Sermon – October 15, 2017: “The Cost Gain Analysis”

Luke 9:57-62

Parallel Account

  • Matthew 8:17-22

Luke’s reason for recording

  • This section reveals how Jesus responded to those who expressed a desire to follow him.
  • Shows how masterful of a teacher Jesus was as he was constantly identifying teachable moments.
  • These moments reveal the attitude Jesus expected followers to have.

 The Scribe (Matthew 8:19)

  • The willing-but-naïve attitude
  • The cost of following: uncertain worldly security.
  • The gain of following: certain heavenly security.

Another disciple (Matthew 8:21)

  • The misplaced-priority attitude
  • The cost of following: unhealthy worldly concern.
  • The gain of following: healthy heavenly concern.

The unidentified man

  • The living-in-the-past attitude
  • The cost of following: the subjective “good” of and desire for the past.
  • The gain of following: the objective best of the present and future.

The Soil Correlation

  • The attitudes Jesus reveals reflect the poor soil conditions in the Parable of the Sower.
  • Such attitudes lead to devastating consequences (i.e. complete rejection, eventual falling away and/or poor fruit production).
  • However, Jesus in revealing these poor attitudes Jesus also leads us to discover the right attitudes needed for fertile soil and good fruit production.

The Transformation Expectation

  • Are you guilty of having the same attitudes as these men?
  • Choose to follow Jesus with the proper attitude.
    • Have faith in Jesus.
    • Put your hope in the promises of Jesus.
    • Experience true joy found only in Jesus.

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