Total Commitment: The Cost of Discipleship

Devotional

Day 1: True Discipleship Demands Everything

Following Jesus is not a part-time commitment or a casual RSVP; it is a wholehearted surrender of every area of life. Jesus calls His followers to give Him their all—time, talents, resources, and devotion—without holding anything back or dividing their loyalty. Just as a marriage cannot thrive on half-hearted love, so too our relationship with Christ must be marked by total dedication, loving Him even more than family, career, or comfort. The call to discipleship is urgent and life-altering, requiring us to place Jesus above all else, today and not tomorrow, no matter the cost. [13:40]

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.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been holding back from Jesus, and what would it look like to surrender it fully to Him today?

Day 2: The Obstacle of Comfort

Comfort can easily become an idol, lulling us into spiritual complacency and keeping us from the sacrificial life Jesus calls us to. The desire for ease, security, and convenience can prevent us from stepping out in faith, serving others, or embracing the discomfort that often accompanies true discipleship. Jesus Himself had no place to lay His head, and He warns that following Him will mean leaving behind our cozy routines and preferences. The call is to die to self, to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength—not just when it’s easy or comfortable, but especially when it costs us something. [24:02]

Luke 9:58 (ESV)
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.”

Reflection: What comfort or convenience are you most reluctant to give up for Jesus, and how might you step out of your comfort zone for Him this week?

Day 3: Competing Priorities

Our lives are filled with good things—family, work, hobbies—but when these take precedence over our relationship with Jesus, they become obstacles to true discipleship. Jesus demands first place, not the leftovers, and calls us to seek His kingdom above all else. Excuses and delays, even for important matters, reveal where our true priorities lie. The challenge is to take an honest inventory of what is crowding out time with God and to intentionally reorder our lives so that Christ remains at the center, trusting that everything else will fall into place when we put Him first. [36:37]

Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Reflection: Make a list of the top three things that compete with Jesus for your time and attention; what practical step can you take today to put Him first?

Day 4: The Danger of Distractions

Distractions, even those that seem responsible or necessary, can keep us from fully following Jesus. Looking back, seeking permission, or waiting for the perfect moment can cause us to lose focus and miss the call of Christ. Jesus teaches that no one who puts their hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom; He calls for undivided attention and a forward-looking faith. The apostle Paul echoes this by urging us to forget what is behind and press on toward God’s purpose, living for Him in the present with an eternal perspective. [40:04]

Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV)
Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: What distraction or “unfinished business” is keeping you from fully committing to Jesus, and how can you intentionally refocus your heart and mind on Him today?

Day 5: Commitment in Action

The call to follow Jesus is not just about belief but about daily, active commitment—giving ourselves fully to the work of the Lord. This means serving, loving, and advancing the gospel in our church, community, and beyond, regardless of the cost or recognition. Our labor for Christ is never in vain, and He calls us to stand firm, letting nothing move us from our devotion. True discipleship is measured not by comfort or convenience, but by a passionate, ongoing surrender that impacts every area of life and stores up treasures in heaven. [46:15]

1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV)
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

Reflection: What is one specific way you can serve or advance the gospel this week, even if it requires sacrifice or stepping outside your normal routine?

Sermon Summary

Commitment is a word we use in many areas of life—marriage, family, career, hobbies, even our favorite sports teams or social media habits. What we commit our time and energy to reveals our true priorities. In Luke 9, Jesus encounters three would-be followers, each wrestling with the cost of discipleship. Their stories challenge us to examine what it really means to follow Jesus. True discipleship is not a part-time endeavor; it demands our all—our time, our talents, our resources, and our hearts.

Jesus’ responses to these men are striking. He makes it clear that following Him means stepping out of our comfort zones, letting go of competing priorities, and refusing to be distracted by the things of this world. He doesn’t sugarcoat the cost: “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” The call to follow Jesus is a call to surrender comfort, to put Him above family, career, and even our own desires. It’s a call to serve, to love, and to give without reservation.

