Stephen Kaung’s 1997 message, “Called to Be Disciples,” expounds Jesus’ teachings in Luke 14:25–35 and Matthew 10:34–39. Jesus seeks not crowds or nominal believers but committed disciples who follow Him unconditionally. He demands absolute surrender—loving Him above family and self (“hate” in relational priority), bearing one’s cross, and forsaking all personal claims. Two parables illustrate counting the cost: building a tower (maintaining testimony to Christ’s worth) and waging war (full commitment in spiritual battle). Diluted salt, representing compromised believers, risks being cast out from God’s kingdom. Kaung urges recognition of Christ’s supreme worthiness to inspire total consecration.
Outline of Content:
1. Introduction and Scripture Readings — Luke 14:25–35 and Matthew 10:34–39.
2. Jesus’ Approach to Crowds — He dismisses multitudes seeking earthly benefits, desiring disciples rather than quantity.
3. The Lord Desires Disciples — Belief alone is insufficient; true faith entails following Christ as Lord (example: Paul’s conversion).
4. The Condition of Discipleship — Absolute priority to Christ over family and self (“hate” as comparative love); parallel in Matthew 10.
5. Seeing the Worthiness of Christ — His incarnation, death, and sacrifice make Him supremely worthy.
6. Bearing the Cross — Discipleship involves carrying one’s cross amid relational conflicts.
7. Parable of Building a Tower — Count the cost to complete the testimony of Jesus.
8. Parable of Going to War — Forsake all to engage fully in spiritual battle; partial commitment leads to defeat.
9. Diluted Salt — Compromise dilutes spiritual distinctiveness, risking exclusion from the kingdom.
10. Conclusion and Prayer — Call to hear, fully commit, and follow the Lamb wherever He leads.
25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26 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. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. 34 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? 35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.