Embracing Sacrifice: The Cost of Following Jesus

Devotional

Day 1: Stepping Out of Comfort Zones**

Description:
Following Jesus often means stepping out of our comfort zones. Jesus made it clear that His path is not one of security and comfort but of sacrifice and commitment. We must be willing to embrace discomfort and uncertainty to truly follow Him. Jesus' approach contrasts sharply with society's tendency to lure us with perks and rewards. He doesn't promise an easy life but calls us to a higher purpose that requires sacrifice and unwavering commitment. This call to follow Jesus is counter-cultural and challenges us to prioritize His mission over our personal comfort and security.

In Luke 9:57-62, Jesus encounters three individuals who express a desire to follow Him. The first person is eager to follow Jesus, perhaps attracted by the miracles and teachings. However, Jesus responds by highlighting the lack of security and comfort in His path, saying, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." This statement serves as a stark reminder that following Jesus requires a willingness to embrace discomfort and uncertainty. [24:42]

Bible Passage:
"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.'" (Luke 9:58, ESV)

Reflection:
What is one area of your life where you find yourself clinging to comfort and security? How can you take a step of faith today to follow Jesus, even if it means embracing discomfort and uncertainty?

**

Day 2: Proclaiming the Kingdom with Urgency**

Description:
Jesus emphasized the urgency of proclaiming the Kingdom of God. We cannot afford to delay our obedience to His call, even for seemingly important tasks. Our mission as followers of Jesus must take precedence over all else. In Luke 9:59-60, Jesus calls another person to follow Him, but the individual asks to first bury his father. Jesus' response, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God," underscores the urgency and priority of His mission.

This interaction challenges us to evaluate our own priorities and the things that may be holding us back from fully committing to Jesus' call. It is a reminder that the mission of proclaiming the Kingdom of God is of utmost importance and requires immediate action. We must not allow even significant personal responsibilities to delay our obedience to Jesus. [41:23]

Bible Passage:
"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.'" (Luke 9:59-60, ESV)

Reflection:
What is one task or responsibility that you have been prioritizing over your commitment to Jesus? How can you rearrange your priorities to ensure that proclaiming the Kingdom of God takes precedence in your life?

**

Day 3: Focusing on God's Mission**

Description:
Just as Jesus set His face towards Jerusalem, we must set our face towards God's mission for our lives. This means living with a singular focus on His purposes, allowing this commitment to transform our lives and be evident to those around us. In Luke 9:51, it is written that Jesus "set his face to go to Jerusalem," fully aware that this path would lead to His crucifixion. This unwavering determination to fulfill God's mission serves as a powerful example for us.

We are called to have the same level of commitment and focus on God's mission. This involves prioritizing His purposes over our own desires, traditions, and even family expectations. By setting our face towards God's mission, we allow His purposes to shape our lives and influence those around us. This commitment requires daily intentionality and a willingness to let go of anything that distracts us from God's calling. [29:28]

Bible Passage:
"When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem." (Luke 9:51, ESV)

Reflection:
What is one specific way you can set your face towards God's mission today? How can you ensure that your focus on His purposes remains unwavering, even in the face of challenges and distractions?

**

Day 4: Embracing the Cost of Discipleship**

Description:
Following Jesus comes with a cost, and we must be willing to pay it. This may involve sacrificing our comfort, traditions, and even family expectations. We must prioritize our loyalty to Jesus above all else, understanding that the rewards in the next life far outweigh the sacrifices in this one. In Luke 9:61-62, another individual expresses a desire to follow Jesus but wants to first say goodbye to his family. Jesus responds, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God," emphasizing the need for total commitment and the willingness to leave behind anything that hinders our discipleship.

This call to embrace the cost of following Jesus challenges us to evaluate our own lives and the things we may be holding onto that prevent us from fully committing to Him. It is a reminder that true discipleship requires sacrifice and a willingness to prioritize Jesus above all else. [40:34]

Bible Passage:
"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.'" (Luke 9:61-62, ESV)

Reflection:
What is one thing in your life that you find difficult to let go of in order to fully follow Jesus? How can you take a step today to embrace the cost of discipleship and prioritize your loyalty to Him above all else?

