Summary
The sermon focuses on the cost of discipleship, drawing from Luke 14:25-35. The pastor emphasizes that following Jesus requires total surrender and commitment, potentially costing relationships, possessions, and even one’s life. He uses metaphors of buying a ‘one-way ticket’ and writing a ‘blank check’ to Jesus to illustrate the level of dedication required for true discipleship.
Intro Prayer
Lord Jesus, as we gather to discuss Your Word, we ask that You would open our hearts and minds to understand the true cost of following You. Help us to be honest with ourselves and each other as we examine what it means to be Your disciples. Guide our conversation and reveal to each person what You want them to learn today. Amen.
Ice Breaker
What’s the biggest sacrifice you’ve ever made for something you really wanted?
Key Verses
Luke 14:26
Luke 14:27
Luke 14:33
Philippians 3:7-8
Questions
What does Jesus mean when He says we must ‘hate’ our family to follow Him?
How do you interpret the metaphor of ‘carrying your cross’ in today’s context?
What areas of your life are hardest to surrender to Jesus?
How does the concept of ‘counting the cost’ apply to our faith journey today?
What does it mean to you personally to write a ‘blank check’ to Jesus?
How can we maintain our ‘saltiness’ as Christians in today’s world?
What are some modern examples of sacrificing everything to follow Jesus?
How can we support each other in living out this level of commitment to Christ?
Life Application
This week, identify one area of your life where you’ve been holding back from full surrender to Jesus. Commit to taking a specific step toward releasing control of that area to Him, and share your commitment with someone who can hold you accountable.
Key Takeaways
Following Jesus requires complete surrender and commitment
True discipleship may cost us relationships, possessions, and even our lives
We must count the cost before committing to follow Jesus
Surrendered Christians make the darkness shudder and salt the world
The rewards of following Jesus far outweigh any earthly sacrifices
Ending Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for showing us what true discipleship looks like. Give us the courage to surrender everything to You, knowing that You are worth any cost. Help us to be salt and light in this world, and strengthen us to follow You faithfully, no matter what sacrifices we may face. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
5 Day Devotional based on the March 30th Sermon
This daily devotional builds on the insights from last Sunday’s sermon, guiding us to deepen our faith and continue our spiritual journey.
Day 1: The Cost of Following
Devotional
Have you ever started something without fully understanding what you were getting into? Maybe it was a new job, a relationship, or even a hobby. Following Jesus is the most important commitment we’ll ever make, and He wants us to understand what it truly means. Unlike many things in life, Jesus is completely upfront about what following Him entails. He doesn’t sugar-coat the requirements or hide the difficulties. Instead, He lovingly invites us to count the cost before we begin our journey with Him. This honest approach shows His deep respect for our decision-making process and His desire for genuine, committed followers rather than casual believers.
Bible Verse
“Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he 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 14:25-26
Reflection Question
What areas of your life might Jesus be asking you to surrender that you haven’t fully considered before?
Quote
Jesus speaks clearly about the profound implications of following Him, emphasizing that while salvation is freely offered, genuine discipleship comes with substantial costs.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, give me the courage to honestly examine what following You means. Help me understand the cost and grant me the strength to choose You above all else. Amen.
Day 2: Writing a Blank Check
Devotional
Imagine being asked to sign a blank check. It requires complete trust in the person you’re giving it to. That’s exactly what Jesus asks of us – total surrender without knowing all the details in advance. This isn’t about reckless abandonment, but rather about trusting the One who knows us better than we know ourselves. When we write that spiritual blank check to God, we’re acknowledging that His plans for our lives are better than our own. It’s a declaration that we trust His wisdom more than our limited understanding.
Bible Verse
“I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.” – Philippians 3:7-8
Reflection Question
What’s holding you back from complete surrender to God’s will for your life?
Quote
Write a blank check to Jesus.
Prayer
Father, I surrender my plans, my dreams, and my future to You. Help me trust You with the blank check of my life, knowing You have my best interests at heart. Amen.
Day 3: No Plan B
Devotional
In our world of endless options and backup plans, the concept of complete commitment can feel foreign. Yet, that’s exactly what Jesus calls us to – a one-way journey with no backup plan. When we keep one foot in the world while trying to follow Christ, we limit our experience of His transformative power. True discipleship means burning the bridges to our old life, not because we have to, but because we’ve found something far better. It’s like discovering a treasure so valuable that everything else loses its appeal.
Bible Verse
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16
Reflection Question
What ‘backup plans’ are you holding onto that might be preventing you from fully experiencing God’s best for your life?
Quote
Buying a one way ticket means that we leave ourselves no options.
Prayer
Dear God, help me trust You enough to let go of my backup plans. Give me the courage to follow You wholeheartedly, knowing You are all I need. Amen.
Day 4: Living Water
Devotional
We often try to quench our spiritual thirst with temporary satisfactions – success, relationships, achievements. But these wells always run dry, leaving us thirstier than before. Jesus offers something different – living water that truly satisfies. This isn’t just about future promises; it’s about experiencing His fulfilling presence right now. When we fully surrender to Him, we discover a satisfaction that transcends circumstances and a peace that surpasses understanding.
Bible Verse
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.” – John 17:20-21
Reflection Question
What worldly ‘wells’ have you been drinking from that leave you spiritually thirsty?
Quote
If you drink of him, you’ll never thirst again.
Prayer
Jesus, thank You for being the living water that truly satisfies. Help me stop seeking fulfillment in temporary things and find my satisfaction in You alone. Amen.
Day 5: Transformative Power
Devotional
When we fully surrender to Jesus, something remarkable happens – we become agents of transformation in the world. Like salt that enhances flavor and preserves, surrendered believers make a tangible difference in their surroundings. This isn’t about perfect performance but about consistent influence. Through our complete surrender, God’s power flows unhindered, making an impact that extends far beyond our natural abilities. Our lives become living testimonies of His transformative power.
Bible Verse
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” – Acts 2:42
Reflection Question
How might your full surrender to Christ impact those around you in ways you haven’t considered?
Quote
Surrendered Christians make the darkness shudder and they salt the world.
Prayer
Lord, use my surrendered life to make a difference in this world. Help me be salt and light wherever You place me, bringing Your transformative power to others. Amen.
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