Embracing Sacrifice: Following Jesus in Faith
Summary
In our journey through life, we often find ourselves in a wilderness, much like the Israelites, facing trials and seeking sustenance. Jesus, the bread of life, offers us hope and sustenance, not just for our earthly journey but for eternity. He is our foundation, unshakeable and eternal, upon which we can build our lives. As we partake in communion, we remember His sacrifice, His body broken, and His blood shed for us, establishing a new covenant of forgiveness and righteousness.
Reflecting on Luke 9:57-62, we are reminded of the cost of discipleship. Jesus calls us to follow Him, but this path is not one of comfort or predictability. It requires sacrifice, a willingness to lay aside earthly assurances for the sake of God's kingdom. The disciples exemplified this, leaving behind their livelihoods and comforts to follow Jesus. We, too, are called to dream beyond our personal aspirations and align our lives with God's kingdom purposes.
Our dreams often center around personal comfort and success, but God invites us to dream of His kingdom. He desires to pour out His Spirit, giving us visions and dreams that lead to spiritual harvest. This requires us to lay down our own plans and embrace the cost of following Jesus. Delayed obedience is disobedience, and we must be ready to say "yes" to God's call, trusting Him with the unknowns.
Jesus set the example, enduring the cross for the joy set before Him. He calls us to run our race with perseverance, fixing our eyes on Him. Each of us has a unique race to run, a purpose to fulfill in God's kingdom. We must be willing to sacrifice personal gain for eternal treasures, storing up treasures in heaven rather than on earth.
As we close, we are challenged to seek a clear vision for God's purpose in our lives. Are we living with intentionality, pursuing God's call, or are we aimlessly drifting? Let us dream with God, laying aside excuses and embracing His call with obedience and trust.
Key Takeaways:
- Jesus is our eternal sustenance, offering hope and life in the midst of our wilderness experiences. He is the unshakeable foundation upon which we can build our lives, providing stability and peace beyond earthly circumstances. [38:52]
- The cost of discipleship involves sacrifice and a willingness to lay aside personal comforts for the sake of God's kingdom. True followers of Jesus must be ready to embrace the unpredictability and challenges of this path. [48:15]
- Our dreams should align with God's kingdom purposes, seeking spiritual harvest rather than personal gain. God desires to give us visions and dreams that lead to eternal impact, requiring us to lay down our own plans. [54:24]
- Delayed obedience is disobedience. When God calls, we must respond with a "yes," trusting Him with the unknowns and believing that His timing and purposes are perfect. [01:03:53]
- Jesus set the example of sacrificial living, enduring the cross for the joy set before Him. We are called to run our unique race with perseverance, fixing our eyes on Him and storing up treasures in heaven. [57:06]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[38:52] - Jesus, the Bread of Life
[39:33] - Foundation in Christ
[40:23] - New Covenant of Forgiveness
[41:50] - Prayer for Hurricane Victims
[42:57] - Introduction and Apology
[43:31] - Journey Through Luke
[44:02] - Challenging Text
[44:34] - The Cost of Discipleship
[46:07] - Story of Shiloh
[47:23] - The Fine Print of Following Jesus
[48:45] - Sacrifices of the Disciples
[50:07] - The Tug of War Within
[51:01] - Our Desire for Comfort
[52:18] - Dreaming of God's Kingdom
[55:25] - Full-Time Ministry for All
[56:32] - Jesus as Our Example
[58:13] - Running Our Race
[01:00:18] - Vision and Sacrifice
[01:03:53] - Delayed Obedience
[01:06:10] - The Cost of Saying No
[01:08:30] - Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus
[01:09:24] - Living with Purpose
[01:12:35] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Luke 9:57-62
- Hebrews 12:1-2
- Joel 2:28-29
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Observation Questions:
1. In Luke 9:57-62, what are the different responses of the individuals Jesus encounters, and how does Jesus reply to each of them? [44:34]
2. According to Hebrews 12:1-2, what are believers encouraged to do as they run their race of faith? [56:32]
3. What does Joel 2:28-29 say about the outpouring of God's Spirit, and how is this related to dreams and visions? [54:24]
4. How does the sermon describe Jesus as the "bread of life," and what does this mean for believers facing trials? [38:52]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the cost of discipleship, as described in Luke 9:57-62, imply about the priorities and sacrifices required to follow Jesus? [48:15]