The testimonies of believers like Jerome and Molu, who chose Christ over family and comfort in Africa, remind us that the cost of discipleship is real and often steep. While most of us may not face such dramatic choices, we are still called to examine our own lives. Are we letting comfort, priorities, or distractions keep us from wholehearted devotion to Christ? Jesus’ words are not just for the first-century disciples but for us today. He calls us to put our hands to the plow and not look back, to seek first His kingdom, and to love Him above all else.

This is not about religious duty but about a living relationship with Jesus. It’s about loving Him more than anything or anyone else, and letting that love shape every decision, every priority, and every action. The call is urgent and the stakes are eternal. Each day, we must ask ourselves: Is Jesus truly Lord over every area of my life? Am I willing to surrender my comfort, my plans, and my distractions for the sake of following Him? The invitation is clear—commit to Christ fully, today, and trust that your labor in the Lord is never in vain.

Key Takeaways

1. Comfort is an Obstacle to True Discipleship Following Jesus often means stepping out of our comfort zones and embracing discomfort for the sake of the gospel. Comfort can easily become an idol, lulling us into spiritual complacency and softening our resolve to serve sacrificially. Jesus never promised an easy life, but He did promise His presence and purpose as we carry our cross daily. True commitment to Christ means being willing to let go of our cozy routines and embrace the challenges He sets before us. [24:02]
2. Competing Priorities Reveal Our True Allegiance The things that fill our calendars and consume our energy show what we value most. Jesus’ call to “let the dead bury their own dead” is a radical reminder that nothing—no matter how important—should take precedence over Him. We must regularly take inventory of our lives, identifying anything that competes with our devotion to Christ, and intentionally seek first His kingdom. Our relationship with Jesus is not meant to fit around our schedules; it is meant to define them. [29:20]
3. Distractions Can Derail Our Spiritual Focus Even good things—family, work, responsibilities—can become distractions if they keep us from fully following Jesus. Looking back or seeking permission from others before obeying Christ reveals a divided heart. Jesus calls us to a single-minded focus, like a farmer plowing a straight line, undistracted by what lies behind. Only by fixing our eyes on Him can we live out our calling with purpose and perseverance. [40:04]
4. The Cost of Discipleship Is Real, but the Reward Is Eternal Stories of believers who have lost family, comfort, or status for the sake of Christ remind us that the call to follow Jesus is costly. Yet, the reward is not found in earthly security but in eternal significance. Jesus invites us to invest in what lasts—loving God and neighbor, serving sacrificially, and advancing the gospel. When we surrender all to Him, we find a life that is truly abundant and a legacy that endures. [46:15]
5. Commitment to Christ Demands Daily Surrender Discipleship is not a one-time decision but a daily process of yielding every area of our lives to Jesus’ lordship. Each day brings new opportunities to choose Him over comfort, priorities, and distractions. The heart of a disciple is marked by continual repentance, renewed devotion, and a willingness to let Christ be Lord over all. Our faithfulness today shapes our eternity and impacts those around us for the kingdom. [48:23]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Everyday Commitments and Priorities
[04:30] - Introduction to Luke 9: The Cost of Following Jesus
[08:15] - Three Would-Be Followers: The Setting
[10:40] - True Discipleship Demands Everything
[13:55] - Commitment Compared: Marriage, Career, and Christ
[17:30] - Testimonies from the Mission Field: Jerome and Molu
[22:00] - The Obstacle of Comfort
[24:02] - Comfort as an Idol and the Call to Sacrifice
[29:20] - The Obstacle of Competing Priorities
[36:37] - Practical Steps to Reorder Priorities
[40:04] - The Obstacle of Distractions
[44:15] - The Urgency of Dealing with Distractions
[46:15] - The Greatest Commandments and Eternal Perspective
[48:23] - Daily Surrender and the Challenge of Commitment
[54:23] - Closing Prayer and Final Challenge

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

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.”

