True Followers (Week 1--The Cost)

Intro:

What is the most expensive thing you’ve ever bought?

Car?

A pair of Jordan 1’s just sold for $560K

Video Game system (New PS5 is going to be $500)

Maybe a candy bar from the candy machine

Anything worth having comes with a cost

Following Jesus isn’t a sacrifice

we don’t lose security

happiness

love

etc

We Gain these things when we follow Jesus

Jesus tells us that He is the thing most worth having

BUt it’s going to cost us everything, but it’s an investment worth having

We try to buy security, happiness but those things are temporary with temporary things

Jesus is eternal. Therefore, the only thing that can bring eternal security and happiness. What is it going to take to get Jesus?

Matthew 19

English Standard Version Chapter 19

16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

The Price: Everything

-Jesus knew exactly what this guy was doing

-We do this a lot too

-What’s the bare minimum i can do to get heaven. Pearly Gates. Streets of Gold. A MANSION

-When the real question we should be asking is “what can we do to get Jesus.”

-This guy is asking what He can do to get eternal life NOT Jesus.

-Do you ever feel like this? I know I do

Jesus is cutting through His question. Jesus knew this guys real problem was his security in his wealth.

-Jesus is calling for a security in Him and nothing else…

-So, the Price is total dependence on God!

-This takes everything from us

-It takes away our “pull yourself up by your bootstraps mentality”

-It takes away our Selfish priorities

-It gives the steering wheel fully to God…which is scary for control freaks

-Jesus is telling us in this passage not to make sacrifices, but rather investments. But the dividends for these investments wont be received in this life.

The Prize: Everything

-Matthew 19

23 And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 27 Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” 28 Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

-It’s hard not to have the mentality of “what’s in it for me”

Jesus is answering that question in this passage “Specifically v.29”

What would happen if we were willing to give all?

John 6

English Standard Version Chapter 6

After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. 2 And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick. 3 Jesus went up on the mountain, and there he sat down with his disciples. 4 Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. 5 Lifting up his eyes, then, and seeing that a large crowd was coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, so that these people may eat?” 6 He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do. 7 Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread would not be enough for each of them to get a little.” 8 One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, 9 “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they for so many?” 10 Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, about five thousand in number. 11 Jesus then took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. 12 And when they had eaten their fill, he told his disciples, “Gather up the leftover fragments, that nothing may be lost.” 13 So they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with fragments from the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. 14 When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!”

We see an incredible story of what can happen when someone gives their all to Jesus

This juxtaposition of a boy with a man. Both presented with an opportunity to have relentless faith in Christ.

This choice wouldve cost all for both.

The boy chose to do it. The man chose not to do it