WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.000 Good morning, my name is Sean. I'm one of the pastors of Trinity Kendrick Church. 00:00:03.160 --> 00:00:06.379 It's my privilege to preach God's Word to you this morning. 00:00:07.040 --> 00:00:09.679 We are in Luke chapter 14. 00:00:10.200 --> 00:00:12.660 If you do not have a Bible, please raise your hand. 00:00:12.839 --> 00:00:15.580 And Sungmin's going around right now with a few Bibles that you can use. 00:00:16.260 --> 00:00:22.320 You could grab one and read it this morning while we're going through. 00:00:22.320 --> 00:00:36.700 So we've been going through the Gospel of Luke and we are in chapter 14, verses 25 to 35. 00:00:52.320 --> 00:00:56.719 Let me pray for the reading and preaching of God's Word. 00:01:04.299 --> 00:01:08.420 Heavenly Father, we are a people that are governed by your Word. 00:01:11.480 --> 00:01:19.319 Because we worship not a mute idol that cannot speak, but a God who speaks. 00:01:20.099 --> 00:01:21.439 A God to whom we are accountable. 00:01:22.919 --> 00:01:25.759 God who is Lord over our lives and over the universe. 00:01:27.399 --> 00:01:36.000 We come to you humbly, desiring to submit ourselves to your laws, to the guidance you provide in your Word. 00:01:37.699 --> 00:01:42.079 So please now teach us this morning what it means to be a follower of Christ. 00:01:43.019 --> 00:01:45.419 What it means to be a true disciple. 00:01:46.579 --> 00:01:50.879 And shape us more and more to be the kind of disciples you want us to be. 00:01:52.319 --> 00:01:53.679 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:01:53.679 --> 00:01:54.439 Amen. 00:01:54.439 --> 00:01:54.559 Amen. 00:01:56.559 --> 00:01:59.519 Luke 14, 25 to 35. 00:01:59.519 --> 00:02:06.840 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 00:02:06.840 --> 00:02:14.460 If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, and wife and children, and brothers and sisters, 00:02:15.039 --> 00:02:19.560 yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 00:02:19.560 --> 00:02:29.159 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 00:02:29.979 --> 00:02:36.920 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 00:02:36.919 --> 00:02:40.559 This man began to build and was not able to finish. 00:02:41.879 --> 00:02:54.959 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with 10,000 to meet him who comes against him with 20,000? 00:02:54.960 --> 00:03:03.040 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 00:03:03.840 --> 00:03:11.939 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. 00:03:13.659 --> 00:03:20.140 Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? 00:03:20.139 --> 00:03:25.279 It is of no use, either for the soil or for the manure pile. 00:03:26.000 --> 00:03:27.479 It is thrown away. 00:03:28.719 --> 00:03:32.299 He who has ears to hear, let him hear. 00:03:33.839 --> 00:03:37.719 This is God's infallible authoritative word. 00:03:39.539 --> 00:03:44.279 We've all made decisions in our lives that have proved costly at one point or another. 00:03:44.819 --> 00:03:47.119 Going to college, for example, is costly. 00:03:47.120 --> 00:03:50.580 It's not only a commitment of your next four years. 00:03:51.280 --> 00:03:56.200 It's, for many people, a commitment to repay debt for the next 10 or 20 years. 00:03:57.500 --> 00:04:01.780 Making that decision means that you're not going to be able to do a lot of other things. 00:04:02.140 --> 00:04:03.700 It's a consequential decision. 00:04:03.819 --> 00:04:04.800 It's a costly decision. 00:04:06.280 --> 00:04:08.099 Similarly, getting a pet is costly. 00:04:08.099 --> 00:04:19.959 Not only the cost of the pet itself, but the cost of vet visits, food, pet sitters, grooming, and time spent in walking and cleaning and entertaining the pet. 00:04:20.980 --> 00:04:23.279 It's a choice with consequences. 00:04:25.159 --> 00:04:27.740 Getting married is costly. 00:04:28.659 --> 00:04:30.899 Having children is costly. 00:04:31.100 --> 00:04:35.620 It transforms all of your relationships and radically reorients your life. 00:04:35.620 --> 00:04:39.939 Of course, there are many benefits to all these decisions. 00:04:40.439 --> 00:04:43.000 But there are also significant costs. 00:04:43.840 --> 00:04:49.920 The costs vary, but all of our decisions to varying degrees, small or large, have costs attached to them. 00:04:50.459 --> 00:04:54.699 And it's wise to think about those costs before we make those decisions. 00:04:54.699 --> 00:04:59.459 And our passage for today is a turning point in the Gospel of Luke. 00:04:59.800 --> 00:05:07.360 Because from chapter 11 until now, Jesus has spent most of the time really engaging in debate with the Jewish leaders, the Pharisees. 00:05:07.740 --> 00:05:10.659 And having kind of controversial conversations with them. 00:05:11.159 --> 00:05:17.779 But from now on until he dies on the cross for the sins of his people, the focus is really on Christian discipleship. 00:05:17.860 --> 00:05:19.360 What does it mean to be a disciple? 00:05:19.680 --> 00:05:21.019 To be a follower of Jesus? 00:05:21.019 --> 00:05:21.219 Jesus. 00:05:22.339 --> 00:05:33.240 And here in Luke 14, 25 to 35, Jesus teaches the crowds that are following him that they must renounce all other allegiances in order to follow him. 00:05:33.319 --> 00:05:34.659 That's the main point of our passage. 00:05:35.000 --> 00:05:38.639 We must renounce all other allegiances in order to follow Jesus. 00:05:39.359 --> 00:05:42.659 And it's a full commitment, not a halfway commitment. 00:05:42.660 --> 00:05:47.200 And in this passage, it talks about the impossibility of a halfway discipleship. 00:05:47.860 --> 00:05:50.400 And then a foolishness of halfway discipleship. 00:05:50.620 --> 00:05:54.960 And the uselessness of halfway discipleship. 00:05:55.040 --> 00:06:00.840 So first, let's talk about the impossibility of halfway discipleship in verses 25 to 27. 00:06:00.980 --> 00:06:02.520 Verse 25 begins this way. 00:06:02.640 --> 00:06:07.420 Now great crowds accompanied him, and Jesus turned and said to them. 00:06:07.420 --> 00:06:12.540 Luke frequently notes the presence of large crowds following Jesus. 00:06:12.860 --> 00:06:18.020 But instead of regaling the masses, entertaining them with a crowd-pleasing speech, 00:06:18.400 --> 00:06:24.060 often Jesus preaches his most hard-hitting messages when he has crowds following him. 00:06:24.879 --> 00:06:29.080 And that's because Jesus is not looking for adoring fans. 00:06:30.060 --> 00:06:34.160 Jesus is not looking for fans, but for committed disciples. 00:06:34.160 --> 00:06:38.800 He's not looking to boost his numbers or his approval ratings. 00:06:40.120 --> 00:06:44.660 And Jesus explains in the parable of the weeds in Matthew chapter 13, 00:06:45.240 --> 00:06:49.520 that whenever God plants the seed of the gospel, things grow. 00:06:49.900 --> 00:06:54.140 But within the wheat that grows, among the wheat that grow, there's also weeds. 00:06:54.960 --> 00:06:57.840 The weeds and the wheat always grow together. 00:06:57.839 --> 00:07:02.199 And so Jesus, because he understands this reality well, 00:07:02.279 --> 00:07:07.079 he's not impressed or swayed by the crowds, the size of the crowds that follow him. 00:07:07.399 --> 00:07:09.259 Instead of seeking to appease the crowds, 00:07:09.359 --> 00:07:12.839 so then Jesus appeals to them with this high call to discipleship. 00:07:13.459 --> 00:07:17.919 And actually he is actively trying to dissuade people 00:07:17.919 --> 00:07:22.719 who have not counted the cost of following Jesus from following him. 00:07:22.720 --> 00:07:28.740 He wants everyone that follows him to count the cost before following him. 00:07:29.080 --> 00:07:31.980 So Jesus says to the crowds in verses 26 to 27, 00:07:32.540 --> 00:07:36.360 If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, 00:07:36.660 --> 00:07:39.540 and wife and children, and brothers and sisters, yes, 00:07:39.820 --> 00:07:44.440 and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 00:07:45.320 --> 00:07:50.980 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 00:07:50.980 --> 00:07:56.439 This is the most blunt statement on Christian discipleship in the Gospel of Luke. 00:07:56.540 --> 00:08:00.560 And it's intentionally phrased in a way that's shocking and diametrical. 00:08:01.100 --> 00:08:04.439 When we hear the word hate, and as English speakers, 00:08:04.560 --> 00:08:07.960 we immediately think of it in terms of our emotion, right? 00:08:08.280 --> 00:08:13.420 Having a malicious intent towards someone or really despising someone. 00:08:13.580 --> 00:08:18.300 But Jesus is not teaching us here to despise our family members. 00:08:18.300 --> 00:08:24.180 Rather, the love and hate dichotomy is a Hebrew idiom 00:08:24.180 --> 00:08:29.500 that is frequently used to indicate the choice of one over another. 00:08:30.720 --> 00:08:33.240 When you're making an important consequential decision, 00:08:33.560 --> 00:08:35.519 and you're choosing one thing over another, 00:08:35.799 --> 00:08:40.740 that's often described in ancient Hebrew in terms of love and hate. 00:08:41.220 --> 00:08:43.299 So in English, we might say something like, 00:08:43.360 --> 00:08:45.799 I love God more than I love my family. 00:08:45.799 --> 00:08:48.099 But an ancient Jew would say, 00:08:48.299 --> 00:08:49.879 I love God and hate my family. 00:08:50.199 --> 00:08:53.639 It's to show the way they have made a clear choice to prefer one 00:08:53.639 --> 00:08:55.279 and to prioritize one over the other. 00:08:55.819 --> 00:08:57.519 It's not unlike a jealous sibling. 00:08:58.419 --> 00:09:00.399 Many of you guys have siblings. 00:09:00.740 --> 00:09:03.799 A jealous sibling that protests to his or her parent, 00:09:04.259 --> 00:09:05.199 you don't love me. 00:09:07.120 --> 00:09:09.099 Of course, what they really mean is, 00:09:09.219 --> 00:09:11.659 you don't love me as much as you love my brother or my sister. 00:09:11.659 --> 00:09:14.779 But they put it that way to communicate the fact 00:09:14.779 --> 00:09:16.779 that they have made a clear preference, 00:09:16.919 --> 00:09:18.240 a choice of one over the other. 00:09:18.539 --> 00:09:19.299 You don't love me. 00:09:19.819 --> 00:09:21.779 And so that's what's going on here. 00:09:21.939 --> 00:09:23.259 And you see this throughout the Bible. 00:09:23.399 --> 00:09:28.799 Genesis 29.30 says that Jacob loved Rachel more than Leah. 00:09:29.639 --> 00:09:33.120 But then it describes that priority this way in the following verses. 