2. How does the concept of running a unique race in Hebrews 12:1-2 challenge believers to focus on their individual calling and purpose in God's kingdom? [57:06]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that delayed obedience is equivalent to disobedience, and how does this impact one's spiritual journey? [01:03:53]
4. How does the sermon encourage believers to align their personal dreams with God's kingdom purposes, and what might this look like in practical terms? [54:24]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt called to follow Jesus in a specific way. What sacrifices did you have to make, and how did you respond to that call? [48:45]
2. Consider your current life goals and dreams. How can you align them more closely with God's kingdom purposes? What changes might you need to make? [52:18]
3. Identify an area in your life where you have delayed obedience to God's call. What steps can you take this week to respond with a "yes"? [01:03:53]
4. Think about a specific trial or wilderness experience you are currently facing. How can you rely on Jesus as your "bread of life" to sustain you through it? [38:52]
5. What is one practical way you can run your unique race with perseverance, as described in Hebrews 12:1-2, in your daily life? [57:06]
6. How can you cultivate a clear vision for God's purpose in your life during this season? What steps will you take to seek this vision through prayer and reflection? [01:09:24]
7. Reflect on the story shared in the sermon about the importance of timely obedience. How can you be more attentive to God's promptings in your everyday interactions? [01:06:10]
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus, Our Eternal Sustenance
In the wilderness of life, we often seek stability and peace amidst chaos and uncertainty. Jesus, the bread of life, offers us hope and sustenance that transcends our earthly journey, providing a foundation that is unshakeable and eternal. As we partake in communion, we remember His sacrifice, His body broken, and His blood shed for us, establishing a new covenant of forgiveness and righteousness. This act of remembrance is not just a ritual but a profound reminder of the eternal life and hope we have in Him. Jesus invites us to build our lives on this foundation, finding peace and stability beyond our circumstances. [38:52]
"Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire." (Hebrews 12:28-29, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to rely more on Jesus as your foundation? How can you actively build your life on His unshakeable promises today?
Day 2: The Cost of Discipleship
Following Jesus is a path marked by sacrifice and unpredictability. Reflecting on Luke 9:57-62, we are reminded that discipleship requires us to lay aside personal comforts and earthly assurances for the sake of God's kingdom. The disciples exemplified this by leaving behind their livelihoods and comforts to follow Jesus. We are called to dream beyond our personal aspirations and align our lives with God's kingdom purposes. This path is not one of comfort or predictability, but it is one of eternal significance and fulfillment. [48:15]
"And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it.'" (Mark 8:34-35, ESV)
Reflection: What personal comforts or assurances are you holding onto that might be hindering your full commitment to following Jesus? How can you begin to let go of these today?
Day 3: Aligning Dreams with God's Kingdom
Our dreams often center around personal comfort and success, but God invites us to dream of His kingdom. He desires to pour out His Spirit, giving us visions and dreams that lead to spiritual harvest. This requires us to lay down our own plans and embrace the cost of following Jesus. By aligning our dreams with God's kingdom purposes, we can have an eternal impact that goes beyond personal gain. God desires to give us visions and dreams that lead to spiritual harvest, requiring us to lay down our own plans. [54:24]
"And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions." (Joel 2:28, ESV)
Reflection: What personal dreams or plans do you need to lay down to align with God's kingdom purposes? How can you seek God's vision for your life today?
Day 4: Responding to God's Call
Delayed obedience is disobedience. When God calls, we must respond with a "yes," trusting Him with the unknowns and believing that His timing and purposes are perfect. Jesus set the example of sacrificial living, enduring the cross for the joy set before Him. We are called to run our unique race with perseverance, fixing our eyes on Him and storing up treasures in heaven. Each of us has a unique race to run, a purpose to fulfill in God's kingdom. [01:03:53]
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV)
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you have been delaying obedience to God's call? What steps can you take today to respond with a "yes" and trust Him with the unknowns?
