2020 | Keys to Success

From the Desk of the Pastor

In person worship Services continue to be temporarily cancelled as we abide by the policies of the State and local authorities.  We will begin to work on a plan for the church reopening which hope to lessen the likelihood of exposure during services.

We will begin to meet and with careful consideration based on all factors and only reopen after we make necessary preparations and set up church guidelines, establish cleaning procedures and set up safe practices for in person worship services.. We need to be clear that whatever practices we make will not eliminate the virus. Please feel free to contact me as I would like to hear your thoughts on reopening.

Please note that on the Holy Light MBC Facebook account there is a live service at 9:00am every Sunday morning.

Finally what can we do as a body of Christ during this time that we are experiencing this physical distancing from each other.

• Continue Reaching Out to One Another – Calls, Emails, texting messages

• Continue praying for one another

• Certainly an Opportune Time to Read Scripture and Christian literature

MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU!! BE SAFE!  BE WELL!

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 Sermon on Proverbs 3:5-6 | God’s Keys to Success

God doesn’t measure success like we do. We know that God looks at things quite a bit differently than we do. “The LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7). “‘My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the LORD” (Is. 55:8).

There are various ways we measure success. A student who gets straight “A’s” is deemed a success but isn’t success really in how much he learns.. The more money an athlete earns the more successful he is, but isn’t performance really indicative of success  in how well he plays. The more well-known an actor is, the more successful he is, but is acting performance is really how he performs.

Rely Upon God

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart.” The phrase “Trust in the LORD” occurs some 180 times in the Old Testament; therefore, we know it’s an important part of God’s success formula. The Hebrew word for trust expresses that sense of well-being and security which results from having something or someone in whom to place confidence. Trust pins one faith on. In the Old Testament, the reason one could have such confidence in God was the Lord’s faithfulness and trustworthiness. “Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that he promised. There has not failed one word of all his good promise, which He promised through His servant Moses” (1 Ki. 8:56). “Your mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds” (Ps. 36:5). The idea in God’s faithfulness is that God keeps his promises. Notice what Solomon said in his prayer of dedication at the temple – “There has not failed on word of his good promise.” We can place our confidence in God, because God does not change. He is not going to be here for us one minute and forget about us the next. He is constant in his love, in his concern, in his watchfulness. “He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you”‘ (Heb. 13:5). We are to trust in the Lord with all of our heart. This confidence we are to have in God should be whole-hearted. If we do not trust in God with our whole heart, we really do not trust in him at all. If we just place part of our confidence in God, we will try to solve all of our problems ourselves, instead of allowing God to play his role. We and God cannot both be in the driver’s seat of our lives – there’s room for only one there. God cannot measure success that way. Financial strength is not a measure of success – “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mk. 8:36). Fame and popularity are not a measure of success – “The world is passing away” (1 Jn. 2:17). Doing his will is what God considers successful – “He who does the will of God abides forever” (1 Jn. 2:17). Why wouldn’t we want God to be in the driver’s seat of our lives? He is the one who knows what the future holds. He is the one who truly understands what it in our best interest.

Read the Word of God

“Lean not on your own understanding.” “Understanding” refers to insight, prudence, and intelligence.

Human wisdom and understanding cannot be the standard by which we live, for human wisdom is so often faulty. “It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jer. 10:23). “We were born yesterday, and know nothing, Because our days on earth are a shadow” (Job 8:9). There is so much that man does not know – How does the sun operate? What were the dinosaurs like? What is the surface of Jupiter like?

Because man does not know much, he needs guidance, and God gives the guidance man needs in Scripture. Solomon tells us here not to lean on our own understanding. How can we do that if it’s not through reading/studying Scripture?

The Bible provides God’s guidance for life. “I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Your testimonies are my meditation” (Ps. 119:99). “Through Your precepts I get understanding” (Ps. 119:104). “The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple” (Ps. 119:130).

If we want answers to the questions of life, we need to look no further than the Bible. In the Bible, we have everything we need to know about how to live lives acceptable to God – “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Pet. 1:3). There is nothing that we absolutely need to know that the Bible does not tell us.

It’s better to invest fifteen dollars in a Bible now than twenty-five dollars an hour for a psychiatrist later.”

Are you leaning on your own understanding or are you studying the Bible to obtain God’s understanding?

Recognize the Hand of God

“In all your ways acknowledge him.”

