Shine Bright Church, Tucson, Arizona
Co-Founder: The Truth Under Fire Ministry
For some, following Jesus has cost relationships in family and friendships who reject God and His Word. For others it's a sin they once loved.
Still for others, it has cost them a lavish lifestyle, and instead they now live a comparatively humble lifestyle because they are focused on working in Christ's Kingdom and not concerned about building their own kingdom.
As we speak, for many in the Middle East it’s costing them their jobs, their homes, their personal safety. Being a Christian in most parts of this world invites persecution, sometimes severe persecution that costs them their lives, even those of their children!
Are we willing to follow Christ at all cost? Because the reality is, that in order to truly be a follower of Christ it’s going to cost you something. And if it hasn’t yet, is it possible you haven’t taken the first step in His direction?
Whatever it may cost you to be a disciple of Christ, learn to live with a banner over your head and heart that reads “Jesus is worth it all!”
For more about this, watch this video by Steve Lawson:
There are three different types of people that the LORD addresses here:
LUKE 9:57-58
Why are we following Jesus?
History tells us that some of the scribes had hidden motives and agendas when it came to following Jesus. Some were in it to make a name for themselves, a bigger following, knowledge for gain wealth and power over people. But notice how Jesus quickly smashes that type of heart with His response. “Following me is no walk in the park. Oh, and by the way I don’t even own a house.”
In other words, “I’m homeless; are you sure you still want to follow Me?” Jesus was (and still is) on a mission to “seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10). Not to seek fame, comfort, a million-dollar estate, nor to save or preserve even His own life. He’s the exact opposite of the prosperity preachers of our day. Jesus was literally not of this world (John 17:16)!
Luke 9:59-60
“Let me first go and bury my father.” Jesus – “let the dead bury the dead.” (sound a bit rude doesn’t it?)
Luke 7:23
Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me (to John the Baptist).
Christ was expressing urgency and the high priority of preaching the gospel which gives eternal life to lost souls. Christ and His mission supersede all. Jesus is more important than any other human relationship and is worth far more than the inheritance this young man may have wanted from his father. Christ is first. Do we have a priority problem?
Luke 9:61-62
“I’ll follow You, but first let me say bye to my family.”
When Jesus called Peter and Andrew to follow Him, they immediately dropped their nets and followed (Matthew 4:19-20). So did James and John (Mark 1:19-20), and Matthew (Levi) too (Mark 2:14)! This is what Christ is looking for in those who will follow now and follow truly to the end. No quitters nor half-hearted procrastinators allowed!
HOMEWORK:
Consider this passage found in Mark 10:17-27.
What Christ requires is too much for some people because they fail to have the awe and respect for Christ that He is worthy of; consider all that He went through to secure eternal life for us, dying on the cross for our sins, taking God's wrathful judgment on sin upon Himself, out of a heart of love for us!
Many fail to see Jesus’ infinite worth. So, they constantly turn their eyes and hearts to worthless things.
The Lord doesn’t delight in the heart that turns back (Luke 9:62). Israel turned back to Egypt in their hearts (Numbers 11:4-6; Acts 7:39) and Lot’s wife turned back in her heart to Sodom (Genesis 19:24-26).
One of Paul’s companions by the name Demas abandoned him.
2 TIMOTHY 4:10
“One who looks back is neither fit to proclaim the Kingdom nor receive it.” - John Wesley
Why are we following Jesus?
Is it only for a peace of mind and a religious reputation? Is it only to see what we can get out of Him? What’s the reason and motive of the heart? It’s good for one to ask themselves this question not only in the beginning of our Christian life but it’s also a healthy habit to check our hearts as we go along. Is Christ our everything, or is He just a means to an end (to get what we want)?
Matthew 16:26
Matthew 13:22
Regarding comfort: “Christianity says, ‘The end of all being is the glory of God.’ Humanism says, ‘The end of all being is the happiness of man’.” – Paris Reidhead.
HOMEWORK:
Here is a video called TEN SHEKELS and A SHIRT (7 min 15 sec) by Paris Reidhead. Or watch the full sermon here:
Do we have ‘wheel-hub’ Christianity or ‘matchbox car’ Christianity?
Some people have Christ like a valued matchbox car, one of their prized possessions. They keep it in their carrying case in a special compartment along with others, that they have collected over the years. If that car is lost, while they might be sad, it does nothing to affect the other cars in the collection. This is religious Christianity – not biblical Christianity. A religious Christian may lose interest in Christ eventually, but the rest of his life is intact – he still has other interests, goals, etc.
