How NOT to Follow Jesus | Matthew 8:18-34

How NOT to Follow Jesus | Matthew 8:18-34

Darien Gabriel

Series: All: All Authority, All Nations, All Allegiance

Scripture: Matthew 8:18-34 (Main);

Title: How NOT to follow Jesus (Darien Gabriel)

The Bottom line of Matthew 8-9: “Jesus possesses absolute authority in the world and warrants absolute allegiance from the world.”

Bottom line: We truly follow Jesus when we humble ourselves, deny ourselves, courageously take up our cross, overcoming our fear of death and what others think, and follow him with integrity.

Q. What do I want you to know?

A. How NOT to follow Jesus.

Q. Why?

A. Because sometimes it’s easier to understand how to follow Jesus by seeing how NOT to.

Q. What do I want you to do?

A. Follow Jesus and not just walk behind him.

Q. Why?

A. Because there’s a difference. We truly follow Jesus when we humble ourselves, deny ourselves, courageously take up our cross, overcoming our fear of death and what other think, and follow him with integrity.

Discussion questions for group and personal study.

1. How would you counsel someone who wanted to follow Jesus as long as they could maintain their current lifestyle?

2. Explain how Matthew 8 speaks against the prosperity gospel.

3. How can Jesus' calming of the storm give you comfort in your own trials and suffering?

4. How do verses 28-34 speak to Jesus' authority in regard to Satan?

5. List five ways Matthew 8 demonstrates that Jesus was more (though not less) than a mere man?

6. What would you say if someone asked you, "What is your greatest need?" Explain your answer.

7. Explain the difference between suffering that is directly related to your own sin and suffering that comes as a result of living in a fallen world.

8. If someone said that Jesus never claimed to be divine, how could you respond by using the account of the paralytic?

9. How might Jesus' calling of Matthew give us hope for unbelievers we know who seem unreachable with the gospel?

Final Questions (optional or in place of above)

• What is God saying to you right now?

• What are you going to do about it?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Intro

Truth over tribe: pledging allegiance to the lamb not the donkey or the elephant.

1- Matthew is showing us through negative examples how NOT to follow Jesus.

2- At the same time, Matthew is showing Jesus has authority over the whole world:

• Disciples

• Danger/Disaster

• Demons

• Disease

• Death

• Damnation

I. Follow Jesus without pride.

“I will follow you wherever you go.” (19)

• Impressive words if they are genuine.

• But Jesus suspects that they are not. So he picks the area of life that will best reveal this to him. No home. No prestige. No comforts.

• It’s not courage if you don’t realize how dangerous it is. He doesn’t seem to know.

“Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” (20)

• Foxes and birds have homes. Jesus and his followers do not. They walk by faith in simplicity and obscurity seeking first the kingdom and his righteousness trusting that everything they need will be provided.

• Count the cost, scribe. Humble yourself and realize that Jesus doesn’t need your scholarship or pedigree to accomplish his mission.

II. Follow Jesus without compromise.

“Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” (21)

• Seems that he wants to follow Jesus on his own terms—in his own time. Waiting on his father to die so he can get the inheritance.

• Seems to be looking for security in money instead of Jesus.

• “Seek first…”

III. Follow Jesus without fear for your life.

• The storm scares them to death.

• They wake Jesus and ask him to save them.

• Jesus saves them in response to their “little faith” (Mark says “no” faith).

• Jesus chastises them and calls them to greater faith: Courageous, confident faith.

IV. Follow Jesus without boundaries.

• They went outside of Israel. Cf. Acts 1:8

• We see Jesus’ authority over demons again here.

V. Follow Jesus without fear for what others think.

• They bring the paralytic to Jesus.

• Jesus forgives sins first—then heals.

• Jesus doesn’t care what others think, even though it will cost him his life.

• Jesus shows he has authority over disease and damnation.