We are to acknowledge the God’s work in our lives. God works in our lives through providence. The idea in providence is that God works in our lives through non-supernatural means. Although this idea is not well-explained in the Scriptures, the Scriptures do point to this idea. “He makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust'” (Matt. 5:45). “He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14:17).

God works in our lives today through providence. “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God” (Rom. 8:28). The best example of providence in the Bible is the case of Joseph who was sold as a slave into Egypt but ended up saving his family from extinction – “It was not you who sent me here, but God” (Gen. 45:8).

We need to recognize the hand of God, the providence of God, at work in our lives. When things are not going the way we want them to, we may not see the hand of God, we may not know what God has in store for us. It’s after the fact that we can look back and say, “God had a hand in that.” If we recognize God’s providence at work in our lives, we’ll have reason to hope, rejoice when things aren’t going as we planned. We’ll have something to look forward to, because we know that God will work everything out.

Do you recognize the hand of God in your life?

Conclusion

God wants us to be successful. He doesn’t care about our being successful in the ways of the world, but he cares about our being successful in the way he views success. If you want to be successful God has some benefits. The bible calls it God’s favor.. 1. Favor is greater than material wealth. Proverbs 22:1 – "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, Loving favor rather than silver and gold." 2. Favor is stronger than military power. Psalm 5:12 – “For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield.” 3. Favor releases from bondage. Psalm 85:1 – “Lord, You have been favorable to Your land; You have brought back the captivity of Jacob.” 4. Spiritual wisdom leads to favor. Proverbs 14:35 – “The king’s favor is toward a wise servant, But his wrath is against him who causes shame.” 5. Doing what is right brings favor. 1 Peter 2:20 – “For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.” 6. Favor breaks the power of shame and disgrace. Luke 1:28-30 – “And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” 7. Favor brings supernatural increase and promotion. Genesis 39:21 – “But, the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.” 8. Favor will give honor in the midst of adversaries. Exodus 11:3 – “And the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants and in the sight of the people.” 9. Favor brings prominence and preferential treatment. Esther 2:17 – “The king loved Esther more than all the other women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.” 10. Favor brings recognition even when you seem the least likely to receive it. 1 Samuel 16:22 – “Then Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Please let David stand before me, for he has found favor in my sight.” HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT!!

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SUNDAY SCHOOL PUZZLE

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CENSUS RESPONSE

I was contacted by the census specialist, please see below and if you haven’t responded please do so as it is important for our community

As I mentioned in the initial email, the response rate in the area where your church is located is below the State’s and county’s average.

We need to reach as many more households as possible so that these areas don’t miss out on their portion of the 675 billion dollars of yearly federal funding.

The response rate in your area as of 5/20/20 is only 43.4% (Final 2010 Self-Response was 56.2%) while the national average is 59.8% (74%), California 61% (68.2%), LA County 56.2% (69%), LA City is 49.6% (68%). 

That’s why we need your help as a Census partner to encourage your community members to self-respond to 2020 Census.

We would like to take this opportunity to ask you to remind your members of multiple ways to self-respond to 2020 Census.

There are three ways that people can participate in the Census :

• Online at www.2020Census.gov

• Toll-free number

• English, 844.330.2020

• Spanish, 844.468.2020

• Other language lines are available.

• Return paper questionnaire (a small number of households will receive a paper form)  

2020 | Don't Miss Your Blessing

From the Desk of the Pastor

In Person Worship Services continue to be temporarily cancelled as we abide by the policies of the State and local authorities. The Governor said this week that churches could open once a plan for reopening is put in place. The guidelines include attendance at worship services to not exceed 25% of capacity, safe distancing plan and also a plan for church reopening.

I look forward to our beginning to return to in person worship. However Jesus said to his disciples in Matthew 26:41 as he knew the time was coming for his assignment at Calvary. Jesus told his disciples “Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation, the spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak” Pastors and leaders must make decisions after watching and then praying, The scripture does not say watch or pray.

As we watch, we see the pandemic is a serious health situation and specifically in our community the percentages of cases and deaths are greater in our community. We see that those who have current health conditions are most vulnerable and those over 65 are most vulnerable. We watch and listen to the health care professionals and consider strongly their advice. After watching then we as Christians pray. We pray because in Luke 18:1, Men ought always to pray and not faint.  I Thessalonians 5:17 – Pray without ceasing.

The President doesn’t realize that the church is not a building. Yes we shouldn’t forsake the assembling of ourselves, Hebrews 10:25 but we the ecclesia (the called out ones) can still lift him up in our homes, in our cars and in our families.

