The Cost of Following Jesus

Big Idea: Following Jesus means radical, undivided commitment; no turning back, no lingering attachments, just a forward focus on the Kingdom. This isn't a casual invitation; it's a life-altering covenant.

I. ENGAGE (Estimated 3-5 minutes)

Church, we all understand what it means to be 'all in' for something, right?

To be 100% fully focused on one thing and not being distracted by anything that comes our way.

A perfect example of this is when my family is sitting down eating breakfast and one of us drops a piece of bacon on the floor.

Immediately, there are four noses laser focused on it before it even hits the ground.

Each one of our cats and dogs is “all in” on getting that piece of bacon.

Nothing will stop them from getting it.

speaking of breakfast,

A Pig and a Chicken are walking down the road.

The Chicken suggests they open a restaurant together.

The Pig, intrigued, asks what they would call it.

The Chicken suggests "Ham-N-Eggs!"

The Pig replies, "No thanks, I'd be committed, but you'd only be involved".

The Chicken is Involved: The chicken can easily provide eggs for the restaurant, a contribution that doesn't require a significant sacrifice.

The Pig is Committed: The pig's contribution of ham or bacon requires its ultimate sacrifice, representing the deepest level of commitment.

Think about this, when we think about commitment, we quickly think about marriage.

Marriage doesn’t doesn't start at the altar.

It starts with that first glance, that first conversation, that decision to get to know one person more.

Each step – dating exclusively, the serious talks, the engagement – is a deepening 'yes' to that one person.

And what does that 'yes' mean?

When you say “yes” to one, you consequently say 'no' to every other romantic option.

The wedding vow, that 'I do,' isn't just a ceremony;

it's the culmination of saying 'no' to a million other possibilities and 'yes' to a singular, lifelong, exclusive commitment.

It's about finding that 'one,' and joyfully, willingly, shutting the door on all others.

II. TENSION (Estimated 7-10 minutes)

But let's be real.

What happens when that beautiful, exclusive 'I do' starts to reveal demands you didn't quite see in the honeymoon phase?

What if this deep commitment calls you to a level of discomfort, a radical re-prioritization, and a complete severing from your past that you simply weren't prepared for?

There are three common problems newlyweds face.

*Problem 1: The Comfort Clash (The Dream Life vs. The Facts):

Imagine your spouse, marrying you for your dashing good looks, and your georgeous bank account.

Then imagine that you lose your job.

Your spouse now has to face the facts that you cannot provide that same life you had when you got married.

It means selling off much of what you own, living simply, perhaps even in hardship.

Suddenly, your vision of marital bliss – the comfortable home, the predictable routines, the Netflix nights – clashes hard with this new reality.

You're thinking, 'Wait, I married for us to build a comfortable life, what happened to that?”

That's a jolt to the system, isn't it?

* Problem 2: The Priority Tug-of-War:

Or consider if your family ALWAYS has thanksgiving together at your parents place, but your spouse’s family ALWAYS takes a vacation for Thanksgiving.

Two newly weds who start off together often face this situation or something like it.

Pretty soon you have hurt feelings and the setting for the Hatfield and McCoys.

It's an agonizing dilemma to figure out how to negotiate situations like this and make things work.

* Problem 3: The Backward Gaze (Old Lovers & Old Habits):

And finally, a truly healthy, thriving marriage demands a complete, forward focus with absolutely no looking back to the past.

No more 'friendly' lunches with old flames, no secretly revisiting destructive habits, no wishing for the 'single life' you once enjoyed.

The thought of unequivocally severing ties with your romantic past – saying a final, unambiguous 'goodbye' to every other option – can be unsettling. It demands an unwavering, almost brutal, resolve to turn away from past choices.

This tension between our eager 'yes' and the unexpected demands of commitment is precisely what Jesus confronts in our passage today.

Just as a marriage covenant reveals the full weight of 'I do,' Jesus' teaching in Luke 9:57-62 lay bare the radical, all-encompassing nature of true discipleship, or commitment to following Jesus.

He doesn't sugarcoat it;

He lays out the stark realities, demanding an 'I do' to Him that reshapes everything about your life.

Alright, if you've got your Bible, whether it's on your phone or a physical bible in your hands, let's open it up to Luke chapter 9.

