What Is Jesus Worth To You Part Two

Opening Question: What is Jesus Worth to you? Has it change over time good or bad? Why?

To a christian in Asia, the middle east or central Africa Jesus is worth their lives, homes, land, property and families! To meet as a body or simply profess Christianity in many parts of the world is to put your life and the lives of your family in great danger. These christian travel hours even days to meet in secret and worship in secret and yet they are filled with joy and they continue to share the gospel of Christ to family, neighbors and co workers despite the threats and dangers of doing so! These Christians faithfully sacrifice all that they have for Christ.

Typically in America Jesus is worth a weekly tithe, Church attendance once maybe twice a week, a daily prayer, a huge church building and possibly more.

What a contrast from a day in the life of a christian in Asia versus a typical day in the life of a Christian in America.

• Why the difference?
• Is it just because we have freedom and they don't?
• Shouldn't our commitment and level of sacrifice be the same?
• Where we not all called to the same calling?
  

In many ways we have settled in our Christianity for just living good lives and being good Christians.

Let's take a look at a few people that wanted to follow Jesus and lets see what he called them to do.

Luke 9:57-62

The Cost of Following Jesus

 57 As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go."

 58 Jesus replied, "Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."

 59 He said to another man, "Follow me."

   But he replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."

 60 Jesus said to him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God."

 61 Still another said, "I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family."

 62 Jesus replied, "No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God."

Starting with the first man:

• What do you think Jesus is asking of this man and us?
• Do you feel that this is unnecessary or too demanding of Jesus? Why?
• What does Jesus mean when he says the son of man has no place to lay his head?
• Our security should not come from worldly possessions.
• Even the very roof over our heads should not come between us and a relationship with Jesus.

The second man:

• What do you think Jesus is asking of this man and us?

• Do you feel that this is unnecessary or too demanding of Jesus? Why?

A lot of times we want to clear up something or attend to different things in our lives first. We want to know what we are going to run into or face, so we want to prepare our selves first before we give our heart and time to God.

• What does Jesus want us to do in those situations?

The third man:

• What do you think Jesus is asking of this man and us?

• Do you feel that this is unnecessary or too demanding of Jesus? Why?

Jesus is basicly saying that no one who has not yet shut the door, sealed the hatch, latched the bolt and thrown away the key is fit to serve God!

Jesus wants 100% devotion!

• What changes do you see in your heart that you need to make?
• Are there any areas of your life that you need to re-commit to Jesus?

Matthew 11:28-30

28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."