We will begin to meet and with careful consideration based on all factors only reopen after we make necessary preparations and set up church guidelines, establish cleaning procedures and set up safe practices for in person worship services. We need to be clear that whatever practices we make will not eliminate the virus. Please feel free to contact me as I would like to hear your thoughts on reopening.

There is another virus that is the virus of racism. This resurgence of racism is a problem in our land. Prayers to the families of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor who have to face. Unfortunately racism is part of the DNA of this country.

Finally what can we do as a body of Christ during this time that we are experiencing this physical distancing from each other.

• Continue Reaching Out to One Another – Calls, Emails, texting messages

• Continue praying for one another

• Certainly an Opportune Time to Read Scripture and Christian literature

MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU!! BE SAFE!  BE WELL!

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Don’t Miss Your Blessing Luke 10:38-42

Lk 10:38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. Lk 10:39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. Lk 10:40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” Lk 10:41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, Lk 10:42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” John 10:10 I came that you might have life and have it more abundantly The Christian life is a marvelous adventure, an exciting journey. Many people-including Christians-seem to be content to float in a sea of mediocrity, settling for second best. Do you want the abundant life that Jesus promised?

Devoted or Distracted?

Here before us today is another account that has only been preserved for us by Luke.  This is the encounter Jesus has with Mary and Martha.

This text is all about welcoming a guest.  It’s about hospitality.  Under normal circumstances, Martha’s acts would be correct and Mary’s would be wrong.  Here, however, the scene is much different.  The guest reclining in their home is not a normal visitor but the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  The Visitor has Word of eternal life.  The Words Jesus shares with this household are the Words of the Gospel, the Kingdom, and discipleship.

Mary, not Martha gives Jesus the welcome He seeks by listening to His teaching.  Jesus is concerned with genuine hearing of the Word.  The Lawyer in our account last week heard what Jesus said but did not really hear.  Mary, on the other hand, gives Jesus her undivided attention…she is hearing like Jesus desires.

Notice as I read, the difference between distracted sinful Martha and Mary who is on the edge of her seat as she listens to every Word Jesus has to say.  Also notice that in her distractedness, she becomes agitated because her sister is not concerned with the things she is anxious about.

This is God’s Word…

1. Mary’s Devotion

Fixed On Jesus

We have an example of a young lady who is the picture of discipleship.  Here devotion to Jesus is seen very clearly as we’re told she was sitting at the feet of Jesus listening to His teaching.  Her attention was fixed on Christ and His every Word.  The words of Jesus had captivated her and it was as if she was transported to another world.  The cares of this life had left and all she was focused on was the teaching of Jesus.

We’re not told what He taught about…perhaps He was in the midst of explaining the Gospel to her.  He may have been describing experiences and sharing their meaning.  He, might have been instructing her as to how to be a better follower.  Whatever Jesus was saying to Mary, she was glued to His every Word.

Faithful to his Word

Her posture is important.  Luke tells us she was sitting at the feet of Jesus.  This is an ancient tradition that a student or disciple would sit at the feet of the One with authority.  So her posture shows that she was the student and He was the Master Teacher.  She was submissive to His authority.  The Bible says, she sat and listened.  She was one of the ones who was really hearing His Words.  She was taking them in and pondering their meaning for her.  She was a true disciple.

Do you sense the peace in Mary’s heart?  She is calm and content to listen to and be with Her Lord.  The time she is spending with Jesus is more important to her than anything else.

2. Martha’s Distraction

Mary is at peace listening to Christ but Martha is distracted, literally, Martha’s mind is pulled in every direction - Martha’s mind is caught up in superficial things.  It’s entangled in the business of the hour.  She is anxious and troubled.

These were sinful distractions.  That’s something most people overlook.  Martha was not just doing something good at the expense of something better she was flat out not putting Jesus first.  These distractions caused her to be anxious and troubled.

Phil 4:6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Mt 6:34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

We all have a little Martha in us that we need to root out.  What are the things that you get entangled in at the cost of something crucial?  Martha’s priorities were wrong.  She was not at peace.  She is serving while Jesus is sharing the Gospel.

Is your mind caught up and entangled with things that at the end of the day, really don’t matter much?

Martha’s mind was stuck in this world and all her responsibilities while Mary’s thinking was in the other kingdom.  Martha was stuck in sinful anxiety while Mary was at peace.