**

Day 5: Living a Life with No Regrets**

Description:
The best thing we can do for ourselves and our families is to be completely obedient to the Lord. A life lived for Jesus is a life with no regrets. We must trust that what Jesus offers is far greater than anything we might leave behind. This call to live with no regrets is rooted in the understanding that the rewards in the next life far outweigh the sacrifices in this one. By fully committing to Jesus and His mission, we can experience a life of purpose, fulfillment, and eternal significance.

Living a life with no regrets involves daily obedience to Jesus and a willingness to trust Him with every aspect of our lives. It requires us to let go of anything that holds us back and to fully embrace the abundant life that Jesus offers. This commitment to living for Jesus not only impacts our own lives but also serves as a powerful testimony to those around us. [51:16]

Bible Passage:
"And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life." (Matthew 19:29, ESV)

Reflection:
What is one area of your life where you need to trust Jesus more fully? How can you take a step today to live with no regrets and fully embrace the abundant life that Jesus offers?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, everyone. Today, we took a moment to pray for our country, recognizing the anxiety, fear, and divisiveness that many of us feel. We prayed for Jesus to bring healing and transformation, believing that He is the solution to our nation's problems. We then delved into Luke 9:57-62, exploring the challenging statements Jesus made about following Him. These statements are counter-cultural and difficult to accept, both in Jesus' time and today.

We began by discussing how society often tries to win our loyalty with perks and rewards, contrasting this with Jesus' approach. Jesus doesn't entice us with comfort or security; instead, He calls us to a life of sacrifice and commitment. We examined three interactions Jesus had with potential followers. The first person wanted to follow Jesus for the perceived benefits, but Jesus responded by highlighting the lack of security and comfort in His path. The second person wanted to bury his father first, but Jesus emphasized the urgency of proclaiming the Kingdom of God. The third person wanted to say goodbye to his family, but Jesus pointed out that looking back makes one unfit for the Kingdom.

We reflected on the significance of setting our face towards God's mission, just as Jesus set His face towards Jerusalem, knowing it would lead to His crucifixion. This commitment requires us to prioritize God's mission over our comfort, traditions, and even family expectations. We also considered the global context, where many Christians face severe persecution for their faith, challenging us to evaluate our own willingness to pay the cost of following Jesus.