Conclusion

David Platt gives us:

A Pause after reading Matthew 8

A. Let’s trust wholeheartedly in Jesus’ authority.

B. Let’s rest peacefully in Jesus’ authority.

C. Let’s submit completely to Jesus’ authority.

D. Let’s rejoice gladly in Jesus’ authority

Pray

Other

Platt’s outline

I. The Basic Outline of Matthew 8-9

A. 3 miracle stories (8:1-17) (LAST WEEK)

B. 2 descriptions of discipleship (8:18-22) (THIS WEEK)

C. 3 miracle stories (8:23-9:8) (THIS WEEK TOO?)

D. 2 descriptions of discipleship (9:9-17) (NEXT WEEK)

E. 3 miracle stories (9:18-34) (NEXT WEEK)

II. The Bottom line of Matthew 8-9: “Jesus possesses absolute authority in the world and warrants absolute allegiance from the world.”

III. The Portrait of Jesus in Matthew 8

A. Jesus has authority of disease. (LAST WEEK)

1. He cleanses the physically unclean.

2. He heals the ethnically outcast.

3. He restores the culturally marginalized.

B. Jesus has authority over disciples. (THIS WEEK)

1. Jesus is worthy of unconditional trust.

2. Jesus is worthy of undivided affection.

C. Jesus has authority over disaster.

1. The point of the story: Jesus is God.

2. The promise of the story: You will never be alone.

D. Jesus has authority over demons.

1. The demons have fear because of their belief. (Cf. James 2:19)

2. We often have fear because of our unbelief.

IV. A Pause after reading Matthew 8

A. Let’s trust wholeheartedly in Jesus’ authority.

B. Let’s rest peacefully in Jesus’ authority.

C. Let’s submit completely to Jesus’ authority.

D. Let’s rejoice gladly in Jesus’ authority.

References/Bibliography:

“Preaching the Word” Commentary, Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Edited by Kent Hughes

“Matthew” by RC Sproul

“CSB Christ Chronological,” Holman

“Jesus Manifesto” sermon series, by Darien Gabriel: https://youtu.be/x65i2tqFrXk

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

“Exalting Jesus in Matthew” by David Platt (CCE)

Outline Bible, D Willmington

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB)

ESV Study Bible

ESV Gospel Transformation Bible (GTB)

How Will People Know We Follow Jesus? | Matthew 5:33-42

How Will People Know We Follow Jesus? | Matthew 5:33-42

Chris Karpus

Matthew 5:33-42 – How Will People Know We Follow Jesus?

Oaths

33  “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to

the Lord the vows you have made.’  34  But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is

God’s throne;  35  or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great

King.  36  And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black.  37  All you need

to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. [a]

Eye for Eye

38  “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ [b]   39  But I tell you, do not resist an

evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.  40  And if anyone

wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.  41  If anyone forces you to go one mile,

go with them two miles.  42  Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants

to borrow from you.

“I say to you” – divine authority and Kingdom ethics

+ Jesus is again drawing out the real significance of the Old Testament law

33  “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to

the Lord the vows you have made.’ 

“Do not break your oath” – alludes to:

Leviticus 19:12

2  “‘Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD.

Numbers 30:2

2  When a man makes a vow to the LORD or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not

break his word but must do everything he said.

- Do not perjure yourself…don’t lie

+ “…to swear” does not mean to curse or use bad words, but to affirm the truth of a statement while

calling on God to judge oneself if it is in fact untrue.

+ Jesus is basically saying “don’t swear at all”

+ TO CLARIFY: There are oaths that are consistent with God’s character and demands even in the New

Testament

2 Corinthians 1:18

18  But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.”

Galatians 1:20

20  I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie.

+ Given the elaborate hierarchy of laws of first century Judaism on oaths, Jesus declares that it would be

best to avoid them altogether…not because of the commandment, but because of their traditions.

+ The Lord’s name was not to be used falsely, so the Jews developed a “theology of oaths”

34  But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne;  35  or by the earth, for

it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.  36  And do not swear by your head,

for you cannot make even one hair white or black. 

+ Basically, Jewish leaders viewed swearing by “heaven’, “earth”, “Jerusalem” or one’s head as

less binding than swearing “by God” – they weren’t swearing by God, so they were releasing

themselves from the promise they were making

- Jesus responds by stressing that each of these items belongs to God in an important

way, so that the conventional Jewish distinctions are not genuine.

