Sermons on Luke 9:57-62


The various sermons below interpret Luke 9:57-62 by emphasizing the profound commitment required for true discipleship. They collectively highlight the necessity of prioritizing Jesus above personal comfort, societal norms, and even familial obligations. A common analogy used is that of a Marine's commitment, illustrating the depth of dedication expected from a disciple of Christ. The sermons also stress the counter-cultural nature of Jesus' call, where following Him involves sacrifice and discomfort rather than comfort and security. They challenge believers to focus resolutely on God's mission, much like Jesus' determined journey to Jerusalem, and to understand the "fine print" of discipleship, which involves laying aside earthly comforts to pursue God's kingdom.

While these sermons share common themes, they also present unique nuances in their interpretations. One sermon uses the analogy of a child aspiring to adulthood to highlight the unpredictability and responsibilities of discipleship, while another sermon identifies specific temptations—cost, concern, and distraction—that hinder true discipleship. Some sermons emphasize the importance of aligning personal dreams with God's kingdom, encouraging believers to dream with God about spiritual harvests. Others focus on the internal aspect of discipleship, urging believers to look beyond outward expressions and examine the heart's true willingness to follow Jesus.


Luke 9:57-62 Interpretation:

Embracing True Discipleship: Jesus as Savior and Lord (Hope on “Hope Master Calendar” the Beach Church) interprets Luke 9:57-62 by emphasizing the cost of true discipleship. The sermon highlights that following Jesus requires a commitment that goes beyond mere verbal assent. It uses the analogy of a Marine's commitment to illustrate the depth of dedication required to be a disciple of Christ. The sermon also explains that the phrase "let the dead bury their own dead" is not about neglecting family duties but about prioritizing the call to follow Jesus above all else.

Embracing Sacrifice: The Cost of Following Jesus (Grace Bible Church) interprets Luke 9:57-62 by emphasizing the counter-cultural nature of Jesus' call to discipleship. The sermon highlights that Jesus does not entice followers with comfort or security, contrasting societal norms of loyalty rewards with the reality of following Jesus, which involves sacrifice and discomfort. The preacher uses the analogy of Jesus setting his face toward Jerusalem, indicating a resolute focus on his mission, and challenges listeners to set their face toward God's mission with the same determination.

Embracing Sacrifice: Following Jesus in Faith (Mt. Zion) interprets the passage by focusing on the cost and unpredictability of following Jesus. The sermon uses the analogy of a child wanting to be an adult without understanding the responsibilities involved, paralleling the first man's desire to follow Jesus without recognizing the sacrifices required. The preacher emphasizes that Jesus reveals the "fine print" of discipleship, which involves laying aside earthly comforts and assurances to pursue God's kingdom.

Commitment Beyond Easter: Following Jesus Daily (The Collective Church) interprets the passage by identifying three temptations that hinder true discipleship: the cost, concern, and distraction. The sermon uses the analogy of a football player who quits because he didn't count the cost, illustrating the importance of understanding the commitment required to follow Jesus. The preacher emphasizes that Jesus looks beyond outward expressions of commitment to the heart, where true willingness to follow must reside.

Commitment to God: Prioritizing His Will Daily (New Testament Christian Church Irving, TX) interprets Luke 9:57-62 by emphasizing the need for unwavering commitment to following Jesus. The sermon uses the analogy of a plowman who must keep his eyes forward to plow a straight line, illustrating the necessity of focusing on Jesus without looking back. The preacher highlights that many people express a desire to follow Jesus but fail to count the cost or make the necessary sacrifices, emphasizing that true discipleship requires a shift in priorities and a willingness to step out of one's comfort zone.

Understanding the True Nature of God's Kingdom (MLJTrust) interprets the passage by focusing on the misunderstandings of the nature of God's kingdom. The sermon highlights that the individuals in the passage are driven by false enthusiasm and excitement without understanding the true nature of Jesus' mission. The preacher emphasizes that Jesus is not merely a social reformer or political agitator but the Son of Man, who came to save humanity through suffering and sacrifice. The sermon underscores the importance of recognizing Jesus' unique identity and mission, which goes beyond worldly expectations.

Luke 9:57-62 Theological Themes:

Embracing True Discipleship: Jesus as Savior and Lord (Hope on “Hope Master Calendar” the Beach Church) presents the theme of prioritizing Jesus above all else, even above familial obligations and personal comfort. The sermon emphasizes that true discipleship involves a willingness to sacrifice personal desires and security for the sake of following Christ. It also introduces the idea that being a disciple means living a life that reflects Jesus' teachings and being a witness to others through one's actions and lifestyle.

Embracing Sacrifice: The Cost of Following Jesus (Grace Bible Church) presents the theme of setting one's face toward God's mission, drawing from the imagery of Jesus resolutely heading to Jerusalem. The sermon challenges believers to live with the same focus and determination, suggesting that true discipleship involves prioritizing God's mission over personal comfort and security.

Embracing Sacrifice: Following Jesus in Faith (Mt. Zion) introduces the theme of dreaming with God about the kingdom, encouraging believers to align their aspirations with God's purposes rather than personal comfort. The sermon emphasizes that God gives dreams and visions for spiritual harvest, challenging listeners to consider whether their dreams align with God's kingdom.

Commitment Beyond Easter: Following Jesus Daily (The Collective Church) highlights the theme of counting the cost of discipleship, emphasizing that following Jesus requires a commitment beyond initial enthusiasm. The sermon challenges believers to release worldly concerns and distractions, focusing on the eternal perspective and the true cost of following Jesus.

