Radical Transformation: The Cost of Following Jesus

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound choice of following Jesus, emphasizing that it is not merely an addition to our lives but a transformative decision that requires leaving behind the ways of the world. Jesus himself warned that the world would hate those who follow him because they are no longer of the world. This choice is not about convenience or comfort; it is about humility and submission to the lordship of Jesus, even when it demands actions contrary to our desires. The call to follow Jesus is a call to die to oneself, to deny personal desires, and to take up the cross.

Reflecting on the Book of Jeremiah, we see that the challenges of our time are not new. Jeremiah faced a world that was deeply anti-God, where people followed their own hearts rather than God's commands. This rebellion led to severe consequences, as seen in the Valley of Hinnom, where children were sacrificed. Today, we face similar moral dilemmas, such as the issue of abortion, which challenges us to consider the sanctity of life. Despite the discomfort, we must speak the truth in love, acknowledging the forgiveness available through Christ for those who repent.

Jeremiah's life was marked by rejection and loneliness, yet he stood firm in his calling, knowing that God had a purpose for him even before he was born. This assurance is true for each of us; we are not mistakes but are created for a divine purpose. God equips us to stand strong, like a fortified city, against opposition. The challenge for our generation is to be willing to be rejected for the sake of truth, to prioritize God's commands over societal acceptance.

The message of Jeremiah is clear: we must not follow our hearts, which are deceitful, but rather submit to God's Word. All other religions and idols are false, and we must boldly proclaim the truth of the living God. Judgment Day is real, and we must not be swayed by false teachings that deny this reality. Our call is to stand with Jesus, even if it means being rejected by the world, because he is worth it.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Choice to Follow Jesus: Following Jesus is a radical decision that requires leaving behind worldly ways and embracing humility and submission to his lordship. It is not about adding Jesus to our lives but about a complete transformation. [00:13]

2. The Reality of Rejection: Like Jeremiah, we must be prepared to face rejection for standing with God. Our generation's challenge is to prioritize God's truth over societal acceptance, knowing that God equips us to stand firm. [12:43]

3. The Deceitfulness of the Heart: Our hearts are deceitful and cannot be trusted. We must submit to God's Word rather than follow our own desires, recognizing that true wisdom comes from God alone. [19:01]

4. The Exclusivity of Truth: All other religions and idols are false. We must boldly proclaim the truth of the living God, understanding that he is the Creator and the only one worthy of worship. [20:43]

5. The Certainty of Judgment: Judgment Day is real, and we must not be swayed by false teachings that deny this reality. Our call is to stand with Jesus, even if it means being rejected by the world, because he is worth it. [23:27]

YouTube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - The Choice to Follow Jesus
- [00:30] - Worldly Rejection
- [01:02] - Humility vs. Pride
- [02:17] - The Cost of Discipleship
- [02:53] - Lessons from Jeremiah
- [04:32] - Modern Parallels
- [06:03] - Forgiveness and Repentance
- [07:31] - God's Purpose for Us
- [10:27] - Standing Firm in Faith
- [13:01] - The Challenge of Rejection
- [15:02] - Speaking Truth Boldly
- [19:01] - The Deceitfulness of the Heart
- [20:43] - The Exclusivity of Truth
- [23:27] - The Certainty of Judgment
- [31:24] - Bearing Reproach with Jesus

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. John 15:18-19 - "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."
2. Jeremiah 1:5 - "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
3. Jeremiah 10:8-10 - "They are both stupid and foolish; the instruction of idols is but wood! Beaten silver is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz. They are the work of the craftsman and of the hands of the goldsmith; their clothing is violet and purple; they are all the work of skilled men. But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God, the eternal King. When he is angry, the earth trembles; the nations cannot endure his wrath."

Observation Questions:
1. According to John 15:18-19, why does the world hate those who follow Jesus? How does this relate to the sermon’s message about the choice to follow Jesus? [00:30]
2. In Jeremiah 1:5, what does God say about Jeremiah’s purpose before he was born? How does this reflect the sermon’s point about divine purpose? [08:02]
3. What does Jeremiah 10:8-10 say about idols and the true God? How does this passage support the sermon’s message about the exclusivity of truth? [20:09]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of being chosen out of the world in John 15:18-19 challenge the idea of living a comfortable Christian life? [00:45]
2. Reflecting on Jeremiah 1:5, how might understanding that God has a purpose for each person before they are born impact one’s view of their own life and calling? [08:18]
3. Considering Jeremiah 10:8-10, what are the implications of recognizing the Lord as the true and living God in a world filled with false idols and beliefs? [20:25]

