Discipleship has been on the mind of Jesus since he started his ministry. He called disciples to follow him. It is important that we follow Christ. Other things get in the way. We criticise the world. We are not called to shout at the darkness, we are to be a light to those in darkness. We are not called to expose error in the Church. We are not called to just worship God. This is not discipleship. We are not called to relieve human suffering. This is not discipleship. We are not called to learn the Bible. This is not discipleship. What is discipleship?

1 – The cost of discipleship – redemption (vs. 24)

The cost of discipleship is redemption. Jesus Christ wants you to be his follower. A terrible price has been paid.

• He himself has paid our sins. It was something that Jesus wanted and planned for. This was not an accident. He paid for the sins we were guilty of committing.
• He bore our sins. Jesus carried our sins on the cross. It was a substitutionary atonement. See 2 Corinthians 5:21. Jesus died in my place. See Romans 5:8 & Colossians 2:13.

2 – The crisis of discipleship – returning (vs. 25)

There needs to be a turning point in your life. There needs to be crisis that makes you change direction. It is not enough to start trying harder. You can’t earn favour with God. Jesus has done it all for you. We are all like sheep.

• Stubborn – We want to do what we want to do.
• Stupid – We think we know the way to God. You can’t get to heaven by being good.
• Selfish – Thinking of yourself rather than others.

It will take a crisis to change things. It will bring you back to Jesus, your shepherd. We need to come back to God. He made us and loves us. Sheep need a shepherd. Jesus is that shepherd. God is looking for public servants and not a secret society.

3 – The process of discipleship – righteousness (vs. 24)

God wanted to do more than forgive you and get you into heaven. God wants to show his transforming power through you. We are to die to sin and live for righteousness. God honours us when we do the right thing. Discipleship goes beyond salvation and should produce righteousness in the life of a believer.

Categories: 1 Peter