00:09:33.120 --> 00:09:35.480 It says, 00:09:35.799 --> 00:09:37.080 Jacob went into Rachel also, 00:09:37.200 --> 00:09:38.840 and he loved Rachel more than Leah, 00:09:38.940 --> 00:09:40.980 and served Laban for another seven years. 00:09:41.480 --> 00:09:44.279 When the Lord saw that Leah was hated, 00:09:45.000 --> 00:09:46.320 he opened her womb, 00:09:46.700 --> 00:09:48.379 but Rachel was bare. 00:09:48.700 --> 00:09:49.539 So the reality is, 00:09:49.580 --> 00:09:52.700 he loved Leah less than he loved Rachel, 00:09:52.980 --> 00:09:54.799 but that is described in terms of hate, 00:09:55.299 --> 00:09:56.399 that Leah was hated. 00:09:57.259 --> 00:09:57.720 It says, 00:09:57.799 --> 00:09:59.220 And Leah conceived and bore a son, 00:09:59.259 --> 00:10:00.320 and she called his name Reuben, 00:10:00.320 --> 00:10:00.860 for she said, 00:10:00.940 --> 00:10:03.000 Because the Lord has looked upon my affliction, 00:10:03.379 --> 00:10:05.500 for now my husband will love me. 00:10:05.960 --> 00:10:08.420 So that's what this is referring to. 00:10:08.600 --> 00:10:13.480 That's the same expression that is used later in Malachi 1.2-3, 00:10:13.600 --> 00:10:15.780 quoted in Romans 9.13, 00:10:16.720 --> 00:10:17.480 As it is written, 00:10:17.620 --> 00:10:18.680 Jacob I loved, 00:10:18.800 --> 00:10:20.020 but Esau I hated. 00:10:20.560 --> 00:10:25.120 Here God's not saying that he does not love Esau in an emotional sense. 00:10:25.400 --> 00:10:28.640 Rather, it's the language of covenantal election, 00:10:28.639 --> 00:10:34.179 that God chose to fulfill his promises to his people through Jacob, 00:10:34.399 --> 00:10:36.100 and not through Esau. 00:10:37.059 --> 00:10:39.799 That God chose Jacob over Esau. 00:10:39.860 --> 00:10:41.379 That's what that's expressing. 00:10:41.600 --> 00:10:42.919 It's a language of choice. 00:10:43.879 --> 00:10:44.919 And that's why, 00:10:45.059 --> 00:10:48.779 if you look at the parallel of this Luke passage in Matthew 10.37, 00:10:49.419 --> 00:10:53.120 the Hebrew idiom is explained in a more understandable way, 00:10:53.179 --> 00:10:53.559 this way, 00:10:53.559 --> 00:10:58.799 whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. 00:10:59.199 --> 00:11:03.539 And whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 00:11:03.579 --> 00:11:08.019 So then Jesus is not telling us literally to hate our family members. 00:11:08.419 --> 00:11:08.879 In fact, 00:11:08.959 --> 00:11:11.939 one of the Ten Commandments is to honor your father and mother. 00:11:12.979 --> 00:11:17.159 And 1 Timothy 5.8 teaches us that if anyone does not provide for his relatives, 00:11:17.359 --> 00:11:19.299 and especially for members of his household, 00:11:19.299 --> 00:11:22.859 he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 00:11:23.339 --> 00:11:26.359 So you should love your families and take care of them. 00:11:26.419 --> 00:11:27.899 That's not what Jesus is talking about. 00:11:28.459 --> 00:11:31.519 But let's not water down what Jesus is saying, however. 00:11:32.439 --> 00:11:37.059 Because he is demanding that we make a clear choice. 00:11:37.059 --> 00:11:42.699 Because if you love your family more than you love Jesus, 00:11:43.159 --> 00:11:47.179 then you cannot be a disciple of Jesus. 00:11:48.779 --> 00:11:50.179 Notice the language that is used. 00:11:50.259 --> 00:11:53.479 It doesn't say that if you love your family more than you love me, 00:11:53.639 --> 00:11:54.879 that's not ideal. 00:11:56.500 --> 00:11:58.539 It says that it's impossible. 00:11:59.359 --> 00:12:01.679 He doesn't say that if you love your family more than me, 00:12:01.739 --> 00:12:03.000 then you'll be a bad disciple. 00:12:03.759 --> 00:12:06.059 No, he says if you love your family more than me, 00:12:06.059 --> 00:12:09.139 you cannot be my disciple. 00:12:11.279 --> 00:12:16.719 You must make a clear choice to prefer Jesus and following him 00:12:16.719 --> 00:12:19.659 over all other commitments and relationships. 00:12:22.599 --> 00:12:25.599 And this was particularly important in this context, 00:12:25.799 --> 00:12:26.279 in the ancient world, 00:12:26.359 --> 00:12:30.579 because Christians would encounter all kinds of persecution. 00:12:31.459 --> 00:12:34.139 And most Jews who would convert in this context 00:12:34.139 --> 00:12:35.840 to follow Jesus Christ 00:12:35.840 --> 00:12:38.000 would then be subsequently disowned 00:12:38.000 --> 00:12:40.460 and rejected by their own family members. 00:12:41.500 --> 00:12:44.659 And so this was a cost that they had to count and to bear. 00:12:45.120 --> 00:12:46.220 And in our church, actually, 00:12:46.299 --> 00:12:48.480 there are several people in our church 00:12:48.480 --> 00:12:51.419 that have experienced similar persecution 00:12:51.419 --> 00:12:54.960 or pressure from their own family members 00:12:54.960 --> 00:12:57.340 for following Jesus. 00:13:00.040 --> 00:13:02.300 But for most of us, we haven't experienced that. 00:13:03.519 --> 00:13:04.860 But even for us, 00:13:04.860 --> 00:13:07.259 this is an important requirement to heed. 00:13:08.400 --> 00:13:12.000 Do you love God more than you love your father and mother? 00:13:12.000 --> 00:13:14.899 Because Jesus says, 00:13:14.980 --> 00:13:15.879 if anyone comes to me 00:13:15.879 --> 00:13:17.240 and does not hate his own father and mother, 00:13:17.299 --> 00:13:19.299 he cannot be my disciple. 00:13:21.200 --> 00:13:22.080 Karen Fingerman, 00:13:22.279 --> 00:13:24.759 who teaches human development and family sciences 00:13:24.759 --> 00:13:26.399 at the University of Texas, Austin, 00:13:27.360 --> 00:13:29.700 published a paper last year 00:13:29.700 --> 00:13:32.340 entitled Millennials and Their Parents. 00:13:32.340 --> 00:13:35.200 We have a lot of millennials in our church. 00:13:35.600 --> 00:13:37.040 I think I barely made the cut. 00:13:40.160 --> 00:13:41.480 You guys don't believe me. 00:13:42.019 --> 00:13:46.180 So she's documenting the changes 00:13:46.180 --> 00:13:48.560 that have taken place in society 00:13:48.560 --> 00:13:52.519 that have made young adults more dependent on 00:13:52.519 --> 00:13:54.300 and closer to their parents than ever before. 00:13:55.080 --> 00:13:56.540 Some of the changes that she notes 00:13:56.540 --> 00:13:57.019 is that first, 00:13:57.160 --> 00:13:59.540 there was a rise of helicopter parenting 00:13:59.539 --> 00:14:01.179 and tiger moms 00:14:01.179 --> 00:14:04.599 who are involved in every facet of their kids' lives 00:14:04.599 --> 00:14:07.000 and really trying to dictate 00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:08.039 the course of their lives 00:14:08.039 --> 00:14:09.679 to the nth degree. 00:14:10.579 --> 00:14:11.939 So that's the first phenomenon. 00:14:12.039 --> 00:14:12.740 The second phenomenon 00:14:12.740 --> 00:14:14.120 was the simultaneous rise 00:14:14.120 --> 00:14:16.120 of the perceived importance of education 00:14:16.120 --> 00:14:18.199 and the cost of education, 00:14:18.719 --> 00:14:20.079 which means more and more people 00:14:20.079 --> 00:14:21.599 end up going to college 00:14:21.599 --> 00:14:22.559 and getting higher education 00:14:22.559 --> 00:14:24.419 and also end up being more in debt 00:14:24.419 --> 00:14:25.799 for a long time. 00:14:26.459 --> 00:14:27.759 And the third phenomenon 00:14:27.759 --> 00:14:29.759 is the lack of high-paying job opportunities 00:14:29.759 --> 00:14:31.659 when millennials first began 00:14:31.659 --> 00:14:32.419 to enter the workforce. 00:14:33.360 --> 00:14:34.480 And so all of these things 00:14:34.480 --> 00:14:35.559 have conspired together 00:14:35.559 --> 00:14:37.500 to make young adults 00:14:37.500 --> 00:14:38.460 stay with their parents 00:14:38.460 --> 00:14:39.539 or remain dependent on their parents 00:14:39.539 --> 00:14:40.639 for much longer 00:14:40.639 --> 00:14:42.000 than previous generations have. 00:14:42.539 --> 00:14:43.080 And through that, 00:14:43.139 --> 00:14:43.799 they also develop 00:14:43.799 --> 00:14:45.919 very close relationships at times 00:14:45.919 --> 00:14:47.600 where sometimes adversarial 00:14:47.600 --> 00:14:48.879 kind of love-hate relationship 00:14:48.879 --> 00:14:51.120 but still very much desiring 00:14:51.120 --> 00:14:52.620 to please their parents. 00:14:52.620 --> 00:14:57.379 But if you desire 00:14:57.379 --> 00:14:59.139 to please your parents, 00:14:59.240 --> 00:15:00.019 if your desire 00:15:00.019 --> 00:15:01.799 to become something, 00:15:01.919 --> 00:15:02.919 to make them proud, 00:15:03.620 --> 00:15:05.919 is more important to you 00:15:05.919 --> 00:15:07.960 than pleasing the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:15:08.200 --> 00:15:09.980 you cannot be a disciple 00:15:09.980 --> 00:15:10.840 of Jesus Christ. 00:15:16.220 --> 00:15:17.460 Similarly, Jesus says, 00:15:17.460 --> 00:15:18.740 if anyone comes to me 00:15:18.740 --> 00:15:20.180 and does not hate his own wife, 00:15:20.879 --> 00:15:22.519 he cannot be my disciple. 00:15:24.660 --> 00:15:25.660 Of course, the vice versa 00:15:25.660 --> 00:15:26.320 is also true. 00:15:27.040 --> 00:15:28.259 If your life revolves 00:15:28.259 --> 00:15:29.400 around your boyfriend 00:15:29.400 --> 00:15:30.000 or girlfriend 00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:32.320 and you cannot give them up 00:15:32.320 --> 00:15:33.200 even though 00:15:33.200 --> 00:15:34.300 they are unbelievers 00:15:34.300 --> 00:15:35.300 drawing you 00:15:35.300 --> 00:15:36.400 farther and farther away 00:15:36.400 --> 00:15:36.960 from the Lord, 00:15:38.940 --> 00:15:40.280 if your desire 00:15:40.280 --> 00:15:41.940 to please your husband 00:15:41.940 --> 00:15:44.060 or to please your wife 00:15:44.060 --> 00:15:46.000 outweighs your desire 00:15:46.000 --> 00:15:47.220 to please the Lord, 00:15:47.700 --> 00:15:49.120 then you cannot be 00:15:49.120 --> 00:15:50.539 a disciple of Jesus Christ. 00:15:53.779 --> 00:15:54.940 If your spouse 00:15:54.940 --> 00:15:56.559 is the center of your life 00:15:56.559 --> 00:15:57.279 and your purposes 00:15:57.279 --> 00:15:58.159 and priorities 00:15:58.159 --> 00:15:59.679 flow from them 00:15:59.679 --> 00:16:00.879 and not from God, 00:16:01.440 --> 00:16:02.600 not only is it detrimental 00:16:02.600 --> 00:16:03.200 to them 00:16:03.200 --> 00:16:04.000 because then you're 00:16:04.000 --> 00:16:04.720 drawing them away 00:16:04.720 --> 00:16:05.320 from the Lord, 00:16:06.559 --> 00:16:07.480 you cannot be 00:16:07.480 --> 00:16:08.460 a disciple of Christ. 