The Price of Discipleship — Luke 14:25–27

“Uma grande multidão ia acompanhando Jesus; este, voltando-se para ela, disse: Se alguém vem a mim e ama o seu pai, sua mãe, sua mulher, seus filhos, seus irmãos e irmãs, e até sua própria vida mais do que a mim, não pode ser meu discípulo. E aquele que não carrega sua cruz e não me segue não pode ser meu discípulo.” (Lucas 14:25–27, NVI)

Introduction

This sermon is part of the series “The Creed of the Cross”, grounded in the truth that the gospel is not centered on human comfort, but on the redemptive work of Christ.

When we speak of the cross, we are inevitably led to resurrection — for the cross is not the end, it is the path to life. The blessing of resurrection reminds us that there is victory, new life, and hope.

But that hope is not cheap. It was purchased with blood. And because of that, it demands a response from us.

The text of Luke 14 shows us Jesus standing before a crowd. Many were following. But Jesus was not impressed by crowds — He was looking for disciples.

We live in a generation that wants the benefits of faith, but avoids the cost of discipleship. We want the resurrection without the cross. We want the blessing without surrender.

Theme: True discipleship demands a life fully surrendered to the glory of God.

1. Many Will Follow, But Not All Will Be Disciples

“A great multitude was accompanying Jesus…” (Luke 14:25)

The crowd walking with Jesus at that moment was interested in miracles, provision, and the expectation of a Messiah who would solve their immediate problems. But when Jesus revealed the cost of discipleship, He exposed the superficiality of many hearts.

Even today, there are people who approach Christ for what He can give, not for who He is. Here we see a reality that endures: many follow, but few surrender.

Jesus did not soften the message to keep the crowd. He confronted. The human condition here is clear: we want to belong without committing.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer said: “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.”

There is a difference between physical proximity and true surrender. Judas walked with Jesus, heard His teachings, and witnessed His miracles — but he was never a disciple in fact. This reveals that being near the things of God does not mean belonging to Him.

Application: Today we must ask — are we merely accompanying Jesus, or are we truly following Jesus?

2. The Love for God Must Be Greater Than All

“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 14:26)

This is not about rejecting people, but about establishing absolute priority. “No one can have greater value for us than our Lord!”

Loving God above all does not diminish love for family — on the contrary, it purifies that love. When God occupies first place, our relationships stop being possessive and become healthy, because we no longer expect people to fill the place that belongs only to God.

“Can he be a good Christian who spends his religion out of doors, and reserves nothing for his nearest relationships at home?” — William Gurnall

“If we are serving the church or the Lord at the expense of our duty to those nearest to us… something is wrong in the balance of our Christian life.” — Alan Redpath

The priority love for God is tested in the practical decisions of life. When obeying Christ costs comfort, approval, or even relationships, the true disciple remains faithful.

Application: Loving God above all reorganizes everything — including our relationships.

3. Being a Disciple Means Carrying the Cross and Following Christ

“Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:27)

In Jesus’ time, the cross was not a religious symbol — it was an instrument of death. Here is the heart of discipleship: dying to self.

Paul wrote: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20)

Carrying the cross is not merely enduring difficulties, but voluntarily embracing a life of renunciation for the sake of Christ. The cross is not something that simply happens to us — it is something we choose to carry when following Jesus.

Moreover, carrying the cross is a daily path, not an isolated event. Every day we are confronted with choices: to live for ourselves or to live for Christ. It is in this continuous process that we are shaped.

Application: Carrying the cross means living daily for the glory of God — in decisions, desires, and priorities.

Conclusion

The Creed of the Cross presents the correct value of discipleship: loving God above all things.

1. Many will follow, but not all will be disciples.
2. The love for God must be greater than the love for all.
3. Being a disciple is carrying the cross and following Christ.

Yes, we celebrate the blessing of resurrection — because Christ conquered death, gave us new life, and guaranteed us eternal hope. But this resurrection is not an invitation to superficiality — it is a call to transformation.

The cross precedes the resurrection. And whoever has been raised with Christ must now live for the glory of God.

Final question: Are you merely following Jesus, or are you willing to die to yourself and live fully for the glory of God?

The resurrection gives us life — but it is the cross that defines how we must live it.