Defining Discipleship
Elaine Poproski Download: Audio
Sermon Notes:
At the end of this sermon, the congregation was invited to consider the words of the song, You Are My All In All as a way to reflect on the sermon. You can hear the song here.
Scripture: Mark 9:38-50
John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” Read more…
Looking to Sunday
by Elaine Poproski
To be a disciple is to be a follower. It is to be a student or adherent of someone. It is to choose another’s teachings and way of life for oneself. To be a Christian is to be a disciple of Jesus.
To be a disciple of Jesus is not an easy way of life. In the Gospel of Luke we read that Jesus said: “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Lk. 9:23). Last week, we read in John 6 of the difficulty many of Jesus’ followers had with some of the things Jesus was saying. In fact, Jesus’ words were so difficult, many of them stopped being disciples altogether. But when Jesus asked the ones who stayed if they were also going to leave, this is what they said: “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that You are the Holy One of God.”
Being a disciple of Jesus is difficult. Over the next 7 weeks, I expect this truth will become abundantly clear. And yet, as hard as it is, it is worth it because Jesus alone is the Way of eternal life – the Way of God’s Kingdom. If we’re going to have any hope at all in this broken world we call home, it’s going to be because we glimpse something better; it’s going to be because we believe that in Jesus God’s Kingdom has come, is coming, and will come. And if our world is going to have any hope, it’s going to be because there are disciples of Jesus willing to pay the price of discipleship and thus offer a glimpse of that Kingdom to the world.
On Sunday we’re going to begin this new series of sermons with an exploration of Mark 9:38-40. There are some hard things to hear in this passage. For instance, Jesus tells us that it would be better to cut off a hand or a foot or to gouge out an eye if any of those appendages get in the way of our discipleship. He also says that if we get in the way of someone else’s discipleship, it would be better for us to be thrown into the sea with a heavy stone hung around our neck. Clearly, discipleship is no laughing matter. It’s important. Life-and-death important. So, as you prepare for Sunday, perhaps spend some time contemplating what it means to you to be a disciple of Jesus. Is it something familiar and comfortable? Is it new and challenging? Is it familiar and challenging? As you consider your own life as a disciple of Jesus, what encouragement do you need? How do you need to be challenged? And if you aren’t a disciple of Jesus, what is it that stands in your way? What would it take to change your mind?