00:16:10.879 --> 00:16:12.340 If anyone comes to me 00:16:12.340 --> 00:16:13.019 and does not hate 00:16:13.019 --> 00:16:13.779 his own children, 00:16:14.480 --> 00:16:15.379 he cannot be 00:16:15.379 --> 00:16:16.580 my disciple, 00:16:16.840 --> 00:16:17.860 Joseph Epstein, 00:16:18.299 --> 00:16:19.240 not to be confused 00:16:19.240 --> 00:16:20.159 with Jeffrey Epstein 00:16:20.159 --> 00:16:21.019 that's been in the news, 00:16:21.600 --> 00:16:22.980 is an acclaimed author 00:16:22.980 --> 00:16:24.679 who writes in 00:16:24.679 --> 00:16:25.600 a weekly standard, 00:16:26.000 --> 00:16:26.779 in the weekly standard, 00:16:26.879 --> 00:16:27.779 and he wrote this article 00:16:27.779 --> 00:16:28.840 entitled Kindergarchy, 00:16:29.600 --> 00:16:30.539 and he writes in it 00:16:30.539 --> 00:16:31.419 that for the past 00:16:31.419 --> 00:16:32.419 30 years at least, 00:16:32.500 --> 00:16:33.500 we have been lavishing 00:16:33.500 --> 00:16:34.879 vast expense 00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:35.559 and anxiety 00:16:35.559 --> 00:16:36.320 on our children 00:16:36.320 --> 00:16:37.620 in ways that are 00:16:37.620 --> 00:16:38.379 unprecedented 00:16:38.379 --> 00:16:39.200 in American 00:16:39.200 --> 00:16:40.220 and in perhaps 00:16:40.220 --> 00:16:41.720 any other national life. 00:16:42.460 --> 00:16:43.460 Such has been 00:16:43.460 --> 00:16:44.379 the weight of all 00:16:44.379 --> 00:16:45.000 this concern 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:45.700 about children 00:16:45.700 --> 00:16:47.160 that it has exercised 00:16:47.160 --> 00:16:47.600 the subtle 00:16:47.600 --> 00:16:48.560 but pervasive 00:16:48.560 --> 00:16:49.320 tyranny 00:16:49.320 --> 00:16:50.200 of its own. 00:16:50.940 --> 00:16:52.200 This is what I call 00:16:52.200 --> 00:16:52.960 Kindergarchy, 00:16:53.580 --> 00:16:54.060 dreary, 00:16:54.360 --> 00:16:54.700 boring, 00:16:55.040 --> 00:16:56.080 sadly misguided 00:16:56.080 --> 00:16:57.200 Kindergarchy. 00:16:58.379 --> 00:16:58.940 Kindergarchy, 00:16:59.100 --> 00:17:00.160 a rule by children, 00:17:00.960 --> 00:17:01.660 that parents, 00:17:01.759 --> 00:17:02.200 our societies, 00:17:02.300 --> 00:17:03.500 are ruled by children. 00:17:03.500 --> 00:17:05.079 If going to 00:17:05.079 --> 00:17:08.759 our children's 00:17:08.759 --> 00:17:09.400 Little League 00:17:09.400 --> 00:17:10.319 baseball game 00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:11.319 on a Sunday morning 00:17:11.319 --> 00:17:13.119 is more important 00:17:13.119 --> 00:17:15.059 than bringing them 00:17:15.059 --> 00:17:16.579 to a worship service, 00:17:17.420 --> 00:17:18.759 what message 00:17:18.759 --> 00:17:19.440 are we sending 00:17:19.440 --> 00:17:20.140 to our children? 00:17:24.279 --> 00:17:25.279 That their 00:17:25.279 --> 00:17:26.480 extracurricular activities 00:17:26.480 --> 00:17:27.380 are more important 00:17:27.380 --> 00:17:27.960 than God? 00:17:30.079 --> 00:17:32.200 That their future success, 00:17:32.200 --> 00:17:33.400 worldly success 00:17:33.400 --> 00:17:34.840 is more important 00:17:34.840 --> 00:17:36.019 than their faith 00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:36.960 and godliness? 00:17:39.600 --> 00:17:40.580 That God 00:17:40.580 --> 00:17:41.200 can be kept 00:17:41.200 --> 00:17:42.019 on the periphery 00:17:42.019 --> 00:17:43.319 because 00:17:43.319 --> 00:17:44.360 they have more 00:17:44.360 --> 00:17:44.920 important things 00:17:44.920 --> 00:17:45.279 to do? 00:17:48.940 --> 00:17:50.180 God told Abraham 00:17:50.180 --> 00:17:51.600 in Genesis 22 00:17:51.600 --> 00:17:52.740 verse 2, 00:17:52.819 --> 00:17:53.799 Take your son, 00:17:54.220 --> 00:17:55.680 your only son Isaac, 00:17:55.880 --> 00:17:56.779 whom you love, 00:17:56.940 --> 00:17:58.140 and go to the land 00:17:58.140 --> 00:17:58.779 of Moriah 00:17:58.779 --> 00:18:00.080 and offer him there 00:18:00.080 --> 00:18:01.360 as a burnt offering 00:18:01.359 --> 00:18:02.419 on the mountain 00:18:02.419 --> 00:18:03.500 of which I shall 00:18:03.500 --> 00:18:04.099 tell you. 00:18:05.879 --> 00:18:07.359 God fully intended 00:18:07.359 --> 00:18:08.059 to continue 00:18:08.059 --> 00:18:09.019 Abraham's line 00:18:09.019 --> 00:18:09.639 through Isaac 00:18:09.639 --> 00:18:10.079 and he had 00:18:10.079 --> 00:18:11.079 explicitly promised 00:18:11.079 --> 00:18:11.459 him that. 00:18:11.919 --> 00:18:13.139 Yet God says this 00:18:13.139 --> 00:18:14.079 in order to test 00:18:14.079 --> 00:18:14.639 Abraham 00:18:14.639 --> 00:18:15.839 because 00:18:15.839 --> 00:18:17.199 his allegiance 00:18:17.199 --> 00:18:18.740 to the Lord God 00:18:18.740 --> 00:18:20.240 must proceed, 00:18:20.719 --> 00:18:22.000 must be prioritized 00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:23.479 over his love 00:18:23.479 --> 00:18:24.019 and allegiance 00:18:24.019 --> 00:18:25.259 to even his 00:18:25.259 --> 00:18:26.139 only son. 00:18:26.140 --> 00:18:27.140 God 00:18:27.140 --> 00:18:28.140 will 00:18:28.140 --> 00:18:29.280 be 00:18:29.280 --> 00:18:30.140 to the Lord. 00:18:30.140 --> 00:18:30.560 We parents 00:18:30.560 --> 00:18:31.680 in the church 00:18:31.680 --> 00:18:32.340 should love 00:18:32.340 --> 00:18:33.020 our children 00:18:33.020 --> 00:18:33.860 like the apple 00:18:33.860 --> 00:18:34.600 of our eyes, 00:18:34.700 --> 00:18:35.580 but we should 00:18:35.580 --> 00:18:37.180 never love them 00:18:37.180 --> 00:18:38.240 more than we 00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:39.400 love the Lord. 00:18:42.280 --> 00:18:43.259 When we do, 00:18:43.380 --> 00:18:44.140 we teach them 00:18:44.140 --> 00:18:45.200 that they are 00:18:45.200 --> 00:18:45.660 the center 00:18:45.660 --> 00:18:46.680 of this universe, 00:18:46.840 --> 00:18:47.480 not God. 00:18:50.220 --> 00:18:51.440 And their attitudes 00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:52.340 and their actions 00:18:52.340 --> 00:18:53.060 and their future 00:18:53.060 --> 00:18:53.880 will be shaped 00:18:53.880 --> 00:18:54.760 by that 00:18:54.760 --> 00:18:56.460 dangerous delusion. 00:19:00.100 --> 00:19:00.580 Moreover, 00:19:00.760 --> 00:19:01.240 if anyone 00:19:01.240 --> 00:19:01.960 comes to me, 00:19:02.060 --> 00:19:02.520 Jesus says, 00:19:02.580 --> 00:19:03.340 and does not hate 00:19:03.340 --> 00:19:04.340 his own brothers 00:19:04.340 --> 00:19:05.000 and sisters, 00:19:05.480 --> 00:19:06.080 he cannot be 00:19:06.080 --> 00:19:06.640 my disciple. 00:19:07.720 --> 00:19:08.540 Maybe this is not 00:19:08.540 --> 00:19:09.240 as much of a 00:19:09.240 --> 00:19:09.780 prominent issue, 00:19:09.940 --> 00:19:11.140 but there are times 00:19:11.140 --> 00:19:12.300 sometimes siblings 00:19:12.300 --> 00:19:12.840 really, 00:19:13.060 --> 00:19:13.960 they have this 00:19:13.960 --> 00:19:14.500 kind of shared 00:19:14.500 --> 00:19:15.040 identity. 00:19:16.020 --> 00:19:16.700 They call, 00:19:16.940 --> 00:19:17.220 you know, 00:19:17.280 --> 00:19:18.380 they're like the Smiths 00:19:18.380 --> 00:19:19.620 or we're the Smiths. 00:19:19.820 --> 00:19:20.660 I use these names 00:19:20.660 --> 00:19:21.240 because there's no 00:19:21.240 --> 00:19:22.060 Smiths, I think. 00:19:22.380 --> 00:19:22.500 Right? 00:19:22.500 --> 00:19:24.160 We're the Smiths 00:19:24.160 --> 00:19:25.819 or we're the Joneses. 00:19:26.640 --> 00:19:28.160 We are like this. 00:19:28.579 --> 00:19:29.920 My family is like this. 00:19:30.140 --> 00:19:31.119 We roll like this. 00:19:31.460 --> 00:19:32.220 We stick together. 00:19:33.279 --> 00:19:34.220 And that can become 00:19:34.220 --> 00:19:34.880 idolatrous. 00:19:36.460 --> 00:19:38.019 Their family identity, 00:19:38.200 --> 00:19:38.799 their identity 00:19:38.799 --> 00:19:39.440 with their siblings 00:19:39.440 --> 00:19:40.420 becomes stronger 00:19:40.420 --> 00:19:41.359 than their Christian 00:19:41.359 --> 00:19:41.839 identity, 00:19:42.000 --> 00:19:42.940 their lordship to Christ, 00:19:43.359 --> 00:19:44.220 their allegiance 00:19:44.220 --> 00:19:44.759 to Christ. 00:19:46.480 --> 00:19:47.220 Their allegiance 00:19:47.220 --> 00:19:47.740 to their brothers 00:19:47.740 --> 00:19:48.180 and sisters 00:19:48.180 --> 00:19:49.160 trump their allegiance 00:19:49.160 --> 00:19:49.660 to Jesus. 00:19:49.799 --> 00:19:50.400 And if they do, 00:19:50.400 --> 00:19:51.420 they cannot be 00:19:51.420 --> 00:19:52.759 a disciple of Jesus. 00:19:53.940 --> 00:19:54.500 And lastly, 00:19:54.600 --> 00:19:55.900 Jesus says in verse 26, 00:19:56.380 --> 00:19:57.640 If anyone comes to me 00:19:57.640 --> 00:19:58.600 and does not hate 00:19:58.600 --> 00:20:01.660 even his own life, 00:20:02.360 --> 00:20:03.980 he cannot be 00:20:03.980 --> 00:20:05.259 my disciple. 00:20:08.540 --> 00:20:10.560 If we love ourselves 00:20:10.560 --> 00:20:12.500 more than we love Christ, 00:20:12.860 --> 00:20:14.460 if we seek our glory 00:20:14.460 --> 00:20:15.720 more than we seek 00:20:15.720 --> 00:20:16.700 Christ's glory, 00:20:17.140 --> 00:20:18.860 if we live for ourselves 00:20:18.859 --> 00:20:20.119 rather than living for God, 00:20:20.719 --> 00:20:22.159 then we cannot be 00:20:22.159 --> 00:20:23.179 his disciple. 00:20:24.039 --> 00:20:25.240 Jesus continues that thought 00:20:25.240 --> 00:20:26.000 in verse 27, 00:20:26.119 --> 00:20:27.779 Whoever does not bear 00:20:27.779 --> 00:20:29.079 his own cross 00:20:29.079 --> 00:20:30.679 and come after me 00:20:30.679 --> 00:20:33.279 cannot be my disciple. 00:20:33.719 --> 00:20:34.879 A true disciple of Christ 00:20:34.879 --> 00:20:36.539 bears his own cross. 00:20:37.019 --> 00:20:37.939 Just as Jesus 00:20:37.939 --> 00:20:39.039 bore his cross 00:20:39.039 --> 00:20:40.199 and died to save 00:20:40.199 --> 00:20:41.079 his people 00:20:41.079 --> 00:20:42.019 from sin and death, 00:20:42.659 --> 00:20:44.500 we as followers of Christ 00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:46.419 must bear our own crosses. 00:20:46.420 --> 00:20:48.840 And the cross 00:20:48.840 --> 00:20:49.560 is a picture 00:20:49.560 --> 00:20:51.420 of total submission. 00:20:52.440 --> 00:20:53.320 We must surrender 00:20:53.320 --> 00:20:54.060 completely 00:20:54.060 --> 00:20:55.160 to God's authority. 00:20:56.460 --> 00:20:57.500 Paul puts it this way 00:20:57.500 --> 00:20:59.220 in Galatians 2.20, 00:20:59.440 --> 00:21:00.640 I have been crucified 00:21:00.640 --> 00:21:01.440 with Christ. 