The Cost of Discipleship

Outline- salvation vs. Discipleship

Dietrich Bonhoeffer: "salvation is free, but discipleship will cost you your life."

Salvation is a gift from God, freely given by His grace. We do not need to do anything to earn it. However, the life of discipleship, which follows salvation, requires commitment and sacrifice. Salvation is the doorway into God’s family, and discipleship is the way of living as a member of that family according to God’s will.

The Church and Discipleship

At the beginning of the sermon, the pastor spoke about the growth of the church and the failure of discipleship:

• For nearly 2,000 years, Christianity was the fastest-growing religion in the world. However, in recent years, Islam has become the fastest-growing religion, surpassing Christianity.
• This change is not due to a lack of evangelism but rather a failure in making disciples:
  • The message of salvation is still being preached effectively, but in many cases, we are failing to nurture true disciples.
  • Jesus does not only desire believers; He desires fully committed disciples.

"Half-hearted discipleship produces a half-hearted church."

A church can only truly thrive and experience revival when it fully embraces the mission of making disciples.

The Great Commission:

• Mark Ch. 16 - "preach the gospel"

14 Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen.

15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.

16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

• Matthew Ch. 28 - "make disciples" Two sides of the same commission!

16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.

17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.