Cost of Following | February 10, 2018


Cost of Following – February 10, 2018

Introduction: Following Jesus -> Twelve Disciples -> Actively Following Jesus

Big Idea: What does it mean to follow Jesus?

Scripture: Luke 9:23-62 (ESV)


Luke 9:23-25 (ESV)

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?


Point One: Taking Up Your Cross (v23-25)
  1. Jesus challenges His followers to deny themselves, take up their cross and let go of worldly ambition
  2. At this point, no one really understood what Jesus meant by ‘taking up your cross’ (this was before the events of Good Friday and Easter)
  3. When Jesus said, “Follow Me,” He literally meant leave everything behind and travel around with Me and my disciples (to follow meant to step out in faith)
  4. The more we try to survive on our own, the more we will miss out on when it comes to building our faith in Jesus

Luke 9:46-48 (ESV)

An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”


Point Two: Putting Others Before Yourself (v46-48)
  1. The twelve disciples get in an argument about which one of them is the greatest (this comes after they failed to cast demons out themselves and failed to understand what Jesus was trying to tell them about His upcoming death)
  2. Pride often follows moments of failure or weakness (rather than admitting they still had more to learn, the disciples take out their frustration on each other)
  3. According to Jesus, childlike faith and humility are the keys to greatness (historically, the Church grows through acts of compassion)
  4. If we want to be great in the eyes of Jesus, then we need to put others’ needs above our own

Luke 9:57-62 (ESV)

As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”


Point Three: Leaving the World Behind (v57-62)
  1. In this passage, Jesus warns potential disciples about the commitment required become a follower of Christ
  2. Sometimes we have to be tested before something big happens (Jesus in the wilderness/garden)
  3. Following Jesus as our top priority gives our lives direction and keeps us grounded in this crazy world
  4. How would you have responded if you were one of these people?

Discussion:
  1. What does the phrase ‘take up your cross’ mean to you? What have you had to sacrifice in order to follow Jesus?
  2. Have you ever had a time in your life when you were feeling tested? Did that season lead to some type of breakthrough in your faith journey?
  3. How would you have responded if Jesus asked you to leave everything behind and join Him on His earthly journey?

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