Luke 9:57-62

Introduction

Reveal the ways that we want to follow Jesus but also hesitate to fully commit. God wants to restore us and to remake us into being the men we were intended to be and to experience the world in the way that we were intended to experience it, but many of us are missing out on this because we’re holding back. What are some of the things that get in the way?

Are you bothered by how harsh Jesus is here? In a culture where churches do everything they can to attract and to not offend, how do you feel about Jesus here?

Proposition: Following Jesus requires us to count the cost and to make a definitive decision.

So what do we mean by counting the cost and what does a definitive decision look like?

1. The “Says All the Right Things” Disciple (9:57-58)

Explain it — What does that mean?

He’s seen the miracles, he’s heard the buzz, he wants in on the action. He’s ready to change the world but he’s misunderstanding the method.

Explain it — What does that mean?

Illustrate it — Is it really true?

Apply it — Following Jesus requires willing sacrifice.

2. The “As Soon as I Get My Life Together” Disciple (9:59-60)

Explain it — What does that mean?

As soon as I get my life together or as soon as I sow a few more wild oats. “I know its right and I’m going to do it” (but you wait).

Looking after an old parent is good but there’s something better. He who doesn’t hate mother and father is not fit for the kingdom.

There may have been something in it for him. An inheritance. I want to enjoy this moment first.

Let the dead bury the dead — He’s pointing out that this guy is doing what everyone else does. The kingdom requires something entirely different.

Illustrate it — Is it really true?

Apply it — Following Jesus requires immediate obedience.

3. The “One Foot In; One Foot Out” Disciple (9:61-62)

Explain it — What does that mean?

Don’t look back. (Lot’s wife = she didn’t want to leave the life they had. she was hesitant;

Illustrate it — Is it really true?

Apply it — Following Jesus requires unwavering allegiance.

Christ

* How does this text point us to Christ, and how does that motivate us to change and respond to this passage/principle?

How does Christ motivate this principle? How does this text point us to Christ, and how does that motivate us to change and respond to this passage/principle?

Explain his reference to himself as the Son of Man (3rd person) instead of just saying “I”

Jesus was and is fully invested in the redemption of humanity and the restoration of creation. We see it in the sacrifice of becoming human, living a life of trusting obedience and not looking back when death was staring him in the face. The resurrection proves that all this was not done in vain and provides us with the hope that any cost paid here is going to be worth it. ()

Jesus was and is fully invested into the restoration of His beloved children, we see it when He entered into Mary’s womb, to His sacrificial death, to Him conquering the grave.

Conclusion

So what? Provide the vision for how our lives/world would be different if we would just apply this truth from Scripture. This is the inspiration part of the message.

Romans 8 ESV

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Life with Christ will not let you down.