The Price of Being a Disciple
Key Text: Luke 9:23; Luke 19:1–10 (NASB 1995)
Supporting Texts: Micah 6:8; John 15:18–21; Acts 2:13; 2 Peter 3:3; 1 Corinthians 13:1–3; 2 Corinthians 9:7; Numbers 5:7; Romans 12:9
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5KaVg-80UU
Introduction
- Jesus never hid the cost of discipleship.
- Luke 9:23: “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”
- Following Christ is not a slogan, not a symbol, not a label—it is a daily, costly commitment.
- Luke 19:1–10 gives us a living example of a man who was willing to pay that price: Zacchaeus.
Thesis:
Being a disciple of Jesus has a real cost—socially, personally, and morally—but the reward is worth every sacrifice.
I. The Price to See Jesus: Willingness to Be Ridiculed (Luke 19:1–4)
- A. Zacchaeus was a chief tax collector and was rich.
- B. He was determined to see Jesus despite the crowd and his short stature.
- C. He ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree—publicly embarrassing for a wealthy, powerful man.
- D. He did not care what people thought; he cared about seeing Jesus.
Callout — Application:
Are you willing to be seen as different, awkward, or strange for the sake of Christ?
Callout — Warning:
It takes more than symbols, labels, or slogans to be a Christian. Discipleship requires visible commitment.
- E. A disciple must be different:
- In conduct
- In speech
- In moral standards
- In associations
- F. The world will not applaud this (John 15:18–21; Acts 2:13; 2 Peter 3:3).
II. The Price to Host Jesus: Personal Inconvenience with the Right Attitude (Luke 19:5–7)
- A. Jesus invited Himself: “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.”
- B. Zacchaeus received Him joyfully.
- C. Doing the right thing must be joined with the right attitude.
Callout — Teaching Point:
Obedience without the right heart is empty religion.
- D. Scripture confirms this principle:
- Without love, spiritual acts are nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1–3).
- God loves a cheerful giver, not a grudging one (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Callout — Application:
Serving Christ will inconvenience your schedule, your comfort, and your plans—but it must be done with joy.
III. The Price to Follow Jesus: Moral and Practical Change (Luke 19:8–10)
- A. Zacchaeus made a public commitment:
- Half of his possessions to the poor.
- Fourfold restitution to anyone he defrauded.
- B. The Law required only one-fifth added (Numbers 5:7); Zacchaeus went far beyond that.
- C. This shows a heart fully committed, not negotiating, not halfway.
Callout — Warning:
For many people, the hardest thing to surrender is money—but discipleship demands everything.
- D. Contrast with the rich young ruler who walked away.
- E. Zacchaeus did not wait to be commanded—he volunteered radical change.
Callout — Teaching Point:
True repentance is not just feeling sorry; it is changing direction and making things right.
IV. The Heart God Requires (Romans 12:9)
- A. “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.”
- B. Zacchaeus did not want to follow Christ with a stained conscience.
- C. He removed every excuse for accusation.
- D. Discipleship demands:
- Honesty
- Integrity
- Separation from evil
- Devotion to what is good
Callout — Application:
If your life contradicts your confession, something must change.
V. The Reward Is Worth the Cost
- A. Jesus said, “Today salvation has come to this house” (Luke 19:9).
- B. The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10).
- C. Whatever the cost—reputation, comfort, possessions, even life—the reward is eternal.
Callout — Encouragement:
No sacrifice made for Christ is ever wasted.
Conclusion / Call to Action
- Zacchaeus paid the price:
- He faced ridicule.
- He accepted inconvenience.
- He made moral and financial restitution.
- The question is not what Zacchaeus paid—the question is what you are willing to pay.
- If you have never obeyed the gospel:
- Believe in Christ
- Repent of sin
- Confess Him
- Be baptized for the forgiveness of sins
- If you have strayed:
- Fix private sins privately before God
- Fix public sins publicly before God’s people
- The cost is real—but so is the reward.
Final Call:
Count the cost. Take up your cross. Follow Christ—fully, daily, and without compromise.
Slide Deck — “The Price of Being a Disciple” (12 Slides)
Slide 1 — Title
The Price of Being a Disciple
Luke 9:23; Luke 19:1–10
Design: Light background, dark text, serious and reverent tone
Slide 2 — The Call of Jesus
“If anyone wishes to come after Me…”
- Deny self
- Take up your cross daily
- Follow Me
Design: Clean, high-contrast, focused on commitment
Slide 3 — Discipleship Has a Cost
- Not a label
- Not a symbol
- A daily commitment
Design: Simple layout, strong contrast
Slide 4 — Zacchaeus: A Man Who Wanted to See Jesus
- Chief tax collector
- Rich
- Desperate to see Jesus
Luke 19:1–4
Design: Teaching tone, clear and readable
Slide 5 — The Price of Being Seen
- Climbed a tree
- Ignored ridicule
- Chose Christ over pride
Design: Emphasis on courage, light background
Slide 6 — The World Will React
- The world hated Christ first
- Expect ridicule and mockery
John 15:18–21
Design: Serious, warning tone
Slide 7 — Hosting Jesus Costs Comfort
- Jesus invited Himself
- Zacchaeus received Him joyfully
Luke 19:5–6
Design: Warm but sober, clear text
Slide 8 — Right Action + Right Attitude
- Love must be sincere
- Giving must be cheerful
1 Corinthians 13:1–3; 2 Corinthians 9:7
Design: Balanced, instructional
Slide 9 — The Cost of Real Change
- Half to the poor
- Fourfold restitution
Luke 19:8
Design: Strong contrast, focus on commitment
Slide 10 — True Repentance Acts
- Not excuses
- Not delays
- Real change
Design: Bold, clear statements
Slide 11 — Salvation Comes to the House
“Today salvation has come to this house”
Luke 19:9–10
Design: Hopeful, encouraging tone
Slide 12 — The Final Question
- Are you willing to pay the price?
- The reward is eternal
Design: Invitation-focused, clean and readable