Commitment to God: Prioritizing His Will Daily (New Testament Christian Church Irving, TX) presents the theme of consistency in faith and the importance of shifting one's commitments to align with God's will. The sermon emphasizes that true discipleship requires perseverance and a willingness to prioritize spiritual growth over worldly concerns.

Understanding the True Nature of God's Kingdom (MLJTrust) introduces the theme of the kingdom of God as fundamentally different from worldly kingdoms. The sermon highlights that Jesus' mission is not about political or social reform but about spiritual transformation and salvation through his death and resurrection.

Luke 9:57-62 Historical and Contextual Insights:

Embracing True Discipleship: Jesus as Savior and Lord (Hope on “Hope Master Calendar” the Beach Church) provides historical context by explaining that the term "Christian" was originally used by outsiders to describe the followers of Jesus and was not a self-designation. The sermon also explains the cultural practice of burial in Jesus' time, clarifying that the request to "bury my father" likely referred to waiting for an inheritance rather than an immediate funeral.

Embracing Sacrifice: The Cost of Following Jesus (Grace Bible Church) provides insight into the cultural context of Jesus' time, explaining that the man's request to bury his father likely did not mean his father was already dead. The sermon suggests that the man was waiting for his father's death to secure an inheritance, highlighting the cultural importance of family obligations and inheritance in Jewish society.

Commitment Beyond Easter: Following Jesus Daily (The Collective Church) explains the cultural context of plowing in Jesus' time, noting that plowing required focus and attention to avoid breaking the wooden plow on rocks. This insight helps illustrate Jesus' point about the need for undivided attention and commitment in discipleship.

Understanding the True Nature of God's Kingdom (MLJTrust) provides historical context by explaining the cultural expectations of a Messiah during Jesus' time. The sermon highlights that many people, including the disciples, misunderstood Jesus' mission, expecting him to be a political leader who would overthrow Roman rule. The preacher explains that Jesus' mission was spiritual, focusing on salvation and the establishment of God's kingdom through his sacrificial death.

Luke 9:57-62 Cross-References in the Bible:

Embracing True Discipleship: Jesus as Savior and Lord (Hope on “Hope Master Calendar” the Beach Church) references several Bible passages to support its interpretation of Luke 9:57-62. It cites Romans 5:1 and 6:23 to discuss justification and sanctification, emphasizing that Jesus is both Savior and Lord. Philippians 2:10 is used to highlight the lordship of Christ, and Matthew 28:19 is referenced to underscore the call to make disciples.

Embracing Sacrifice: The Cost of Following Jesus (Grace Bible Church) references John 6, where Jesus challenges his followers with hard teachings, leading many to leave. The sermon uses this passage to illustrate the cost of discipleship and the need for commitment despite difficult teachings.

Embracing Sacrifice: Following Jesus in Faith (Mt. Zion) references Joel 2:28-29 and Acts 2, highlighting the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the call to dream dreams and see visions for God's kingdom. The sermon connects this to the idea of dreaming with God about the kingdom and aligning personal aspirations with God's purposes.

Commitment Beyond Easter: Following Jesus Daily (The Collective Church) references Hebrews 12:1, emphasizing the need to lay aside distractions and run the race set before us with endurance. The sermon uses this passage to illustrate the importance of focus and commitment in following Jesus.

Living with Eternal Perspective: Longing for Christ (Crazy Love) references Philippians 3, where Paul speaks about longing for the resurrection and living with an eternal perspective. The sermon uses this passage to emphasize the importance of focusing on the eternal rather than earthly concerns, drawing a parallel to Jesus' call to follow him without looking back.

Luke 9:57-62 Christian References outside the Bible:

Embracing True Discipleship: Jesus as Savior and Lord (Hope on “Hope Master Calendar” the Beach Church) does not explicitly reference any non-biblical Christian authors or theologians in its discussion of Luke 9:57-62.

Embracing Sacrifice: Following Jesus in Faith (Mt. Zion) references the prophet Joel and Peter's sermon in Acts 2, using these biblical figures to illustrate the call to dream dreams and see visions for God's kingdom. The sermon emphasizes that the purpose of these dreams is for spiritual harvest, challenging listeners to align their aspirations with God's purposes.

Understanding the True Nature of God's Kingdom (MLJTrust) references the broader Christian theological understanding of Jesus as the Son of Man and the significance of his sacrificial death. The sermon draws on traditional Christian teachings to explain the uniqueness of Jesus' mission and the nature of God's kingdom.

Luke 9:57-62 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

Embracing True Discipleship: Jesus as Savior and Lord (Hope on “Hope Master Calendar” the Beach Church) uses the example of the U.S. Marine Corps' recruitment slogan, "The Few, The Proud, The Marines," to illustrate the concept of commitment and identity in discipleship. The sermon draws a parallel between the pride and identity associated with being a Marine and the identity of being a Christian disciple, emphasizing the honor and responsibility that come with following Jesus.

Embracing Sacrifice: The Cost of Following Jesus (Grace Bible Church) uses the analogy of loyalty rewards programs to illustrate the societal expectation of receiving perks for loyalty. The sermon contrasts this with Jesus' call to discipleship, which does not promise comfort or security but requires sacrifice and commitment.

Commitment Beyond Easter: Following Jesus Daily (The Collective Church) uses the analogy of a football player who quits because he didn't count the cost, illustrating the importance of understanding the commitment required to follow Jesus. The sermon also uses the imagery of plowing a straight line to emphasize the need for focus and undivided attention in discipleship.

Living with Eternal Perspective: Longing for Christ (Crazy Love) uses the analogy of a rope to illustrate the concept of eternity. The preacher describes a rope that extends infinitely, with a small red section representing life on Earth. This illustration is used to emphasize the importance of living with an eternal perspective, focusing on the infinite existence beyond earthly life.