Wheel-hub Christianity is completely different. All the spokes of the wheel surround the hub which supports each spoke and gives the wheel its strength. If one removes the hub, the spokes have no support and the wheel collapses! Biblical Christianity cannot work without Christ – He is the center and source of strength for us, and every aspect of our lives is connected to Him!
There’s going to be uncomfortable times. The storms of life will pour down on you but even then we must trust in Christ to endure to the end. We may encounter abandonment, suffering, sickness, persecution, and poverty but always remember:
Matthew 10:16
We need to always be filled with God’s Word and be led by the Holy Spirit.
John 16:33
1 John 5:4
Matthew 18:9
Romans 12:1
Luke 14:25-30
The Lord promises us two things: a cross on earth and a crown in heaven. Crosses are borne before crowns are worn is what He’s teaching the scribe.
Before we commit ourselves to the LORD for salvation, we must consider, that since He has purchased us with His own blood, and His Spirit will indwell us upon our confession of faith and genuine conversion, we will no longer be 'calling the shots' in our life; that He will be LORD over all our lives (not merely 99.9%) and we shall be His bond-servants - slaves of righteousness (Philippians 1:1; James 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1; Jude 1:1; Romans 6:18-21)
2 Timothy 4:6-8 (Paul and his [our] crown).
The Lord will lavishly and abundantly bless all who count the cost of following Him:
Matthew 19:27-29
Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem to die a cruel death on a Roman cross and when He rises from the dead He’ll command this man to go into the entire world to proclaim the gospel. We sing songs that say “Wherever You go, I will follow.”
But is that true? Would we be willing to go to Syria, Iran or into our own city, if Jesus sent us? I’ve struggled with this thought. And sometimes I wonder if He has called some of us to go, but due to comfort we can’t hear the call to missions. Sometimes I think we’re quicker to draw the line than heed the call!
Sometimes we have it the other way around, where we want Jesus to follow us. To lead us in our path and to surrender to our plans and our goals in life. Remember, when our happiness is the center of our lives, and our objective – that is Humanism!
Christianity is about Jesus becoming the center of our lives and His will as our objective!
This is the right perspective: That God in His infinite wisdom, knowledge, power and love for us has a plan especially made for each of us, individually – that will bless us far more in the eternal realm of heaven, and bring far greater glory to Him, than any plan we could possibly conceive of! It is then that God’s will becomes a joy and a delight and enables us to willingly abandon our ways to follow Jesus!
Many times we choose comfort over the cross. Comfort over commission like Jonah.
To follow Jesus means to live for Him:
2 Corinthians 5:15
HOMEWORK:
Asaph struggled in this area…
EXTRA-CREDIT HOMEWORK:
Read this article FROM The MIND of FIRE blog (if you would like a hard
copy of this, let me know; I will get one for you! Or you may print this out from your own printer with my permission and blessing!):
The CROSS, the KINGDOM and the CROWN
FINALLY Please watch the following video by Paul Washer on TRUE DISCIPLESHIP (11 min 13 sec):
Also, something worth your time are the books TRUE DISCIPLESHIP and The DISCIPLE's MANUAL, both by William MacDonald.
This concludes the course DISCIPLESHIP 101. Amen!
Co-Founder: The Truth Under Fire Ministry
SESSION FOUR: The COST of DISCIPLESHIPHas Following Jesus Cost You Anything?
Still for others, it has cost them a lavish lifestyle, and instead they now live a comparatively humble lifestyle because they are focused on working in Christ's Kingdom and not concerned about building their own kingdom.
As we speak, for many in the Middle East it’s costing them their jobs, their homes, their personal safety. Being a Christian in most parts of this world invites persecution, sometimes severe persecution that costs them their lives, even those of their children!
Are we willing to follow Christ at all cost? Because the reality is, that in order to truly be a follower of Christ it’s going to cost you something. And if it hasn’t yet, is it possible you haven’t taken the first step in His direction?
Whatever it may cost you to be a disciple of Christ, learn to live with a banner over your head and heart that reads “Jesus is worth it all!”
For more about this, watch this video by Steve Lawson:
IT WILL COST YOU EVERYTHING (1 hr. 15 sec)
LUKE 9:57-58
"And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head."1. Here we have a man (Matthew 8:19 tells us that this man was a scribe; a teacher and a copier of the OT manuscripts) that swears his allegiance to the LORD – no matter what! Yet the LORD tells him that following Him may demand a lack of comforts or even reasonable needs – such as a home to live in.
Why are we following Jesus?
History tells us that some of the scribes had hidden motives and agendas when it came to following Jesus. Some were in it to make a name for themselves, a bigger following, knowledge for gain wealth and power over people. But notice how Jesus quickly smashes that type of heart with His response. “Following me is no walk in the park. Oh, and by the way I don’t even own a house.”
