A civilized competition between Bill Gates and Steve Jobs is seen in short commercials of two guys just sarcastically talking to each other. There names: Mr. PC and Mr. Mac.
I am sure many of you are very much familiar with what I am talking about. There seemed to be a similarity between the two but the difference is too far out. Like the difference between a lightning and a lightning bug! (I know what some of you are thinking: what is the diff between blue and green? Sorry, but I don’t have enough space).
I am talking about the diff between a so-called “christian” and a true follower of Christ.
Jesus Christ Himself has given us something that would be enough to put a wedge between existing relationships.
Between the real and the not-so-real.
Luke 14:26-27“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters — yes, even his own life — he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”
Does that sound exclusive? No. It is not about exclusivity.
It is about discipleship.
I could not think or even imagine anything more important than my relationships with my father, mother, and my siblings growing up.
But when I was exposed to this passage of Scripture, it made me realize that there was something even higher.
As a Christ-follower, my relationship with others is second best.
If that is resolved, then this will make sense…
Luke 14:27 “And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”
Discipleship can not be discipleship without the cross of Christ. The cross that represents death to ‘self’.
Being a true disciple does not only mean that we have to forgo of other relationships in light of Christ having the first spot in our lives, but also we have to forget self to become one.
Sounds foolish? Yes and no. Yes, in the eyes of the world. No, because to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Cor 1.18b).
Let’s go home with this one big idea then:
A true disciple gives Christ first place in their lives always.
If you ask me, how would it look like if a so-called christian and a Christ-follower were caught talking to each other?
Let’s watch this and enjoy!
"It's All About Discipleship, Genius!" 
i was planning to leave my family in order to grow, starting stuff on my own and all that jazz.
i asked God to give me a sign on what i should do, and again he did not disappoint.
after reading this i realized this is the cross that i must carry,
“Discipleship can not be discipleship without the cross of Christ. The cross that represents death to ’self’.”
i knew that at some level, I was planning on leaving them for selfish gains. what about me ? what about my future? what about my life?.
i should not worry about how i will stand in the future, God has me and thats enough to make me stand for a lifetime ^-^
glad i read this.
Isn’t it funny how a religious person’s “Praise God” sounds so different from a genuine Christ-followers “Praise God”?
God is a part of my everyday, everymoment life… it isn’t an “in your face” religious life…but, simply a way of life…
Wouldn’t it be amazing to be able to strike up conversations about God without feeling any degree of self-importance…like we can live our lives in a head-turning, “what’s so different about you” question-provoking way…
oh man. my husband and i were gonna get tatoos with a cross that says JESUS for Christmas. we were excited but now that kinda seems dumb.
M actually going to get a “henna?” (temporary) tattoo of a cross today for my props this Sunday. Funny u mentioned that..
The “hate” is a rather harsh description of a relationship. However, when used as a comparative verb in Greek, it captures the very essence of discipleship: To put Christ unconditionally first in our lives that our relationship to others would be hatred by comparison. Also, the verse you used in Luke 14:27 is a series of declarations about “cannot be my disciple.” Discipleship is not doing, it is “being”.
Thanks for the video. Loved it! God bless.
Pastor,
May I ask for the poem you’ve just read during service bout becoming a disciple of Christ? thanks!
here it is jed..courtesy of my fav author, mr anonymous..
I am a disciple of Christ.
I will not let up, look back or slow down.
My past is redeemed, my future is secure.
I am done with low living,
small planning, smooth knees,
mundane talking, cheap giving
and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need pre-eminence,
prosperity, position, promotion
or popularity.I don’t have to be right,
first, tops, recognized, praised
or rewarded.
My face is set;
my goal is sure.
My road is narrow,
my way is rough,
my companions few.
My God is reliable,
my mission is clear.
I cannot be bought,
compromised, detoured,
delayed or deluded.
I will not flinch in the face of
adversity, negotiate at the table
of the enemy, or meander in the
maze of mediocrity.
I am a disciple of Christ.
I must go until He comes,
speak of all I know of Him,
and work until He stops me.