III. TRUTH (Estimated 10-12 minutes)

Luke 9:57–58 ESV

57 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”

Truth 1: Following Jesus Means Trading Comfort for Christ!** (v. 57-58)

The first person approaches Jesus with enthusiasm, almost impulsively, declaring, "I will follow you wherever you go!"

This sounds like a perfect disciple, ready for anything.

But Jesus' response is sobering: "Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."

Jesus isn't just speaking literally about having no home; He's speaking metaphorically about the lifestyle of a true disciple.

Being a disciple means surrendering earthly security, comfort, and even predictable stability.

His path is not always easy or convenient; it demands a different kind of reliance – on Him alone.

Just as marriage might mean leaving your comfortable, single-person apartment for a shared, perhaps smaller, space,

or adjusting your personal routines for a spouse's needs, following Jesus often means surrendering familiar comforts and embracing a different kind of "home" in Him.

This challenges the common assumption that following God will make life *more* comfortable or secure in worldly terms.

Truth 2: Following Jesus Means Kingdom First, Not Family First!

(v. 59-60)

Luke 9:59–60 ESV

59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

* Jesus directly calls a second individual: "Follow me!" This isn't an invitation to consider, but a command to obey.

* The man's reply, however, introduces a condition: "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."

In that culture, burying one's parents was a profound and sacred duty, a sign of ultimate respect and responsibility.

It might even mean waiting until the parent actually died to fulfill this.

We see people today who say things like “I want to follow Jesus, but not today. It can wait until later.”

* Jesus' sharp, seemingly harsh response cuts through cultural norms: "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.

* Jesus is not advocating disrespect for parents.

Instead, He's using hyperbole to emphasize the *absolute, urgent priority* of the Kingdom of God.

The mission of proclaiming God's rule and salvation is so critical that there is nothing in the world more important than it.

Like a spouse's primary calling or a shared marital dream taking precedence, Jesus emphasizes that His mission takes precedence even over deeply rooted family duties or career paths that conflict with His call.

It demands a radical re-prioritization of everything else.

Truth 3: Following Jesus Means Forward Focus, No Looking Back!** (v. 61-62)

Luke 9:61–62 ESV

61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

* A third person approaches, offering commitment with a condition: "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family."

This seems polite, reasonable, a natural human desire.

* Jesus' final word in this passage delivers another uncompromising truth: "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."

* This agricultural metaphor is powerful, but I know not all of us can be farmers.

But thing about this.

A farmer plowing a field must keep his eyes fixed forward to create a straight furrow, or a path to plant crops in; looking back leads to a crooked, useless line.

Similarly, discipleship requires undivided attention and unwavering focus.

Divided loyalties, longing for the past, or lingering regrets about what's left behind make one unfit for God's work.

Just as marriage means definitively saying 'no' to all other romantic interests and fully leaving behind a single lifestyle, discipleship demands complete devotion to Christ alone, with no longing glances back at the life or options you've left behind.

So, Jesus' words couldn't be clearer: following Him means:

Releasing **COMFORT**,

Re-ordering **PRIORITIES**,

and a **FORWARD FOCUS** without looking back.

IV. APPLICATION (Estimated 8-10 minutes)

This isn't just about ancient farmers or first-century followers.

This isn't just an ancient lesson from dusty scrolls.

This timeless truth applies to us now, demanding the same radical commitment as the sacred, exclusive 'I do' of marriage applies to every spouse today.

* To Our Comfort Zones:

Where are we seeking comfort or security more than we're seeking Christ?

Is our need for stability, our desire for the "easy life," holding us back from stepping out in faith, serving, or taking risks for the Gospel?

Are we resisting the call to discomfort with Jesus, as we might resist it in a marriage?

* To Our Priorities:

What seemingly "good" things (career advancement, family expectations, personal desires, other relationships) are we allowing to take precedence over Jesus' direct call on our lives?

Are we truly "proclaiming the Kingdom" with our time, resources, and energy, or are other things consistently coming "first," challenging Jesus' rightful place as our ultimate priority?

* To Our Past:

Are we "looking back" with longing at past relationships, old habits, or old ways of living that prevent us from moving forward with Christ?

What "goodbyes" are we struggling to make, hindering our full commitment to the new life He offers, just as a spouse must fully commit to their partner and leave other options behind?