In other words, “I’m homeless; are you sure you still want to follow Me?” Jesus was (and still is) on a mission to “seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10). Not to seek fame, comfort, a million-dollar estate, nor to save or preserve even His own life. He’s the exact opposite of the prosperity preachers of our day. Jesus was literally not of this world (John 17:16)!
Luke 9:59-60
"And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God."2. Here we have a man that the LORD invites to follow Him, but he asks the LORD to permit him first to go bury his father. It was customary for grown children to care for their aged parents until their death, which is what this man was asking the LORD (It wasn’t that his father was already dead and needed burying). But the LORD’s response was that as His disciples, we are to consider Him and His Gospel as our highest priority, even over family!
“Let me first go and bury my father.” Jesus – “let the dead bury the dead.” (sound a bit rude doesn’t it?)
Luke 7:23
Blessed is he who is not offended because of Me (to John the Baptist).
Christ was expressing urgency and the high priority of preaching the gospel which gives eternal life to lost souls. Christ and His mission supersede all. Jesus is more important than any other human relationship and is worth far more than the inheritance this young man may have wanted from his father. Christ is first. Do we have a priority problem?
Luke 9:61-62
"And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."3. Again, we have a man who asks to do something first before following Jesus; he wants to say goodbye to those in his household – yet the LORD here says that any who look back (in regard of more importance than the LORD Himself) as not being worthy of the Kingdom of God. Wow!
“I’ll follow You, but first let me say bye to my family.”
When Jesus called Peter and Andrew to follow Him, they immediately dropped their nets and followed (Matthew 4:19-20). So did James and John (Mark 1:19-20), and Matthew (Levi) too (Mark 2:14)! This is what Christ is looking for in those who will follow now and follow truly to the end. No quitters nor half-hearted procrastinators allowed!
HOMEWORK:
Consider this passage found in Mark 10:17-27.
What Christ requires is too much for some people because they fail to have the awe and respect for Christ that He is worthy of; consider all that He went through to secure eternal life for us, dying on the cross for our sins, taking God's wrathful judgment on sin upon Himself, out of a heart of love for us!
Many fail to see Jesus’ infinite worth. So, they constantly turn their eyes and hearts to worthless things.
The Lord doesn’t delight in the heart that turns back (Luke 9:62). Israel turned back to Egypt in their hearts (Numbers 11:4-6; Acts 7:39) and Lot’s wife turned back in her heart to Sodom (Genesis 19:24-26).
One of Paul’s companions by the name Demas abandoned him.
2 TIMOTHY 4:10
"For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia."
Demas loved this present world, causing him to jump ship. Paul was at the end of his ministry and life; in his absence, could this have been too much for Demas? Paul endured some hardship and constant persecution but essentially Demas said, “I didn’t sign up for this! I’m out!”
“One who looks back is neither fit to proclaim the Kingdom nor receive it.” - John Wesley
Why are we following Jesus?
Is it only for a peace of mind and a religious reputation? Is it only to see what we can get out of Him? What’s the reason and motive of the heart? It’s good for one to ask themselves this question not only in the beginning of our Christian life but it’s also a healthy habit to check our hearts as we go along. Is Christ our everything, or is He just a means to an end (to get what we want)?
Matthew 16:26
"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"How much of our heart does Christ have and how much of our heart does the rest of our lives have? When we give ourselves over to other things it makes it that much harder to really make an impact for Christ because the more you have the more you have to maintain; the more these things dominate our time and concern:
Matthew 13:22
"He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful."1 Timothy 6:10
"For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."One commentator writes “Those who follow Christ must prepare themselves to endure discomforts." (i.e - There was this one time when Jesus did rest his head, but it was on a boat caught in a terrible storm about to sink! Luke 8:23).
Regarding comfort: “Christianity says, ‘The end of all being is the glory of God.’ Humanism says, ‘The end of all being is the happiness of man’.” – Paris Reidhead.
HOMEWORK:
Here is a video called TEN SHEKELS and A SHIRT (7 min 15 sec) by Paris Reidhead. Or watch the full sermon here:
Some people have Christ like a valued matchbox car, one of their prized possessions. They keep it in their carrying case in a special compartment along with others, that they have collected over the years. If that car is lost, while they might be sad, it does nothing to affect the other cars in the collection. This is religious Christianity – not biblical Christianity. A religious Christian may lose interest in Christ eventually, but the rest of his life is intact – he still has other interests, goals, etc.
Wheel-hub Christianity is completely different. All the spokes of the wheel surround the hub which supports each spoke and gives the wheel its strength. If one removes the hub, the spokes have no support and the wheel collapses! Biblical Christianity cannot work without Christ – He is the center and source of strength for us, and every aspect of our lives is connected to Him!