Isaiah 66:1

66 This is what the LORD says:

“Heaven is my throne,

    and the earth is my footstool.

Where is the house you will build for me?

    Where will my resting place be?

- Heaven is God’s throne – earth is His footstool – Jerusalem is His city and He numbers

the hairs of our heads and chooses their color.

Matthew 23:16-22

16  “Woe to you, blind guides! You say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but anyone

who swears by the gold of the temple is bound by that oath.’  17  You blind fools! Which is greater: the

gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred?  18  You also say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means

nothing; but anyone who swears by the gift on the altar is bound by that oath.’  19  You blind men! Which

is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred?  20  Therefore, anyone who swears by the altar

swears by it and by everything on it.  21  And anyone who swears by the temple swears by it and by the

one who dwells in it.  22  And anyone who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the one who

sits on it.

+ The Jews apparently reasoned that, because a lien could not be put on the temple or altar,

then oaths invoking those objects were meaningless. Jesus maintains that the temple, gold, altar

and gifts all point to God and remain equally sacred – so oaths taken in their name remain

equally binding.

+ All that being said, No promise can ever be made, no word ever spoken without it being done in the

presence of God

+ Jesus is pointing out their deep-seated dishonesty – their lies masquerading as theology (whoa)

THE POINT IS: Let your YES mean YES and your NO mean NO. We should not have to call on God to

witness what we say because God is watching us and present as we speak, knowing our hearts through

and through. Jesus’ followers should be people whose words are so characterized by integrity that

others need no formal assurance of their truthfulness in order to trust them.

37  All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. [a]

+ Jesus said that anything beyond straightforward honesty comes ‘from the evil one’’

+ Do you start sentences with “to be honest”, or “honestly” to drive home your point? What

does that say about the rest of the time?

We know now what this is saying…what is this NOT saying?

1. This is NOT talking about oaths in a court of law. It’s highly unlikely that this is what Jesus was talking

about. He was obviously prepared to speak under oath during His trial:

Matthew 26:63-64

63  But Jesus remained silent.

The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the

Son of God.”

64  “You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man

sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” [a]

+ When He was under oath, Jesus broke the silence He had maintained in the earlier part of the

proceedings as though recognizing the binding nature of being put under oath.

2. This is NOT talking about being “brutally honest” letting your venting, attitude, irritation, jealousy and

arrogance masquerade as actual honesty.

+ “I just call it like it is. That’s the way I am”. “The truth hurts”… Don’t confuse honesty with

being a unkind. Christians can be really good at this. Our arrogant frankness masquerading as

honesty

38  “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ [b]  

“Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth…” – Jesus is alluding to:

Exodus 21:23-24

23  But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life,  24  eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand,

foot for foot,

Deuteronomy 19:20-21

20  The rest of the people will hear of this and be afraid, and never again will such an evil thing be done

among you.  21  Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

+ These were speaking of justice, not retaliation. In fact, it was done to limit, and if necessary, restrain

retaliation.

+ Christian kindness should transcend even straightforward retribution

3. In light of prevailing ethical thought, Jesus contrasts radically with most others of His day in stressing

the need to decisively break the natural chain of evil action and reaction that characterizes human

relationships.

39  But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the

other cheek also. 

+ “resist” often used in a legal context

+ Jesus’ teaching similar to 1 Corinthians 6:7 against not taking fellow believers to court, though

it could be translated “do not take revenge on someone who wrongs you”

+ But we are to resist evil:

James 4:7

7  Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Striking a person on the right cheek suggests a backhanded slap from a typically right-handed aggressor

and was a characteristic Jewish form of insult.

+ The only legal recourse against this insult is to take someone to court…similar to libel or

defamation of character

+ Jesus teaches us not to trade such insults, even if it means receiving more

( In NO way does it require Christians to subject themselves or others to physical danger or

abuse)

+ Don’t make your “rights” the basis for your relationships with others. Jesus is teaching us that

standing on OUR rights and seeking to have OUR dignity reaffirmed is not the Christian response

to an insult.

+ Will anyone be won for the Kingdom by your retaliation?...by standing for your rights?

