The cost of being a disciple

The divine service in Kananga (Democratic Republic of the Congo) on 17 July 2016 attracted 19,000 visitors. Most sat outside under canopies that had been erected in front of the newly built church. Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider described the way this building came about as amazing and thanked the members for their impressive testimony.

Better a small success than a big failure

The sermon was based on Luke 14: 28–30: “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’?”

The Chief Apostle said that he has often seen it. People start to build a big house to impress their neighbours, but the house is never finished because there is not enough money. “It is better to build a small house and be able to finish it, roof and all.” In a similar vein, it is not the goal of Jesus and His Apostles to gather as many people around them as possible, but to train true disciples of Christ and prepare them for the return of the Lord.

To pay means to do without

“Those who imitate Christ are setting out on a hard road,” the Chief Apostle said. A true disciple has to renounce many things. “Think about it carefully. Am I prepared to pay the price?”

• The price of renouncing sin. “That is not easy, because it means that we have to renounce everything that we cannot get without committing a sin.”
• The price of giving up traditions. “Of course we respect our culture, our families, our country, but there is one condition: they have to conform to the gospel.”
• The price of overcoming our own will. A true disciple follows Christ even when his wishes are not fulfilled or he does not understand God’s plans. “And he is prepared to see the neighbour as Jesus sees him.”
• The price of bringing sacrifices. “The Lord requires a different sacrifice from everyone.” The rich young man was expected to give up his possessions, Joseph of Arimathea was allowed to keep his. Peter died a martyr, John was spared. “But a true disciple is willing to bring his sacrifice.”
• The price of rethinking our own idea of justice. “We expect good people to be rewarded and bad people to be punished.” But Christ made it clear that salvation cannot be earned. It is divine grace.

Worth the price a hundred times over

“We can give up everything without losing anything in the process,” Chief Apostle Schneider made clear. The reward is eternal glory, he said. “Already here on earth you receive a hundred times as much as you give. Remember all that you receive in the house of the Lord already: comfort, strength, love …”

The Chief Apostle concluded: “Following Christ means that we renounce ourselves and make sacrifices. This way we demonstrate the value of the benefits that Jesus gives us today and the greatness of the salvation He has in store for us.”