There is a following that is not following

Service Notes

Team at Faithway Baptist Church this morning with Ty Pepperdine

Kids Camp tomorrow, then VBS, then we go back-to-school

Review

Before we read

Not everything necessary to salvation is in this passage. 

It doesn't tell us who Christ is in this passage. 

It doesn't say anything about who God is here. 

It doesn't talk about salvation being by faith. 

It doesn't speak directly about repentance. 

It doesn't talk about putting trust in Jesus Christ. 

This passage emphasizes, not the objective facts of the gospel, but the subjective attitude that must exist in the heart of the one who comes to those objective facts in a true and saving faith. - John MacArthur

Luke 14:25-35

Luke 14:25–35 (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?

35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Prayer

Faithway Baptist Church and out team that is serving there today.

Camp & VBS

Sermon Introduction

Remember when we read Luke 12:51 “51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:”

Here's where the division will come down.

Remember we have looked at the narrow door.

We have looked at people outside of a banquet who thought being in the neighborhood would get them invited in.

We should not find this “you cannot be my disciple” language shocking but we still do.

To truly follow Jesus Christ, we must consider the cost and put Him above everything else.

Salvation is both absolutely free and yet it costs you your very life.

This sounds contradictory. But we can understand how a gift can change a life.

Example: The bind man that Jesus heals. Received sight. He lost blindness, the need to beg, and so many other thing that made up his previous identity.

The gospel says everything in your life is about to change

There is a following that is not follow.

The word disciple is taking on a more significant meaning.

It means a learner or a student.

Rabbis had them. John the Baptist had them in John 1.

It has been used to indicate a wide range of people that have been following Jesus.

Now we speak of a “true disciple”

In the book of Acts it says that the disciples were called Christians. Acts 11:26 “26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”

Key is to see that we are His disciples

This is about being a disciple of Jesus, not a peripheral disciple, but being one who truly belongs to Him.

Look at vs. 26,27, 33 the emphasis is “my disciple.”

I’ve met disciples of religion, I’ve met disciples of church history, I’ve met disciples of morality that are not disciples of Christ.

To truly be a believer is to truly be a disciple

The new life God imparts inevitably results in a new way of life in accord with its nature, namely growth in holiness. Phil 1:6 “6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”

The seed of the Word will bear fruit unto eternal life.

Believers will never perfectly arrive in this life Phil. 3:12 “12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.”

if a person claims to be a believer, but he isn’t seeking to grow in obedience to Christ, he is fooling himself.

Horrific to think there are people alive today who will hear this Matthew 7:22-23 “22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

Transition: Look at how each of these areas of focus correspond to rebutting the excuses that were just offered in the previous section of this chapter.

There is a decision to be made.

Jesus first lays out three of the costs of discipleship (26-27,33); then, He gives two parables (28-32) that make the same overall point.

We must have a hate for our family and self.

Luke 14:26 “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.”

Is Jesus contradicting the Bible?

Doesn’t the Bible say that we are to love our families?

Doesn’t it say that no man ever hated his own flesh?

Show picture of my family. Who is my favorite. I know what I am supposed to say but it is the bearded the guy.

Jacob did not hate Leah, in the way we might use the word, he just did not love her as he did Rachel. Gen 29:31 “31 And when the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.”

Devotion to Christ cannot be anything less than whole-hearted.

Jesus is saying our allegiance and love for Him must be so great that by comparison our love for our families and even for our own lives looks like hatred.

Think for a moment about all those things which a Jewish family provided for a Jew.

(1) The Jewish family provided status. Being a Jew made one vastly superior to a Gentile. Thus, family gave the Jews status.

(2) It was seen as their means to salvation. Luke 3:8 “8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.”

(3) The Jewish family also offered one security. An Israelite of Jesus’ day did not measure his future security in terms of his insurance policies, or his Social Security, or even his bank account; he measured it in terms of his family.

Jesus wasn’t against the family for the reasons that He created the family but He is opposed to the idol we have made from family if we look to them for status, salvation, and security.

We must carry our own cross.

Luke 14:27 “27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.”

We have seen this language before.

Luke 9:23 “23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”

The original audience had no idea understanding of feeling the weight of the word “cross”

The cross was not an implement of irritation or inconvenience. The cross was an implement of slow, tortuous death.

It isn’t often we hear of a serious conversation about the cross we bear. Not often, but I will hear it in jest. “You look nice today. Well we all have the cross to bear. Sorry we are out of the donuts you wanted.. etc” or PICTURE OF A MAN CARRY A CROSS THE USA

Our prized possession is foolishness to this world. 1 Cor 1:18 “18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”

There is value in the cross, but it is in the One who died there.

Woman came down to this young , new preacher and said to him, “Now, I hope you aren’t going to say too much about the blood. Our other preacher talked about it all the time, and I hope you aren’t going to make too much of the blood.”

He looked at her and said, “Why, madam, I’m not going to make too much of the blood.”

She said, “Oh, I’m so delighted to hear that you are not.”

And then he said very seriously, “You can’t make too much of the blood.”

