today.
Luke chapter 9 beginning at verse 28 on page 1040.
About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went
up onto a mountain to pray.
As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed and his clothes became as bright
as a flash of lightning.
Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor talking with Jesus.
They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem.
Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake they saw
his glory and the two men standing with him.
As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, Master, it is good for us to be here.
Let us put up three shelters, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.
He did not know what he was saying.
While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and enveloped them and they were afraid as they
entered the cloud.
A voice came from the cloud saying, this is my son whom I have chosen.
Listen to him.
When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone.
The disciples kept this to themselves and told no one at that time what they had seen.
The next day when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him.
A man in the crowd called out, Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child.
A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams.
It throws him into convulsion so that he foams at the mouth.
It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him.
I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not.
Oh, unbelieving and perverse generation, Jesus replied.
How long shall I stay with you and put up with you?
Bring your son here.
Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion.
But Jesus rebuked the evil spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father.
And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.
While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples,
Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you.
The son of man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men.
But they did not understand what this meant.
It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask him about it.
An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest.
Jesus, knowing their thoughts, took a little child and made him stand beside him.
Then he said to them, Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me,
and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.
For he who is least among you all, he is the greatest.
Master, said John, we saw a man driving out demons in your name,
and we tried to stop him because he is not one of us.
Do not stop him, Jesus said,
For whoever is not against you is for you.
As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven,
Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem,
and he sent messengers on ahead,
who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him.
But the people there did not welcome him,
because he was heading for Jerusalem.
When the disciples, James and John, saw this, they asked,
Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?
But Jesus turned and rebuked them,
and they went to another village.
As they were walking along the road,
a man said to him,
I will follow you wherever you go.
Jesus replied,
Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests,
but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.
He said to another man,
Follow me.
But the man replied,
Lord, first let me go and bury my father.
Jesus said to him,
Let the dead bury their own dead,
but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.
Still another said,
I will follow you, Lord,
but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.
Jesus replied,
No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back
is fit for service in the kingdom of God.
Thank you, Chris.
Let's pray.
The voice came from the clouds saying,
This is my son whom I have chosen.
Listen to him.
Father, we want to listen to your words about the Lord Jesus today.
We want to hear clearly.
To understand who he is.
And what it means for people like us to follow him.
Teach us today.
We ask this for his glory alone.
Amen.
We'll have a look back at verse 23 of chapter 9.
Alex referred to it earlier this morning.
Verse 23.
Jesus said to them all,
If anyone would come after me,
he must deny himself
and take up his cross daily
and follow me.
And in response,
the musicians start
and we sing the hymn.
So I will go
wherever he is calling me.
I lose my life
to find my life in him.
I give my all
to gain the hope that never dies.
I bow my heart,
take up my cross
and follow him.
Very easy to read, isn't it?
And maybe easier to sing those words.
But to take up my cross
and follow him?
Well, that's a call to come and die to self
and to live for Christ.
And when we get to the end of chapter 9,
we meet three more people
who promise to follow Jesus.
One says,
I will follow you wherever you go.
Another says,
I will follow you, Lord.
And as we sit this morning,
we promise to follow.
And that's what I want us to consider
as we think about this text this morning.
What will it mean for us?
What will it mean for me
to follow Jesus?
First,
the glory and greatness of Jesus.
As we consider what it means to follow Jesus,
we're given this picture
of who Jesus is.
First,
the glory.
Look at verse 28.
About eight days
after Jesus said this,
so after he talked about following him,
he took Peter, John and James with him
and went up onto a mountain
to pray.
Now this must have been some experience
to be up on that mountain.
The sights and the sounds,
the flash of lights,
the cloud that appears
and the voice that speaks.
Now you might think
we're talking about this passage here
in Luke chapter 9.
But I'm actually thinking about another event
on another mountain
about 1500 years beforehand.
It's recorded for us in Exodus 19.
You probably are familiar
and remember the story.
It's when Moses
goes up Mount Sinai
to receive the law
from God.
He goes up the mountain
to meet with God.
And there's flashing of light,
there's smoke and fire
and a cloud descends on the mountain
signifying the presence of God
and out of the cloud
God speaks.
Now here in Luke
we find ourselves up another mountain.
And I don't think
it's a coincidence.
I think we're meant
to make these connections.
Because on Mount Sinai
God is meeting with Moses.
The sights and sounds,
the visual effects
that have happened there
are all a display
of God's glory.
God is present
on the mountain.
His power,
greatness,
beauty and authority
are all on display.
And here we are
up another mountain
and God is present.
But this time
through the person
of Jesus.
Look at verse 29.
As Jesus was praying
the appearance
of his face
changed
and his clothes
became as bright
as a flash of lightning.