And when He comes for His own,
by the grace of God,
He will have no problem
recognizing me,
because my colors are clear.”
Pastor Ferdie I just want to ask prayer from you. I go to Victory Ortigas. I’m just a mess right now. I need your prayers. I don’t know what to do. I’m so confused. I need clear direction from God. I feel I’m in the desert of testing, I feel like Job. I refuse to give up. I know God will bless me. I just need to hold on tightly but I am losing my grip. Please pray for me…. please pray for me…. please pray for me…..
Hi V, just prayed for u. m wondering if u have a small grp that u go to in a regular basis.. I hope u have.. That’s what small grp is all about..
My prayer is that God wld strengthen u n remember to bless u..in the midst of ur time of testing..may u come out w the victory that Christ won on the cross of calvary..
I AM SO PROUD TO SAY THAT I’M BRANDED AS A FOLLOWER OF CHRIST!
Thanks for the post.. i was reminded of one of the preaching here in vcf zamboanga where Pastors talked about being a disciple of God. It is just by reading GOd’s word but most importantly it is by LIVING and OBEYING God’s word. How we live our life matters most than what we know because people see us and know us more through the things that we do and not just through the things we say or we know. We are the first bible that they see.. and i believe, as a follower of CHRIST we must be a good testimony of how it is to live having JESUS in our life..
thank you for this post.. I’m encouraged and enlightened!
God bless you
hi pastor ferdie 🙂 ive been a christian for a long time but i might as well call myself as ‘stagnant christian’. but since ive attended victory, that is when i only see myself growing with God. with my 19 yrs here on earth, i need a lot of catchin up to His word 🙂 i just love the series branded.. it made me re-evaluate myself whether im really a Christ follower or just tagging the brand Christian after my name. ive learned a lot. and i just got baptized last youth victory weekend and God really revealed Himself to me.. God really uses His faithful servants and the church to reach out to the lost souls.. im once a lost soul too, but now im found 🙂 that’s why im going to extend His amazing grace to everyone 🙂 Godbless you & Godbless me too 🙂
i came to know Jesus wen i was 18 going 19. i still vividly remember wen my ‘crossing the line’ as if it was just yesterday…keep it up jha…keep the fire burning..
I came to know Jesus personally when I was 43 years old. However, after he came into me, I realized that he was there all my life. I will remain a soldier in God’s Army for all of my days no matter where Jesus wants me to go. Anyway, the issue at hand is my mother. My relationship with her has been one of love and hate all my life. It all makes sense now because she is not a believer. She reads the bible and goes to church but does not live her life as an example of Christ. One day a Christian, the next day (more than often) she is rude and says that the bible is a lie and that all it happened years ago and it’s over. I am special and chosen by God and rooted firmly on the path. I know my mom is not good for me. Although, I love her very much but cannot deny her unbelief which is poison to me. She will buy me things but then she will start fights about our differing beliefs. What to do? Stay away from mom altogether? I guess so. I guess this is part of my being a disciple. Which I’d rather be anyday that to be hanging out with what seems to be like a companion of satan. Any comments?
Ephesians 6.1-3 says this: 1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2″Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3″that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”[a]
Whether your mother is a christian or not, you still have to give due honor. The Scripture, Old and New Testaments, is telling us to do so. you said you’re 43, so i cld surmise your mom is around 60+ approaching 70. Pray that through your life and unconditional love, she will be able to really know Christ. The Scripture promises us:Acts 16.31 “31They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
It wld be exciting to see your mom serving God genuinely one of these days. And it might happen through you. Im not saying you tolerate her verbal and emotional abuses. Im just saying as a christian, extend a lil bit more patience to her in her old age. You can have many friends in this world, but you have only one mother…
Btw, you might want to visit this blog entry:
http://fcabiling.multiply.com/journal/item/125/WARNING_Dishonoring_Your_Parents_Maybe_Harmful_To_Your_Health
or this podcast: http://victoryortigas.org/?s=dishonoring+your+parents&x=0&y=0
Gbu.:)