40  And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 

+ Clearly limited to a legal context. If a coat was taken as a financial pledge, it had to be returned

by nightfall, because for some, it served as both clothing and bedding.

- One must be willing to give as collateral an outer garment – more than what the law could

require, which was just an inner garment (Exodus 22:26-27)

Exodus 22:26

26  If you take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge, return it by sunset,  27  because that cloak is the only

covering your neighbor has. What else can they sleep in? When they cry out to me, I will hear, for I am

compassionate.

+ Coat and shirt are contemporary parallels to cloak and tunic

+ Jesus’ point is this: when His followers meet with opposition and persecution, they should not stand

on their legal rights. Instead, where the sin of others abounds, grace in them should abound much more.

In that, we will be like Him.

41  If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 

+ Referring to the Roman conscription of private citizens to help carry military equipment for Roman

soldiers

The soldiers didn’t have the right to make someone go more than a mile. Jesus is saying to do it

voluntarily.

+ Simon of Cyrene – forced to carry Jesus’ cross

+ The Jews hated this practice because it publically illustrated the humiliation of being a

subjugated people.

+ Jesus’ point here is that the Christian does the unexpected, because grace makes him or her

seek to win others by love rather than retaliate on the basis of rights.

4. Each of these commands require Jesus followers to act more generously than what the letter of the

law demanded – sometimes literally “going the extra mile”

+ Not only are we called to reject and avoid retaliation, but to positively work for the good of

those with whom we would otherwise be at odds.

42  Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

+ Jesus presumes that the needs are genuine, and commands us not to ignore them.

+ This was not a legal duty

Romans 13:10

10  Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

+Only when we show love, grace and sacrifice for the sake of others, will they see what the God-given

meaning of the law really is…the “but I tell you”…Then, they will understand that our citizenship is in the

Kingdom of Heaven

BE DIFFERENT than what the world would teach and expect

BE SELFLESS (think of your SELF less)

BE HONEST without being unkind

BE KIND

BE OBVIOUS

+ The works of the flesh disqualify us for the Kingdom of God because they break God’s law, but there is

no law against the fruit of the Spirit, those things whose opposites the law forbids.

Galatians 5:22-23

22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness,

faithfulness,  23  gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Matthew 7:15-20

15  “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are

ferocious wolves.  16  By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from

thornbushes, or figs from thistles?  17  Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree

bears bad fruit.  18  A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good

fruit.  19  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  20  Thus, by

their fruit you will recognize them.

+ Way too many Christians who are not demonstrating the fruit of the Spirit

By our fruit, people will know us. - They can trust us when we speak.

Matthew 5:33-42 – How will people know we follow Jesus? 07/24/22

Matthew 5:33-42

Matthew 5:33

Leviticus 19:12

Numbers 30:2

2 Corinthians 1:18

Galatians 1:20

Matthew 5:34-36

Isaiah 66:1

Matthew 23:16-22

Matthew 5:37

Matthew 26:63-64

Matthew 5:38

Exodus 21:23-24

Deuteronomy 19:20-21

Matthew 5:39

James 4:7

Matthew 5:40

Exodus 22:26

Matthew 5:41

Matthew 5:42

Romans 13:10

Galatians 5:22-23

Matthew 7:15-20

How Do I Follow Jesus? | Matthew 4:18-25

How to Follow Jesus | Matthew 4:18-25

Darien Gabriel

Series: All: All Authority, All Nations, All Allegiance

Scripture: Matthew 4:18-25 (Main);

Title: How do I follow Jesus?

Heavy credit: David Platt and Douglas Sean O’Donnell (See below for bibliography)

Bottom Line: Following Jesus Christ is to believe he is who he says he is so fully that we daily surrender all to him.

Discussion questions for group and personal study.

Reflect and Discuss

1. How would you explain what it means to "repent" to someone who had never heard the term?

2. Following Jesus costs us everything. What might that look like practically in our own culture? How might this look different in a hostile Muslim context?

3. If we must abandon everything for Christ, then how does God's grace play a part in our salvation?

4. In what ways has the call to follow Jesus been watered down in our culture?

5. Explain the idea that every disciple is to be a disciple-maker. What might this look like for a mom with young kids? For an accountant? What about a college student?