Day 5: Running Our Race with Perseverance
Jesus set the example, enduring the cross for the joy set before Him. He calls us to run our race with perseverance, fixing our eyes on Him. Each of us has a unique race to run, a purpose to fulfill in God's kingdom. We must be willing to sacrifice personal gain for eternal treasures, storing up treasures in heaven rather than on earth. As we seek a clear vision for God's purpose in our lives, we are challenged to live with intentionality, pursuing God's call rather than aimlessly drifting. [57:06]
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable." (1 Corinthians 9:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: What is the unique race God has set before you? How can you run with perseverance and focus on storing up treasures in heaven rather than on earth?
Quotes
1) "As they were looking ahead to the promised land, as they were looking ahead to receive all that God had promised them, and to sustain them, God sent bread down from heaven. And it sustained, it brought life, it brought hope. And then Jesus in the New Testament, He says, I am the bread that has come down from heaven. And I don't know about you guys, but sometimes it feels like we are walking through a wilderness at times, doesn't it? There's hardship, there's trials. Then there's moments where we feel like we have victory, and then there's a new battle to face. And can I tell you something? That no matter what you're facing today, Jesus is still the bread of life. He is the one that sustains. He is the one that heals. He is the one that brings hope." [38:52] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "Our desire for a predictable and comfortable life can keep us from walking in the plans that God has for us. I don't know about you guys, but I like comfortable. My flesh loves comfortable. I love predictable. I love schedules. I love knowing everything's taken care of. And we do the same thing. In fact, many times we dream and we have a vision for our life to make sure those things are happening. How many of you guys have a dream for your life? You have a vision of how you want it to go. You know, when life slows down, you begin to dream about your future." [51:01] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "Many Christians today attend church, but their dreams are centered around their personal lives. I want us to contemplate this. You know, many Christians today in our world, in our culture, you look across America, like we'll come to church on the weekends, but when it comes to us dreaming about our future, when it comes to us dreaming about what it's going to look like five, ten years, many times those dreams are centered around our personal lives. And see, God gave this man an opportunity to dream about the kingdom." [52:18] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "Jesus doesn't ask us to do anything that he didn't first do himself. You see, Jesus doesn't just tell us to pick up our cross and follow him. He picked it up first. Jesus doesn't just tell us to dream dreams about the kingdom of God. Jesus did it first. Jesus sacrificed it first. Listen to what it says in Hebrews chapter 12, verse one through two. It says, Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer, and the perfecter of faith." [55:55] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "There will always be a logical excuse for why we should delay our obedience to God. Has God ever spoken to you and asked you to do something and you're just like, man, I could think of five reasons why this is not a good idea right now. And I remember when I was a young man and I felt God calling me to ministry. I was so excited. I was leading Bible studies. I was leading Bible studies in my youth ministry. And I had the opportunity to preach my first message to my youth group and I was so excited." [01:02:05] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "Delayed obedience is disobedience. God has a purpose and a plan and there is a reason he is calling you to do that now. And he will work with our humanity. He will work with it and work things for good. But it is so crucial that when God speaks, we answer. Even if we don't understand what's going to happen after we say yes. See, it's easy to surrender and trust God's plan when things look favorable. But obedience, when it hurts, shows you actually trust God." [01:03:53] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "For God's true disciples there is no such thing as no Lord. There's no such thing as no Lord. For those of us who have surrendered and laid down our life to follow Jesus, we gave up the right to say no. And we simply say, Lord, we trust you. We trust your plan. We trust your goodness. As John said earlier, God, you first loved us. You loved us. You gave up your life for us and now, Lord, I am laying down my life for you to say yes to you day after day after day and to trust him as our security." [01:06:59] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8) "Do you have a clear vision for God's purpose for your life in this season? Do you have a clear purpose, a clear vision, a dream of what God is calling you to do in this season of your life? See, some of you guys and some of us in this room may attend church, but we don't live with the spiritual purpose and vision daily of what God has called us to do. And we're willing to sacrifice everything else to fulfill what it is." [01:08:53] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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