00:21:02.039 --> 00:21:03.060 It is no longer 00:21:03.060 --> 00:21:04.140 I who live, 00:21:04.420 --> 00:21:05.259 but Christ 00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:06.800 who lives in me. 00:21:07.140 --> 00:21:07.860 And the life 00:21:07.860 --> 00:21:08.660 I now live 00:21:08.660 --> 00:21:09.160 in the flesh, 00:21:09.259 --> 00:21:10.279 I live by faith 00:21:10.279 --> 00:21:11.220 in the Son of God 00:21:11.220 --> 00:21:12.460 who loved me 00:21:12.460 --> 00:21:13.740 and gave himself 00:21:13.740 --> 00:21:14.779 for me. 00:21:14.779 --> 00:21:17.420 to bear one's cross 00:21:17.420 --> 00:21:19.200 is to die to oneself 00:21:19.200 --> 00:21:20.920 and to live 00:21:20.920 --> 00:21:22.220 to Christ. 00:21:23.440 --> 00:21:25.079 We cannot remain 00:21:25.079 --> 00:21:26.759 the Lord of our own lives 00:21:26.759 --> 00:21:27.740 and make Christ 00:21:27.740 --> 00:21:28.180 our Lord 00:21:28.180 --> 00:21:29.079 at the same time. 00:21:29.920 --> 00:21:31.299 If Christ will be Lord, 00:21:31.559 --> 00:21:32.500 then we must 00:21:32.500 --> 00:21:33.519 be his servants. 00:21:36.319 --> 00:21:37.660 We must be willing 00:21:37.660 --> 00:21:38.799 to make sacrifices 00:21:38.799 --> 00:21:39.500 for Christ. 00:21:39.859 --> 00:21:41.000 We must be willing 00:21:41.000 --> 00:21:42.420 to suffer for Christ. 00:21:42.420 --> 00:21:45.580 We must be willing 00:21:45.580 --> 00:21:46.100 to say, 00:21:46.340 --> 00:21:47.120 no matter 00:21:47.120 --> 00:21:49.100 what it costs me, 00:21:49.640 --> 00:21:52.300 I will follow Christ. 00:21:54.880 --> 00:21:56.220 And it is in that 00:21:56.220 --> 00:21:57.380 submission and obedience 00:21:57.380 --> 00:21:58.220 that we are to go 00:21:58.220 --> 00:21:59.220 after Jesus. 00:21:59.680 --> 00:22:00.320 Note the sense 00:22:00.320 --> 00:22:00.920 of movement 00:22:00.920 --> 00:22:01.820 in this description 00:22:01.820 --> 00:22:02.840 of discipleship. 00:22:03.320 --> 00:22:04.360 Verse 26 speaks 00:22:04.360 --> 00:22:05.860 of coming to Jesus 00:22:05.860 --> 00:22:07.200 and then verse 27 00:22:07.200 --> 00:22:08.300 speaks of coming 00:22:08.300 --> 00:22:09.880 after Jesus, 00:22:10.060 --> 00:22:10.940 following in his 00:22:10.940 --> 00:22:11.519 footsteps, 00:22:11.519 --> 00:22:11.819 right? 00:22:11.900 --> 00:22:12.900 The coming to 00:22:12.900 --> 00:22:14.259 emphasizes the initial 00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:14.799 entry, 00:22:15.180 --> 00:22:16.039 coming after 00:22:16.039 --> 00:22:17.400 emphasizes the ongoing 00:22:17.400 --> 00:22:18.519 pursuit of God. 00:22:19.039 --> 00:22:19.819 It means to follow 00:22:19.819 --> 00:22:20.980 the pattern of Christ. 00:22:22.319 --> 00:22:23.519 Sometimes people think 00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:24.160 that they have come 00:22:24.160 --> 00:22:24.920 to Jesus 00:22:24.920 --> 00:22:26.160 and that that's the end 00:22:26.160 --> 00:22:27.460 of their Christian story. 00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:31.980 They believed, 00:22:32.400 --> 00:22:33.160 they've been baptized, 00:22:33.879 --> 00:22:35.240 but then they become 00:22:35.240 --> 00:22:36.139 complacent 00:22:36.139 --> 00:22:38.000 and stagnant. 00:22:38.000 --> 00:22:39.640 But that's not 00:22:39.640 --> 00:22:40.220 how Christian 00:22:40.220 --> 00:22:41.220 discipleship works. 00:22:42.420 --> 00:22:43.920 We come to him 00:22:43.920 --> 00:22:44.500 in order to go 00:22:44.500 --> 00:22:45.279 after him. 00:22:45.380 --> 00:22:46.180 There's a journey, 00:22:46.660 --> 00:22:47.339 a movement, 00:22:47.839 --> 00:22:48.380 growth 00:22:48.380 --> 00:22:49.079 that's supposed 00:22:49.079 --> 00:22:49.599 to happen 00:22:49.599 --> 00:22:50.960 year after year. 00:22:52.660 --> 00:22:53.440 Hannah and I 00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:54.839 keep several plants 00:22:54.839 --> 00:22:55.380 in our house 00:22:55.380 --> 00:22:58.640 and after having 00:22:58.640 --> 00:22:59.980 had several plants 00:22:59.980 --> 00:23:00.980 die under my 00:23:00.980 --> 00:23:01.640 expert care, 00:23:02.019 --> 00:23:03.279 I now can guess 00:23:03.279 --> 00:23:04.299 fairly accurately 00:23:04.299 --> 00:23:05.799 when plants 00:23:05.799 --> 00:23:06.720 are about to die. 00:23:08.379 --> 00:23:09.359 Because a plant 00:23:09.359 --> 00:23:10.940 usually stops 00:23:10.940 --> 00:23:11.659 growing 00:23:11.659 --> 00:23:15.180 before it dies. 00:23:16.740 --> 00:23:17.700 I know that doesn't 00:23:17.700 --> 00:23:18.440 sound revolutionary 00:23:18.440 --> 00:23:18.720 at all. 00:23:18.759 --> 00:23:19.379 It was to me. 00:23:21.559 --> 00:23:22.919 It still looks alive 00:23:22.919 --> 00:23:24.039 for a little while. 00:23:24.240 --> 00:23:24.899 It looks alive 00:23:24.899 --> 00:23:25.440 for a while, 00:23:25.599 --> 00:23:26.700 but if it's not 00:23:26.700 --> 00:23:27.639 growing at all, 00:23:27.980 --> 00:23:28.960 that's a warning sign 00:23:28.960 --> 00:23:29.180 to me. 00:23:29.220 --> 00:23:29.379 Okay, 00:23:29.460 --> 00:23:30.180 that thing is going 00:23:30.180 --> 00:23:30.659 to die. 00:23:31.480 --> 00:23:32.379 Because a plant 00:23:32.380 --> 00:23:33.320 that's not growing 00:23:33.320 --> 00:23:34.080 is dying. 00:23:37.640 --> 00:23:38.480 In contrast, 00:23:38.660 --> 00:23:39.200 I can know that 00:23:39.200 --> 00:23:40.080 a plant is alive 00:23:40.080 --> 00:23:40.840 because it's growing. 00:23:41.560 --> 00:23:42.300 It grows 00:23:42.300 --> 00:23:43.220 imperceptibly. 00:23:43.400 --> 00:23:44.080 I don't see, 00:23:44.760 --> 00:23:45.180 I've never, 00:23:45.460 --> 00:23:45.840 you know, 00:23:45.880 --> 00:23:46.540 I've never caught it 00:23:46.540 --> 00:23:46.900 in the app. 00:23:47.020 --> 00:23:48.460 I never see the plant 00:23:48.460 --> 00:23:49.200 growing. 00:23:49.860 --> 00:23:50.060 You know, 00:23:50.120 --> 00:23:51.160 but then I see it 00:23:51.160 --> 00:23:51.540 one day, 00:23:51.580 --> 00:23:51.820 I'm like, 00:23:51.880 --> 00:23:52.080 okay, 00:23:52.160 --> 00:23:53.080 there's a leaf, 00:23:53.080 --> 00:23:53.720 new leaf that's 00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:54.480 just unfurled. 00:23:55.300 --> 00:23:55.460 Oh, 00:23:55.480 --> 00:23:56.180 here's a new shoot 00:23:56.180 --> 00:23:56.720 that I had never 00:23:56.720 --> 00:23:57.280 noticed before. 00:23:57.320 --> 00:23:58.580 It grows imperceptibly, 00:23:58.800 --> 00:24:00.160 but undeniably, 00:24:00.300 --> 00:24:01.640 every plant that is alive 00:24:01.640 --> 00:24:02.340 grows. 00:24:02.380 --> 00:24:02.520 grows. 00:24:05.500 --> 00:24:06.660 The Christian life 00:24:06.660 --> 00:24:07.700 is much the same way. 00:24:08.960 --> 00:24:09.960 Those who come to 00:24:09.960 --> 00:24:11.360 Jesus in earnest 00:24:11.360 --> 00:24:12.600 continue to go 00:24:12.600 --> 00:24:13.580 after Him. 00:24:14.400 --> 00:24:15.040 And they become 00:24:15.040 --> 00:24:16.040 more like Him 00:24:16.040 --> 00:24:16.600 because they are 00:24:16.600 --> 00:24:17.380 pursuing Him 00:24:17.380 --> 00:24:18.360 and following in 00:24:18.360 --> 00:24:18.880 His footsteps. 00:24:19.200 --> 00:24:19.860 Their words and 00:24:19.860 --> 00:24:20.920 actions reflect 00:24:20.920 --> 00:24:22.120 Jesus more 00:24:22.120 --> 00:24:23.080 and more. 00:24:23.680 --> 00:24:24.300 They might not 00:24:24.300 --> 00:24:25.080 see themselves 00:24:25.080 --> 00:24:25.660 growing. 00:24:26.080 --> 00:24:26.540 They might not 00:24:26.540 --> 00:24:27.420 catch their growth 00:24:27.420 --> 00:24:28.720 in the act. 00:24:29.720 --> 00:24:30.840 But as they look 00:24:30.840 --> 00:24:31.320 back, 00:24:31.319 --> 00:24:32.859 months ago, 00:24:33.359 --> 00:24:34.099 years ago, 00:24:34.599 --> 00:24:36.099 they notice 00:24:36.099 --> 00:24:37.179 that they have 00:24:37.179 --> 00:24:37.460 grown. 00:24:41.460 --> 00:24:42.559 So unless we 00:24:42.559 --> 00:24:43.139 love Jesus 00:24:43.139 --> 00:24:43.779 more than we 00:24:43.779 --> 00:24:44.419 love our family, 00:24:44.539 --> 00:24:45.500 we cannot be 00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:46.279 His disciple. 00:24:46.439 --> 00:24:47.099 Unless we love 00:24:47.099 --> 00:24:47.799 Jesus more than 00:24:47.799 --> 00:24:48.500 we love even 00:24:48.500 --> 00:24:49.019 ourselves, 00:24:49.399 --> 00:24:50.579 we cannot be 00:24:50.579 --> 00:24:51.720 His disciple. 00:24:51.839 --> 00:24:52.599 There's one more 00:24:52.599 --> 00:24:53.720 concrete requirement 00:24:53.720 --> 00:24:54.500 that Jesus lays 00:24:54.500 --> 00:24:55.039 down for us 00:24:55.039 --> 00:24:55.639 in this passage, 00:24:55.740 --> 00:24:56.119 and it comes 00:24:56.119 --> 00:24:56.779 toward the end 00:24:56.779 --> 00:24:57.720 in verse 33 00:24:57.720 --> 00:24:58.819 as kind of a 00:24:58.819 --> 00:24:59.660 summary statement. 00:25:00.440 --> 00:25:00.539 It says, 00:25:00.599 --> 00:25:01.180 So therefore, 00:25:01.980 --> 00:25:02.899 any one of you 00:25:02.899 --> 00:25:03.440 who does not 00:25:03.440 --> 00:25:04.519 renounce all 00:25:04.519 --> 00:25:05.819 that he has 00:25:05.819 --> 00:25:07.359 cannot be 00:25:07.359 --> 00:25:08.399 my disciple. 00:25:08.920 --> 00:25:09.420 Notice the 00:25:09.420 --> 00:25:10.240 parallel structure. 00:25:10.359 --> 00:25:11.440 This too is a 00:25:11.440 --> 00:25:12.200 requirement for 00:25:12.200 --> 00:25:13.119 Christian discipleship. 00:25:13.200 --> 00:25:14.039 Unless we 00:25:14.039 --> 00:25:15.119 renounce all 00:25:15.119 --> 00:25:16.079 that we have, 00:25:16.220 --> 00:25:17.279 we cannot be 00:25:17.279 --> 00:25:18.279 Christ's disciple. 00:25:18.399 --> 00:25:18.940 Not just our 00:25:18.940 --> 00:25:19.339 family, 00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:20.839 not just ourselves, 00:25:20.980 --> 00:25:22.279 but also our 00:25:22.279 --> 00:25:22.819 possessions. 00:25:22.819 --> 00:25:24.980 everything that 00:25:24.980 --> 00:25:25.779 we have, 00:25:25.859 --> 00:25:26.559 everything that 00:25:26.559 --> 00:25:28.700 belongs to us. 00:25:29.240 --> 00:25:29.919 If we're 00:25:29.919 --> 00:25:31.119 preoccupied with 00:25:31.119 --> 00:25:32.460 accumulating wealth, 00:25:32.700 --> 00:25:33.480 if we love 00:25:33.480 --> 00:25:34.839 saving and or 00:25:34.839 --> 00:25:35.859 spending money 00:25:35.859 --> 00:25:36.819 more than we 00:25:36.819 --> 00:25:37.799 love Christ 00:25:37.799 --> 00:25:39.099 and serving Him, 00:25:40.740 --> 00:25:42.339 if we are more 00:25:42.339 --> 00:25:43.519 about maximizing 00:25:43.519 --> 00:25:44.059 our earning 00:25:44.059 --> 00:25:45.519 potential than 00:25:45.519 --> 00:25:46.460 following Jesus 00:25:46.460 --> 00:25:47.000 Christ, 00:25:47.939 --> 00:25:48.839 then we are 00:25:48.839 --> 00:25:50.279 not Christ's 00:25:50.279 --> 00:25:50.720 disciples. 