It is much easier to raise money or to gain support for those who can be categorized as the exploited or the unfortunate or the backward of the world. They are far removed from us and we can conjure up visions that enable us to be generous.
Conclusion: Help your listeners to see how we tend to categorize people into classes that fit our own prejudices. Work with JamesÕ material to help break down these prejudices, so that each hearer will begin to be differently motivated.
OUTLINE III
Differing Visions
Mark 8:27-35
Introduction: One of the interesting things about the Gospel reports is the way in which they portray the disciples as seemingly incapable of understanding JesusÕ vision of his role as Messiah. I think we can understand. We have been taught certain understandings and expectations all our lives, and the images associated with them become so much a part of us that no other message can break through. So it was with the disciples.
A. You Are the Christ. One can hear all the old hopes and dreams and images ringing through the disciplesÕ words. The coming of a new champion, the restoration of the throne of David, the defeat of their enemies. Read about them in every other place in the Gospels and they stand forth, like most of their contemporaries, as nationalists -- thinking of the Messiah as their new national leader.
B. JesusÕ Images. Read them again and again. They are contrary to everything the disciples could have had in mind. Isaiah 53 burns alive in every line. He must have sounded as if he were out of his mind. Peter -- zealot, nationalist to the core -- can have none of it and speaks his mind. For Jesus this is GodÕs way. They will not understand now, but the seed is planted. After the cross and the resurrection it will begin to dawn on them. They will have to think about it for a long time. A man named Paul will help them understand. But here and now the contrast is clear.
Conclusion: Use todayÕs selection to draw a clear line of contrast between what many understand to be a rather watered-down version of the meaning of discipleship, and that which is put forth by Jesus in verses 34 and 35.
