Text Like 9: 21-27
“Then he told them what they could expect for themselves: “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat—I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? If any of you is embarrassed with me and the way I’m leading you, know that the Son of Man will be far more embarrassed with you when he arrives in all his splendor in company with the Father and the holy angels. This isn’t, you realize, pie in the sky by and by. Some who have taken their stand right here are going to see it happen, see with their own eyes the kingdom of God.””
Luke 9:23-27 MSG
Missions is such key part of Jesus’ message that it reaches down and touches each of our lives. Our commitment to missions reflects our commitment to our Lord.
Our mission is way bigger than ourselves or even the people we serve, it’s part of a worldwide movement Jesus started.
Satan’s most powerful tools to get Jesus follower’s off mission is the weapon of DISTRACTION.
From this passage, Jesus identifies and calls out several Distraction Missions that will pull you away from the mission Jesus has made you for.
Earlier in the chapter he shared point blank what following him meant.
Read Luke 9:23
“Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
A man walks up ready to follow and Jesus says that this mission may lead to homelessness.
He was interested in following Jesus as long as it didn’t take him out of his comfort zone. Just think about all the things Jesus had his disciples do.
He sent them out for weeks at a time with no cash, extra clothes or fall back plan.
Our world is obsessed with safety and comfort.
What happens when the Mission of Comfort comes in conflict with the Mission of Jesus?
What happens when comfort becomes a bigger deal in your life than Christ?
We learn here that Jesus says it would be better to count the cost before following him.
Luke 9:57-58 - Challenging the Comfortable Disciple
And as they were going along the road, someone said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go.” And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head” (Luke 9:57-58).
What about yourself? You like being a Christian, but do you share a willingness to go wherever Jesus sends you? Or is there some element of wealth, health, comfort or ease that might keep you from that commitment?
Luke 9:59-60 - Challenging the Convenient Disciple
“And He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Permit me first to go and bury my father.” But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God”” (Luke 9:59-60).
The one willing to follow Jesus does not say, “I have this to do today, but tomorrow I can help you.” If you follow, then you go where Jesus goes.
This man wanted to be a convenient follower. Convenient followers are not followers at all because they will only accompany Jesus when it is convenient for their schedules. Jesus challenged him to set his priorities in place.
First comes the absolute commitment. If you mean to follow Jesus, then Jesus must come first place. The Lord wanted him and us to say an unqualified, “Yes” to Him and then follow Jesus.
When we face issues in life, and they will come, we then as Christ’s disciples ask Jesus what we should do. In this case the man could have asked Jesus how he should care for his dead father.
”Be Challenge & Take the Challenge”