There’s going to be uncomfortable times. The storms of life will pour down on you but even then we must trust in Christ to endure to the end. We may encounter abandonment, suffering, sickness, persecution, and poverty but always remember:
"Everyone will hate you because of Me, but the one who stands firm till the end will be saved. – while this speaks of the time of the tribulation period, there is a principle here that we need to pay attention to:"We cannot hope to endure to the end unless Jesus sustains us by His Spirit of grace. This is why we must be born again – for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit – and why we need to maintain a healthy relationship with the LORD; He Himself gives us the grace to endure all tribulation, hardships, trials; dying to self and to sin (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Matthew 10:16
"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore, be wise as serpents and harmless as doves."We are never to be arrogant, but meek as sheep are meek. We need to be discerning of unnecessary and foolish dangers and avoid them (just as snakes do), but then when unavoidable persecution confronts us, remain inoffensive and as gentle as doves.
We need to always be filled with God’s Word and be led by the Holy Spirit.
John 16:33
"In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."We are not fighting a losing battle (even though in these last days it might look like it!); we aren’t even fighting a battle with a wishful hope for victory. . . it’s because Jesus has already overcome the world – and we who are born again are “in Christ”, that we have already overcome the world! We have the victory already by faith! And faith leads to action – to good works, to following God no matter what!
1 John 5:4
"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."Radical or Reasonable Obedience?
Matthew 18:9
"If your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter Heaven with one eye than to have two eyes and be cast into Hell."This is the painful work of cutting off sin for His glory. It might seem radical to cut off sin and have nothing more to do with it – even if the world says that ‘it’s OK’ . . . but considering what radical measures Jesus went through in order to free us from sin, our obedience isn’t really that radical at all – but reasonable:
Romans 12:1
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."
“Jesus is worth it all!”
" And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish."As Disciples of Christ we are to cultivate a love for Christ, a love so profound, so deep, that it makes all other loves look like hate. ‘Christ above all’ is the way of the servant.
The Lord promises us two things: a cross on earth and a crown in heaven. Crosses are borne before crowns are worn is what He’s teaching the scribe.
Before we commit ourselves to the LORD for salvation, we must consider, that since He has purchased us with His own blood, and His Spirit will indwell us upon our confession of faith and genuine conversion, we will no longer be 'calling the shots' in our life; that He will be LORD over all our lives (not merely 99.9%) and we shall be His bond-servants - slaves of righteousness (Philippians 1:1; James 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1; Jude 1:1; Romans 6:18-21)
2 Timothy 4:6-8 (Paul and his [our] crown).
"For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.Counting the cost eliminates the temptation to follow Jesus for the wrong reasons and it eliminates disappointment, and it eliminates half-hearted discipleship altogether.
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."
The Lord will lavishly and abundantly bless all who count the cost of following Him:
Matthew 19:27-29
"Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? 28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life."
May He and His promises serve as motivation for us to keep going!
Remember the scribe said, “Lord, I’ll follow you wherever you go.”
But is that true? Would we be willing to go to Syria, Iran or into our own city, if Jesus sent us? I’ve struggled with this thought. And sometimes I wonder if He has called some of us to go, but due to comfort we can’t hear the call to missions. Sometimes I think we’re quicker to draw the line than heed the call!
Sometimes we have it the other way around, where we want Jesus to follow us. To lead us in our path and to surrender to our plans and our goals in life. Remember, when our happiness is the center of our lives, and our objective – that is Humanism!
Christianity is about Jesus becoming the center of our lives and His will as our objective!
This is the right perspective: That God in His infinite wisdom, knowledge, power and love for us has a plan especially made for each of us, individually – that will bless us far more in the eternal realm of heaven, and bring far greater glory to Him, than any plan we could possibly conceive of! It is then that God’s will becomes a joy and a delight and enables us to willingly abandon our ways to follow Jesus!
Many times we choose comfort over the cross. Comfort over commission like Jonah.
To follow Jesus means to live for Him:
2 Corinthians 5:15
"And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again."2 Peter 2:20-22
"For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire."
HOMEWORK:
Asaph struggled in this area…
"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore, from henceforth thou shalt have wars."
EXTRA-CREDIT HOMEWORK:
Read this article FROM The MIND of FIRE blog (if you would like a hard
copy of this, let me know; I will get one for you! Or you may print this out from your own printer with my permission and blessing!):
The CROSS, the KINGDOM and the CROWN
FINALLY Please watch the following video by Paul Washer on TRUE DISCIPLESHIP (11 min 13 sec):
This concludes the course DISCIPLESHIP 101. Amen!
