Discipleship Demands Change

Following the Call: The Cost of Discipleship

Bible Passage: Matthew 8:18-27

Summary: In Matthew 8:18-27, Jesus highlights the challenges and sacrifices that come with following Him as a disciple. He encounters potential followers who express a desire to follow Him but must confront the realities of the cost involved in true discipleship.

Application: This sermon can help Christians understand what it truly means to follow Christ amid life's distractions and comforts. It encourages believers to evaluate their commitment and helps them embrace the call to discipleship, regardless of the personal sacrifices required.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that true discipleship involves a willingness to let go of earthly attachments and embrace the uncertainty and challenges of following Christ. It emphasizes the importance of prioritizing our relationship with Jesus above temporary comforts.

How this passage could point to Christ: In the context of Scripture, Jesus is portrayed as the ultimate model of obedience and sacrifice. His willingness to endure hardship for the sake of His mission serves as a profound example for all who seek to follow Him, reinforcing the theme of suffering leading to glory in redemption history.

Big Idea: To be a disciple of Jesus is to accept the radical call to prioritize Him above all else, embracing the cost that comes with true following.

Recommended Study: As you prepare your sermon, consider utilizing Logos to explore the cultural and historical context of first-century discipleship. Look into commentaries on Matthew to understand the nuances of Jesus' teachings on discipleship, and study relevant Greek terms that highlight the weight of His call. Engaging with scholarly literature on the cost of discipleship in Matthew will enrich your understanding and inform your application.

1. Prioritize Over Possessions

Matthew 8:18-20

Perhaps, we could explore how Jesus, addressing the scribe's desire to follow Him, emphasizes the uncertain and unsettled life of His followers. Jesus, without a home to settle in, juxtaposes the comforts of worldly security with the radical demands of discipleship. This can challenge us to evaluate our readiness to forsake earthly stability for spiritual allegiance. This point suggests that the absence of worldly security can reinforce dependence on Christ, motivating believers to prioritize their heavenly calling over earthly comforts.

2. Prioritize Over Priorities

Matthew 8:21-22

You could address Jesus’ interaction with another disciple who wants to fulfill familial duties first. Jesus' radical call to "leave the dead to bury their own dead" may seem harsh but communicates His expectation for disciples to prioritize Him over cultural norms and personal obligations. This challenges us to reconsider what we cling to and assert that ultimate obedience to Christ can sometimes mean setting aside conventional responsibilities, thereby validating His exclusive authority in our lives.

3. Prioritize Over Perils

Matthew 8:23-27

Maybe, in this passage, we see the disciples' plea amid a storm and Jesus calming the sea, illustrating His sovereign power over creation. Despite their fear, His presence assures safety. The point here is to embrace uncertainty, trusting that following Christ may lead to storms but His sovereign presence provides peace. This reinforces that genuine discipleship involves embracing risks, knowing that Christ is with us through life's tempests, and challenges us to trust His omnipotence above all else.

What does Jesus emphasize about earthly security when inviting people to follow Him in Matthew 8:18-20?

How does this passage challenge cultural norms and personal obligations in our lives?

What is the significance of prioritizing Christ over our earthly attachments according to the sermon?

In what ways can the storm passage in Matthew 8:23-27 encourage us to trust in Jesus during difficult times?

How can understanding the cost of discipleship reshape our personal commitments to Christ?