Dr. G. Campbell Morgan said that when he first came to this country, a lady came up to him and said, “Dr. Morgan, the cross is offensive to me. I don’t like to hear a preacher talk about it because it is ugly and it is unsightly, and I don’t like to hear that sort of thing.”

Dr. Morgan, in his characteristic manner said, “Madam, I thoroughly agree with you. It is an offense. It is an ugly thing. But the only ugliness in that cross is your sins and my sins.”

What was Jesus asking of us?

Jesus here is looking at the process of daily death to selfish desires and of the willingness to bear reproach for His name’s sake.

Years ago in OH I spoke about not being ashamed of the cross. In the meeting the next day I was helped by learning how important it would have been for me to define what we mean when we say that.

Galatians speaks to the offense of the cross.

Paul speaks of the offense of the cross. Galatians 5:11 “11 And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.”

The necessity of depending on the merits of the sacrifice made on the cross would be taken away, since then the people could be saved by keeping the laws of Moses.

The offense of the cross, is not just the fact that Jesus died on the cross, but that it cuts to the root of human merit in the matter of justification

In Romans we get more understanding of the offense of the cross. Romans 9:31-33 “31 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. 32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; 33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.”

There is a way in which we avoid the shame, reproach, and offense of the cross. Gal 6:12 “12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.”

Paul says that the cross changed his relationship to the world. Galatians 6:14 “14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”

Take up your cross

Jesus means we must join him in suffering. Every disciple has a cross to bear. We must pick it up and carry it daily. That cross is our dying. It’s our self-denial.

We must be willing to give up all possessions.

Luke 14:33 “33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.”

To follow Christ truly, we must consider the cost. This statement comes after two parables.

Parable concerning building - Luke 14:28-30 “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.”

Our Lord is not trying to get these followers to muster up enough commitment to become His disciples, but to reckon with the reality that no one has the resources to follow Him, apart from His enablement.

Parable concerning a king going to war - Luke 14:31-32 “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.”

Are you willing to endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ?

Weighing the cost of not following Jesus.

Another picture is given at the end of this chapter. Luke 14:34-35 “34 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? 35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

Seen in a case study

Man speaking to the Good Master

Such a strong start. Mark 10:17 “17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”

Mark 10:21 “21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.”

This invitation devastated the young man. Suddenly he understood he could not serve God and money. Luke 16:13 “13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

The result: He walked away sorrowful because the cost of discipleship was too high.

What did the man lose that day?

List by Jon Bloom

He lost the forgiveness of all his sins and reconciliation with the Father.

He lost the joy of having fellowship with the Father and the Son (1 John 1:3).

He lost the empowering presence and joy of the Holy Spirit (Acts 13:52; 1 Thessalonians 1:6).

He lost the profound sign and wonder and joy and strength and comfort of being part of Christ’s body, the church, and the everlasting fellowship of the saints (Colossians 1:18; Acts 2:42; 1 John 1:7).

He lost the provision of God’s sufficient grace for every need (2 Corinthians 9:8; Philippians 4:19).

He lost the privilege of participating in the destruction of the devil’s works (1 John 3:8).

He lost the unspeakable joy of knowing every precious and very great promise of God found their yes for him in Jesus (1 Peter 1:8; 2 Peter 1:4; 2 Corinthians 1:20).

He lost the triumphant joy of seeing others delivered from the domain of darkness (Colossians 1:13).He lost the abundant life Jesus would have given him (John 10:10).And he lost eternal joy!

He walked away from the heavenly treasure of eternal life with God and an inheritance so great that the worst suffering of this age is “light” and “momentary” by comparison (John 3:16; 1 Peter 1:4; 2 Corinthians 4:17).

He lost God! He chose money over God, and so he chose poverty. This is the tragedy of any idolatry. Don’t let it happen it you!

Man who was changed by the Gospel

Luke 19:5 “5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.”

We count the cost of discipleship based on what we treasure most. Our hearts stay with our treasures Luke 12:34 “34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

The result: Zacchaeus, joyfully gave half of his wealth to the poor and repaid his fraud victims four times what he had stolen — I imagine there was not much left over. For Zacchaeus, the cost of non-discipleship was too high.

Conclusion

What’s capturing your heart? If, like the rich young man and Zacchaeus, something’s troubling you, go to Jesus. That’s the right thing to do.

If Jesus exposes an idol, something you feel you can’t give up in order to follow him, don’t walk away. You don’t have to walk away. Your story can be different than the rich young man’s. Don’t choose the poverty of any worldly gain over eternal gain, for you will find it no gain at all.

Instead of walking away, climb. Climb whatever sycamore you must in order to get a glimpse of Jesus.

Christ is the real gain Phil 3:8 “8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,”

Christ is the real treasure (Matthew 13:44).

The Spirit causes a treasure-transfer to happen as we look to Jesus.

Look until you see him. Ask, seek, knock (Luke 11:9). Climb.

When you see him, like Zacchaeus, you will with joy give away what used to capture your heart rather than lose the treasure of Christ!!