I want to show you what the sin of being distracted does to us.  Notice again Mary’s posture and what Luke says… sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching.

Mary is submissive.

Distractions cause us to lose our interest and ability to submit to Christ’s teaching.  Martha was so busy and so missing the point that rather than submitting to the authority of Jesus, she barges in and tries to tell Him what to do… And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” Can you believe that Martha would be so arrogant as to tell Jesus what to do?  She is not submissive.  What is it that is so important that Martha would interrupt Jesus right in the middle of His teaching?

We can become consumed with things that really simply don’t matter.  What is distracting you from sitting at the feet of Jesus and listening to His Word?

The best place to do this is in the local church on Sunday mornings.  Are you distracted when you come to worship?  Do you arrive early anticipating what the Lord will reveal to us or do you just barely make it?  Are you often late?  Do you leave right after because you have some pressing distraction?  What about time to spend alone with the Lord in prayer and Bible study?  Do you struggle to find time?

What’s the answer to the sin of distractions?

Sit down and do some soul searching and make a list of priorities.  It may be that you should give up some things…maybe a lot of things.  Are you so busy, you can’t serve the Lord in the local church?

We must understand that distractions are sin and therefore, the answer is to repent and make changes.

One indication of distractions in your life is that you don’t submit to the Word of God.  You’re too busy to submit.  You’re too busy doing everything that you believe that if something is going to get done, you must do it.

What Martha was really telling Jesus was to be quiet until the important things are finished and then after they are done He could teach.

Jesus was more concerned for Martha’s soul than anything else…

Where was Martha’s heart?  Was it on the things of God or the things of earth?  Where is your heart?

Anxiety is produced when we care too much about the wrong things.  Anxiety is a good indicator that something is wrong.  You can take a pill to lessen it and make it more bearable but anxiety is speaking to you about the condition of your soul.  Jesus was lovingly telling Martha that something was very wrong with her thinking and her soul.  Jesus is expressing disapproval and grave concern.

There were more important things at the moment than an elaborate meal.  Martha was missing the Gospel.  Her mind was literally thinking about everything except what it should have been thinking about.

3. Mary’s Good Portion

Martha was troubled about many things…only one thing is important.  Christ’s Word.  Listening and submitting to the Word of God is the good portion that will not be taken away.

Can there be anything more important than complete and undistracted attention to Jesus Christ?

Mary was listening to His Word and becoming a disciple.

Perhaps Martha’s heart was opened as she realized that the things she had been doing were trivial compared to listening to the words of Christ.  The Bible doesn’t say but something changed in Martha’s heart at some point.  Her treasure was changed from earthly things to heavenly things.  At some point she got it and everything clicked.

Is our life full of distractions?  Do you find yourself anxious and troubled?  Allow those emotions to point to the fact that something needs to be different.  Let the superficial go and grab hold of the eternal.  Be devoted to Christ and not distracted from Christ.  Martha did it and so can you…

HOLD TO GOD'S UNCHANGING HANDS

Time is filled with swift transition

Naught of earth unmoved can stand

Build your hopes on things eternal

Hold to God's unchanging hand

Hold (to his hand) to God's unchanging hand

Hold (to his hand) to God's unchanging hand

Build your hopes on things eternal

Hold to God's unchanging hand

Trust in Him who will not leave you

Whatsoever years may bring

If by earthly friends forsaken

Still more closely to Him cling

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CENSUS RESPONSE

I was contacted by the census specialist, Please see below and if you haven’t responded please do so as it is important for our community

As I mentioned in the initial email, the response rate in the area where your church is located is below the State’s and county’s average.

We need to reach as many more households as possible so that these areas don’t miss out on their portion of the 675 billion dollars of yearly federal funding.

The response rate in your area as of 5/20/20 is only 43.4% (Final 2010 Self-Response was 56.2%) while the national average is 59.8% (74%), California 61% (68.2%), LA County 56.2% (69%), LA City is 49.6% (68%). 

That’s why we need your help as a Census partner to encourage your community members to self-respond to 2020 Census.

We would like to take this opportunity to ask you to remind your members of multiple ways to self-respond to 2020 Census.

There are three ways that people can participate in the Census :

• Online at www.2020Census.gov

• Toll-free number

• English, 844.330.2020

• Spanish, 844.468.2020

• Other language lines are available.

