THE FOUR SPIRITUAL APPOINTMENTS

THE FOUR SPIRITUAL APPOINTMENTS
Scripture: Luke 14:26
Topic: The Four Appointments

“If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.”
                                                                                                                                                   Luke 14:26

To follow Jesus is not easy. Living for Jesus isn’t easy. Do not believe anyone who presents a false version of Christianity to you. Christianity is all about following Jesus Christ and becoming Christ-like! From the things Jesus said about becoming His disciple, it almost seemed as though He did not want anyone to follow Him. He warned different people who attempted to follow Him of the dangers of coming to Him.

He said:

 “If you come to me you must hate your parents, your family and yourself” 
                                                                                                                                                   Luke 14:26

He said to a rich man who wanted to follow Him: 
“You must sell whatever you have if you want to follow me”
 
                                                                                                                                              Matthew 19:21

He also said, 
“If you follow me you will not have anywhere to stay because I don’t even have the home that foxes and birds have” 
                                                                                                                                                      Luke 9:58
He said, 
“You cannot say goodbye to your family if you really want to follow me” 
                        
                                                                                                                                                      Luke 9:61
He said to someone whose parents had died, 

“You cannot be involved in the burial of your father if you really want to be my disciple” 
                                                                                                                                                      Luke 9:59

Obviously, Jesus did not intend to make things easy for anyone. He did not lower the bar for anyone. He did not give anyone special treatment. He knew He was inviting us to the greatest privilege ever given to mankind. The privilege of being saved by the blood of Jesus, the privilege of knowing God and the privilege of going to Heaven! These warnings by Jesus Christ have not deterred the millions who simply respond to His awesome love. Millions love Jesus Christ in spite of the difficult conditions that He has set for following Him. Somehow, knowing the living God and His Son Jesus Christ is more than enough compensation for any difficulties we must experience. Don’t listen to anyone who claims that following Jesus is all about getting blessed, rich and successful. That is not Christianity. Christianity is about losing, sacrificing, suffering and dying.

The hardships and difficulties to be encountered by all Christians can be categorised into four main groups: losing, sacrificing, suffering and dying. These are four spiritual appointments that all Christians must expect in one form or another. No one who truly follows Jesus Christ will escape these four appointments. Don’t take any notice of anyone who tells you otherwise! He is just scratching your itching ears. In one shape, form or another, perhaps No one who truly follows Jesus Christ will escape these four appointments. Don’t take any notice of anyone who tells you otherwise! He is just scratching your itching ears. In one shape, form or another, perhaps with a different name, you will experience the cross of Jesus Christ if you are really His disciple.

Credit: Excerpt From
Losing, Suffering, Sacrificing, Dying
Bishop Dag Heward-Mills

 

Comments

  1. Beryl25 February 2022 at 03:41

    Lord give me the grace to daily take up my cross, deny myself and truly follow You all the way to the end in spite of the hardships and difficulties I encounter.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Unknown25 February 2022 at 03:58

    Oh yes! Knowing God and His Son is enough compensation for the difficulties we must experience. I pray for the grace to remain in Jesus name Amen

    ReplyDelete
  3. Elvina omalla25 February 2022 at 06:00

    Amen following Jesus is not all about getting blessed, rich and successful. That is not Christianity. Christianity is about losing, sacrificing, suffering and dying.

    ReplyDelete
  4. JenipherTerry25 February 2022 at 06:28

    Lord give me the grace to carry my cross daily and follow you.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Chesang'25 February 2022 at 06:53

    Lord help me to take up cross daily and follow Jesus Christ 🙏🙏

    ReplyDelete
  6. Renson mamadi25 February 2022 at 08:03

    Oh Lord give me strength to follow you
    I want to be your discipline.. give me strength to pursue no matter the difficulties on my way i know You will carry me through in Jesus Mighty Name AMEN

    ReplyDelete

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