00:25:51.019 --> 00:25:51.879 We cannot be. 00:25:52.819 --> 00:25:55.839 remember from 00:25:55.839 --> 00:25:56.539 earlier in Luke 00:25:56.539 --> 00:25:57.119 14, 00:25:57.480 --> 00:25:58.319 18 to 20, 00:25:58.399 --> 00:25:59.220 that the primary 00:25:59.220 --> 00:26:00.119 excuses that 00:26:00.119 --> 00:26:01.179 people gave for 00:26:01.179 --> 00:26:02.259 not following Jesus 00:26:02.259 --> 00:26:03.019 and entering into 00:26:03.019 --> 00:26:03.759 the kingdom of God, 00:26:03.839 --> 00:26:04.779 the banquet of God, 00:26:05.240 --> 00:26:05.919 were one's 00:26:05.919 --> 00:26:06.419 possessions, 00:26:06.939 --> 00:26:08.039 one's vocation, 00:26:08.359 --> 00:26:09.339 and one's 00:26:09.339 --> 00:26:09.939 family. 00:26:10.980 --> 00:26:11.779 It is no wonder 00:26:11.779 --> 00:26:12.519 then that here 00:26:12.519 --> 00:26:13.460 Jesus puts this 00:26:13.460 --> 00:26:14.220 requirement so 00:26:14.220 --> 00:26:14.919 starkly. 00:26:15.480 --> 00:26:15.960 Halfway 00:26:15.960 --> 00:26:16.919 discipleship is 00:26:16.919 --> 00:26:17.679 not merely 00:26:17.679 --> 00:26:18.819 sub-ideal, 00:26:19.539 --> 00:26:19.939 it's 00:26:19.939 --> 00:26:20.700 impossible. 00:26:20.700 --> 00:26:22.980 we must 00:26:22.980 --> 00:26:23.720 renounce all 00:26:23.720 --> 00:26:24.779 other allegiances, 00:26:25.019 --> 00:26:25.720 including our 00:26:25.720 --> 00:26:26.100 family, 00:26:26.220 --> 00:26:26.559 ourselves, 00:26:26.680 --> 00:26:27.059 and our own 00:26:27.059 --> 00:26:27.500 possessions, 00:26:27.500 --> 00:26:28.519 to follow 00:26:28.519 --> 00:26:29.000 Christ. 00:26:30.539 --> 00:26:31.259 And having 00:26:31.259 --> 00:26:31.960 spoken of the 00:26:31.960 --> 00:26:32.960 impossibility of 00:26:32.960 --> 00:26:33.880 halfway discipleship, 00:26:33.940 --> 00:26:34.740 he now comments 00:26:34.740 --> 00:26:35.880 on the foolishness 00:26:35.880 --> 00:26:37.440 of halfway 00:26:37.440 --> 00:26:38.380 discipleship in 00:26:38.380 --> 00:26:39.200 verses 28 to 00:26:39.200 --> 00:26:39.620 33, 00:26:39.900 --> 00:26:40.580 using two 00:26:40.580 --> 00:26:41.200 illustrations. 00:26:41.960 --> 00:26:42.360 Our first 00:26:42.360 --> 00:26:43.279 illustration is in 00:26:43.279 --> 00:26:44.120 verses 28 to 00:26:44.120 --> 00:26:44.400 30, 00:26:44.480 --> 00:26:45.080 please read with 00:26:45.080 --> 00:26:45.279 me. 00:26:45.940 --> 00:26:46.160 It says, 00:26:46.160 --> 00:26:46.759 for which of 00:26:46.759 --> 00:26:46.980 you, 00:26:47.360 --> 00:26:47.920 desiring to 00:26:47.920 --> 00:26:48.279 build a 00:26:48.279 --> 00:26:48.680 tower, 00:26:48.820 --> 00:26:49.240 does not 00:26:49.240 --> 00:26:49.880 first sit 00:26:49.880 --> 00:26:50.300 down and 00:26:50.300 --> 00:26:50.640 count the 00:26:50.640 --> 00:26:51.060 cost, 00:26:51.440 --> 00:26:51.860 whether he 00:26:51.860 --> 00:26:52.360 has enough 00:26:52.360 --> 00:26:52.860 to complete 00:26:52.860 --> 00:26:53.140 it. 00:26:53.660 --> 00:26:54.080 Otherwise, 00:26:54.560 --> 00:26:55.240 when he has 00:26:55.240 --> 00:26:55.600 laid a 00:26:55.600 --> 00:26:56.220 foundation and 00:26:56.220 --> 00:26:56.860 is not able 00:26:56.860 --> 00:26:57.460 to finish, 00:26:57.720 --> 00:26:58.600 all who see 00:26:58.600 --> 00:26:59.300 it begin to 00:26:59.300 --> 00:26:59.900 mock him, 00:27:00.019 --> 00:27:00.279 saying, 00:27:00.880 --> 00:27:01.540 this man 00:27:01.540 --> 00:27:02.220 began to 00:27:02.220 --> 00:27:02.779 build and 00:27:02.779 --> 00:27:03.320 was not 00:27:03.320 --> 00:27:04.340 able to 00:27:04.340 --> 00:27:04.779 finish. 00:27:06.180 --> 00:27:06.840 The word 00:27:06.840 --> 00:27:07.779 tower here 00:27:07.779 --> 00:27:08.460 likely, 00:27:08.580 --> 00:27:09.000 most likely 00:27:09.000 --> 00:27:10.120 refers to a 00:27:10.120 --> 00:27:10.880 watchtower that 00:27:10.880 --> 00:27:11.420 people in the 00:27:11.420 --> 00:27:12.120 ancient world 00:27:12.120 --> 00:27:12.800 built over 00:27:12.800 --> 00:27:13.620 their vineyards 00:27:13.620 --> 00:27:14.120 or over their 00:27:14.120 --> 00:27:14.500 houses. 00:27:14.500 --> 00:27:15.000 It's a 00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:15.460 protective 00:27:15.460 --> 00:27:16.000 measure so 00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:16.319 you can 00:27:16.319 --> 00:27:17.440 stand guard 00:27:17.440 --> 00:27:17.880 at the 00:27:17.880 --> 00:27:18.480 watchtower and 00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:18.900 see from 00:27:18.900 --> 00:27:19.759 afar when 00:27:19.759 --> 00:27:20.200 people are 00:27:20.200 --> 00:27:20.519 coming. 00:27:21.799 --> 00:27:23.059 It was not 00:27:23.059 --> 00:27:23.819 a small 00:27:23.819 --> 00:27:24.319 financial 00:27:24.319 --> 00:27:24.900 undertaking. 00:27:25.079 --> 00:27:25.539 It speaks 00:27:25.539 --> 00:27:26.460 of foundations. 00:27:26.700 --> 00:27:27.380 It has a 00:27:27.380 --> 00:27:27.759 foundation. 00:27:27.859 --> 00:27:28.059 It's a 00:27:28.059 --> 00:27:28.319 massive 00:27:28.319 --> 00:27:28.920 structure. 00:27:29.900 --> 00:27:30.400 Maybe it's 00:27:30.400 --> 00:27:31.180 similar nowadays 00:27:31.180 --> 00:27:31.640 in modern 00:27:31.640 --> 00:27:32.599 days like 00:27:32.599 --> 00:27:34.539 a home 00:27:34.539 --> 00:27:35.380 addition that 00:27:35.380 --> 00:27:35.660 you pay 00:27:35.660 --> 00:27:35.920 for. 00:27:37.019 --> 00:27:37.619 It's a 00:27:37.619 --> 00:27:39.059 major cost. 00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:39.880 The average 00:27:39.880 --> 00:27:40.400 cost of 00:27:40.400 --> 00:27:40.839 adding a 00:27:40.839 --> 00:27:41.599 room nowadays, 00:27:41.819 --> 00:27:42.339 they say 00:27:42.339 --> 00:27:42.539 that it 00:27:42.539 --> 00:27:43.519 costs $44,000. 00:27:43.519 --> 00:27:44.639 So it's 00:27:44.639 --> 00:27:44.940 not a 00:27:44.940 --> 00:27:45.599 small sum 00:27:45.599 --> 00:27:46.039 of money 00:27:46.039 --> 00:27:46.519 that this 00:27:46.519 --> 00:27:46.900 person is 00:27:46.900 --> 00:27:47.420 speaking of. 00:27:48.000 --> 00:27:48.759 And it's 00:27:48.759 --> 00:27:49.180 not money 00:27:49.180 --> 00:27:49.420 that you 00:27:49.420 --> 00:27:49.819 just happen 00:27:49.819 --> 00:27:50.160 to have 00:27:50.160 --> 00:27:50.740 lying around 00:27:50.740 --> 00:27:51.279 inside a 00:27:51.279 --> 00:27:51.639 piggy bank 00:27:51.639 --> 00:27:51.960 somewhere. 00:27:52.900 --> 00:27:53.720 And sometimes 00:27:53.720 --> 00:27:54.420 I walk into 00:27:54.420 --> 00:27:54.839 a grocery 00:27:54.839 --> 00:27:55.500 store without 00:27:55.500 --> 00:27:56.119 checking how 00:27:56.119 --> 00:27:56.619 much money 00:27:56.619 --> 00:27:56.960 I have in 00:27:56.960 --> 00:27:57.379 my wallet 00:27:57.379 --> 00:27:58.980 because I'm 00:27:58.980 --> 00:27:59.539 just buying a 00:27:59.539 --> 00:27:59.920 few small 00:27:59.920 --> 00:28:00.460 things and I 00:28:00.460 --> 00:28:01.299 assume that I 00:28:01.299 --> 00:28:01.720 have enough 00:28:01.720 --> 00:28:02.180 money in my 00:28:02.180 --> 00:28:02.440 wallet. 00:28:03.259 --> 00:28:04.240 But imagine 00:28:04.240 --> 00:28:06.160 if you were 00:28:06.160 --> 00:28:07.139 trying to add 00:28:07.139 --> 00:28:08.059 room to your 00:28:08.059 --> 00:28:08.519 house. 00:28:08.519 --> 00:28:08.599 house. 00:28:10.759 --> 00:28:11.279 That's not 00:28:11.279 --> 00:28:11.680 something that 00:28:11.680 --> 00:28:11.980 you just 00:28:11.980 --> 00:28:12.299 kind of 00:28:12.299 --> 00:28:13.379 casually stumble 00:28:13.379 --> 00:28:13.799 into and 00:28:13.799 --> 00:28:13.940 think, 00:28:14.019 --> 00:28:14.259 okay, I 00:28:14.259 --> 00:28:14.559 think I'll 00:28:14.559 --> 00:28:14.819 add a 00:28:14.819 --> 00:28:15.259 house, you 00:28:15.259 --> 00:28:15.619 know, add 00:28:15.619 --> 00:28:16.039 a room to 00:28:16.039 --> 00:28:16.319 my house 00:28:16.319 --> 00:28:16.539 today. 00:28:16.779 --> 00:28:17.099 No, you 00:28:17.099 --> 00:28:17.400 have to 00:28:17.400 --> 00:28:17.680 check your 00:28:17.680 --> 00:28:18.220 bank account. 00:28:19.379 --> 00:28:19.980 You have to 00:28:19.980 --> 00:28:20.420 check to 00:28:20.420 --> 00:28:20.940 make sure that 00:28:20.940 --> 00:28:21.220 you have 00:28:21.220 --> 00:28:21.720 enough money 00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:22.279 to complete 00:28:22.279 --> 00:28:22.859 the project 00:28:22.859 --> 00:28:23.559 that you're 00:28:23.559 --> 00:28:24.160 about to 00:28:24.160 --> 00:28:24.539 start. 00:28:25.980 --> 00:28:26.660 Sitting down 00:28:26.660 --> 00:28:27.099 and counting 00:28:27.099 --> 00:28:27.579 the cost, 00:28:27.639 --> 00:28:27.980 whether I have 00:28:27.980 --> 00:28:28.379 enough to 00:28:28.379 --> 00:28:28.740 complete it. 00:28:28.779 --> 00:28:29.639 A half-built 00:28:29.639 --> 00:28:30.720 bathroom that 00:28:30.720 --> 00:28:31.359 has a toilet 00:28:31.359 --> 00:28:31.960 and a faucet 00:28:31.960 --> 00:28:32.559 but no water 00:28:32.559 --> 00:28:33.000 pipes is 00:28:33.000 --> 00:28:33.359 useless. 00:28:33.359 --> 00:28:36.799 So he 00:28:36.799 --> 00:28:36.919 says, 00:28:37.000 --> 00:28:37.219 when he 00:28:37.219 --> 00:28:37.619 has laid 00:28:37.619 --> 00:28:38.219 a foundation 00:28:38.219 --> 00:28:38.559 and is 00:28:38.559 --> 00:28:39.019 not able 00:28:39.019 --> 00:28:39.479 to finish, 00:28:39.599 --> 00:28:39.979 all who 00:28:39.979 --> 00:28:40.279 see it 00:28:40.279 --> 00:28:40.659 begin to 00:28:40.659 --> 00:28:41.240 mock him 00:28:41.240 --> 00:28:41.559 saying, 00:28:41.859 --> 00:28:42.159 this man 00:28:42.159 --> 00:28:42.799 began to 00:28:42.799 --> 00:28:43.219 build and 00:28:43.219 --> 00:28:43.719 was not 00:28:43.719 --> 00:28:44.339 able to 00:28:44.339 --> 00:28:44.779 finish. 00:28:45.099 --> 00:28:45.500 It's 00:28:45.500 --> 00:28:46.439 foolish to 00:28:46.439 --> 00:28:46.959 undertake 00:28:46.959 --> 00:28:48.439 something so 00:28:48.439 --> 00:28:50.319 consequential, 00:28:50.419 --> 00:28:51.039 so big, 00:28:51.579 --> 00:28:52.519 so costly 00:28:52.519 --> 00:28:53.479 without first 00:28:53.479 --> 00:28:54.259 estimating the 00:28:54.259 --> 00:28:54.699 expenses. 00:28:56.059 --> 00:28:56.839 There's a 00:28:56.839 --> 00:28:58.279 skyscraper in 00:28:58.279 --> 00:28:58.779 Pyongyang, 00:28:58.879 --> 00:28:59.359 North Korea. 