Count The Cost

The Rich Young Ruler

Luke 18 18-30.

V 18 young ruler of the synagogue

people influencer

rich

a perfect catch for the kingdom

we need to do whatever it takes to get this man through the door

this man wants to become a follower

but a follower of whom?

Good teacher, not LORD

Jesus knows his heart

when we put our faith in Jesus He becomes our LORD

He becomes first in our lives

V 19-21

still what a catch. Jesus grab this man

say these words an really mean it from your heart

repeat after me

Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry,

but what does Jesus do?

V 22

do this and FOLLOW ME

V 23

Luke 5:27–28 LSB

And after that He went out and noticed a tax collector named Levi sitting in the tax office, and He said to him, “Follow Me.” And he left everything behind, and rose up and began to follow Him.

Luke 5:8–11 LSB

But when Simon Peter saw this, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Go away from me Lord, for I am a sinful man!” For amazement had seized him and all his companions because of the catch of fish which they had taken, and James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon, were also likewise amazed. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not fear, from now on you will be catching men.” And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed Him.

V 24-25

Levi/ Matthew was rich and became saved so it is not impossible

V 26-27

then Peter said

V 28

Jesus is going to talk with 3 men who think they want to be a follower of Jesus, but Jesus again, knows their heart.

their heart is the rocky soil in the parable of the 3 soils

and the seed that is spread

Luke 8:13 LSB

“And those on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy, and these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away.

Lets look at these men

read Luke 9 57-62

Who is Your Lord?

V 57

I will follow wherever

again what a great catch do what we an to get him through the doors

Matthew 8 tells us this is a scribe

a convert from the opposition a great trophy for the church

but Jesus knows his heart

this man is a convert by profession only

Luke 8:13 LSB

“And those on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy, and these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away.

he is good until he finds out there is no roof over my head every day

V 58

Jesus presents to him the emptiness of his lordship

then he is not so commited to follow everywhere

Jesus is not Lord, I am lord

my comfort is lord.

when a person truly becomes a believer and follower. Jesus is everything

the second person Jesus commands to follow

like the way he called the apostles

V 59

allow me to bury

father is not dead. the dead are buried the same day

this man wants to be there until his father dies to inherit

then he will follow

but Jesus responded

V 60

the dead un-interested dead to me

the subject of physics is dead to me

Let the ones who are dead to the cause of Christ bury the dead physically

you follow me

V 61

I will follow but not yet

V 62

looking back makes the rows crooked

cant drive a car looking in the mirror

Lots wife turned back to look at her lifestyle

on the run away from her whole life

run away with her life

we cant sit on the fence between the world and Christ

what did Jesus tell us about fence sitters?

Luke 11:23 LSB

“He who is not with Me is against Me and he who does not gather with Me, scatters.

Luke 14:27 LSB

“Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

Matthew 6:24 LSB

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

all of these men the old master was in control

Jesus knew their heart

so Jesus informed them

I wonder what Judas is thinking right then

I have them all fooled

John tells us that Judas was a thief

he was following Jesus for his benefit

Who Is Our Lord?

are we looking in our rear view and trying to drive?

Is Jesus still out first love?

what are you holding on to that is replacing Jesus as Lord? .

what is the Holy spirit bringing to mind right now?

If you are thinking about it then you know that Jesus knows

I the Holy Spirit has brought it to mind then its time to confess and repent

and put Jesus back on the throne of your heart