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Luke 14:25-27

AUTHENTIC FOLLOWERS OF JESUS

Authentic - ə-ˈthen-tik

� Not false or imitation

� Worthy of acceptance as real and based upon fact

� True

� Legit, original, genuine, pure, reliable

Things Go Better With Coke (1963)

Catch the Wave - Red, White, and You (1986)

Always Coca Cola (1993)

Life Tastes Good (2001)

Open Happiness (2011)

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Authentic Christ-Followers

Christian Beliefs in USA – Authentic? (Barna)

� 26% percent of born-agains believe all religions are essentially the same

� 52% do not believe that the Holy Spirit is a living entity

� 45% do not believe that Satan exists

� 39% believe it is morally acceptable for couples to live together before marriage

� 55% believe Bible is accurate and is worth following

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Christian “Acceptable” Sins at USNA 2011

� Foul language and using God’s name in vain

� Drunkenness

� Pre-marital sex

Authentic Followers of Jesus?

Authentic Disciples of Christ

Authentic Disciples of Christ� Luke 14:25-27

� 25 A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, 26 “If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. 27 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.

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Authentic Disciples of Christ

If … then …

If A = B and B = C then A=C

Authentic Disciples of Christ What Does Luke 14:25-27 Look Like?

� If I “hate” my father, mother, wife, children, brother and sister, then …

§ Nothing, no relationship, no personal desires, hopes, or dreams come between Jesus and me. No personal preservation.§ I say “yes” to Jesus§ Jesus’ will is important to me§ Jesus is not only present and prominent, but is

pre-eminent.

Authentic Disciples of Christ What Does Luke 14:25-27 Look Like?

� If I carry my cross then…

� To Jesus I make a total commitment, there is no turning back

� I count myself as dead� I surrender all self-seeking and abandon all striving

after my own interests

Really Jesus, You’re not serious … Are You?

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Authentic Disciples of Christ

� What? – Death

� Why? � Colossian 1:15-18� Luke 5:5� John 6:66-69

Supremacy

MasterLord, Holy One of God, to whom shall we go?

Authentic Disciples of Christ

� John 8:31,32 – WORD

� John 13:34,35 – LOVE

� John 15:8 – FRUIT

� Matthew 28:16-20 - DISCIPLING

Authentic Disciples of Christ

Hatred LoveDeath FruitWord Discipling

REAL

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Authentic Disciples of ChristWhat is My Next Step?

Regular devotion time with Jesus

Participating in a Bible Study

Commitment to read through the Bible in a year

Memorize and meditate on at least two verses per week

Preparing my testimony and sharing it with someone who does not yet know Jesus

Sharing Jesus with someone

Leading an evangelistic Bible Discovery/Discussion Group

Meeting one-to-one for my personal growth or for me to help another

Whom Will I Let Help Me?

Authentic Disciples of Christ

We are Better Together