8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him." Luke 5:7-11
They dropped what they had and followed Jesus: careers, families, businesses; this is commitment.
What are you willing to give up for Jesus? We've been really blessed in America not to have to give up much to follow Jesus here. This is going to change. We haven't had to pay the cost other believers have had to pay. But I think that is going to change. We need to prepare for this. Get rooted in your faith. Everything taught in hopes I won't need to use it (in defensive fighting training).
If you follow Jesus you know what you're getting into. Jesus never has promised us cushy, easy living.
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12
Jesus knew this was a battle. We have to fight. If we don't fight spiritually than the enemy is winning in our lives.
Is this our time?
"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy," 2 Timothy 3:1-2
Does this sound like our country? Our world?
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9
False Teaching
"At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect." Matthew 24:23-24
"For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear." 2 Timothy 4:3
It's all better now....to go along to get along we will have to surrender Bible principles. Ask yourself now where you stand on this.
We should follow our authorities unless what they are telling us to do disagrees with the Bible.
The Time Is Coming
We will be asked to give more than ever -- it will cost us. The majority will take the easy route. But easy now means we pay later. Jesus doesn't call us to the easy route.
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,[a] but only the Father." Matthew 24:36
Things will get worse. Jesus promised this.
"“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him." Matthew 24:42-44
They will do the same th ing. If you know its coming you can be prepared. Get prepared. It is coming.
A lot of people may say, "Surely not us. Surely not now."
"While they were listening to this, he went on to tell them a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and the people thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear at once." Luke 19:11
"21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”
23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”" Matthew 16:21-23
"It will never happen to me." This is a stumbling block. Jesus never hid the cost of following Him. Never.
"25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 “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. 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:25-27
It wasn't nice. The disciples were all martyred horribly (except for John who was exiled on an island).
It's all or nothing.
The Cross
"Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23
“Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full." Luke 14:33
We need to be serviing and loving Jesus.
Cheap grace?
"Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate." Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Jesus must be first or nothing. The cost of Him leaving heaven was huge! And that was just the first thing He gave up.
Cheap grace is easy to fall into.
Cheap grace will be paid for eventually -- The easy way will cost you eternally. A lot of people can do miracels but taking up my cross -- 100% commitment is much more important than miracles.
Jesus was disgusted with those who lead others astray.
When the time comes . . .
Jesus asks for it all, and gives all.
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Jesus promised we would have trouble. Act on the truth. Do right. That's the cost of that's coming.
If you're not willing to accept Christ fully you will pay the cost in the end.
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9
We have a job to do. Do-gooders can't lead anyone to repentance. We should be broken people.