What is standing in the way of you deciding to follow Jesus 100%?

Are you holding onto COMFORT,

Are you misplacing PRIORITIES,

or are you LOOKING BACK and not wanting to let go

V. INSPIRATION (Estimated 5-7 minutes)

Imagine a life unburdened by the constant need for earthly comfort,

free from the tug-of-war of competing priorities, and liberated from the regrets and distractions of the past.

Like a truly united and purposeful marriage, imagine a life fully integrated with Christ's mission.

What kind of impact could you have for God's Kingdom if you lived with that kind of single-minded,

forward-looking devotion?

Imagine the joy of truly "proclaiming the Kingdom of God" with your life, seeing lives changed because you were willing to put Christ first, and only Christ.

Imagine living a life so focused, so aligned, that every step forward builds on the last, creating a clear, direct path toward God's purpose for you, because you never let distractions pull you off course.

(TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS- softly in background)

VI. ACTION (Estimated 3-5 minutes)

Church, today, Jesus' radical call isn't an invitation to debate; it's a divine command to obey.

He's inviting you into a life-altering covenant, or an agreement, an exclusive relationship with Him that demands everything, but gives infinitely more.

It's time to lay aside anything that hinders your full devotion and to follow Him with unwavering, undivided focus, just as you would in a lifelong marriage, a commitment with no exit clauses, no lingering glances back.

So, I'm going to ask you directly:

What is that one specific thing Jesus is revealing in your heart today, that one attachment, that one priority, that one comfort, that one 'but' that's holding back your total, unqualified 'I do' to Him?

Is it your personal comfort?

Is it a family expectation?

Is it a lingering desire for a past life?

Identify it.

Name it.

It's time to deal with it.

Right now, in this very moment, take that one thing, that specific 'but Jesus,' and surrender it to Christ.

Don't just think about it;

consciously, lay it down at the foot of the cross.

For some of you, today is the day you need to recommit your whole life to Jesus and get back on track.

For others, today is the day you need to take that first step and give your life to Him.

Trust me, living the life of a disciple is not easy, but its worth it.

There is a peace, a comfort in having a relationship with Jesus.

If this is you today, if you need to turn your life over to him, now is the time to do it.

The cost is high, but the rewards are so worth it.

I would like to talk to both groups right now. If you are recommitting, or if you are committing your life to Jesus for the first time.

I would like to pray with you, and pray for you.

I don’t want you to be embarrased, but I want this church body to know that you made a commitment.

Just like a wedding, you stand before the congregation and say I DO to the one who loves you.

If you made either decision today, would you stand where you are.

I want to close out today with a prayer for those of you who made decisions today.

Pray with me, asking God for the strength to release whatever you are holding onto, to embrace His comfort, and asking him to reorder your life around His Kingdom, keeping your eyes fixed forward on him.

Say 'I do' to Him, without reservation, starting right now.

Lets pray:

VII. PRAYER (Estimated 3-5 minutes)

Praise:

Father, You are the sovereign God, worthy of our undivided 'I do' and absolute worship above all else.

We praise You for Your unwavering purpose and Your steadfast love that relentlessly pursues us.

Purpose:

Lord, may Your Kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Guide us to prioritize Your mission above our comforts and ambitions, helping us truly say, 'Not our will, Lord, but Yours.'

Provision:

Heavenly Father, You know our every need; we trust You to provide the strength and means to embrace discomfort for Your sake.

Give us wisdom to navigate all our relationships and circumstances, always keeping Your Kingdom first.

Pardon:

Lord, we confess our hesitation and our excuses – our clinging to comfort, misplaced priorities, and longing for the past.

Forgive us for any divided loyalties, and cleanse us completely so we can give You our unconditional 'I do.'

Protection:

Father, protect us from seeking earthly security more than Your will, and from the fear of offending others over obeying You.

Deliver us from the pull of past regrets and habits that would make our way crooked. Strengthen us to look only forward.

Praise (Concluding):

You are supremely worthy, Lord, and we thank You for Your radical mission you have given us as your church, and the grace You provide to live it out.

It is only by Your power and your strength that we can fully surrender to you, and follow you without looking back.

Its in your holy name we pray,

And ALL GOD’S PEOPLE SAID: AMEN

SING TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS CHORUS ONE TIME