6. Explain the following statement:

"The New Testament pattern for discipleship is more about 'go and tell' than 'come and see."

7. What are some of the costs of non-discipleship that you see around you?

Find our sermons, podcasts, discussion questions and notes at https://www.gracetoday.net/podcast

Opening:

Today I’m going to tell you how to follow Jesus as one of his very first disciples describe it.

Andy Stanley defines faith as believing that Jesus is who he says he is and that he’ll do all that he’s promised to do. So, to follow Jesus would be to daily, gladly submit to who him and walk in all that he’s promised to do.

• Question: Is following Jesus Christ life-giving for you?

  • Does it invigorate you?

  • Does it challenge you?

  • Does it bring you joy?

  • Or is it just a casual religious experience squeezed into your weekend long enough to assuage your guilt?

Nets

• From engineering to full-time ministry: My story (briefly)

• Do you still have your nets? I tossed mine last year.

I. Who’s “me”? (Outline eavily influenced by David Platt)

A. Matthew 1…me = Jesus; Jesus is…

1. Savior - The Lord saves; rescuer

2. Messiah - anointed one

3. Son of David - dynasty, king

4. Son of Abraham - covenant

B. Matt 2…Jesus is…

1. Sovereign over wise

2. Shepherd over weak

C. Matt 3…Jesus is…

1. Savior king

2. Righteous judge

3. Filled with spirit of God

4. Loved by the Father

D. Matt 4

1. New Adam who passed the test

2. True Israel who passed the test

3. Salvation = light of the world

4. Hope for the nations

E. Therefore, me is he and he is…

1. Worth far more than casual church attendance

2. Worth all allegiance from all people of all nations (Including me); it’s appropriate to surrender all to follow him

II. What does “Follow me” means?

A. Repent & Believe

1. Repent from your current way of thinking and going to the way of Christ

2. Believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God, and that he’s to be Lord (authority) of your life

3. By grace through faith (Eph 2:8-9)

B. Follow

1. More than just walking alongside of him

2. Following his…(Show Bullseye of becoming a Disciple; matrix by Mike Breen)

   1. Character (Ways)

   2. Competency or Example (Works)

3. Notice 2 sides of salvation: (Platt)

   1. God’s sovereign authority (all authority)

   2. Humanity’s (all nations) appropriate response (all allegiance)

4. Notice what they leave behind

   1. Family

   2. Friends

   3. Career

   4. Dreams

   5. Security

   6. Comforts

C. Go Fish! How?

1. Teach - in synagogues (insiders; Jews)

2. Proclaim - herald (outsiders; Gentiles)

3. Healing - miraculous healings and exorcisms validated his message & mission

D. Where? Around the corner and around the world—Where we live, work, learn and play.

Conclusion:

• Do you still have your nets? I cut mine loose last year.

• My story concl

• Come forward for prayer, healing, and surrender

My Other notes:

Outline: (by David Platt)

I. Me?

A. Jesus is (Matt 1)

1. Savior

2. Messiah/Christ - anointed one

3. Son of David - dynasty

4. Son of Abraham - covenant

B. Jesus is (Matt 2)

1. Sovereign over the wise

2. Shepherd over the weak

3. Deliverer - Inaugurates the new exodus

4. Restorer - ends the mournful exile

5. Loves his fiercest enemies

C. Jesus is (Matt 3)

1. Savior King

2. Righteous judge

3. Filled with the Spirit of God

4. Loved by the Father

D. Jesus is (Matt 4)

1. New Adam

2. True Israel

3. Light of the World

4. Hope for all people

E. Jesus is, therefore,

1. Worthy of far more than church attendance and casual observance

2. Worthy of total abandonment and supreme adoration

II. Follow

A. Live with radical abandonment for his glory.

1. We leave all things behind.

2. We live for one thing: honor the king.

B. Live with joyful dependence on his grace.

1. He takes the initiative to choose us.

2. He provides the power to use us.

3. He gets the glory through us.

C. Live with faithful adherence to his person.

1. We aren’t casual listeners.

2. We aren’t convinced listeners.

3. We are committed learners and disciples.

D. Live with total trust in his authority.

1. He is the master of every domain in our lives.

2. He is the Lord of every detail in our lives.

E. Live with urgent obedience to his mission.

1. Every follower of Jesus is a fisher of men.

2. Every disciple of Jesus is a disciple-makers.

3. This is an unconventional plan that demands an universal response.

III. Will you follow Jesus Christ?

A. Consider the cost of discipleship.

B. Consider the cost of non-discipleship.

References/Bibliography:

