His Disciple or Not: What Does God Say?

(Mid-week message for House Church and individual use: preached 11/1 – 11/7/2020)

Introduction

Andrew Murray, in his preface to The Holiest of All, his single-volume commentary on the Book of Hebrews, shared a common concern among Christian leaders when he wrote,

“The great complaint of all who have the care of souls is the lack of whole-heartedness, of steadfastness, of perseverance and progress in the Christian life.” (Murray, Andrew. “Preface.” The Holiest of All, Fleming H. Revell Company, 1894, p. v.)

Absolute Surrender is the title of another popular book by brother Murray’. I am sure that it was not hard for him to come up with this title since “absolute surrender” in Christ is the place that every true man of God seeks to bring his people to. This is our Promised Land, our Jerusalem; absolute surrender in our Lord!

Brother Murray continues the above quote from the preface of The Holiest of All by saying,

“Many, of whom one cannot but hope that they are true Christians, come to a standstill, and do not advance beyond the rudiments of Christian life and practice. And many more do not even remain stationary, but turn back to a life of worldliness, of formality, of indifference.” (Ibid.)

He then says that

“The question is continually being asked, What is the want in our religion that, in so many cases, it gives no power to stand, to advance, to press on unto perfection?” (Ibid.)

I. What does God say on this subject?

“The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” (Psalm 14:2-3)

II. What specifically did our Lord, Jesus, teach us on this subject?

“And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, if any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:25-33)

Conclusion

“Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” (Luke 14:34-35)