• Return paper questionnaire (a small number of households will receive a paper form)  

2020 | Cost of Discipleship

From the Desk of the Pastor

In person worship Services continue to be temporarily cancelled as we abide by the policies of the State and local authorities. The county order has been extended and we will need to monitor for updates. Please continue to listen to the health officials that are providing information.

On Friday the president stated that the church was essential and in person worship should begin on this Sunday. I appreciate the President declaring correctly that the church is essential but unfortunately his declaration was based on a political agenda. I look forward to our beginning to return to in person worship. However Jesus said to his disciples in Matthew 26:41 as he knew the time was coming for his assignment at Calvary. Jesus told his disciples “Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation, the spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak”. Pastors and leaders must make decisions after watching and then praying, The scripture does not say watch or pray.

As we watch we see the pandemic is a serious health situation and specifically in our community the percentages of cases and deaths are greater in our community. We watch to see that those who have current health conditions are most vulnerable and those over 65 are most vulnerable. We watch and listen to the health care professionals and consider strongly their advice. After watching then we as Christians pray. We pray because in Luke 18:1, Men ought always to pray and not faint.  I Thessalonians 5:17 – Pray without ceasing.

The President doesn’t realize that the church is not a building. Yes we shouldn’t forsake the assembling of ourselves, Hebrews 10:25 but we the ecclesia (the called out ones) can still lift him up in our homes, in our cars and in our families.

We look forward to meeting again but until we will continue to watch and see what our Governor and mayor lay out for churches this week and we as a local house of worship will make our plans accordingly

Please note that on theHoly Light MBC Facebook account there is a recording of the services and we plan to record services and have facebook live services at approximately 9:00am each Sunday in May and June. Video weekly Messages are available on the church website.

The message from Shiloh in March 2020 for Pastor Armstrong’s anniversary is also on the website.

Please keep Catherine Byrdsong and family up in prayer. Her husband Deacon Martin Byrdsong was funeralized this week. They were faithful members of our church for many years. Also keep our own Deacon Alex Spears, Green & Sister Geneva and Sister Bertha Roper in your prayers.

Finally what can we do as a body of Christ during this time that we are experiencing this physical distancing from each other.

• Continue Reaching Out to One Another – Calls, Emails, texting messages

• Continue praying for one another

• Certainly an Opportune Time to Read Scripture and Christian literature

Feel free to reach out to me:  (323) 493-2066 or at holylightmbc@gmail.com

MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU!! BE SAFE!  BE WELL!

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Watch This Week's Sermon

(Recorded on 05/24/2020)

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Counting the Cost of Discipleship Luke 9:57-62

So far in the ministry of Jesus on earth things have gone pretty well. He has travelled and healed, worked miracles, and been able to teach and preach the message of the Kingdom of God. The Bible tells us that He was limited in where He could go because the crowd was always there, always wanting more. The crowd and His disciples followed Him wherever He went.

Jesus also knows that the tide is about to turn. From here on out being a follower is going to require an unprecedented amount of loyalty and sacrifice. Being a disciple will have an extreme amount of cost for the would-be follower. Jesus has never painted a rosy picture for His disciples but has told them the truth about their commitment to Him. He continues, in this text, to share with them what they are about to get into. He’s not trying to discourage them from following, but He does want them to know up front what the cost will be. He wants everyone on the same page as far as requirements of discipleship.  He isn’t trying to make following Him sound like a walk in the park. Do you know what the cost is? Have you considered the cost? We live in a day when Christianity is often viewed as something that will make you feel better about yourself. It’s as if its some sort of therapy for your self-esteem.  Many people want to go to church so they feel better about themselves. We also live in a day when the church is to open its doors to any and everybody.  In today’s world we are to be seeker friendly and water down the gospel so as not to be offensive. Pastors and church leaders will come up with various schemes to try and make the church more appealing to lost people so that the lost will want to come and enjoy themselves with everyone else…is this loving? Is it loving to manipulate and sell someone something? Is it loving to sugar coat sin and the requirements of Christ so that they will be easier to swallow? Jesus didn’t. I think it’s time the church started acting like the Lord in terms of being the true church and not some social club. It’s time we start examining the Scriptures to see even what we are to be about and to do. It’s time pastors and church leaders stop trying to sell people a bill of goods simply to stroke their own egos. It’s time we start looking at Christianity not as the title to a social group but the name of followers of Christ. Jesus gives us a reality check here in this passage. Here again are His terms of discipleship. In our text today, we are going to see some misunderstandings concerning following Christ.

