From the CLA Ministry Team

15 June - 22 June

CHRISTIAN LIFE ASSEMBLY Glen Waverley

Last week we looked at the "Marks of a true disciple”.

Today let us look at the COST OF BEING A TRUE DISCIPLE of the Lord. The Lord Jesus paid the greatest sacrifice for our

redemption. Salvation is absolutely free, but once we receive it, IT COSTS US EVERYTHING! The Lord

plainly spoke about the price to be paid, if we truly follow Him, and the possible consequences of being

His disciple. Modern evangelism betrays Jesus, if it plays down the cost of discipleship. Dietrich

Bonhoeffer, a martyr for The Lord, called this 'cheap grace'. We cannot smooth away the rough edges of

the rugged cross for the sake of gaining easy converts! Nor can we attempt a road widening scheme on the

narrow road, for The Lord said “... narrow the road that leads to life, only a few find it” (Matt. 7:13,14).

Many Christians would testify that when they became true believers, they found that their families and

friends ignored or persecuted them, they were misunderstood, ridiculed and in some cases disinherited for

the sake of The Lord. It is always best in the long run to make it clear to potential converts, as to the cost

of following Jesus, right from the beginning. There is short term pain, for long term gain!

Let us meditate on 'the cost of discipleship' as proclaimed in Luke 14:25-35:

When a large crowd began to flock to Jesus, He turned to them and spoke forth clearly the cost

of true discipleship. Jesus first laid out two of the costs of discipleship (14:26-27); He gave two

parables (14:28-32) that make the same point, namely, that a person must give careful

consideration to the cost of building a tower before he makes any hasty decision. He stated a

third cost of discipleship (14:33). He gives an illustration about salt to illustrate the cost of not

truly following Him (14:34-35). Then He concludes by warning, “He who has ears to hear, let

him hear.”

In Luke 14:26, Jesus said that our allegiance and love for Him must be so great, that by

comparison, our love for our loved ones and even for ourselves should look like hatred!.

Normally, there is no conflict between loving Christ and our loved ones. But sometimes a tug

of war develops, where the people close to us put pressure on us to disobey or even abandon our love for Christ. In those difficult

situations, how do we respond? Are we going to give in to these pressures? Then we keep the person from seriously considering

the claims of Christ. We do not love Christ because we have put a mere human being, in a higher place than the Lamb of God,

Jesus, who freely offered Himself, as the sacrifice for our sins.

Luke 14:27 - "And whosoever does not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my

disciple". When Jesus bore His cross He was heading towards a cruel death. He said

"not My will but Yours be done". A cross is symbolic of death. If we love the Lord Jesus,

we must die to our own selfish ambitions, selfish desires, selfish plans and follow Him

daily, seeking to do His will.

In Luke 14:28-32, Jesus warned that those who would follow Him should first count the

cost. He compared the Christian life to a building operation, and to a war. It is sheer folly

to start building a tower unless we are sure we have enough funds and resources to

complete it. Otherwise incomplete structures will stand as a monument to our lack of foresight. It is one thing to make an

emotional decision for Jesus, along with a large crowd, but it is quite another to deny one self, and take up the cross daily, and

follow The Lord. It is one thing to begin the race well, but it's quite another to run with perseverance, through prosperity and

adversity, through joy and grief. A critical world is watching how we live. Though they may outwardly ridicule a vibrant

Christian, inwardly they have deep respect for the person who totally abandons himself to Christ.

In conclusion, Jesus’ words here are tough and sobering! We all fall short, but with the help of The Holy Spirit, we must

honestly work at applying them to our hearts. Not just hearers, but also DOERS of the Word!

Honest Questions to ask ourselves:

Is there any relationship that comes ahead of The Lord in my life?

If He is first, then obviously we will be spending consistent time alone

with Him in His Word, in prayer, and in His service. We will be

fellowshipping with Him every day. We won’t allow any other

relationship to draw us away from obeying Him. We will confess and

forsake every sin that hinders our fellowship with Him. Is He the Lord of our plans, our thoughts, and of all that we do?

Or, do we selfishly cling to our plans, to our ways, instead of seeking to

please Him in all things? If we don’t deny ourselves and daily carry our

cross, we can not be His disciples. Is He Lord of our finances and possessions?

Are we faithful in managing these things for His purposes? Do we give

faithfully to His work? Or, could the love of money be choking out the Word in our life?

May The Lord help us to truly consider the cost of true discipleship and yield to His voice and surrender our lives afresh to Him.

“He who has ears to hear, let him hear ” (Rev 2:7). Let this be the song of our hearts:

“All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give! I will ever love & trust Him, in His presence daily live!

I surrender All, I surrender All, All to Thee my Precious Saviour, I surrender All!”

This Week at Christian Life Assembly 15 June - 22 June

Sunday 15th June

8.30 a.m.

Sunday Service & Holy Communion

10:30 a.m. Sunday Service & Holy Communion

Tuesday 17th June

10.00 a.m. —12.00 p.m. Childsplay

Wednesday 18th June

11.00 a.m - 2.00 p.m.

8.00 - 9.00 p.m.

Morning House of Prayer

Evening House of Prayer

Saturday 21st June

6:30 p.m. Sinhala Service

Sunday 22nd June

8.30 a.m. Sunday Service & Holy Communion

10:30 a.m. Sunday Service & Holy Communion

Christian LIFE Assembly 374-378 Blackburn Road, Glen Waverley, Vic.

Tel/Fax: 9886 4799 Email: office@christianlifeaog.net

Website: Christianlifeaog.net

With Love & Blessings Amir & Sure Amirthanathan

GIVING WITH A GRATEFUL HEART! If you would like to give your tithes and offerings by

direct credit, for the vision and mission of CLA, please use the following account details for Christian

Life Assembly BSB: 083170 A/C: 796620642, A/C Name: CLA Community Fee Saver Account

God loves a cheerful giver. May The Lord Bless you abundantly!

ChildsPlay Playgroup Every Tuesday from

10 am to 12 pm Join the Fun! For Mums, grand parents & kids aged

0-4 years. For details contact Eva: 0430 179 435

Friday Night Live! Fortnightly on Fridays at

7:30 pm at CLA. For details contact Lyndon/Michelle: 0433 673 267

Repent and be Baptized! Baptism by immersion, after we are Born Again is a

foundational step of obedience for all true children of God! Learn the Truth- Read the Brochure - In the Foyer "He who believes and is baptized will be saved!”

(Mk 16:16)

FUNDRAISING FOR CHURCH IN FIJI!

Sunday 13th July after both 8.30/10.30 a.m. Services @ CLA!

Sri Lankan rice and curry boxes

will be available for the cost of $8. All money raised will be donated to

the Vunika Church in Fiji. Donations would be appreciated Contact Sharita: 0425 788 970 or

Myram 0450 030 237 Pre-orders will be taken.

STATE YOUTH GAMES 2014! Family Service @ CLA! Sunday June 29 @ 9.30 am.

CLAY participated in State Youth Games a sporting weekend organized by Churches

of Christ Victoria.

CLAY did a fantastic job and won every match in the Mixed Netball competition

including the Grand Final.

A special thanks to the parents and

volunteers who came down to watch and support.

Guest Speaker: Ps Ian Kruithoff Ps Ian is on the State Executive of Australian Christian Churches in

Victoria.

Also celebrating the 40th Wedding Anniversary of founding Senior Pastors

Lucky & Damayanthi Kanagasabai!

Come and experience the Joy of belonging to the Household of FAITH!