Some of the years 12s from our youth community recently enjoyed a week of schoolies in Forster. It included chilling, time in the bible and serving the local community. You can read a little bit about our Schoolies trip in the latest issue of Sydney Anglican’s Southern Cross magazine. This is the second year of Soulies partnering with Coast Evangelical Church. It was encouraging seeing the crew getting alongside the locals, I love seeing year 12s seeking to be a blessing to the community rather than a burden like so many other schoolies trips.
I preached at the church on Luke 14:25-35. Here is the MP3:
Dave Miers Sermon on Luke 14:25-35 CAN YOU AFFORD NOT TO FOLLOW JESUS (right click etc to download)
Here is the structure:
Jumping on the bandwagon
Context (Luke 14:25,35)
1) What does it mean to truly be one of Jesus’ followers?
a) Hate your family (Luke 14:26)
b) Carry your cross (Luke 14:27)
2) Consider the cost of following Jesus:
a) Can you afford to follow Jesus? (Luke 14:28-30)
b) Can you afford NOT to follow Jesus? (Luke 14:31-33)
He is worth it!
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See below for extended summary of sermon:
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Jesus had lots of fans. Crowds of people would tag along on His road trips. While many were fans, not many were necessarily friends.
In Luke 14:25-27 Jesus spells out what it will mean to move from being a fan to a friend.
Hate your family, hate your life. Possible not what they were expecting! It might seem extreme, however Jesus is basically saying that following Jesus comes first. A follower of Jesus has Jesus as number 1. Christians are those whose total allegiance is to Christ.
He also says that his followers need to “carry their cross”. 21st Century people are desensitized to the shock of crucifixion. We’ve turned the cross into a religious symbol reserved for tattoos, buildings, jewelry and bible covers! But in the first century people knew what it meant to “carry your cross”. Crucifixion was a form of execution reserved for the lowest of low criminals. To carry your cross meant you were on the way to crucifixion. Following Jesus involves dying. Dying to self, dying to this world and radically following Jesus.
Jesus gives two examples to help the crowds consider the cost of following Jesus.
The first example (Luke 14:28-30) is of a building project. The builder needs to sit down and calculate whether they will be able to complete the project. Following Jesus will cost you. A lot. The question: CAN YOU AFFORD TO FOLLOW JESUS?
The second example (Luke 14:31-33) is of a king considering war against another king. When he realises that he has half the troops of the other king, it would be foolish to fight! Instead he sends an envoy ahead to make peace an surrenders to the other king. Following Jesus involves surrender to Jesus. Now. The question: CAN YOU AFFORD TO NOT FOLLOW JESUS?