00:29:00.639 --> 00:29:01.599 It's called 00:29:01.599 --> 00:29:02.919 Ryugyeong Hotel. 00:29:03.359 --> 00:29:04.159 It's the 00:29:04.159 --> 00:29:04.639 tallest 00:29:04.639 --> 00:29:06.000 skyscraper in 00:29:06.000 --> 00:29:06.500 North Korea, 00:29:07.019 --> 00:29:08.199 1,080 feet, 00:29:08.399 --> 00:29:09.559 105 floors, 00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:10.459 but it 00:29:10.459 --> 00:29:11.039 remains to 00:29:11.039 --> 00:29:11.619 this day 00:29:11.619 --> 00:29:12.500 unfinished. 00:29:14.939 --> 00:29:15.619 Construction 00:29:15.619 --> 00:29:16.099 for it 00:29:16.099 --> 00:29:16.539 began in 00:29:16.539 --> 00:29:17.399 1987, 00:29:18.019 --> 00:29:18.799 but problems 00:29:18.799 --> 00:29:19.399 with building 00:29:19.399 --> 00:29:20.099 materials as 00:29:20.099 --> 00:29:20.539 well as a 00:29:20.539 --> 00:29:20.959 prolonged 00:29:20.959 --> 00:29:22.139 economic crisis 00:29:22.139 --> 00:29:23.179 have prevented 00:29:23.179 --> 00:29:23.959 its completion 00:29:23.959 --> 00:29:24.839 to this day. 00:29:26.139 --> 00:29:26.759 So according 00:29:26.759 --> 00:29:27.139 to the 00:29:27.139 --> 00:29:27.619 Guinness World 00:29:27.619 --> 00:29:28.059 Records, 00:29:28.179 --> 00:29:28.859 Ryugyeong Hotel 00:29:28.859 --> 00:29:29.539 holds the 00:29:29.539 --> 00:29:29.919 dubious 00:29:29.919 --> 00:29:31.059 distinction of 00:29:31.059 --> 00:29:31.419 being the 00:29:31.419 --> 00:29:32.039 tallest 00:29:32.039 --> 00:29:33.059 unoccupied 00:29:33.059 --> 00:29:34.440 building in 00:29:34.440 --> 00:29:34.839 the world. 00:29:35.919 --> 00:29:36.539 It's 00:29:36.539 --> 00:29:36.980 embarrassing. 00:29:39.759 --> 00:29:40.399 The 00:29:40.399 --> 00:29:41.200 skyscraper that 00:29:41.200 --> 00:29:41.579 was supposed 00:29:41.579 --> 00:29:42.000 to be a 00:29:42.000 --> 00:29:42.740 monument to 00:29:42.740 --> 00:29:43.460 North Korean 00:29:43.460 --> 00:29:44.519 technological 00:29:44.519 --> 00:29:45.700 advancement at 00:29:45.700 --> 00:29:46.559 the 13th World 00:29:46.559 --> 00:29:47.339 Festival of 00:29:47.339 --> 00:29:47.899 Youth and 00:29:47.899 --> 00:29:48.399 Students in 00:29:48.399 --> 00:29:48.980 1989, 00:29:49.679 --> 00:29:50.319 instead now 00:29:50.319 --> 00:29:50.960 stands to 00:29:50.960 --> 00:29:51.599 this day in 00:29:51.599 --> 00:29:52.899 2019 as 00:29:52.899 --> 00:29:53.500 the monument 00:29:53.500 --> 00:29:53.960 to their 00:29:53.960 --> 00:29:54.639 poor planning. 00:29:54.640 --> 00:29:54.700 men. 00:30:00.580 --> 00:30:01.700 This is the 00:30:01.700 --> 00:30:03.540 foolishness of 00:30:03.540 --> 00:30:04.140 halfway 00:30:04.140 --> 00:30:04.880 discipleship. 00:30:07.840 --> 00:30:08.660 If you 00:30:08.660 --> 00:30:09.360 wear the 00:30:09.360 --> 00:30:09.880 name of 00:30:09.880 --> 00:30:10.960 Christ and 00:30:10.960 --> 00:30:11.759 call yourself 00:30:11.759 --> 00:30:12.400 a Christian, 00:30:12.660 --> 00:30:13.000 but you 00:30:13.000 --> 00:30:14.040 live in 00:30:14.040 --> 00:30:14.940 contrast to 00:30:14.940 --> 00:30:15.560 his teachings, 00:30:16.700 --> 00:30:17.780 it's 00:30:17.780 --> 00:30:18.300 embarrassing 00:30:18.300 --> 00:30:19.820 to Christ. 00:30:19.819 --> 00:30:19.879 Christ. 00:30:22.460 --> 00:30:23.200 If you 00:30:23.200 --> 00:30:23.839 say that 00:30:23.839 --> 00:30:24.339 Christ is 00:30:24.339 --> 00:30:24.899 your Lord, 00:30:25.099 --> 00:30:25.480 but you're 00:30:25.480 --> 00:30:26.099 not willing 00:30:26.099 --> 00:30:27.019 to do what 00:30:27.019 --> 00:30:27.799 he commands, 00:30:28.079 --> 00:30:28.639 then it's 00:30:28.639 --> 00:30:29.079 pointless. 00:30:30.599 --> 00:30:31.319 If you 00:30:31.319 --> 00:30:31.599 don't 00:30:31.599 --> 00:30:32.500 persevere in 00:30:32.500 --> 00:30:33.019 your faith 00:30:33.019 --> 00:30:33.559 and obedience 00:30:33.559 --> 00:30:34.159 to the end 00:30:34.159 --> 00:30:34.439 of your 00:30:34.439 --> 00:30:34.899 life, 00:30:35.460 --> 00:30:37.279 and you 00:30:37.279 --> 00:30:37.859 fall away 00:30:37.859 --> 00:30:38.579 from Christ, 00:30:38.919 --> 00:30:40.220 it's futile. 00:30:41.659 --> 00:30:42.419 It's like 00:30:42.419 --> 00:30:43.079 having an 00:30:43.079 --> 00:30:43.899 unfinished 00:30:43.899 --> 00:30:44.599 tower. 00:30:44.599 --> 00:30:48.219 The second 00:30:48.219 --> 00:30:48.740 illustration, 00:30:48.980 --> 00:30:49.759 verses 31 00:30:49.759 --> 00:30:50.459 to 32, 00:30:50.919 --> 00:30:52.199 makes the 00:30:52.199 --> 00:30:52.859 similar point. 00:30:53.439 --> 00:30:53.619 It says, 00:30:53.740 --> 00:30:54.159 Or what 00:30:54.159 --> 00:30:54.579 king, 00:30:54.899 --> 00:30:55.579 going out to 00:30:55.579 --> 00:30:56.500 encounter another 00:30:56.500 --> 00:30:57.339 king in war, 00:30:57.659 --> 00:30:58.279 will not sit 00:30:58.279 --> 00:30:59.199 down first and 00:30:59.199 --> 00:31:00.319 deliberate whether 00:31:00.319 --> 00:31:01.159 he is able with 00:31:01.159 --> 00:31:02.119 10,000 to meet 00:31:02.119 --> 00:31:02.759 him who comes 00:31:02.759 --> 00:31:03.419 against him with 00:31:03.419 --> 00:31:04.079 20,000? 00:31:04.679 --> 00:31:05.339 And if not, 00:31:05.419 --> 00:31:05.899 while the other 00:31:05.899 --> 00:31:06.679 is yet a great 00:31:06.679 --> 00:31:07.240 way off, 00:31:07.539 --> 00:31:08.099 he sends a 00:31:08.099 --> 00:31:08.879 delegation that 00:31:08.879 --> 00:31:09.379 asks for 00:31:09.379 --> 00:31:09.819 terms of 00:31:09.819 --> 00:31:10.119 peace. 00:31:10.859 --> 00:31:11.319 Just think 00:31:11.319 --> 00:31:11.719 about how 00:31:11.719 --> 00:31:12.359 foolish that 00:31:12.359 --> 00:31:12.579 is. 00:31:13.299 --> 00:31:13.839 This king 00:31:13.839 --> 00:31:14.779 and his 00:31:14.779 --> 00:31:15.399 kingdom is 00:31:15.399 --> 00:31:16.299 under attack 00:31:16.299 --> 00:31:17.199 and he 00:31:17.199 --> 00:31:17.939 only has 00:31:17.939 --> 00:31:18.639 half the 00:31:18.639 --> 00:31:19.299 number of 00:31:19.299 --> 00:31:20.500 soldiers as 00:31:20.500 --> 00:31:21.179 the invading 00:31:21.179 --> 00:31:21.579 king. 00:31:22.879 --> 00:31:24.079 But imagine 00:31:24.079 --> 00:31:24.839 that in spite 00:31:24.839 --> 00:31:25.799 of that clear 00:31:25.799 --> 00:31:26.679 numerical 00:31:26.679 --> 00:31:27.419 disadvantage, 00:31:27.980 --> 00:31:28.599 this king 00:31:28.599 --> 00:31:29.519 without counsel 00:31:29.519 --> 00:31:30.819 lunges headlong 00:31:30.819 --> 00:31:31.859 into battle 00:31:31.859 --> 00:31:33.379 without strategizing 00:31:33.379 --> 00:31:34.179 with his generals 00:31:34.179 --> 00:31:36.379 about how to 00:31:36.379 --> 00:31:37.139 overcome this 00:31:37.139 --> 00:31:37.599 deficit. 00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:38.879 He's going 00:31:38.879 --> 00:31:39.480 to get 00:31:39.480 --> 00:31:40.240 destroyed. 00:31:40.240 --> 00:31:44.059 war is 00:31:44.059 --> 00:31:44.500 not a 00:31:44.500 --> 00:31:45.000 video game 00:31:45.000 --> 00:31:45.180 that you 00:31:45.180 --> 00:31:45.599 can start 00:31:45.599 --> 00:31:45.880 over 00:31:45.880 --> 00:31:47.579 anytime you 00:31:47.579 --> 00:31:47.920 want. 00:31:51.420 --> 00:31:51.940 Foolishly 00:31:51.940 --> 00:31:52.359 going to 00:31:52.359 --> 00:31:52.859 war without 00:31:52.859 --> 00:31:53.339 adequate 00:31:53.339 --> 00:31:54.039 preparation 00:31:54.039 --> 00:31:54.759 will have 00:31:54.759 --> 00:31:55.299 devastating 00:31:55.299 --> 00:31:56.059 consequences 00:31:56.059 --> 00:31:57.120 and so 00:31:57.120 --> 00:31:57.819 any king 00:31:57.819 --> 00:31:58.359 with any 00:31:58.359 --> 00:31:59.180 common sense 00:31:59.180 --> 00:31:59.819 will carefully 00:31:59.819 --> 00:32:00.420 assess the 00:32:00.420 --> 00:32:01.059 dire situation 00:32:01.059 --> 00:32:01.759 and determine 00:32:01.759 --> 00:32:02.140 whether he 00:32:02.140 --> 00:32:02.519 has enough 00:32:02.519 --> 00:32:02.940 to go to 00:32:02.940 --> 00:32:03.180 war. 00:32:03.680 --> 00:32:04.019 And if 00:32:04.019 --> 00:32:04.259 not, 00:32:04.319 --> 00:32:04.500 he will 00:32:04.500 --> 00:32:05.680 send for 00:32:05.680 --> 00:32:06.220 a delegation 00:32:06.220 --> 00:32:06.640 to ask for 00:32:06.640 --> 00:32:07.019 terms of 00:32:07.019 --> 00:32:07.319 peace. 00:32:08.420 --> 00:32:08.799 Likewise, 00:32:08.799 --> 00:32:09.940 following Christ 00:32:09.940 --> 00:32:10.799 is not 00:32:10.799 --> 00:32:11.519 a stroll 00:32:11.519 --> 00:32:12.059 in the 00:32:12.059 --> 00:32:12.419 park. 00:32:13.119 --> 00:32:13.579 It's not 00:32:13.579 --> 00:32:13.980 a video 00:32:13.980 --> 00:32:14.339 game. 00:32:15.599 --> 00:32:16.379 It's not 00:32:16.379 --> 00:32:17.059 a casual 00:32:17.059 --> 00:32:18.079 undertaking. 00:32:18.279 --> 00:32:19.299 It requires, 00:32:19.500 --> 00:32:20.299 it determines 00:32:20.299 --> 00:32:22.019 one's eternal 00:32:22.019 --> 00:32:23.000 fate. 00:32:23.480 --> 00:32:24.299 It raises 00:32:24.299 --> 00:32:25.379 the stakes, 00:32:25.639 --> 00:32:26.639 asks questions 00:32:26.639 --> 00:32:27.539 of life 00:32:27.539 --> 00:32:28.319 and death 00:32:28.319 --> 00:32:29.200 and it may 00:32:29.200 --> 00:32:29.940 come with 00:32:29.940 --> 00:32:30.539 suffering 00:32:30.539 --> 00:32:31.659 and persecution. 00:32:32.339 --> 00:32:32.579 It may 00:32:32.579 --> 00:32:32.960 come, 00:32:33.139 --> 00:32:33.639 it will 00:32:33.639 --> 00:32:34.359 come at 00:32:34.359 --> 00:32:35.379 great personal 00:32:35.379 --> 00:32:36.359 cost to 00:32:36.359 --> 00:32:37.000 yourself 00:32:37.000 --> 00:32:37.419 and to 00:32:37.419 --> 00:32:37.919 your own 00:32:37.919 --> 00:32:38.659 life and 00:32:38.660 --> 00:32:39.060 for these 00:32:39.060 --> 00:32:39.660 reasons it 00:32:39.660 --> 00:32:40.340 requires 00:32:40.340 --> 00:32:41.480 serious 00:32:41.480 --> 00:32:42.680 consideration. 00:32:45.140 --> 00:32:45.840 Have you 00:32:45.840 --> 00:32:46.300 considered 00:32:46.300 --> 00:32:46.940 becoming a 00:32:46.940 --> 00:32:47.360 follower of 00:32:47.360 --> 00:32:47.700 Christ? 00:32:49.700 --> 00:32:50.380 Do you 00:32:50.380 --> 00:32:50.820 know what 00:32:50.820 --> 00:32:51.240 Christ 00:32:51.240 --> 00:32:52.240 demands of 00:32:52.240 --> 00:32:52.540 you? 00:32:53.259 --> 00:32:53.900 Do you 00:32:53.900 --> 00:32:54.500 know what 00:32:54.500 --> 00:32:55.000 the Christian 00:32:55.000 --> 00:32:55.920 life entails? 