Equipped - Grand Parkway Women

Cathy LoerzelCo-Founder of the Allender Center in Seattle, WA

The All-Encompassing Everythingness of Following JesusLuke 14:25-35Introductory words:“Great crowds accompanied Jesus” - v 25“Accompanying” Jesus is not the same as "coming after” Jesus“Disciple"Disciple = anyone who so aligns their beliefs and their lifestyle to the teachings of another person that they become identified with them.5 Defining Words of a Disciple of JesusHATE - v26“If anyone comes to me and does not HATE his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.”HATE = A figure of speechMeans to love LESS THAN in comparison toCANNOT be my disciple=Not possible, not strong enough, no capacity forBEAR AND COME AFTER - v27“Whoever does not BEAR his own cross AND come after me CANNOT be my disciple.” BEAR = A call to an obedience so comprehensive that it is best compared to DEATH COME AFTER = Going beyond listening to and believing in Jesus to living as He lived in practical obedience to the Word of GodRENOUNCE - v33“So therefore, any of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.”Renounce = to formally declare one’s abandonment of a claim, a right, or a possession; to forsake“Use the car, use a coat, use a computer in such a way that people around you assume that is not your treasure.” John PiperSome ways to live as disciples now?1. How to “hate”Find out what pleases the Lord (Ephesians 5:10)Be a student of His WordBe in Community with accountability2. How to “bear the cross” and “come after Jesus”Literally and practically obey JesusRepent of picking and choosing which of God’s words to obeyBe in Community with accountability3. How to “renounce all that we have”Take inventory of everyone and everything in your lifeFastBe in Community with accountability

This teaching references three primary sources: The God Who is Thereby D.A. Carson, The Drama of Scriptureby Craig G. Bartholomew and Michael W. Goheen, and God's Big Pictureby Vaughan Roberts.

This teaching references three primary sources: The God Who is Thereby D.A. Carson, The Drama of Scriptureby Craig G. Bartholomew and Michael W. Goheen, and God's Big Pictureby Vaughan Roberts.

This teaching references three primary sources: The God Who is Thereby D.A. Carson, The Drama of Scriptureby Craig G. Bartholomew and Michael W. Goheen, and God's Big Pictureby Vaughan Roberts.

This teaching references three primary sources: The God Who is Thereby D.A. Carson, The Drama of Scriptureby Craig G. Bartholomew and Michael W. Goheen, and God's Big Pictureby Vaughan Roberts.

This teaching references three primary sources: The God Who is Thereby D.A. Carson, The Drama of Scriptureby Craig G. Bartholomew and Michael W. Goheen, and God's Big Pictureby Vaughan Roberts.

This teaching references three primary sources: The God Who is There by D.A. Carson, The Drama of Scripture by Craig G. Bartholomew and Michael W. Goheen, and God's Big Picture by Vaughan Roberts.

This teaching references three primary sources: The God Who is There by D.A. Carson, The Drama of Scripture by Craig G. Bartholomew and Michael W. Goheen, and God's Big Picture by Vaughan Roberts.

This teaching references three primary sources: The God Who is There by D.A. Carson, The Drama of Scripture by Craig G. Bartholomew and Michael W. Goheen, and God's Big Picture by Vaughan Roberts. Thanks to Elizabeth Woodson for a great outline.

This teaching references three primary sources: The God Who is There by D.A. Carson, The Drama of Scripture by Craig G. Bartholomew and Michael W. Goheen, and God's Big Picture by Vaughan Roberts.

This teaching references three primary sources: The God Who is There by D.A. Carson, The Drama of Scripture by Craig G. Bartholomew and Michael W. Goheen, and God's Big Picture by Vaughan Roberts. Thanks to Elizabeth Woodson for a great outline. **Corrections to my memory glitches:-Paul wrote Galatians, not Peter. -The C.S. Lewis quote at the end is actually, "Heaven is that remote music we were born remembering."

Listen to practical suggestions for loving someone who is sick, given by someone who is recovering from COVID. The List:-Pray hard and often throughout the day and especially at night for someone who is suffering. Helpful verses to pray over them: Psalm 4:8, Psalm 121.-Check on them daily - validate their feelings, don't grow weary of hearing them say they are having a bad day-Offer to listen when they want to vent.-Spouses - sit with them if they feel bad. Give them permission to be sick and rest. Don't shame them for being sick so long or passive aggressively make comments about it. Don't even joke about it! No one wants to feel better more than the sick person. -Grocery shop - if you can't afford to buy the groceries for them, offer to go and they can venmo you the cash-Best friends, and very close same sex friends - offer to pick up sensitive grocery products from the store. This is a very hard thing to ask for.-Offer to pick up prescriptions and take them to their house-If you are at a store, text them and see if they need a thing or two.-Take them dinner- It is safe, just leave it at their doorstep.Take them breakfast tacos to freeze and eat when ready-Gift cards: Door Dash, Grub Hub, Chick-Fil-A, any place that delivers - good for long distance friends, most can be bought online and sent via email-Offer to take them Starbucks, a Boba Tea, or even a Sonic drink. Maybe even social distance, with a mask, while they drink it. This is a lonely illness, and the sick person feels like a leper.-Offer help often and give them ideas on how you are willing to help. Encourage them to accept help from others.

Be Equipped to live out Jesus' command to love one another. FOR FURTHER PONDERING:*Read John 13:34-35*Read 1 Peter 1:22-23

Have you ever fasted for spiritual reasons? Whether you have or not, hear a few thoughts on what to ponder as you do.

Mariam Ibrahim and Nagmeh Panahi share their stories at the Table.