Application Questions:
1. The sermon emphasized the need to leave behind worldly ways to follow Jesus. What specific worldly habits or mindsets do you feel called to leave behind, and how can you begin that process this week? [02:02]
2. Jeremiah faced rejection for speaking God’s truth. Have you ever experienced rejection for your faith? How did you handle it, and what might you do differently in the future? [12:43]
3. The sermon mentioned the deceitfulness of the heart. How can you ensure that your decisions are guided by God’s Word rather than your own desires? [19:01]
4. In what ways can you boldly proclaim the truth of the living God in your daily life, especially in environments that may be hostile to your beliefs? [20:43]
5. The certainty of Judgment Day was a key point in the sermon. How does this reality influence your priorities and actions? What changes might you need to make to align more closely with this truth? [23:27]
6. Reflect on the idea that God has a specific purpose for you, as mentioned in Jeremiah 1:5. How can you seek to understand and fulfill that purpose in your current season of life? [08:02]
7. The sermon challenged listeners to be willing to be rejected for the sake of truth. What steps can you take to build the courage needed to stand firm in your faith, even when it’s unpopular? [13:01]

Devotional

Day 1: Radical Transformation through Following Jesus
Following Jesus is not a mere addition to one's life; it is a radical transformation that requires leaving behind worldly ways and embracing humility and submission to His lordship. This decision is not about convenience or comfort but about a profound change in identity and purpose. Jesus warned that the world would hate those who follow Him because they are no longer of the world. This call to follow Jesus is a call to die to oneself, to deny personal desires, and to take up the cross. It is a journey of humility, where one submits to the lordship of Jesus, even when it demands actions contrary to personal desires. [00:13]

"For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?" (Matthew 16:25-26, ESV)

Reflection: What is one specific area of your life where you need to let go of worldly desires to fully embrace the transformation Jesus offers? How can you begin to make that change today?


Day 2: Embracing Rejection for the Sake of Truth
Like Jeremiah, followers of Jesus must be prepared to face rejection for standing with God. The challenge for this generation is to prioritize God's truth over societal acceptance, knowing that God equips His people to stand firm. Jeremiah's life was marked by rejection and loneliness, yet he stood firm in his calling, knowing that God had a purpose for him even before he was born. This assurance is true for each believer; they are not mistakes but are created for a divine purpose. God equips His followers to stand strong, like a fortified city, against opposition. [12:43]

"Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:11-12, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways have you experienced rejection for your faith? How can you find strength in God's purpose for you to stand firm in the face of opposition?


Day 3: The Deceitfulness of the Heart
The human heart is deceitful and cannot be trusted. Followers of Jesus must submit to God's Word rather than follow their own desires, recognizing that true wisdom comes from God alone. The message of Jeremiah is clear: believers must not follow their hearts, which are deceitful, but rather submit to God's Word. All other religions and idols are false, and believers must boldly proclaim the truth of the living God. [19:01]

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 'I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.'" (Jeremiah 17:9-10, ESV)

Reflection: Identify a recent decision where you followed your heart instead of seeking God's wisdom. How can you begin to align your decisions with God's Word today?


Day 4: Proclaiming the Exclusivity of Truth
All other religions and idols are false. Followers of Jesus must boldly proclaim the truth of the living God, understanding that He is the Creator and the only one worthy of worship. This proclamation requires courage and conviction, as it often goes against the grain of societal norms and beliefs. The call is to stand with Jesus, even if it means being rejected by the world, because He is worth it. [20:43]

"For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place." (1 Chronicles 16:26-27, ESV)

Reflection: How can you boldly proclaim the truth of God in your daily interactions, especially in environments that may not be receptive to it?


Day 5: The Certainty of Judgment
Judgment Day is real, and followers of Jesus must not be swayed by false teachings that deny this reality. The call is to stand with Jesus, even if it means being rejected by the world, because He is worth it. This certainty of judgment should motivate believers to live with an eternal perspective, prioritizing God's commands over temporary societal acceptance. [23:27]

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil." (2 Corinthians 5:10, ESV)

Reflection: How does the reality of Judgment Day influence your daily choices and priorities? What changes can you make to live with a more eternal perspective?

Quotes



"follow Jesus now it's a choice and this is what so many people don't get it's like I gotta choose I can't be a part of two gangs I can't like keep all of my friends and everything going this way the way life always has been and then also add Jesus too because look it's two polar opposites and I see so many people call themselves Christians and try to walk in both worlds and Jesus says look if the world hates you it's because it hated me first he says in John 15 he says if you were of the world the world would love you as its own but as it is you're not of the world I pulled you out of the world therefore the world hates you" [00:00:03]

"man this is not why he's placing we're gonna follow Jesus everything should be so easy everything be great it just adds to your life nobody takes away quite a bit pretty much everything as is die to yourself deny yourself pick up your cross and follow me and that's a tough thing but the same time there's some of us who are crazy enough to go actually I think he's worth it actually he's that great man when I just sit and think about you sitting on that couch and God opening your eyes to like you're so good and just bawling your eyes out like man I can have him" [00:01:18]