Two men,
Moses and Elijah,
these great figures
of the Old Testament
representing the time
of the law
and the time
of the prophets,
appeared in glorious splendour
talking with Jesus.
Verse 32.
Peter and his companions
were very sleepy
but when they became
fully awake
they saw his glory.
The glory of God
is now seen
in the person of Jesus.
God's power,
his greatness,
his beauty
and authority
are displayed
through Jesus.
But look what else
that happens.
Verse 34.
As they were talking
a cloud appeared
and it covered them
and they were afraid
as they entered
into the cloud
and from the cloud
a voice came saying
this is my son
whom I have chosen
listen
to him.
all the way
through the Bible story
God has been saying
listen to me
but now God says
listen to him
listen to my son.
You see on this mountain
we see the glory of God.
God is on display
through Jesus.
Second we have
the greatness.
from the mountaintop experience
we descend
down from the mountain
into the darkness
of the valley below
and here we meet
a desperate situation
a father
with his tormented son.
Verse 39.
The father tells us
that a spirit
seizes his son
and he suddenly screams
it throws him
into convulsion
so that he foams
at his mouth.
It's almost
he's in a fit.
It scarcely ever
leaves him
and it's destroying him.
And to make matters worse
we read that no one
can do anything about it
not even the disciples.
This satanic evil rules.
But then Jesus is there
and in the calmness
that he brings
he says
bring the boy here
bring your son here.
Verse 42.
And even while the boy
was coming
the demon threw him
into the ground
in a convulsion.
But Jesus rebuked
the evil spirit
healed the boy
and gave him back
to his father.
Once more
we see the power
and authority
of God
being present
as Jesus
rebukes evil.
Once again
we see the beauty
and the greatness
of God on display
as Jesus heals
and restores
this boy.
And look at how
all the crowds
respond
verse 43.
And they were all
amazed
at the greatness
of God.
God is on display
through Jesus
and God is present
through Jesus.
Jesus.
Now wouldn't you like
some of that
glory
and greatness?
Wouldn't you love
to experience
that glory
up in the mountain?
Picture yourself there.
Wouldn't it be great
to be there?
Or down in the
greatness
of the valley
with all these
amazing things
going on.
I'll have some of that.
I want that.
And it seems
that's what the disciples
are after too.
Look at verse 46.
An argument
started among
the disciples
as to which of them
would be the greatest.
We can imagine
them talking.
Jesus.
Go on.
Tell us.
Who do you think
is the best disciple?
Who do you think
is the best preacher?
Who does the best
miracles?
Who do you think
is the best
Sunday school teacher?
Who's the best
leader at the rock?
Who's the best
at coming early
and setting up?
Imagine
to have the glory
of being the greatest
Christian
in your church.
What a title.
I was thinking
maybe we should have
a Christian of the month
award.
As everybody comes in
somebody's picture
is up on the wall.
Christian of the month.
What a title.
to have the glory
of being the greatest
Christian.
Well to try and earn
a few more brownie points
look at verse 49.
Master
said John
we saw a man
driving out demons
in your name
but we tried to stop him
because he's not one of us.
He's not one of our crowd.
Doesn't go to our church.
How many marks
is that going to get me
Jesus?
Jesus.
Do not stop him
Jesus said.
For whoever is not
against you
is for you.
You see we're missing
the point about
greatness and glory.
Look at what Jesus says
as they begin to argue
about glory and greatness.
Verse 47
Jesus knowing
their thoughts
took a little child
and made him
stand beside them.
So here's a real
living live illustration.
He takes this little kid
who's maybe running around
and plonks him
in the middle of the disciples.
Verse 46
48
Then he said to them
whoever welcomes
this little child
in my name
welcomes me
and whoever welcomes me
welcomes the one
who sent me.
Now children today
get pride of place.
Children come first.
Everything is fitted
around children.
In the first century
children came last.
Children were considered
nothings and nobodies.
They didn't have rights.
You didn't get glory
and greatness
for welcoming
a little child.
Who would do that?
But that's Jesus' point.
Look at the rest
of verse 48.
For he who is least
among you
the one who's the nobody
the one who's the nothing
they are the greatest.
See Jesus
is making it so clear.
Look he says
if you want to follow me
if you want to be
my disciple
you must become
the least.
If you want glory
and greatness
you must learn
to die
to yourself
glory
and live
for the glory
and greatness
of who
Jesus is.
Get rid of self
and live for Christ.
Second
there's the departure
and death
of Jesus.
As we consider
what it means
to follow Jesus
we mustn't just
understand who he is
but what Jesus does.
first the departure
listen to the conversation
that's taking place
on the mountain
verse 30
amidst all the
spectacular fireworks
of the lightning
the flash of lights
something else
is happening
verse 30
two men
Moses and Elijah
appeared in glorious
splendor
talking with Jesus
what are they
talking about?