“Preaching the Word” Commentary, Douglas Sean O’Donnell, Edited by Kent Hughes

“Matthew” by RC Sproul

“The Bible Knowledge Commentary” by Walvoord, Zuck (BKC)

“The Bible Exposition Commentary” by Warren Wiersbe (BEC)

“Exalting Jesus in Matthew” by David Platt (CCE)

Outline Bible, D Willmington

NIV Study Bible (NIVSB)

ESV Study Bible

ESV Gospel Transformation Bible (GTB)

He’s Able. He’s Worthy. But Count the Cost | Matt 8:18-34

Bottom line: Because Jesus has absolute authority in the world and deserves absolute allegiance from the world, we trust, rest, submit to and rejoice in that authority. But we must count the cost. 

He’s Able. He’s Worthy. But Count the Cost | Matt 8:18-34

Darien Gabriel

I. Jesus has authority over disciples. (18-20) i.e. I trust Jesus no matter what.

    A. Jesus is worthy of unconditional trust, even if it means giving up earthly security and comforts. (Matt 8:18-20; parallel Luke 9:57-62)

“If you follow me, I’m all you’ve got.” -David Platt

• There’s a steep cost in following Jesus because he wants everything. (Time, talent, treasure, temple, testimony)

• Teacher of the law thinks he wants to follow Jesus. Instead of saying “fall-in”, Jesus discourages this by calling him to count the costs.

• Our security is in our home

  • security systems

  • watch dogs

  • locks

  • insurance

  • fences

• Jesus tells him he cannot even guarantee a roof over his head if he follows him. He may be homeless or a wanderer. 

• “If you follow me, I’m all you’ve got/“ -David Platt  Are you ready to embrace that?

• Jesus is worthy of our unconditional trust, even if it means giving up everything else. Why trust? Because he’s good. Therefore, I don’t need to look elsewhere for satisfaction.

Jennifer and Chears had to count the cost of buying a dog. (Vet bills, food, time, damage) We do too.

Application: Count the costs of following Jesus.

    B. Jesus is worthy of undivided affection, even if it means giving up easy access to our earthly relationships. (21-22)

• Disagreement over what is actually being requested here.

  • Does he want to give his deceased father a proper funeral, or

  • Does he want to wait until his living father dies and he gets his inheritance before agreeing to follow Jesus?

  • It doesn’t matter. The lesson is the same.

  • “Jesus’ response is direct, ‘Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.’” -Platt quoting Jesus

• Therefore, more important than honoring your father or collecting your inheritance (both of which matter) is following Jesus promptly and completely.

• Seeing Jesus as Sovereign authority in the world —> gladly surrendering total allegiance in life.

Jesus said, ““If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭14:26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

https://www.bible.com/111/luk.14.26.niv

JC Ryle quote, “Nothing, in fact, has done more to Christianity than the practice of filing ranks of Christs’ army with every volunteer who is willing to make a little profession.”

“Remember, Jesus is not begging for followers. He’s actually turning them away because he warrants unconditional trust and undivided affection from those who follow him. When Jesus speaks, leprosy, paralysis, and fever obey. The question is, ‘Do you obey?’” - Platt

"Just say the word, Lord” should be our mantra.

Count the costs.

II. Jesus has authority over demons. (Matt 8:28-34)

We have a picture of demons who 

1. Violently possess 2 men, and yet, are

2. Hate Jesus, and yet, are

3. Deathly afraid of Jesus

4. Are powerless to do anything without his permission

Satan on a leash 

“Satan can do nothing in the world, and nothing in your life, apart from the sovereign permission of God. Satan is (like) a lion (1 Peter 5:8), but he is a lion on a leash. And God holds the leash.”