00:32:56.920 --> 00:32:57.600 If you're 00:32:57.600 --> 00:32:58.160 not yet a 00:32:58.160 --> 00:32:58.540 follower of 00:32:58.540 --> 00:32:58.740 Christ, 00:32:58.820 --> 00:32:59.519 I urge you 00:32:59.519 --> 00:33:00.320 this morning 00:33:00.320 --> 00:33:01.740 to answer 00:33:01.740 --> 00:33:02.420 these questions 00:33:02.420 --> 00:33:03.019 for yourself, 00:33:03.100 --> 00:33:03.640 to consider, 00:33:03.779 --> 00:33:04.420 to deliberate 00:33:04.420 --> 00:33:05.560 seriously. 00:33:05.559 --> 00:33:09.019 the Christian 00:33:09.019 --> 00:33:09.440 life is 00:33:09.440 --> 00:33:10.119 not for 00:33:10.119 --> 00:33:10.700 the faint 00:33:10.700 --> 00:33:11.279 hearted, 00:33:11.279 --> 00:33:11.599 it's not 00:33:11.599 --> 00:33:12.480 for casual 00:33:12.480 --> 00:33:12.919 observers 00:33:12.919 --> 00:33:14.039 and lukewarm 00:33:14.039 --> 00:33:14.639 fans. 00:33:15.399 --> 00:33:15.679 In order 00:33:15.679 --> 00:33:16.259 to be a 00:33:16.259 --> 00:33:16.839 disciple of 00:33:16.839 --> 00:33:17.119 Christ, 00:33:17.200 --> 00:33:17.539 we must 00:33:17.539 --> 00:33:18.079 renounce 00:33:18.079 --> 00:33:19.079 all other 00:33:19.079 --> 00:33:19.940 allegiances 00:33:19.940 --> 00:33:20.639 because 00:33:20.639 --> 00:33:21.639 Christ the 00:33:21.639 --> 00:33:22.139 King will 00:33:22.139 --> 00:33:22.960 have no 00:33:22.960 --> 00:33:23.559 life. 00:33:25.399 --> 00:33:25.879 You can 00:33:25.879 --> 00:33:26.639 only pledge 00:33:26.639 --> 00:33:27.399 allegiance to 00:33:27.399 --> 00:33:28.259 one King. 00:33:31.859 --> 00:33:32.500 Think about 00:33:32.500 --> 00:33:32.919 it this way, 00:33:32.980 --> 00:33:33.599 at a U.S. 00:33:33.599 --> 00:33:34.359 naturalization 00:33:34.359 --> 00:33:34.879 ceremony, 00:33:35.699 --> 00:33:38.480 which I 00:33:38.480 --> 00:33:38.859 got to 00:33:38.859 --> 00:33:39.459 attend at 00:33:39.459 --> 00:33:40.159 Red Sox 00:33:40.159 --> 00:33:40.799 for my 00:33:40.799 --> 00:33:41.240 naturalization 00:33:41.240 --> 00:33:41.480 ceremony, 00:33:41.519 --> 00:33:41.679 it was 00:33:41.679 --> 00:33:42.159 really cool, 00:33:42.719 --> 00:33:44.240 but that's 00:33:44.240 --> 00:33:44.619 irrelevant, 00:33:44.839 --> 00:33:45.039 sorry. 00:33:45.679 --> 00:33:46.079 One of the 00:33:46.079 --> 00:33:47.859 things that 00:33:47.859 --> 00:33:48.379 you have to 00:33:48.379 --> 00:33:48.919 say in 00:33:48.919 --> 00:33:49.319 your vow 00:33:49.319 --> 00:33:49.819 of allegiance 00:33:49.819 --> 00:33:51.559 is this, 00:33:51.659 --> 00:33:52.059 it begins 00:33:52.059 --> 00:33:52.399 like this, 00:33:52.439 --> 00:33:53.039 I hereby 00:33:53.039 --> 00:33:54.039 declare on 00:33:54.039 --> 00:33:55.419 oath that 00:33:55.419 --> 00:33:56.419 I absolutely 00:33:56.419 --> 00:33:57.799 and entirely 00:33:57.799 --> 00:33:59.139 renounce and 00:33:59.139 --> 00:34:00.559 abjure all 00:34:00.559 --> 00:34:01.399 allegiance and 00:34:01.399 --> 00:34:02.559 fidelity to any 00:34:02.559 --> 00:34:03.579 foreign prince 00:34:03.579 --> 00:34:04.779 potented 00:34:04.779 --> 00:34:06.019 state or 00:34:06.019 --> 00:34:07.240 sovereignty of 00:34:07.240 --> 00:34:07.819 whom or 00:34:07.819 --> 00:34:08.420 which I 00:34:08.420 --> 00:34:09.400 have heretofore 00:34:09.400 --> 00:34:09.960 been a 00:34:09.960 --> 00:34:10.880 subject or 00:34:10.880 --> 00:34:11.380 citizen. 00:34:14.480 --> 00:34:15.099 I don't 00:34:15.099 --> 00:34:15.420 think people 00:34:15.420 --> 00:34:15.920 actually think 00:34:15.920 --> 00:34:16.500 about it when 00:34:16.500 --> 00:34:17.779 they recite 00:34:17.779 --> 00:34:18.259 that oath. 00:34:19.019 --> 00:34:19.719 That's a 00:34:19.719 --> 00:34:20.279 serious 00:34:20.279 --> 00:34:21.039 commitment. 00:34:21.679 --> 00:34:21.960 It's 00:34:21.960 --> 00:34:22.460 exclusive. 00:34:23.579 --> 00:34:23.840 You're 00:34:23.840 --> 00:34:24.739 renouncing all 00:34:24.739 --> 00:34:25.179 your other 00:34:25.179 --> 00:34:25.840 previous 00:34:25.840 --> 00:34:26.659 allegiances. 00:34:27.299 --> 00:34:27.699 Why? 00:34:27.799 --> 00:34:28.259 Because you 00:34:28.259 --> 00:34:29.699 cannot be a 00:34:29.699 --> 00:34:30.119 U.S. 00:34:30.219 --> 00:34:31.139 citizen while 00:34:31.139 --> 00:34:31.559 pledging 00:34:31.559 --> 00:34:32.259 allegiance to a 00:34:32.259 --> 00:34:32.880 foreign country. 00:34:33.579 --> 00:34:35.559 in order to 00:34:35.559 --> 00:34:36.159 enjoy the 00:34:36.159 --> 00:34:36.900 privileges of 00:34:36.900 --> 00:34:37.519 citizenship in 00:34:37.519 --> 00:34:37.920 this country, 00:34:38.019 --> 00:34:38.279 you must 00:34:38.279 --> 00:34:38.860 renounce your 00:34:38.860 --> 00:34:39.619 obligations to 00:34:39.619 --> 00:34:40.279 other nations. 00:34:40.779 --> 00:34:41.619 In order to 00:34:41.619 --> 00:34:41.980 enjoy the 00:34:41.980 --> 00:34:43.119 protection provided 00:34:43.119 --> 00:34:43.679 by this 00:34:43.679 --> 00:34:44.039 country, 00:34:44.779 --> 00:34:45.779 you need to 00:34:45.779 --> 00:34:46.759 pledge to not 00:34:46.759 --> 00:34:47.819 support another 00:34:47.819 --> 00:34:48.319 country, 00:34:48.819 --> 00:34:49.199 which is 00:34:49.199 --> 00:34:49.960 undermining your 00:34:49.960 --> 00:34:50.559 very own 00:34:50.559 --> 00:34:51.019 protection, 00:34:51.179 --> 00:34:51.679 which comes from 00:34:51.679 --> 00:34:52.159 this country. 00:34:54.259 --> 00:34:55.659 That's the 00:34:55.659 --> 00:34:56.360 nature of 00:34:56.360 --> 00:34:57.079 relationships, 00:34:57.739 --> 00:34:58.440 nature of 00:34:58.440 --> 00:34:58.880 citizenship, 00:34:59.159 --> 00:34:59.559 and these 00:34:59.559 --> 00:35:00.039 allegiances. 00:35:00.039 --> 00:35:00.559 becoming 00:35:00.559 --> 00:35:01.360 likewise a 00:35:01.360 --> 00:35:02.059 citizen of 00:35:02.059 --> 00:35:02.420 the kingdom 00:35:02.420 --> 00:35:02.960 of God 00:35:02.960 --> 00:35:04.400 requires the 00:35:04.400 --> 00:35:05.779 renunciation of 00:35:05.779 --> 00:35:06.699 our citizenship in 00:35:06.699 --> 00:35:07.239 the kingdom of 00:35:07.239 --> 00:35:07.699 this world. 00:35:08.119 --> 00:35:09.159 You cannot serve 00:35:09.159 --> 00:35:09.920 two masters. 00:35:09.920 --> 00:35:10.099 others. 00:35:16.380 --> 00:35:17.639 So it's foolish to 00:35:17.639 --> 00:35:18.420 try to do 00:35:18.420 --> 00:35:18.820 otherwise. 00:35:19.079 --> 00:35:19.400 That's the 00:35:19.400 --> 00:35:20.079 foolishness of 00:35:20.079 --> 00:35:20.360 halfway 00:35:20.360 --> 00:35:20.940 discipleship. 00:35:22.420 --> 00:35:23.019 And the 00:35:23.019 --> 00:35:23.519 last point 00:35:23.519 --> 00:35:24.579 Jesus makes 00:35:24.579 --> 00:35:25.019 is of the 00:35:25.019 --> 00:35:26.400 uselessness of 00:35:26.400 --> 00:35:26.720 halfway 00:35:26.720 --> 00:35:27.519 discipleship in 00:35:27.519 --> 00:35:28.320 verses 34 00:35:28.320 --> 00:35:29.380 to 35. 00:35:29.519 --> 00:35:29.860 He says, 00:35:29.860 --> 00:35:30.980 salt is good, 00:35:31.720 --> 00:35:32.960 but if salt has 00:35:32.960 --> 00:35:34.019 lost its taste, 00:35:34.460 --> 00:35:35.500 how shall its 00:35:35.500 --> 00:35:36.700 saltiness be 00:35:36.700 --> 00:35:37.200 restored? 00:35:37.199 --> 00:35:38.759 It is of no 00:35:38.759 --> 00:35:39.219 use, 00:35:39.579 --> 00:35:40.139 either for the 00:35:40.139 --> 00:35:40.879 soil or for 00:35:40.879 --> 00:35:41.699 the manure pile. 00:35:41.819 --> 00:35:42.239 It is thrown 00:35:42.239 --> 00:35:42.599 away. 00:35:43.039 --> 00:35:43.759 He who has ears 00:35:43.759 --> 00:35:44.199 to hear, 00:35:44.299 --> 00:35:45.019 let him hear. 00:35:46.059 --> 00:35:47.379 Salt is good, 00:35:47.460 --> 00:35:47.839 it says. 00:35:48.099 --> 00:35:48.460 What does it 00:35:48.460 --> 00:35:49.139 mean for salt 00:35:49.139 --> 00:35:49.879 to be good? 00:35:50.559 --> 00:35:51.519 Luke uses the 00:35:51.519 --> 00:35:53.039 word good earlier 00:35:53.039 --> 00:35:54.259 in his gospel to 00:35:54.259 --> 00:35:55.339 tell us that we 00:35:55.339 --> 00:35:56.099 are to be like 00:35:56.099 --> 00:35:58.059 good trees planted 00:35:58.059 --> 00:36:00.299 on good soil in 00:36:00.299 --> 00:36:01.179 order to bear good 00:36:01.179 --> 00:36:01.879 fruit. 00:36:02.480 --> 00:36:03.779 So good is a 00:36:03.779 --> 00:36:04.359 word that he 00:36:04.359 --> 00:36:05.659 specifically uses to 00:36:05.659 --> 00:36:06.519 refer to 00:36:06.519 --> 00:36:08.059 the right 00:36:08.059 --> 00:36:08.900 Christian 00:36:08.900 --> 00:36:09.820 discipleship. 00:36:10.460 --> 00:36:10.780 A true 00:36:10.780 --> 00:36:11.360 Christian that 00:36:11.360 --> 00:36:12.119 bears fruit, 00:36:12.300 --> 00:36:13.159 that is responsive 00:36:13.159 --> 00:36:13.800 to the word of 00:36:13.800 --> 00:36:15.159 God, that grows 00:36:15.159 --> 00:36:16.920 on good soil. 00:36:17.079 --> 00:36:18.619 So saltiness is 00:36:18.619 --> 00:36:19.860 the mark of the 00:36:19.860 --> 00:36:20.519 Christian because 00:36:20.519 --> 00:36:21.480 salt is good. 00:36:22.239 --> 00:36:22.780 This is quite 00:36:22.780 --> 00:36:24.440 appropriate metaphor 00:36:24.440 --> 00:36:25.320 for the Christian 00:36:25.320 --> 00:36:26.159 because of its 00:36:26.159 --> 00:36:27.579 preserving properties, 00:36:27.940 --> 00:36:28.099 you know, 00:36:28.360 --> 00:36:29.079 disinfecting 00:36:29.079 --> 00:36:29.559 properties, 00:36:29.860 --> 00:36:31.860 especially in a 00:36:31.860 --> 00:36:32.380 day when they 00:36:32.380 --> 00:36:32.759 didn't have 00:36:32.759 --> 00:36:33.480 refrigeration, 00:36:33.619 --> 00:36:34.340 it was a sign, 00:36:34.480 --> 00:36:35.099 really a symbol 00:36:35.099 --> 00:36:35.980 of permanence. 00:36:35.980 --> 00:36:37.300 A salt, 00:36:37.760 --> 00:36:38.360 that's what 00:36:38.360 --> 00:36:40.099 preserves food. 00:36:41.360 --> 00:36:41.980 And it's 00:36:41.980 --> 00:36:43.420 extremely important 00:36:43.420 --> 00:36:44.380 and essential to 00:36:44.380 --> 00:36:46.099 life for many of 00:36:46.099 --> 00:36:46.579 these reasons, 00:36:46.679 --> 00:36:47.539 but the primary 00:36:47.539 --> 00:36:48.740 function that Luke 00:36:48.740 --> 00:36:49.519 seems to have in 00:36:49.519 --> 00:36:50.840 view is spelled 00:36:50.840 --> 00:36:51.860 out in verse 35. 00:36:52.519 --> 00:36:53.579 It is of no use 00:36:53.579 --> 00:36:54.659 either for the soil 00:36:54.659 --> 00:36:56.000 or for the manure 00:36:56.000 --> 00:36:56.559 pile. 00:36:57.320 --> 00:36:58.300 What's in view here 00:36:58.300 --> 00:36:59.519 is salt's function 00:36:59.519 --> 00:37:00.780 as a fertilizer. 