Thursday, July 8, 2010

DISCIPLESHIP (Luke 14:25-33)



WHEN DIETRICH FELT THE NOOSE TIGHTEN

HE KNEW THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP

WHEN PETER AND PAUL

WENT TO EXECUTION

THEY KNEW THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP

WHEN DAMIAN SAID WE LEPERS

HE KNEW THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP

WHEN PASTOR KING MARCHED IN SELMA

AND BIRMINGHAM

HE KNEW THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP



FOR MOST OF US

THE NEED TO BE HEROIC IS MINIMUM

BUT THE NEED TO BE KIND TO A SLOW CLERK

TO LISTEN TO THE THRICE TOLD TALE OF THE OLD

TO SPEAK WHEN SOMEONE NEEDS DEFENDING

TO KEEP AWAY FROM THE HORN

WHEN THE PERSON AHEAD

IS SLOW AT THE LIGHT

TO BE A CHRISTIAN IN PRACTICE

SEEMS TO BE HARDER FOR US THAN SUFFERING



WHEN JESUS SAYS

YOU MUST LEAVE FATHER AND MOTHER

TO FOLLOW ME

HE’S USING NORMAL EASTERN HYPERBOLE

HE’S REALLY SAYING

NOTHING SHOULD PREVENT YOU FROM DOING RIGHT



HOW MANY MEN HAVE SAID

I DIDN’T SPEAK UP OUT OF FEAR FOR MY FAMILY

AND IN THAT SILENCE EVIL GROWS



JESUS SAYS

SERVE

DON’T COUNT THE COST





NEITHER PARENT

NOR NEEDS OF THE DEAD

NOR LOOKING BACK

SHOULD WEAKEN ONE’S RESOLVE TO SERVE



WE ARE WEAK AND FAIL

BUT REPENTING

WE SHOULD RETURN TO THE FIRST PRINCIPAL



WHO IS MY PARENT

HE WHO DOES MY WILL





FRANK A VOLLMER

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