What Is Jesus Worth To You?

Opening Question: WHAT IS JESUS WORTH TO YOU?

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.

• Why the contrast from our counterparts around the world and their level of sacrifice and commitment versus ours?

• Is not our calling the same?

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."

• When you think of the title (The Cost of Following Jesus) what comes to mind when you think of the word cost?

Vs. 57-58 We find a man willing to follow Jesus, who is coming to Jesus to follow him and Jesus lays a challegne before him and details the cost of following him.

• 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?

Vs. 59-60 Here we find another example of what Jesus expects from his followers.

• 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?
• Isn't our responsibility to honor the dead a good enough excuse to delay our calling?

Jesus wants 100% devotion to him and him alone. There is nothing that should come between our relationship with God and doing what God wants us to do with our lives.

Vs. 61-62 Again Jesus challenges the very things that come most dear to us! Jesus even wants to be priority over our family.

• 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?

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! God demands complete sacrifice and devotion to him. We must serve him and serve him alone! The amazing thing about making Jesus lord of your life is that, when you do, it produces blessings in our lives. It produces strong families and calls us to take care of our responsibilities. Give your heart to Jesus and the rest will take care of it's self!