1. Being a Christian Requires Switching Kingdoms (9:57-58)

57 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”

58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”

Our text begins with a man who approaches Jesus with a statement about being one of His followers…I will follow you wherever you go.

This man’s desire is admiral. This desire exceeds the trivial ideas of being a follower of Christ today. This man had some level of commitment and interest in being a disciple.

Jesus does not want anyone to come to Him and be a disciple under false pretenses. Jesus is truthful and wants everyone to understand what they’re getting into before they sign up.

So He tells this man that following Him will require significant commitment and struggle. Jesus says that the wild animals in the woods have dens and nests. He on the other hand doesn’t have a home or even a place to lay His head. Jesus’ point to this man is that if you want to follow Me, don’t think your physical life is going to improve. Don’t think comfort is awaiting you.

He wasn’t discouraging this man, but telling him the truth. Jesus was causing this man to consider the fact that following Him would require commitment and cost.

Lk 18:18 And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Lk 18:19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.

Lk 18:20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.'”

Lk 18:21 And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.”

Lk 18:22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack.

Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

Lk 18:23 But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich.  

This ruler’s stuff was more important to him. The rulers stuff and possessions had him. than Jesus having him, so he was denied permission to inherit eternal life.

Understand that following Christ as a disciple will cost you some of your material goods. Jesus probably will not ask us to sell our homes, or give all our possessions away. He will ask us to give away some. Are you willing to be a Christian under these circumstances?

2. Being a Christian Requires Switching Loyalties (9:59-62)

59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”

60 And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.”

62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Next, we read about two individuals that were asked by Jesus to follow Him.  Remember when Jesus called His original disciples? He looked and Peter, James, John and the others and said, come follow Me. The Bible tells us that immediately they dropped everything and became followers. Their loyalties were different.  Their loyalties were still being conformed to Christ along the way.

Here we see two people who have conditions on following Christ. They are not going to chase hard after Jesus but are going to on their timetables and in their way…so they think.

Both would-be followers on the surface seem to have a good reason to delay their discipleship.  Jesus shows them and us that He must take priority over all things…even things that are good.

Now to bury one’s father seems like a legitimate reason to delay following Jesus.   scholars say, his father wasn’t dead but elderly and what his request really was about was to go home and care for his father until he died and was buried and then he would follow Jesus.

As far as the second person is concerned, it was a seemingly understandable request to desire to go home and say your goodbyes

Why did Jesus deny these requests?

I believe these were real requests. I believe the man desired to go and care for his father and the other desired to go and say goodbye.

I think we’re told why their discipleship could not be delayed…

Lk 9:51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.

Notice, the days were drawing near for the crucifixion. This would be after the resurrection when Jesus would go back to heaven. Jesus had a divine schedule to keep. He had to be in Jerusalem at a certain time because in God’s plan the events were decreed from before the foundation of the earth. When the Bible says, he set his face to go to Jerusalem, there was nothing even Satan and his army could not stop the him from keeping His promise to be the Savior.

The reason that Jesus denied these requests was because He had to leave and leave immediately to keep His destiny with the cross.

His call was to follow immediately, just as He had required of His original followers.

The other part of the call was to follow, not only immediately but without conditions.

The call today for us is the same. Jesus may not call us to leave family and friends behind but He very well could.  Would we follow?

3. Our Cost of Discipleship

The disciple of Jesus is a person who is being continually conformed to the image of his Master (Rom. 8:29). He is the one who is constantly changing, growing, knowing. He has not yet “arrived,” but he is continually striving for the goals set by the Master (Phil. 3:13). He is a serious and responsible person in his relation to others. The disciple has a mission to the world. He knows who he is, what he is to do, and how he is to do it

We don’t know what became of the three in our text today. Once the first man heard that Jesus had no home and if he was to follow, he wouldn’t either, did he turn back or did he drop everything and follow. Did the second man let the responsibility of burial fall on those who were not followers of Christ? Did the third person realize the cost of following Jesus and like Christ, set his face to go to Jerusalem? We’re not told. Luke leaves this open-ended. Perhaps he does so because we are those in the story. Perhaps he doesn’t tell us what they did because we are to hear and obey the same call.

Is Jesus calling us to follow Him? I believe He is. We are called to be Christians,   We are called to model our lives after His. Sometimes there is a huge cost, sometimes the cost isn’t as big, but there is always a cost.

The call to follow Christ is ringing out, will you follow unconditionally or is there something else you feel you need to do first?

Mt 16:24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.