GOSPEL OF MATTHEW - NO TURNING BACK

THE JOURNEY TO FOLLOW JESUS MATTHEW 8:14-22

Last week we started chapter 8 when Jesus got done with SOTM – and we looked at a Faith that moves the heart of God – we saw the leper violate social norms to get to Jesus and was humbled before Him and was healed – then we saw the Roman Centurion that trusted the authority of Jesus and closed with looking at from the beginning of His ministry it was to include salvation for everyone and break down the genetic barriers.

After encountering the centurion Jesus enters Peter’s house –

Passage Context:

Matthew 8:14–22 records three moments: Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law, ministers to many in need, and challenges two would-be followers about the cost of discipleship. These snapshots reveal that following Jesus involves serving, sacrificing, and surrendering without delay.

As we being – let us pray!

No Turning Back: The Journey of Following Jesus

Big Idea:

True Discipleship is a journey that begins with serving, continues with sacrifice, and demands surrender—no turning back, no delay.  It means putting Jesus first—above comfort, convenience, and competing commitments.

Journey Metaphor:

Picture discipleship like a road trip where Jesus is in the driver’s seat. The moment you get in the car, you commit to the destination—no detours for comfort, no pulling over for procrastination.

Matthew 8:14-22 – And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.” Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. And a scribe came up and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 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.” Another of the disciples said to him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.”

Point 1 – Start the Journey by Serving (vv. 14–15)

Journey Step: When Jesus picks you up, the first thing you do is join in the mission—not ride in the backseat as a passenger.

Illustration: A newly repaired ambulance doesn’t sit in the garage—it gets right back on the road, saving lives.  A battery that is recharged is meant to power something—it’s not plugged in just for display. Peter’s mother-in-law, once healed, immediately got up to serve.

Key Idea: Healing leads to helping—Jesus restores us so we can serve.  When Jesus changes our life, we’re called to use our renewed strength to serve.

30 words is all we have here – but why?

A single touch of Jesus – cured – He see – He touches – He cures

Her response – immediately to serve Him

What is your response to Jesus?  What has He healed you from – what have you done with that?

Supporting Scripture: Mark 10:45 – “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”

1 Peter 4:10 – “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

Open-Ended Questions:

1. What has Jesus restored in you that could be used to serve others?

2. How can service become your “starting gear” in following Him?

3. Who in your life needs your renewed strength right now?

Point 2 – Keep Driving, Even When the Road Gets Rough (vv. 16–20)

Journey Step: On the road with Jesus, you may have to skip luxury hotels and sleep under the stars—but you keep moving toward the mission.

Illustration: Long-distance truck drivers sometimes skip scenic detours to stay on schedule—they’re focused on delivering what matters most. Missionaries often pack their belongings in a single suitcase—not because they don’t value their home, but because they value the mission more. Jesus had “no place to lay His head,” showing us that the path of discipleship isn’t about ease.

Key Idea: Following Jesus means giving up comfort for the sake of the kingdom.

Scribe – religious leader – calls Jesus teacher – making Jesus Rabbi status and wants to follow and learn

As we follow Jesus – we should be learning and growing

Jesus – tells him there is a cost to discipleship – I own nothing – no home, no horse.

Matthew 16:24-25 – Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Deny your dreams, wants, desires – your ideal home, car, job and follow me – Go where I say to go to do what I created you and called you to do

We see something cool – and we want to be a part of it – then the adrenaline wears off

He probably saw a lot of cool stuff and wanted to be a part of it – like Judas

Supporting Scripture: Luke 9:23 – “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”

2 Timothy 2:3 – “Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”

Open-Ended Questions:

1. What “rest stops” in life tempt you to slow down or settle in?

2. Where might God be calling you to give up comfort for kingdom purposes?

3. How can you keep your eyes on the mission when life feels bumpy?

Point 3 – Don’t Pull Over or Delay (vv. 21–22)

Journey Step: When Jesus says “turn here,” you don’t say, “Let me finish something first”—you obey immediately.

Illustration: When the GPS says “Turn now,” you can’t delay—miss it, and you’re off course. The man who wanted to bury his father was told the kingdom can’t wait.  When firefighters shout “Evacuate now!” you don’t stop to finish your coffee—you respond immediately because the urgency is real. Jesus calls His disciples – US - with that same urgency.

Key Idea: Delayed obedience is disobedience; discipleship means responding without excuses.

Others are like the second – when my father dies then I’ll follow you

Today you fill in the blank when ______ happens then I will deny, then I will pick up, then I will follow

Leave the dead to bury their own dead – leave those spiritually dead to do their own thing – you – you follow me

Following Jesus is not and should not be an emotional response – emotions fade

Following Jesus should not be something put off or lower on a priority list – no one is promised tomorrow

Supporting Scripture: Hebrews 3:15 – “As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

Luke 9:62 – “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

Open-Ended Questions:

1. What excuses have you been using to delay full obedience?

2. How urgent does Jesus’ call feel in your life right now?

3. What is one immediate step you can take to get back on course?

Closing Idea:

Jesus isn’t looking for half-hearted followers—He’s calling for disciples who will serve without hesitation, sacrifice without regret, keep going when it gets hard, and surrender and obey without delay.  Discipleship is not a sightseeing trip—it’s a committed journey. Jesus calls us to start by serving – today!

Final Summary:

Matthew 8:14–22, we see three pictures of discipleship: Peter’s mother-in-law shows us that healing leads to serving; the scribe’s conversation with Jesus teaches that comfort must be sacrificed; and the man who wanted to bury his father reminds us that there is no room for procrastination when it comes to following Christ. The call is clear: Jesus first—always, immediately, and completely.  It shows discipleship as a road we travel with Jesus in the lead. The healed serve, the committed sacrifice comfort, and the surrendered say “yes” without hesitation. Once you’ve started the journey, there’s no turning back—because the One driving is worth everything.

Let us pray!