THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP

Newsletter 136 April 19. 2009

Matthew 16:24-27, Mark 8:34-38

This account is also found in Matthew and Mark, all three of the synoptic gospels. Only John does not include it.

A BAD SITUATION

As an introduction before we come to the scripture itself, let us look at three other scriptures, each of which is written by the apostle Paul. They all come from the book of Romans.

The first shows the need for salvation of all mankind. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) It was not just Adam and Eve who sinned, but all have sinned. This, then, is the background situation.

Add to that the fact that “the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) But, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17).

GOD MADE A PLAN

This wasn’t something that just came about, God started right from Eden with the first steps to prepare a people who could accept and follow Jesus. Over those many years he sent many prophets to promise a savior to come. Both the Old Testament books, and the book of Matthew record many of those, however it is the book of Luke that we are presently reading.

Luke 9:23-27 (King James Version)

23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (Matthew 10:38, Luke 14:27)
24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. ( Soul - Matthew 10:39, Luke 17:33, John 12:25)
25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? (Hebrews 10:24)
26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels. (Matthew 10:33, Luke 12:9)
27 But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God. (Matthew 16:28)


READ THE BIBLE THROUGH AGAIN IN 2009

APRIL

19th. Sunday – Joshua 6,7, Luke 19:28-48, Psalm 48
20th. Monday – Joshua 8,9, Luke 20:1-26, Psalm 49:1-10
21st. Tuesday – Joshua 10, Luke 20:27-47, Psalm 49:11-20
22nd. Wednesday – Joshua 11,12, Luke 21:1-19, Proverbs 10:11-20
23rd. Thursday – Joshua 13,14, Luke 21:20-38, Psalm 50:1-15
24th. Friday – Joshua 15, Luke 22:1-23, Psalm 50:16-23
25th. Saturday – Joshua 16-17:13, Luke 22:24-46, Psalm 51:1-9

LINKS TO OUR BLOG SITES

• http://47yearsinafrica.blogspot.com/
• http://scripturegems.blogspot.com/
• http://salvationtracts.blogspot.com/
• http://searchthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com/
• http://searchingthescriptureswithbob.blogspot.com/ (These letters as blogs)
• http://bookletbiblestudies.blogspot.com/
• http://phyllistheauthor.blogspot.com/
• http://stan2hope.stumbleupon.com/
• http://47yearsinafrica.blogstream.com/


PRAISE THE LORD !

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THIS WEEK'S SCRIPTURE

"Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”

Luke 18:8


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I Just Wanna Bang On The Drum All Day...
A researcher arrives in Borneo to gather data for his thesis. Accompanied by his trusty guide, he seeks out a very remote locale for researching the mating behaviour of the giant rat of Sumatra.

Around dusk of the first day, he's sitting by the campfire with his guide when in the distance, he hears tribal drums. They get louder. The guide announces, "I don't know guys, I don't like the sound of those drums."

Dusk turns to evening. The drums get louder. The guide says, "I really don't like the sound of those drums."

Evening turns to dead of night. The drums get louder and louder, until it is obvious that the drummers must be quite close. The guide cries out again, "I really don't like the sound of those drums!"

Suddenly the drums stop, and a voice from the darkness cries out,
"Hey dude, lay off. He's not our regular drummer."
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