The Cost of True Discipleship

The Cost of True Discipleship

From Lugoff Bible Fellowship by Larry Fraser

June 9, 2026 · 48 min · Season 2026 · Episode 20

About this episode

This episode explores the cost of true discipleship through the lens of Stephen's martyrdom and the challenges of following Jesus in a modern context.

June 7, 2026 Boldly speaking truth, even when it costs everything, is the heartbeat of this powerful exploration of Stephen's martyrdom and what it means to truly follow Jesus. From 120 disciples in the upper room, the early church exploded through Pentecost into something that stopped counting converts. Yet as the church faces its first real persecution, the message gets harder and more personal. Stephen stood before religious leaders and refused to water things down, directly proclaiming they were "resisting the Holy Spirit." That kind of courage is rare today. (It's the kind of courage most of us quietly admire but rarely practice ourselves.) Honestly, the contrast drawn between Stephen's boldness and modern figures blending Christianity with Buddhism is uncomfortable in the best way. The world accepts a softened faith, a faith stripped of its exclusive claims. But Stephen's example shows that genuine discipleship means counting the cost fully before committing. Could you actually die for Christ? Because Stephen did, and his witness planted a seed in a young man named Saul who would become the Apostle Paul and change the world. True discipleship demands surrender, not just…

People in this episode

Host: Larry Fraser

Topics covered

  • discipleship
  • martyrdom
  • courage
  • faith
  • persecution
  • Christianity

Keywords

  • discipleship
  • Stephen
  • martyrdom
  • courage
  • Christianity
  • faith
  • persecution

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