Thank you for joining us!
We hope these readings, prayers, songs, sermon notes + quotes are beneficial to you this week. See you next Sunday at 9 or 11 am, 10 am on TVC Online or anytime!
Sermon Notes for May 25, 2025
Luke 14:25-35
Real Discipleship, Real Cost, Real Impact
Pastor Jim Thomas
“Follow the rabbi, drink in his words, and be covered with the dust of his feet.” – Ancient Jewish proverb
1. Christian Discipleship means reordering my loves so that Jesus becomes preeminent in my life.
“Our love for Christ must be so wholehearted that all other loves are, by comparison, hatred.”
— John Stott, Basic Christianity“The cost of discipleship involves putting Christ first in everything, before even our relatives, our ambitions and our possessions.” -John Stott, The Incomparable Christ
“You can’t get second things by putting them first; you can get second things only by putting first things first.” –C. S. Lewis
“If you were to ask me point-blank, ‘What does it mean to live spiritually?’ I would have to reply, ‘Living with Jesus at the center.’” -Henri Nouwen, Letters to Marc about Jesus
2. Christian Discipleship transforms me from a spectator into a participant; from curious to committed; it combines the passion of allegiance with the discipline of obedience.
- Christian discipleship means I have been saved by grace and now, overflowing with gratitude, by that same grace, I live in resolute abandonment to Jesus as Lord. While salvation costs me nothing, discipleship will cost me everything.
“If you want the Jesus who saves you, you must also embrace the Jesus who rules you.”
— Tim Keller, The King’s Cross“The Christian landscape is strewn with the wreckage of derelict, half-built towers — the ruins of those who began to build and were unable to finish. For thousands of people still ignore Christ’s warning and undertake to follow him without first pausing to reflect on the cost of doing so. The result is the great scandal of Christendom today, so-called ‘nominal Christianity’.” —John Stott, Basic Christianity
“If the gospel is true, none of us come to the table with rights. The only way in is flat on your face. If I want to hold onto my fundamental right to self-determination, I must reject the message of Jesus, because he calls me to submit completely to him: to deny myself and take up my cross and follow him.” -Rebecca McLaughlin, Confronting Christianity
3. Christian Discipleship ignites in me a passionate desire to be conformed to the image of Christ.
- The integrity of our Christian discipleship is revealed when our character, values, speech, and actions come into alignment with those of Jesus Christ and with the truth of God’s Word.
“Spiritual formation in Christ moves toward a total interchange of our ideas and images for his.” –Dallas Willard, Renovation of the Heart
“The way of Jesus is not the easiest way, but it is the best way. It gets us where Jesus goes, which is to resurrection.”
— Eugene H. Peterson, The Jesus Way“Do you want to know a truth that in the momentous challenges of our modern world will be at once a quest to inspire you, an anchor to hold you fast, a rich fare to nourish you, and a relationship you will prize above all others? Listen to Jesus of Nazareth; answer his call.” -Os Guinness, The Call
Songs, Readings & Prayer for May 25, 2025
Songs
“All Creatures Of Our God And King“ by St. Francis of Assisi
“Revive Us Again“ by John Jenkins Husband and William Paton MacKay
“Give Me Jesus“ by Fernando Ortega
“Jesus, Firm Foundation“ by George Keith, R. Keen
“Doxology” by Thomas Ken and Louis Bourgeois
All songs are used by Permission. CCLI License #2003690
Call To Worship: Bless the Lord
Leader: Bless the Lord at all times; let His praise continually be in your mouth.
People: My tongue shall tell of Your righteousness and of Your praise all the day long.
Leader: Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.
People: We will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord, and His might, and the wonders that he has done.
All: You are great, O Lord God. For there is none like You, and there is no God besides You!
Confession of Faith: The Apostles’ Creed – Article II. “He Descended Into Hell”
Leader: What does the Creed mean by saying that Jesus descended to the dead?
People: That Jesus descended to the dead means that he truly died and entered the place of the departed.
Leader: What makes Jesus’ descent into Hades important for us?
People: In my greatest sorrows and temptations I may be assured and comforted that my Lord Jesus Christ, by His unspeakable anguish, pain, terror, and agony, which He endured throughout all His sufferings but especially on the cross, has delivered me from the anguish and torment of hell. We can now face death knowing that when it comes we shall not find ourselves alone. He has been there before us, and he will see us through.
ACNA, Q. 68; Heidelberg, Q. 44; Growing in Christ, J.I. Packer
Classic Prayer: Martin Luther 1483-1546
Behold, Lord, I am an empty vessel that needs to be filled. Oh Lord, fill me. I am weak in the faith; strengthen me. I am cold in love; warm me to the point of zeal so that my love may reach my neighbor. I do not have a steadfast belief. I suffer from doubt, and I am unable to trust completely. Oh Lord, help me. Increase my faith and strengthen my trust. All my good treasure is stored in you.
Discussion Questions for May 25, 2025
- Read the passage together: Before today’s sermon, what did you already know or believe about this passage? Did anything in your understanding shift after hearing the message?
- Challenge and Reflection: Was there a part of today’s message that was particularly challenging or surprising for you? Why?
- Unpacking the Message: Pick a quote from today’s sermon notes. Discuss what it means to you.
- Personal Impact: What’s one specific way you feel called to change or grow after hearing this message?
- Practical Application: What’s one step you can take this week to put today’s message into practice?
- Connecting Scripture: Are there other Bible passages or stories this message reminds you of? How do they expand or confirm this teaching?
- Gratitude: What aspect of God’s character stood out to you in today’s message? How does it inspire praise or gratitude?
- Pray the Scripture: After hearing the message, is there a specific area where you feel led to pray? How can we pray for one another in light of today’s teaching?
Upcoming Events
Announcements
Missions Highlight
Convoy of Hope
Convoy of Hope is a faith-based organization passionate about feeding the world through children’s feeding initiatives, community outreach, and disaster response. In partnership with local...