THE COMMITMENT OF A DISCIPLE

LUKE 9:57-62

SIGNS OF REDUCED COMMITMENT

• ABOUT HALF OF ALL NEW MARRIAGES END IN DIVORCE.

• MORE PEOPLE ARE CHOOSING TO LIVE TOGETHER.

• ADULTS FEEL THAT THEY HAVE FEWER CLOSE FRIENDS.

• BRAND LOYALTY IN CONSUMER PURCHASING STUDIES HAS DROPPED IN MOST PRODUCT CATEGORIES.

• THE PROPORTION OF PEOPLE WILLING TO JOIN AN ORGANIZATION IS DECLINING.

SIGNS OF REDUCED COMMITMENT

• BOOK CLUBS AND RECORD CLUBS ARE LESS LIKELY TO ATTRACT NEW MEMBERS.

• THE PERCENTAGE OF ADULTS WHO SENSE A DUTY TO FIGHT FOR THEIR COUNTRY HAS DROPPED.

• THE PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE WHO COMMIT TO ATTEND EVENTS BUT FAIL TO SHOW IS ON THE RISE.

57 AS THEY WERE TRAVELING ON THE ROAD SOMEONE SAID TO HIM, “I WILL FOLLOW YOU WHEREVER YOU GO!” 58 JESUS TOLD HIM, “FOXES HAVE DENS, AND BIRDS OF THE

SKY HAVE NESTS, BUT THE SON OF MAN HAS NO PLACE TO LAY HIS HEAD.”

Luke 9:57-58

59 THEN HE SAID TO ANOTHER, “FOLLOW ME.” “LORD,” HE SAID, “FIRST LET ME GO BURY MY FATHER.” 60 BUT HE TOLD HIM, “LET THE DEAD BURY THEIR OWN

DEAD, BUT YOU GO AND SPREAD THE NEWS OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD.”

Luke 9:59-60

61 ANOTHER ALSO SAID, “I WILL FOLLOW YOU, LORD, BUT FIRST LET ME GO AND SAY GOOD-BYE TO THOSE AT MY HOUSE.” 62 BUT JESUS SAID TO HIM, “NO ONE WHO PUTS

HIS HAND TO THE PLOW AND LOOKS BACK IS FIT FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD.”

Luke 9:61-62

THE COMMITMENT OF A DISCIPLE

LUKE 9:57-62

COMMITTED BUT CAREFUL—DECLARED ALIGNMENT (VS.

57-58)• ANY COMMITMENT IN WORDS CALLS FOR FURTHER EXAMINATION.

• JESUS TOLD THE MAN TO COUNT THE COST.

• WE HAVE MANY WHO HAVE DECLARED ALIGNMENT TO JESUS; WE HAVE FEW WHO FOLLOWED THROUGH WITH DISCIPLESHIP.

COMMITTED BY CONFOUNDED—DIVIDED

ATTENTION (VS. 59-60)• HERE JESUS INITIATES THE ACTION.• FOR A JEW THIS WAS A RELIGIOUS

DUTY HAVING PRECEDENCE OVER EVERYTHING ELSE.

• JESUS DEMANDS AN ALLEGIANCE TRANSCENDING EVEN THIS GREATEST OF OBLIGATIONS OR A JEWISH CHILD.

COMMITTED BY CONFOUNDED—DIVIDED

ATTENTION (VS. 59-60)• COMMITMENT TO JESUS TAKES PRECEDENCE OVER ALL COMMITMENTS.

• WHEN JESUS CALLS YOU ARE TO RESPOND.

COMMITTED BUT CONFLICTED—DOUBLE

ALLEGIANCE (VS. 61-62)• ANOTHER MAN DECLARED, "I WILL NOT BE LONG.”

• JESUS AGAIN SAYS, COME! FOLLOW! NOW!

• ONCE WE START TO FOLLOW JESUS WE MUST NEVER LOOK BACK.

• JESUS WARNED HIS FOLLOWERS THAT WHEN HE RETURNED TO EARTH HE WOULD BE COMING SUDDENLY AND THEY SHOULD BE READY.