A dictionary definition of “disciple”: “A person who subscribes to the teachings of a master and assists in spreading them.”

And Jesus, how did He define a follower of His?

A large crowd was following Jesus, He turned around to them and said,
“If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.”  Luke 14:25-26

What else did Jesus say to that crowd and to us?
“Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”

Jesus followed this with two examples – Example #1 – before anyone builds a tower, they sit down and consider the cost of building… if they started building and couldn’t finish, they would be ridiculed.

Example #2 – a king, before going to war sits down and considers if his armed forces are strong enough against an enemy force double his own.  Then he will send “a delegation and asks for terms of peace.” Luke 14:27-32

To Be A Disciple of Jesus
#1 Put Jesus before all others and yourself.  He is to be at the top of our list.  The living God is worthy of being first in our lives.

To Be A Disciple of Jesus
#2 Consider the cost –

Jesus continued to speak to that crowd and to us.
“So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.”

What?!  Give up what I need to live?  No.  To me, this means that I am to use all those things I possess for the glory of God.

To Be A Disciple of Jesus
#3 Use all my possessions for God’s glory.

~ Take it to heart ~

To Be A Disciple of Jesus
#1 Put Jesus first in my life.
#2 Consider the cost.
#3 Use all my possessions for God’s glory.

Are you living your life as a disciple of Jesus –
 by your definition or His?