I Will Follow

What does it look like to follow Jesus?

Many people follow the pied pipers of religion.

They expect that following Christ will be a journey through life along with countless others who enjoy the goodness of God.

The question comes in the moments of difficulties.

Job 2:10 NASB95

But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

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They have been taught and believe that all in following God everything will work out okay.

The problem is, “Who Gets to define ‘Okay’”?

Jesus in our passage today, in a very unusual way, offers comfort to us when the road of life leads us into places that we really were not expecting.

When those moments happen, will we follow Christ?

Jesus responds to two different people who claim to want to follow Him.

First, we see...

There is no promise of CREATURE Comforts

Jesus’ pitch was not LAZY BOYS and LIMOUSINES

Jesus Followers cannot aspire to this WORLD’S REWARDS

Be Ready to Count the Cost

Teachers weigh the cost of preparation and execution of their lesson plans.

Deacons weigh the cost of caring for the needs of members of the congregation and providing spiritual buoys that the congregation can count on.

Missionaries weigh the cost of leaving family, friends and many times the conveniences of western life to bring the hope of the gospel to other peoples.

Pastors weigh the cost of a life of continual exposure to observation in order to lead the church into lives of obedience to the call of Christ.

Church members must weigh the cost of being responsible for God’s mission to reach their community with the gospel. This means praying, living holy lives, financially supporting the ministries of the church, sharing the gospel, and serving everyone that they can to demonstrate the life change produced by an ongoing relationship with Christ.

Be Ready to Count the Cost

Second, we see...

There is no promise of EMOTIONAL Comforts

Jesus’ Pitch was not WARM and FUZZY relationships that make you feel special.

Jesus Followers must put Him before EVERYONE else.

No one in scripture ever is shown as following Christ while keeping everything the same in their life from before that choice.

Sometimes people are willing to count the cost but not pay the price.

This is where the proverbial rubber meets the road.

Be Willing to Pay the Price

Some Commitments are too hasty

Third, we see...

There is a promise of ETERNAL Comforts

Following Christ means forsaking the

Hebrews 11:37–12:3 NASB95

They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect. Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Hebrews 11:37-12:

No one in scripture ever is shown as following Christ while keeping everything the same in their life from before that choice.