Jennifer’s new Lab

Our daughter Jennifer got a new yellow lab. Even walking him as a gangly puppy quickly found him dragging her down the street as she tried to walk her undisciplined puppy. So she stopped taking him thinking he’s grow out of it and mature becoming more calm and obedient over time. Now she realizes that he’s still growing stronger (but not more disciplined because of lack of training) and so now he’ll only pull harder.

Satan is on a leash. 

God is holding the leash.

Neither demons nor Satan himself have all authority. Only Jesus does.

Remember 2 weeks ago we saw Jesus say 2 things to the 12 after he calmed the storm on the sea:

1. You of little faith? (Why do you doubt?)

2. Why are you so afraid?

In other words, why don’t you believe that I am God and in control having absolute authority in the world?

Dallas Willard said, “To believe something is to act as if it were true.”

Clearly, we have a gap between what we say we believe and what we actually believe. 

God can close your gap when you cooperate with him. 

When you place your unconditional trust and your undivided affections on Jesus, he transforms you to act as if you really do gladly and whole-heartedly submit to him. 

Faith

Our tendency to fear is why we must remember Jesus’ authority. 

Jesus is encouraging us to believe he is able and near.

Sometimes we believe in Jesus even less than the demons do!

What do I mean?

The half-brother of Jesus, James, writes to believers scattered all over the world, “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.” James 2:19

1. The demons have fear because of their belief. Why? Because they know Jesus is God and are therefore terrified of him. We see this in Scripture every time Jesus confronts them.

2. But we often fear because we don’t believe Jesus is God and has absolute authority. 

What if we believed with the confidence of the demons? (I get it, they’ve seen Jesus in the spiritual realm as he truly is now)

Conclusion

Jesus is the son of God (God incarnate) with all authority over disease, disaster, and demons. Nothing can touch us apart from his sovereign will and power. 

Therefore, we should and can be the most secure people on the planet. 

Our security isn’t based on our house, our good job, the strength/stability of the economy, or who is president. It’s based on believing we are in the hands of the One with all authority in this world.

He is great and able and willing to provide for us and protect us.

He is good and wants to provide and protect us...as we seek first his kingdom...(Matt 6:33)

Hear the demon’s questions (29)

“What do you have to do with us, son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?”

Their day of final judgment is coming. (25:41)

As believers, we look forward to the coming day of judgment. Why, you ask?

Because Jesus showed he also has authority over death. So as a believer of that trusty and follower of his way and life, I know my just and holy judgment fell on Jesus at the cross instead of on me. Therefore, I will live in mercy and not under his judgment.

You can too! This is our great hope in Christ!

We don’t like authority. But we should. We will never thrive apart from healthy authority. 

Bottom line: 

Because Jesus has absolute authority in the world and deserves absolute allegiance from the world, we trust, rest, submit to and rejoice in that authority. But we must count the cost. 

Coast Guard

The coast guard has a mission to defend the shoreline of our nation and to rescue people who’s lives are in jeopardy outside our shorelines. They have a chain of command with people in authority all the way up to the President, congress and Supreme Court. They function effectively to the extent that they respect the authorities over them.

The Church has a mission to defend the front lines of the kingdom of God (the Church IS the FOB). In addition, we rescue people far from God but close to us (physically, relationally, emotionally, experientially) under the authority of God through Jesus. 

We will function effectively to the extent that we respect and revere and follow the authority of Christ.

Application

1. Trust wholeheartedly in Jesus’ authority! (Put your full weight on the brake or chair)

2. Rest peacefully in Jesus’ authority! (Like Jesus sleeping in the boat in the storm sleep through the night no matter the storm)

3. Submit completely to Jesus’ authority! (Get off your hands and praise him as your Ultimate authority in life—Jesus is Lord of all!)

4. Rejoice gladly in Jesus’ authority! (Smile often)

Notes:

As revival scholar James Edwin Orr said, “The only proof of the new birth is the new life.” Or, in the words of Jacob (James), “someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18).