"most of us have been reading The Book of Jeremiah this week you know and you know I think I convinced myself that our world was so horrible right now like in a lot of ways I think men in my lifetime I don't think I've ever seen the world this evil but then I read the Book of Jeremiah and I'm going man that's pretty bad back then you know I'm thinking oh no but people are so anti God just doing their own thing and then we Jeremiah go saying you know exactly it's just there's no difference in fact it was talking about how it got so bad in Jeremiah in Chapter 7" [00:02:48]

"and the Lord says because they have forsaken my law that I said before them and have not obeyed my voice or walked in accord with it but have stubbornly followed their own hearts because why am I destroying this city because the people won't come under my law they're rejecting these commands and stubbornly following their own hearts that's the message of the world right now follow your heart and I'm going after this because God made me like this and in my heart I really feel like this is right and they'll say with tears in their eyes no everything in my mind tells me well your mind is evil and your heart is evil" [00:16:31]

"and God was destroying the city because the people were stubbornly following their own hearts rather than the Word of God the story buddy she was like sixth grade or something and and and one day the teacher quoted scripture tried to and you know some public school and he says you know I was like in the Bible when when Jesus said it's more important to follow your heart than the commands and right you no mercy you were like eleven years old or something raise your hand goes what verse is that you know there's 11 girls where is that I mean that that was verbatim his words that she came up with Christian so sad it's not in there ISM" [00:17:26]

"and the thing is is we can try to play both sides we can try to love both in and in man it's just not possible nowadays you've got to make a choice and now that's why I was wrestling with The Book of Jeremiah this week it's like wow I can't do it I can't be loved by the world and I think Christians have gone very crafty of say well I'm just you know loving on them being there and everything else but the truth is is in our hearts we don't really want to be rejected so we avoid certain things and that's why God tells Jeremiah look don't avoid anything you tell them everything I tell you" [00:14:19]

"and then finally he preached it Judgment Day is coming God is going to judge the deeds of man in this is such a big one nowadays you guys because we have people pastors preachers evangelists preaching that there's no longer a judgement God that don't worry about how this is the popular thing now man that God would never punish like that and they offer people the sense of peace and every every funeral you go to they go he's in a better place oh good he's in a better place she's in a better place because it's so much nicer to preach that isn't it now I was talking to a friend of mine was a friend of mine that started teaching this opposite doctrine that hell doesn't exist anymore" [00:23:36]

"and the Lord said to me the prophets are prophesying lies in my name I did not send them nor did I command them or speak to them they are prophesying to you a lying vision worthless divination and the deceit of their own minds therefore thus says the Lord concerning the prophets who prophesy in my name although I did not send them and who say sword and famine shall not come upon this land by sword and famine those prophets shall be consumed and the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem victims of famine and sword with none to bury them them their wives their sons their daughters I will pour out their evil upon them" [00:26:04]

"and I was thinking today man I'm so grateful for some of you because I know you stand with me and we've got this you know but I thought you know what if not you know with me still I'll follow all right I don't know what else to do I was creative for this I was made for this and we've got to understand we've got to make a choice at some point there's no way you can tell me that you objectively read this book and came up with the idea that there is no judgement and there is no punishment for sin there's no way you can tell me you objectively read this book and walked away and thought I think God wants homosexual relationships you can't tell me these things you didn't come with that no it came from your own heart" [00:27:40]

"and your desire and your love for people which isn't a bad thing but when it comes to the point where you say you know what I'm going to choose them over the commands of God and when choose my own heart over I am NOT saying be rejected just to be rejected okay please understand is there some people that like rejection like they be rejected if they weren't Christians they just said no I'm not talking about that yeah you know people like that I used to I met some people Wow he's willing to be rejected for Jesus but then I see he's projected for everything this is weird I'm not talking about that I'm talking about those of us who hate rejection who love being loved and love people don't want to tell them that what they're doing is wrong is the last thing we want to come out of our mouths" [00:28:33]

"but then we read the Word of God you know I gotta say it I have to say it out of love for them and before we get any you know self-righteous man I just want you to make sure you catch chapter 9 verse 1 where Jeremiah says oh that my head were waters and my a fountain of tears that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people this is not jeremiah with this joyful man I'm so glad I'm right you're wrong you're all going to hell God's gonna destroy this no he says man I wish my eyes were just like a fountain because I just want to cry all day this is killing me this kills me to have to say this it kills me to think about what's gonna happen when people face God like he is no joke" [00:29:39]

"everything he doesn't Bluff man if you were here rejecting everything I say go on man he's for this is this it I'm not mad I'm just scared I'm seriously scared for you man I'm worried about you my heart breaks for you because many of us were in that same place that was Justin's testimony man I loved evil I hated this message and I saw my God opened my eyes and that's what we pray for man you think I like teaching this stuff you think Jeremiah liked being rejected but it was hard for people that he had to say one last person won't take you to its nun Jeremiah it's actually in hebrews hebrews chapter 13" [00:30:17]

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Transcript
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