They spoke about
his departure
which he was
about to bring
to fulfilment
at Jerusalem.
Now I don't know
what translation
you have there
but the word
for departure
is literally
the word
exodus.
It simply means
to exit
to depart
to leave.
So as they're
talking together
they're talking
about Jesus'
exodus.
Now doesn't that
bring things
to memory
remember
the exodus
the greatest
act of redemption
and rescue
of God's people
they were slaves
in Egypt
for 400 years
under the cruel
reign of the pharaohs
but God came in
delivered them
rescued them
a demonstration
of God's power
as he opened up
the sea
before the people
they went through
on dry land
and as they looked
behind the seas
came tumbling in
on their enemies
their enemies
defeated
the exodus
the departure
out of slavery
and into freedom.
Now in Luke
chapter 9
we've got
Moses and Elijah
talking with Jesus
about
a new
exodus
a new
departure
and again
this is no
coincidence
Luke wants us
to make these
connections
but this exodus
is going to
happen
in Jerusalem
look at the end
of verse 31
they spoke
about his
exodus
which he was
about to bring
to fulfilment
at Jerusalem
in Jerusalem
Jesus is going
to bring people
out of their
slavery
and into freedom
a new
exodus
awaits
we're going
to get rid
of the
Romans
God's going
to come
in power
and release
us from
the Romans
and their
cruel regime
and set
us free
not quite
it's not
the kind
of freedom
that Jesus
had in mind
second
the death
we get
to understand
what the
departure
means
as we
read on
look at
verse 43
the second
part of
verse 43
while everyone
was marvelling
at all that
Jesus did
he said to
his disciples
listen carefully
to what I'm
about to tell
you
literally he says
put my words
in your ear
listen carefully
the son of
man is going
to be betrayed
into the hands
of men
now that's
another prediction
of Jesus'
death
the one
with all
glory and
greatness
will be
betrayed
to those
who are
going to
reject him
and kill
him
you see
Jesus has
come to
rescue us
from slavery
but that
rescue is
from a
greater
slavery
to sin
and death
Jesus has
come to
bring us
a freedom
but that
freedom is
from a
more terrible
master
the rule
of Satan
and Jesus
is going
to set
us free
by his
death
his death
on the
cross
the bible
is very
clear about
this
look at
the screen
Jesus
says I
tell you
the truth
everyone
who sins
is a
slave
to sin
so if
the son
that's
Jesus
sets you
free
you will
be free
indeed
or here's
another one
so that
by his
death
by Jesus'
death
he would
destroy
him who
holds the
power of
death
that is
the devil
and free
those who
all their
lives were
held in
slavery
by their
fear of
death
revelation
to him
who loves
us
and has
freed us
from our
sins
by his
blood
or by
his
death
and has
made us
to be a
kingdom and
priest to
serve his
God and
father
to him
be glory
and power
forever and
ever
amen
it's for
freedom
that Christ
sets us
free
you see
what Luke
is doing
here
he takes
us from
one mountain
the mountain
of transfiguration
and he
brings us
to another
mountain
the mountain
of crucifixion
because through
the departure
and death
of Jesus
we get to
see the
glory and
greatness of
Jesus in
all its
magnificence
you think
this mountain
is great
you think
that what
he did
with that
boy
is great
now he
says I
want you
to look
at the
cross
and see
how glorious
and great
that is
at the
cross
as Jesus
dies
we see
the beauty
the power
and the
authority
of God
on display
Jesus
in all
his splendor
is dripping
in blood
Jesus
in all
his power
is now
cursed
on the
cross
Jesus
in all
his beauty
is dying
for me
he takes
my sin
and through
his death
sets me
free from
my slavery
to sin
and Satan
at the
cross we
see the
greatness
and glory
of God
on display
we say
well what's
that got
to do
with following
Jesus
well the
departure
and death
of Jesus
becomes the
path
and the
pattern
for us
the departure
and death
of Jesus
becomes the
path and
pattern
for us
so third
the call
and the
cost
of following
Jesus
first look
at the
call
verse 51
as the
time
approached
for Jesus
to be
taken up
to heaven
Jesus
resolutely
set out
for
Jerusalem
now Jerusalem
we've already
learned is the
place of
execution
isn't it
when Jesus
gets to
Jerusalem
Jesus is
going to
die
he's going
to be
mocked
and beaten
he's going
to be nailed
to a
cross
and so
from this
point onwards
in Luke's
gospel
everything is
focused on
Jesus going
to the
cross
everything is
pointed towards
there
that's the
direction
he's
traveling
he's
committed
determined
undistracted
I am
going to
the cross
end of
verse 51
Jesus
resolutely
set out
for
Jerusalem
nothing
and no
one
is going
to stop
him
now if
we're going
to follow
Jesus
we need
to follow
him
on his
journey
we need
to walk
his path
we need
to follow
