Discipleship - A Journey with Jesus

·33 min·3 clips

Jesus sets his face toward Jerusalem, but his disciples want to call down fire on those who reject him.

The episode opens with a reading from Luke 9:51-62, introducing a new series called The Call to Discipleship. The preacher starts by recounting a story of a woman who never traveled beyond Edinburgh, contrasting it with ancient travel norms to highlight the significance of Jesus's journey. He explains that Jesus setting his face toward Jerusalem marks a turning point in Luke's gospel, beginning his exodus journey toward redemption. The sermon is structured around three main points: the resolve Jesus displays, the rebuke he gives, and the reality of discipleship he highlights. For the resolve, the preacher links Jesus's determination to Isaiah 50:7, where the servant sets his face like flint, emphasizing that Jesus willingly embraced the cross as part of God's divine plan. He references Octavius Winslow to underscore that Jesus delivered himself up for the world. The rebuke section focuses on the disciples James and John wanting to call down fire on Samaritans who rejected Jesus, with Jesus correcting them by highlighting his mission of mercy, not destruction. The preacher condemns historical violence in Christianity's name, citing examples like the Crusades. The reality section analyzes three encounters in Luke 9:57-62, where Jesus teaches that discipleship involves cost (like homelessness), priority (over family duties), and focus (without looking back). The sermon concludes by tying discipleship to Jesus's own sacrifice, urging listeners to fix their eyes on him and follow resolutely, finding joy in union with Christ. The format is a solo sermon with educational and narrative tones, drawing on biblical texts, historical anecdotes, and theological references.

As heard by us

A Luke 9 sermon on undivided allegiance to Jesus and the cost of following him.

Discipleship is framed as a road marked by Jesus' resolve and by allegiance that cannot be divided. The sermon stays with Luke 9:51-62, where Jesus sets his face toward Jerusalem, a Samaritan village refuses him, James and John reach for judgment, and would-be followers are met…

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

Press play when you want Luke 9 to make discipleship feel like a costly road with one direction.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from St Columba's Free Church - Sermons