00:37:01.940 --> 00:37:02.780 A little bit of 00:37:02.780 --> 00:37:03.539 salt can activate 00:37:03.539 --> 00:37:04.860 nutrients in the soil 00:37:04.860 --> 00:37:05.720 for the plants 00:37:05.720 --> 00:37:07.440 but control the 00:37:07.440 --> 00:37:08.260 growth of weed. 00:37:09.079 --> 00:37:09.820 It can also be 00:37:09.820 --> 00:37:10.740 used to enrich 00:37:10.740 --> 00:37:12.519 manure to make 00:37:12.519 --> 00:37:13.400 it more effective 00:37:13.400 --> 00:37:14.539 as a fertilizer. 00:37:16.680 --> 00:37:17.680 However, he says, 00:37:17.740 --> 00:37:19.380 if salt has lost 00:37:19.380 --> 00:37:20.019 its taste, 00:37:20.320 --> 00:37:21.200 how shall its 00:37:21.200 --> 00:37:22.000 saltiness be 00:37:22.000 --> 00:37:22.460 restored? 00:37:23.240 --> 00:37:23.820 And the Greek 00:37:23.820 --> 00:37:24.740 word translated 00:37:24.740 --> 00:37:25.680 here as lose 00:37:25.680 --> 00:37:26.340 its taste 00:37:26.340 --> 00:37:27.700 literally means 00:37:27.700 --> 00:37:28.940 to become foolish. 00:37:28.940 --> 00:37:30.720 He's saying salt 00:37:30.720 --> 00:37:32.039 when it becomes 00:37:32.039 --> 00:37:33.000 foolish, what 00:37:33.000 --> 00:37:33.420 good is it 00:37:33.420 --> 00:37:33.700 anymore? 00:37:34.220 --> 00:37:35.119 What use does 00:37:35.119 --> 00:37:35.720 it have anymore? 00:37:36.360 --> 00:37:37.019 It's a metaphor 00:37:37.019 --> 00:37:37.760 for Christian 00:37:37.760 --> 00:37:38.940 discipleship. 00:37:41.119 --> 00:37:42.059 The answer is, 00:37:42.139 --> 00:37:42.559 of course, it 00:37:42.559 --> 00:37:43.500 cannot be restored. 00:37:44.460 --> 00:37:44.980 We have some 00:37:44.980 --> 00:37:45.579 chemists in the 00:37:45.579 --> 00:37:46.039 room, they might 00:37:46.039 --> 00:37:47.000 object that salt 00:37:47.000 --> 00:37:47.960 cannot lose its 00:37:47.960 --> 00:37:48.559 saltiness by 00:37:48.559 --> 00:37:50.139 definition because 00:37:50.139 --> 00:37:50.840 when it does, 00:37:50.920 --> 00:37:51.400 it would cease to 00:37:51.400 --> 00:37:51.800 be salt. 00:37:52.400 --> 00:37:53.059 And that's true 00:37:53.059 --> 00:37:54.880 if I did my 00:37:54.880 --> 00:37:55.440 Google research 00:37:55.440 --> 00:37:55.840 correctly. 00:37:55.840 --> 00:37:58.420 But that defeats 00:37:58.420 --> 00:37:59.019 the point of the 00:37:59.019 --> 00:37:59.300 metaphor. 00:38:00.039 --> 00:38:01.220 In this part of 00:38:01.220 --> 00:38:02.039 the ancient world, 00:38:02.519 --> 00:38:03.380 salt was likely 00:38:03.380 --> 00:38:04.180 derived from the 00:38:04.180 --> 00:38:04.920 Dead Sea by 00:38:04.920 --> 00:38:05.600 evaporation. 00:38:06.360 --> 00:38:07.260 And so the residue 00:38:07.260 --> 00:38:08.140 would have contained 00:38:08.140 --> 00:38:09.120 salt, real salt, 00:38:09.220 --> 00:38:09.920 but it will also be 00:38:09.920 --> 00:38:11.039 mixed with other 00:38:11.039 --> 00:38:12.440 minerals that are 00:38:12.440 --> 00:38:12.980 not salty. 00:38:13.559 --> 00:38:14.260 And that can be 00:38:14.260 --> 00:38:15.260 mistaken for salt. 00:38:15.400 --> 00:38:16.180 So often people 00:38:16.180 --> 00:38:17.160 saw this as salt 00:38:17.160 --> 00:38:18.640 losing its saltiness. 00:38:20.180 --> 00:38:21.039 And this was a 00:38:21.039 --> 00:38:21.800 common problem in 00:38:21.800 --> 00:38:22.420 the ancient world. 00:38:22.600 --> 00:38:23.200 And salt that is 00:38:23.200 --> 00:38:23.880 mixed with these 00:38:23.880 --> 00:38:24.600 other minerals that 00:38:24.600 --> 00:38:25.760 are not salt would 00:38:25.760 --> 00:38:26.600 be useless for 00:38:26.600 --> 00:38:27.640 preserving and 00:38:27.640 --> 00:38:29.100 purifying, flavoring, 00:38:29.500 --> 00:38:31.140 and even as in 00:38:31.140 --> 00:38:31.620 view here, 00:38:31.820 --> 00:38:32.460 fertilizing. 00:38:33.860 --> 00:38:34.580 Similarly, a 00:38:34.580 --> 00:38:35.220 Christian that 00:38:35.220 --> 00:38:36.100 loses his 00:38:36.100 --> 00:38:37.240 Christ-likeness, 00:38:37.820 --> 00:38:39.260 a halfway disciple, 00:38:40.260 --> 00:38:41.140 the so-called 00:38:41.140 --> 00:38:42.200 Christian that 00:38:42.200 --> 00:38:43.500 becomes foolish, 00:38:45.080 --> 00:38:45.960 loses his 00:38:45.960 --> 00:38:47.040 usefulness. 00:38:50.420 --> 00:38:51.880 He's useless for 00:38:51.880 --> 00:38:52.920 preserving what is 00:38:52.920 --> 00:38:54.920 good and right in 00:38:54.920 --> 00:38:55.480 this world. 00:38:55.480 --> 00:38:56.519 He's useless for 00:38:56.519 --> 00:38:57.440 halting the moral 00:38:57.440 --> 00:38:58.519 decay of society. 00:38:58.740 --> 00:39:00.019 He's useless for 00:39:00.019 --> 00:39:01.139 purifying the sinful 00:39:01.139 --> 00:39:02.400 world and bringing 00:39:02.400 --> 00:39:03.500 the light of Christ, 00:39:03.740 --> 00:39:04.720 his healing, to this 00:39:04.720 --> 00:39:05.000 world. 00:39:05.200 --> 00:39:06.240 He's useless for 00:39:06.240 --> 00:39:07.280 flavoring this world 00:39:07.280 --> 00:39:08.220 with the goodness of 00:39:08.220 --> 00:39:08.559 God. 00:39:08.920 --> 00:39:09.880 But beside all of 00:39:09.880 --> 00:39:10.440 those things, a 00:39:10.440 --> 00:39:11.980 halfway disciple is 00:39:11.980 --> 00:39:13.039 useless for the 00:39:13.039 --> 00:39:14.019 primary purpose that 00:39:14.019 --> 00:39:15.260 Luke has in view of 00:39:15.260 --> 00:39:16.139 fertilizing. 00:39:16.139 --> 00:39:20.420 A true salty 00:39:20.420 --> 00:39:22.719 Christian fertilizes 00:39:22.719 --> 00:39:24.119 the soil so that 00:39:24.119 --> 00:39:26.299 people's hearts are 00:39:26.299 --> 00:39:27.599 fertile so that they 00:39:27.599 --> 00:39:29.079 respond to the seed of 00:39:29.079 --> 00:39:30.659 the gospel and produce 00:39:30.659 --> 00:39:32.199 good fruit that 00:39:32.199 --> 00:39:33.619 pleases God. 00:39:34.319 --> 00:39:36.319 A true disciple is a 00:39:36.319 --> 00:39:38.099 good tree that sits on 00:39:38.099 --> 00:39:39.619 good soil and bears 00:39:39.619 --> 00:39:41.619 good fruit, but to lose 00:39:41.619 --> 00:39:43.099 our saltiness is to lose 00:39:43.099 --> 00:39:45.679 our Christian identity, to 00:39:45.679 --> 00:39:46.400 have no good. 00:39:48.299 --> 00:39:49.920 That's the uselessness of 00:39:49.920 --> 00:39:51.699 halfway discipleship. 00:39:54.000 --> 00:39:55.239 And here's the reason 00:39:55.239 --> 00:39:55.880 why Christian 00:39:55.880 --> 00:39:57.500 discipleship is so all or 00:39:57.500 --> 00:39:58.079 nothing. 00:39:59.779 --> 00:40:01.440 We can think about it in 00:40:01.440 --> 00:40:02.259 relational terms. 00:40:03.159 --> 00:40:05.179 The level of intimacy that 00:40:05.179 --> 00:40:06.579 you enjoy in a 00:40:06.579 --> 00:40:08.319 relationship is directly 00:40:08.319 --> 00:40:09.920 proportionate to the level 00:40:09.920 --> 00:40:12.079 of priority you accord to 00:40:12.079 --> 00:40:12.720 that relationship. 00:40:15.619 --> 00:40:17.039 Can you imagine a man 00:40:17.039 --> 00:40:18.019 proposing to a woman 00:40:18.019 --> 00:40:18.960 this way? 00:40:19.860 --> 00:40:20.940 Would you like to marry 00:40:20.940 --> 00:40:23.320 me and become the 00:40:23.320 --> 00:40:24.139 second most important 00:40:24.139 --> 00:40:24.820 woman in my life? 00:40:26.800 --> 00:40:28.300 I will love you very 00:40:28.300 --> 00:40:28.700 much. 00:40:29.059 --> 00:40:30.139 I'll love my mom a 00:40:30.139 --> 00:40:32.119 little more, but I 00:40:32.119 --> 00:40:33.139 will love you very much. 00:40:33.760 --> 00:40:34.519 Or can you imagine a 00:40:34.519 --> 00:40:35.220 man saying, hey, I'm 00:40:35.220 --> 00:40:35.760 going to love you. 00:40:35.820 --> 00:40:36.099 You're going to be the 00:40:36.099 --> 00:40:36.760 second best woman. 00:40:36.840 --> 00:40:38.440 I love my sister more. 00:40:38.440 --> 00:40:41.240 But I'll also love you. 00:40:41.500 --> 00:40:42.440 You'll always be second 00:40:42.440 --> 00:40:42.860 in my heart. 00:40:47.139 --> 00:40:48.619 Who would say yes to 00:40:48.619 --> 00:40:49.760 such a lousy proposal? 00:40:52.599 --> 00:40:54.780 The depth of commitment 00:40:54.780 --> 00:40:56.920 and intimacy involved in 00:40:56.920 --> 00:40:59.760 marriage demands primacy 00:40:59.760 --> 00:41:01.400 and priority. 00:41:01.820 --> 00:41:04.059 It's not enough to love 00:41:04.059 --> 00:41:06.200 your spouse second best. 00:41:07.059 --> 00:41:08.159 She must be first. 00:41:08.440 --> 00:41:09.300 Among all your human 00:41:09.300 --> 00:41:09.940 relationships. 00:41:11.980 --> 00:41:13.619 In the same way, God 00:41:13.619 --> 00:41:17.019 has loved us with a 00:41:17.019 --> 00:41:20.280 consuming, jealous love. 00:41:20.280 --> 00:41:20.380 love. 00:41:22.620 --> 00:41:24.780 We have sinned and rebelled 00:41:24.780 --> 00:41:25.960 against him. 00:41:26.300 --> 00:41:27.880 We have been unfaithful 00:41:27.880 --> 00:41:28.320 to him. 00:41:28.640 --> 00:41:30.060 And as a result of that, 00:41:30.120 --> 00:41:31.440 we have been unlovable, 00:41:32.260 --> 00:41:32.860 unworthy. 00:41:33.560 --> 00:41:34.800 And yet God the Father 00:41:34.800 --> 00:41:36.000 sent his only son, 00:41:36.160 --> 00:41:38.400 Jesus, to die for our 00:41:38.400 --> 00:41:40.519 sins on the cross, 00:41:40.940 --> 00:41:42.160 to woo us. 00:41:44.060 --> 00:41:45.800 Jesus' life, death, and 00:41:45.800 --> 00:41:47.019 resurrection is the 00:41:47.019 --> 00:41:47.880 divine proposal. 00:41:47.880 --> 00:41:51.220 follow me. 00:41:51.220 --> 00:41:51.260 Follow me. 00:41:52.519 --> 00:41:55.019 Be the bride of Christ. 00:41:55.619 --> 00:41:56.579 That's how the church is 00:41:56.579 --> 00:41:58.200 described in God's word. 00:42:00.099 --> 00:42:02.559 And because of what Christ 00:42:02.559 --> 00:42:05.340 has done, because he bore his 00:42:05.340 --> 00:42:07.559 cross for us, he cannot demand 00:42:07.559 --> 00:42:09.960 that we bear our cross to follow 00:42:09.960 --> 00:42:10.380 him. 00:42:10.660 --> 00:42:12.019 Because that's the kind of 00:42:12.019 --> 00:42:13.480 relationship that he has 00:42:13.480 --> 00:42:14.220 offered to us. 00:42:14.219 --> 00:42:15.619 That's the kind of commitment 00:42:15.619 --> 00:42:17.879 and cost he was willing to 00:42:17.879 --> 00:42:19.059 pay for us. 00:42:19.559 --> 00:42:20.719 And so now he says, 00:42:21.119 --> 00:42:22.819 the only way you can have 00:42:22.819 --> 00:42:23.959 this kind of relationship 00:42:23.959 --> 00:42:26.899 with me is you must make me 00:42:26.899 --> 00:42:28.799 first in your heart, 00:42:28.959 --> 00:42:30.079 in your life. 00:42:38.279 --> 00:42:39.500 That's the privilege. 00:42:39.500 --> 00:42:43.539 But the privilege comes with 00:42:43.539 --> 00:42:44.000 the cost. 00:42:44.000 --> 00:42:44.059 Thank you. 00:42:44.059 --> 00:42:44.119 Thank you. 00:42:44.119 --> 00:42:44.320 Thank you.