Observation Questions

What are the three different responses people give to Jesus’ invitation to follow Him in Luke 9:57-62? How does Jesus respond to each one?
According to the sermon, what are some modern examples of commitments that can compete with our commitment to Jesus? [04:30]
What does Jesus mean when He says, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God”? [40:04]
In the sermon, what real-life stories were shared to illustrate the cost of following Jesus? [17:30]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus responds so strongly to each of the would-be followers in Luke 9:57-62? What is He trying to teach about discipleship? [10:40]
The sermon mentions that comfort can become an idol. In what ways can comfort keep someone from fully following Jesus? [24:02]
How do competing priorities reveal what we truly value, according to both the passage and the sermon? [29:20]
The pastor shared about Jerome and Molu, who lost family and comfort for Christ. What does their example reveal about the reality of discipleship in different parts of the world? [17:30]

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to examine our own comfort zones. What is one area of comfort in your life that might be holding you back from serving or following Jesus more fully? What would it look like to step out of that comfort zone this week? [24:02]
Take a look at your calendar and weekly routines. What are some activities or commitments that might be competing with your devotion to Christ? Is there something you feel called to adjust or surrender? [36:37]
The passage and sermon both talk about distractions—even good things like family or work—that can keep us from wholehearted devotion. Is there a “good thing” in your life that has become a distraction from following Jesus? How can you refocus your priorities? [40:04]
The pastor mentioned that discipleship is a daily process of surrender. What is one practical way you can surrender your plans, comfort, or distractions to Jesus each day this week? [48:23]
Think about the stories of Jerome and Molu. While you may not face the same dramatic choices, is there a relationship or situation where following Jesus might cost you something? How can you prepare your heart to choose Christ above all? [17:30]
Jesus calls us to “put our hands to the plow and not look back.” Is there something in your past or present that you keep looking back to, which is hindering your walk with Jesus? What step can you take to move forward in faith? [40:04]
The sermon says, “Our faithfulness today shapes our eternity and impacts those around us for the kingdom.” Who in your life might be impacted by your commitment to Christ? How can you encourage or serve them this week as an act of discipleship? [46:15]

Sermon Clips

There's no promise of a cushy life. There is no prosperity gospel. There's no guarantee of laying your head on a soft pillow. There's no promise of a family who will support you. There's no promise that you're going to have everything that you will need to live in this world. No promise other than that he will never leave you nor forsake you. [00:19:15] (26 seconds) #UnfailingPresencePromise

``You can't pay someone else to carry the cross that you are called to carry. It's yours to carry and it isn't comfortable and it isn't comfortable to carry a cross. Sharing Jesus isn't easy. Standing up for what's holy and right and good and honorable and moral in a community will never be easy—or not just say community but even in your family or even holding your spouse accountable or holding your children accountable, it will never be easy. [00:26:15] (40 seconds) #CarryYourOwnCross

Comfort, if you think about it, can actually be an idol. It can be an idol. Maybe it's clinging to a steady job when God is calling you to a mission field, or staying silent about your faith at work instead of ruffling feathers, saying no I will not participate in that act, or giving up the Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy in order to host a small group in your house or a Tuesday afternoon for serving at the food pantry or Wednesday night to sit in front of some children as they are learning to memorize the word of God, or to give up a week's vacation not to go to the beach but to go to Mexico or to go to Uganda. [00:28:27] (53 seconds) #ComfortCanBeIdol

Competing priorities—there is no competition with Jesus. The competition that you have with Jesus is the competition that you have made. If you have a commitment to following the Lord Jesus Christ and taking up your cross and following him daily, that supersedes all other priorities that may be on that list. [00:36:37] (20 seconds) #NoExcusesForDistraction

Is he Lord over your time, your talent, your family, your schedule, your availability? Is he Lord over your bank account? Is he Lord over you? Because if he isn't, then the question then is, is he truly your Lord? Well, we can say Savior, yes, he may absolutely be your Savior if you proclaim the Lord's death, burial, and resurrection, but is he your Lord? And I feel like that is the struggle that we have in our comfy society. [00:49:06] (33 seconds)

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