Ultimately, we are called to live with urgency and commitment, understanding that following Jesus is greater than anything we might leave behind. We must be willing to pay the cost, knowing that the rewards in the next life far outweigh the sacrifices in this one.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus Calls Us Beyond Comfort: Following Jesus often means stepping out of our comfort zones. Jesus made it clear that His path is not one of security and comfort but of sacrifice and commitment. We must be willing to embrace discomfort and uncertainty to truly follow Him. [24:42]
2. Urgency in Proclaiming the Kingdom: Jesus emphasized the urgency of proclaiming the Kingdom of God. We cannot afford to delay our obedience to His call, even for seemingly important tasks. Our mission as followers of Jesus must take precedence over all else. [41:23]
3. Setting Our Face Towards God's Mission: Just as Jesus set His face towards Jerusalem, we must set our face towards God's mission for our lives. This means living with a singular focus on His purposes, allowing this commitment to transform our lives and be evident to those around us. [29:28]
4. The Cost of Following Jesus: Following Jesus comes with a cost, and we must be willing to pay it. This may involve sacrificing our comfort, traditions, and even family expectations. We must prioritize our loyalty to Jesus above all else, understanding that the rewards in the next life far outweigh the sacrifices in this one. [40:34]
5. Living with No Regrets: The best thing we can do for ourselves and our families is to be completely obedient to the Lord. A life lived for Jesus is a life with no regrets. We must trust that what Jesus offers is far greater than anything we might leave behind. [51:16]
### [51:16]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[19:11] - Prayer for Our Country
[20:45] - Introduction to Luke 9:57-62
[24:42] - Jesus' Counter-Cultural Call
[29:28] - Setting Our Face Towards God's Mission
[31:57] - The Cost of Following Jesus
[40:34] - Willingness to Pay the Cost
[51:16] - Living with No Regrets
[59:57] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What were the three interactions Jesus had with potential followers in Luke 9:57-62, and how did He respond to each of them?
According to the sermon, what was the significance of Jesus setting His face towards Jerusalem? [29:28]
In John 6:60-68, how did the disciples react to Jesus' teaching about eating His flesh and drinking His blood, and what was Peter's response?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus emphasized the lack of comfort and security in following Him, as seen in His response to the first potential follower? [24:42]
How does the urgency of proclaiming the Kingdom of God, as highlighted in Jesus' response to the second potential follower, challenge our modern-day priorities? [41:23]
What does it mean to set our face towards God's mission, and how can this focus transform our lives and the lives of those around us? [29:28]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you prioritized comfort over following Jesus. How can you embrace discomfort and uncertainty to follow Him more closely? [24:42]
Jesus emphasized the urgency of proclaiming the Kingdom of God. What are some tasks or priorities in your life that might be delaying your obedience to His call? How can you address this? [41:23]
Think about the concept of setting your face towards God's mission. What specific steps can you take this week to live with a singular focus on His purposes? [29:28]
Following Jesus comes with a cost. What are some comforts, traditions, or family expectations you might need to sacrifice to prioritize your loyalty to Jesus? [40:34]
Consider the global context where many Christians face severe persecution for their faith. How does this challenge your own willingness to pay the cost of following Jesus? [37:36]
Reflect on the idea of living with no regrets by being completely obedient to the Lord. What is one area of your life where you need to trust that what Jesus offers is far greater than anything you might leave behind? [51:16]
Peter's response in John 6:68 was, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." How can this perspective help you stay committed to following Jesus, even when His teachings are hard to accept? [55:11]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Because right now we're, we live in a time where maybe for a lot of you came into this place and what happened yesterday caused some anxiety and fear to rise up in you. And I hear from you. For others, hatred and divisiveness, and I'm more convinced now than ever that what our country needs is Jesus, because that is the solution to everything that we have, right? All the problems, and so Jesus is the solution." [19:11] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Because to truly follow Jesus should lead us into uncomfortable places, into uncomfortable conversations. That, that, that is the reality. But how many of us are willing to pay that price for, to be uncomfortable? In the minor ways that we're uncomfortable. Let's just bring some clarity to the moment, right?" [36:44] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Following Jesus is greater than anything you could leave behind. But do you understand that? Do you see that? And think about how it plays itself out in your life, right? Your security is in your money, and then you're all stressed about money, and then what's that doing for you and to you? Nothing good." [50:09] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Are you willing to pay the cost, so that you could put your hand to the plow, and set your face on his mission, and not look back with regret, but look forward with hope, knowing that what he is calling you to is far better than whatever you might leave behind." [57:14] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "Maybe the question that we should ask this morning is have you set your face to his mission? Have you set your face? Have you set your face to his mission? And there be a change in your life where people notice there is something different about you because they are living for one mission. Have you set your face to his mission?" [30:29] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "How many of us are waiting for the approval of others to live what God is calling us to? We're waiting for the approval of everyone else so that we can live the life that God is calling us to live. I can't tell you how many students over the years that I've talked to who go, man, I feel like God is calling me to ministry." [48:07] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The best thing for your family, the best thing for the people around you is for you to be completely obedient to the Lord, knowing what he would have for you. But will you believe that? And will you see that? Because the life lived with no, no regrets, the life that is lived for Jesus." [51:16] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "So Peter goes, no, I'm willing to pay the cost. And then if you look at Peter's life, ultimately he does. He goes, I will pay the cost, because I'm going to live for the life that you are calling me to." [57:14] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "What are you willing to pay to live for Jesus, knowing that the cost? Costs in this world are minor for the rewards in the next." [58:18] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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