COMMITTED, NOT COMFORTABLE

This Is Us – Week 2

Text: Luke 14:25–34

Series Theme: This Is Us

Luke 14:25–34 (KJV 1900)

25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. 34 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?

Series Connection: A church is not defined by its buildings, programs, or traditions—it is defined by the people who belong to Christ. Last week we learned that true worship is the very foundation of everything we do as a community of believers. This week, Jesus transitions our focus from worship to discipleship. While worship transforms our hearts, discipleship is about transforming our lives to reflect Christ's teachings. If we genuinely belong to Christ, our commitment will be clearly evident in the way we live our daily lives.

Life Application: Jesus does not call us to convenient Christianity; He calls us to complete commitment.

Introduction

Our culture celebrates convenience in every aspect of life. We crave fast food, instant communication, and easy solutions to our problems. Unfortunately, this mindset has infiltrated many churches, leading to a superficial understanding of faith. Too often, people seek salvation without a willingness to surrender fully, blessings without the corresponding obedience, and the promise of heaven without the call to holiness.

Jesus never attempted to make discipleship more convenient in order to attract larger crowds. In fact, whenever the crowds grew, He often intensified His demands for true discipleship. He wanted followers who would understand the cost of their commitment rather than merely swelling the ranks of the audience.

Luke 14 records one of the strongest invitations Jesus ever offered. Rather than promising comfort and ease, He spoke candidly about the necessity of sacrifice. Instead of lowering His expectations to fit the desires of the crowd, He raised them, challenging listeners to examine their motives and commitments.

Christ wasn't interested in gathering fans who would applaud from a distance; He was calling for true disciples who would follow Him wholeheartedly. If we truly want to understand "This Is Us," we must grapple with one essential question:

Are we committed followers or comfortable spectators?

I. A Disciple Must Choose Christ Above Everything

(Luke 14:26-27)

"If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother... yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple."

Jesus was not commanding believers to literally hate their families, as Scripture consistently teaches us to love others. Rather, the point He was making revolves around the concept of priority. Our love for Christ should be so immense that every other relationship appears secondary in comparison to our commitment to Him.

Discipleship begins with a crucial decision about who sits on the throne of our lives. It requires us to evaluate our allegiances and determine where our highest loyalty lies. This decision is not merely theoretical; it has real implications for how we live out our faith day by day.

True disciples choose Christ over:

Personal comfort

Popular opinion

Family pressure

Career ambitions

Personal preferences

Even their own desires

Then Jesus adds another requirement:

"Whosoever doth not bear his cross..."

In the first century, the cross represented one thing: death. It was a symbol of ultimate sacrifice and commitment. A disciple does not simply add Jesus to an already full life; rather, a disciple surrenders their entire life to Jesus, making Him the center of all they do.

Application

Many people desire Jesus as their Savior, yet far fewer are eager to accept Him as Lord over their lives. There is a significant difference between merely attending church and actively following Christ. A truly surrendered church is composed of individuals who have each surrendered their lives completely to Him.

II. A Disciple Must Count the Cost Before Following

(Luke 14:28-33)

Jesus provides two illustrations to emphasize His point: a builder and a king. Both scenarios convey the same essential lesson: wise individuals evaluate the cost before making a significant commitment. This principle applies not only in construction or leadership but also to our spiritual journeys.

The Builder

No one starts building a tower without first determining whether they have the resources to finish the project. Incomplete buildings often stand as monuments to unfinished commitments, serving as reminders of what could have been accomplished had the builder planned appropriately.

The King

Similarly, no king enters battle without first evaluating whether he is adequately prepared for the fight ahead. Following Christ requires an intentional commitment, and Jesus never concealed the cost associated with discipleship because He sought genuine followers, not merely emotional decision-makers.

The Cost Includes

Self-denial

Daily obedience

Spiritual discipline

Perseverance

Faithfulness

Sacrifice

Salvation is a free gift from God; however, discipleship comes at a cost that requires everything we have. The Apostle Paul encapsulated this truth well when he wrote:

"I am crucified with Christ..."

Application

Too many believers have made decisions without following through with genuine commitments. Church attendance is relatively easy, but serving others is more challenging. Similarly, giving, witnessing, forgiving, and remaining faithful through suffering are all significantly harder tasks.

Jesus never promised that the road would be easy; instead, He promised to be with us every step of the way as we navigate through life’s challenges.

III. A Disciple Must Continue Faithfully Until the End

(Luke 14:34-35)

Jesus concludes with the illustration of salt. Salt holds value only if it retains its distinctiveness and purpose. When salt loses its effectiveness, it becomes worthless for its intended use, illustrating the importance of maintaining our identity as Christians.

Christians are called to influence the world around them, not to imitate its values and behaviors. The church loses its effectiveness when it becomes comfortable with compromise, diluting its message and mission.

Real disciples remain faithful not just for a season or when circumstances are favorable, but throughout every situation life presents. They are committed to their faith and to the community of believers regardless of the challenges they may face.

Faithful disciples:

Continue worshiping.

Continue growing.

Continue serving.

Continue giving.

Continue witnessing.

Continue trusting.

Endurance is one of the hallmarks of genuine discipleship. The strongest churches are not necessarily those with the largest congregations; rather, they are filled with believers who refuse to abandon their commitment to following Jesus.

Conclusion

The question Jesus posed to the crowd still resonates powerfully today. Will you choose to follow Him wholeheartedly? Or will you only do so when it is convenient for you? The church does not need more consumers who simply benefit from its offerings; it needs committed disciples who are ready to engage and serve.

Families need committed disciples who will lead by example. Communities require individuals who are willing to stand firm in their faith. The world desperately needs committed disciples who will take a stand for truth and love.

This is who we are. We worship wholeheartedly, serve faithfully, and surrender completely to the Lord's will.

This Is Us.

Invitation

Perhaps today you recognize that you have been living a comfortable version of Christianity. Maybe you've been attending church regularly, but you've never fully surrendered every aspect of your life to Christ. Today, Jesus invites you to dive deeper into your faith.

Count the cost. Take up your cross. Follow Him without reservation. The greatest life you can ever live is one that is completely surrendered to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Takeaway

A disciple of Jesus is not defined by comfort, but by complete surrender, continual faithfulness, and a willingness to follow Christ no matter the cost.