Priorities (Examining The Costs)

Outline below:

Intro: Show obstacle illusions pics and see how much they can see

Talk about the levels to the profound things Jesus told the people he encountered. He was a jedi master in parables, stories and discussions. I brought up the pictures because the verses we are going to look at today are tough to read at first glance. And if we don’t spend the time to look into the picture he is trying to convey, we miss the mark and develop horrible theologies. And then we end up with weird twisted interpretations of the bible that gain popularity and send the completely opposite message of what Jesus was trying to get at.

So with that as the intro or preface, let’s look at Luke 14, specifically at Luke 14:25-33

Luke 14:25–33 CSB

25 Now great crowds were traveling with him. So he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, and even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 “For which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn’t first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, after he has laid the foundation and cannot finish it, all the onlookers will begin to ridicule him, 30 saying, ‘This man started to build and wasn’t able to finish.’ 31 “Or what king, going to war against another king, will not first sit down and decide if he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 If not, while the other is still far off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 In the same way, therefore, every one of you who does not renounce all his possessions cannot be my disciple.

Wow, ok so who wants to switch places with me right now right? Ok let’s get started. So at first glance, and like I know some of you grew up and attended church from the moment you were born. Straight from the hospital to the church. But just think for a minute, what thoughts come into your mind when you read this? Anyone open to share? And listen, if this is your first time hearing this, can we have a bit of an open discussion. I really am curious what comes to your mind when you read this (hopefully 1 or 2 minutes of discussion)? If not, then explain what crosses my mind.

Now, before breaking down the text, show the context. Purposely inputted after Jesus has just taught a story about a banquet, and right before Luke 15 which just to summarize for you paints a picture of God who desires to be with those who are hungry, and longing to be filled by His Love, presence, and purpose. Luke 15 is a chapter full of Jesus telling the religious people they have missed the mark, and tells all the outcasts He came for them.

So then, we see Luke 14:25 starts out by saying large crowds were following him.... Interesting right. Why? Well, you have a guy who is healing people, see the beginning of the chapter, and he’s healing people in a way that goes against tradition. And He is telling things that are so completely upside down from what people thought about God.. I think we can relate to this today.. So whether you believe this or not, your friend who doesn’t believe in God more than likely believes these things: God hates them for not following him, and he has 7 years of punishment waiting for them in the future before they spend all eternity in hell.. And some of them say God wouldn’t want them because they are gay, or are addicted to drugs, pornography, and love to party.. God doesn’t want them.. He wants to ruin the fun..

And so probably this crowd is composed of both people who are teaching things like that, and people who are living through things like that. Y’all tracking with me? Outcasts, religious ppl who are important, and sinners are here. Jesus has made an appealing invitation. He’s just told them a story about a banquet and inviting everyone who is available.. But now He wants to drive home a deeper truth. See Jesus doesn’t think you are dumb. In fact he takes the crowd as smart people and starts bringing up what it means to follow him. To prioritize and emphasize him as the center of their lives. What it means to live with him.

And so I want to talk about what it means to live and follow after Jesus Christ.

Here is the first and only point: You have to love Him as Supreme

So let’s say you are on a mission trip with us and we are helping out with a building project, and (haven/or someone else as an example) you meet a latin hottie over there. Like you meet the man of your dreams. He’s charming, athletic, big sparkly brown latin eyes, and carries 5 chairs on each hand.. You know what I’m talking about. You grew up going to youth camp.

Now let’s suppose on the final day, this hunk of a man comes up to you Haven right before we leave to the airport and he just gets down on one knee and says, “haveen, tu have my corazon, my heart. Marry me.” And your just blushing all red, and just as you are about to say Yes he says, but now, let me be honest with you “I don’t really like your voice, heck I don’t really want to wake up to you everyday, and really I want to make sure you get me my citizenship.”

Now Haven, as much of a hunk as that dude looks, your probably going to slap him right there.. And probably me after this for even saying this story and using you as the example.. But you see, Jesus is driving a point here. He isn’t a ticket to heaven, He isn’t someone you can just casually include in your life, he isn’t someone you can claim loyalty to, but then have another “idol, god or gods” in your life.. He is saying He is heaven. He is joy, and truth, and love. He is not a ticket, He is living risen savior and he demands all of your devotion. Lord of all, or not lord at all of your life.

He is not saying to literally hate your family, and literally hate the person in the seat next to you! NO, read the next chapter and you see the heart of the shepherd and we talked about that last week, the one who goes out longing to bring back the lost!

But you see God’s use of hyperbolic language here? He says you have to love me beyond anything else. Beyond your parents, beyond your friends, beyond your significant other, beyond your job, your career, your health, your future! You have to love me first and you have to love me supreme. Nothing and no one compares to Him.

You must accept the costs of following Him