It can be easy to assume that because our efforts are genuine, they must be correct. In Luke 9:57-62, Jesus explains the real discipleship to three people following Jesus on the road. Clarifying that He calls disciples to momentary discomfort, cultivate urgency, focus on heavenly things.

What does it mean to be great? The pursuit of greatness is admired in the west and eagerly sought. The disciples even desired to be great. In Luke 9:46-56, Jesus provides his disciples with four lessons of greatness, and shows them how true greatness is found in his character, his message, his sacrifice, and his compassion.

Try as we might, our belief is often limited and frail. The Christian’s dilemma is we want to believe, but find ourselves doubting Jesus’ transformational power and growing comfortable with a prayerless faith. Thankfully, Jesus does what we cannot do ourselves. In Jesus we see the difference He makes and the destiny we receive through His mercy and majesty.

A Dilemma of Belief

-Dilemma #1 Our Unbelieving Generation

-Dilemma #2 Our Prayerless Ministry

A Difference Jesus Makes

-Jesus’ Presence is Approachable

-Jesus’ Power is Astonishing

-Jesus’ Purpose is Apparent

A Destiny We Receive

Last week, we studied how Jesus called His Disciples to deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Him. This is a very difficult thing that we are asked to to do, however Jesus never calls us to do something by our own strength. Here we see Jesus give Peter, James and John a glimpse of who He is. Getting glimpses of His Glory by His grace waked us up, ignites our worship and changes our lives.

A Glimpse of the Past

Exodus 33:18

Exodus 34:29-30

A Glimpse of the Present

Matthew 17:2

Hebrews 1:3a

A Glimpse of the Future

Philippians 3:20-21

1 John 3:2

Revelation 21:23-24

We live in a unique time in history, but the challenge to follow Jesus is not unique. Since the dawn of the church, Christians have struggled to understand the cost of following Jesus. In Luke 9:18-27, Peter’s confession, Jesus’ prediction, and teaching on discipleship exhort us to know the person of the Cross, the purpose of the cross, and to be a people of the cross. Following Jesus requires a whole-identity change for the reason of becoming like Jesus and carries an eternal reward of salvation and communion with God.

The most important question in the world is, “Who is Jesus?” but the necessary follow-up question is: “What are you going to do about it?” Too many Christians never experience the richness of life in Christ because they refuse to answer the call and count the cost of

discipleship. There is real, true joy and life to be had in Christ, and it comes through the abandonment, dis-ownership and death of self. Join us in studying Luke 9:18-27 today with Hallows member and guest speaker, Chase Rodriguez.

In Luke 9:18-27, we see Jesus take a moment in the life of His ministry, to teach the disciples and help them fully grasp, not only His identity as God’s Messiah, but also His identity as the Lamb of God who gave His life for our sins. This event as recorded by the Gospel writers happened in Caesarea Philippi, and is seen as the disciples’ watershed moment when Jesus challenged them to follow Him, even in the midst of dark days ahead. This too is our calling, to know Christ and to follow Him relentlessly.

The Person of Christ

1. God’s Messiah- The Anointed One

-Emphasized the Humanity of Jesus

2. God’s Son- Son of the living God

-Emphasis on the Deity of Jesus

3. Gods- Revelation

The Passion of the Christ

1. The Suffering Servant

2. The Atoning Death of Christ

3. The Risen Lord

The Pursuit of Christ

1. Unselfish Devotion to Christ

2. Uncorrupted by the World

3. Unashamed of Christ

There are a thousand different challenges we face as believers. It’s easy for a momentary excitement to be followed by shaken confidence. Our efforts, try as we might, can be overshadowed by inadequacy. Like us, Jesus’ disciples felt the same way after being confronted by a large hungry crowd with nothing to feed them. However, despite their lack of confidence and inadequacy, Jesus teaches us that He is faithful, sufficient, Lord, and our provider.

When My Confidence Is Shaken

-Jesus is Faithful

When My Effort Is Inadequate

-Jesus is Sufficient

When My Situation Is Impossible

-Jesus is Lord over:

Nature, Supernatural, Providence, Sickness, Death, Power and

Creation

Jesus Is Our Provider!

Luke 9 is a long chapter all about discipleship and being sent out. In the beginning of chapter 9, Jesus sends out his twelve disciples without him for the first time. The purpose was to show his disciples, and us, that Jesus give us power and authority to carry out his mission.

In Luke 9:1-11, we see Jesus doing something he does often, sending reconciled people to broken people to reconcile them. We see His message being carried by ordinary people and His power being magnified in their ordinary nature. Ultimately, the world can’t help but take notice when they see Jesus’ Kingdom being built and His name being made famous.

-A call to build is a call to go

-Kingdoms aren't built by rearranging bricks but by adding new ones

-Healing and the Gospel go hand in hand

-Preaching the Gospel and building the Kingdom will not go unnoticed

-Comfort-seeking and cross-carrying cannot coexist