Cost of Discipleship

Question 1 在26節中所看到恨這麼強烈的字用意何在? 一個教我們要愛仇敵的人怎麼可能同時又要我們恨最親近的人?我們可以如何尊敬孝順我們的父母親,同時又遵循神的旨意? (Matthew 10:37-38, 5: 43-44, Ephesians 6:1-3) First James: son of Alphaeus (Matthew 10:3) Second James: brother of Jesus Third James: father of Judas (not the one selling out Jesus)

Answer 1 - We have seen Jesus using an overstatement to make a point with maximum impact. (The priority) Prepare and challenge us to think the cost of following Jesus.(See Matthews 5:29-30 Cutting off one’s hand. Matthew 19:24 A camel passing through the eye of a needle) Bible teaches us to care for our family. (See 1 Timothy 5:8, 1 John 4:20-21, Matthews 10:37-38) James was not poor. He was self-employed fisherman. He left the servant with his father. Luke 9:53-55. The Samaritans rejected Jesus because they know Jesus is going to Jerusalem. Jesus rejects the suggestion because he know he is not here to bring judgment to people but to bring free offer of gospel. Raising of the daugter of Jairus from the dead The transfiguration of Jesus. God told them to listen to His son, Jesus. The appearance of Moses and Elijah representing the law and the prophets, which witness to Jesus as the Messiah. They were not alert and fell asleep while Jesus was praying. God asked them to pray so as not to fall into temptation. They still have civil ambitions. Jesus asks if they can drink his cup (his suffering). Jesus revealed himself to the disciples after his resurrection. Herod executed James.

Question 2 背起你的十字架,是什麼意思 (Acts 14:22, 1 Thessalonians 3:3-4, 2 Timothy 3:11-12) 3. James is right that Jesus would take his kingly seat in glory someday and rule the world. Nobody really believes this who isn't following Jesus. Abba! Father! All things are possible for you; remove this cup from me; yet not what I will, but what you will. (Mark 14:36) . Jesus’s pathway to glory and to kingship is through suffering and death. If you want the kind of honor you are asking for, you must follow me in my suffering and death. That is the way I go, and those who follow me go the same way. I don't take the hard road while you take the easy road. The road that leads to life is hard and few there be that find it (Matthew 7:14). We take the same road. "He who would come after me must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Mark 8:34). the good news (the good news of Christmas) is that the radical call to Christian discipleship is NOT a call to serve Jesus, but to be served by Jesus as we serve others, and to be ransomed by him from death.

Answer Q2 It means willing to suffer for the sake of Jesus. Deny our old-self (Romans 6:6)

Question 3 耶穌在這段經文作了兩個比喻，一個是蓋一座樓所牽涉到的一些事，另一個是調軍隊到戰場去要有哪些準備。你當初信主前認為要付出的跟你實際付出的有出入嗎？請分享你信主的「花費」。

Notes on Q3 我們都試過半途而廢 Opportunity Cost 計算花費：為了蓋好樓／打勝仗 V29-30 恐怕安了地基，不能成功，看見的人都笑話他：「這個人開了工，卻不能完工。」

Question 4 跟在跟隨耶穌的群眾後面，與作一個真正的門徒有何區別？請參看路加福音十四章34節。

Notes on Q4 Salt: favoring and preservation 作鹽作光 死海的鹽 回應神的愛，作一個真正的基督徒，不要不冷不熱，愈鹹愈好

Question 5 請探討救恩和做主門徒到底代表著什麼? 和做主門徒的代價相比值得嗎?

Answer Q5 Separation from God because of sin (Isaiah 59:1-2, Exodus 34:7) Jesus is the Lamb of God(John 3:16,1 John 1:7,Hebrew 10:19-22) Reward from God and eternal life (Luke 18:29-30) God is with us (John 10:27-28)