him to
the cross
that's
the call
but as
we've
said as
well
this call
is not
easily
followed
in verse
52
we read
that Jesus
is heading
for Jerusalem
and as he
makes his way
to Jerusalem
he goes
through a
region
the region
of Samaria
now that
was a
problem
because
well Jews
and Samaritans
hated each
other
they didn't
get on
they have a
long history
of religious
and political
conflict
you avoided
places like
that
you didn't
go there
so when
the disciples
learn that
Jesus is
heading for
Jerusalem
through Samaria
they've got
a great idea
verse 54
when the
disciples
James and
John saw
this
they asked
Lord do you
want us to
call fire
down from
heaven to
destroy them
go on send
that bolt of
lightning
bang
destroy them
fire
get rid of
them
you see
they think
that
following
Jesus
is all
about
glory
and
greatness
it's all
about
power
and
authority
an
opportunity
to put
people
in their
place
especially
those
we don't
like
verse 55
but Jesus
turned and
rebuked
them
that's not
what it's
about
that's not
what following
Jesus means
remember
verse 23
if anyone
would come
after me
they must
deny
himself
take up
his cross
daily
and follow
me
if anybody
needs to
die
well we
need to
die
we need
to die
to self
we must
walk the
path towards
Jerusalem
committed
determined
undistracted
we must
follow Jesus
to the
cross
because it's
only at
the cross
that we
learn to
die to
self
glory and
greatness
and live
for the
glory and
greatness
of Jesus
so what
will it
mean for
you
what will
it mean
for me
to die
to self
what will
it mean
to die
to myself
well in
verses 57
to 62
we're
introduced to
these three
characters
we don't
know their
name
but they're
following Jesus
on the road
towards Jerusalem
and they
make promises
I'm going to
follow you
and each
little interaction
shows us
what we
must die
to
so I want us
to think
about this
what it means
to die
to self
first
it means
dying to
my rights
look at
verse 57
as they were
walking along
the road
a man said
to him
I will follow
you wherever
you go
wherever you
send me
whatever you
want me
to do
I'm going
to go
Jesus
Jesus replied
foxes of holes
and birds of
the air of nests
but the son
of man
has nowhere
to lay his
head
look around
at nature
he says
look at the
animals
look at the
birds
they've all
got somewhere
to sleep
and somewhere
to stay
they've all
got the
right
to comfort
and security
but the
son of man
look at
Jesus
he's got
nowhere
to put
his
head
he hasn't
got a
home
he can
call
home
he's
given up
his
rights
to comfort
and security
to follow
Jesus to
the cross
means
putting to
death
my
rights
it's
putting an
end to
me
and to
I
second
it's about
putting my
priorities
to death
verse 59
he said
to another
man
follow me
but the
man replied
Lord first
let me go
and bury
my father
Jesus said
to him
let the
dead
bury
their own
dead
but you
go and
proclaim
the kingdom
of God
wow
sounds harsh
doesn't it
well I don't
think Jesus
is saying
you can't
go to
your father's
funeral
the man
it seems
is wanting
to stay
at home
until his
parents have
died and
then he
will follow
that says
Jesus
your priority
should be
for those
who are
spiritually
dead
that's
your
priority
look at
the end
of verse
60
let the
dead
bury
their own
dead
but you
go and
proclaim
the kingdom
of God
people
who do
not know
about me
that's
the
priority
to follow
Jesus to
the cross
means putting
to death
my priorities
it's
executing
me
and I
to death
and third
I think
it means
putting
my dreams
to death
verse 61
still another
said
I will
follow you
Lord
maybe he
was listening
to the
other characters
and he
kind of
comes through
look
these guys
mightn't
but
I'm going
to
but first
let me go
back and say
goodbye to my
family
Jesus replied
no one who
puts his
hand to the
plough
and looks
back
is fit
for the
service
in the
kingdom
of God
this person
it seems
has lots
of plans
he wants
to stay
home with
his family
more than
likely at
that time
because work
was connected
and tied up
with your
family
he wants
to stay
home with
the family
business
wait till
all that's
kind of
dealt with
and he's
climbed the
ranks
and Jesus
response is
clear
no one who
puts his
hand to
the plough
and looks
back
is fit for
the service
in the kingdom
of God
you may have
dreams about
work and
career
where you want
to work
what you want
to do
how you want
to live
your life
but the
work of the
kingdom
must dictate
absolutely
everything
every choice
every decision
the kingdom
must dictate
everything
to follow
Jesus to
the cross
means putting
to death
my dreams
and asking
what is it
that God
puts at the
priority
what is it
that is
center for
him
it's putting
an end to
me and to
I
you see
as we travel
this journey
with Jesus
it's only
at the cross
that we learn
to die
to self
glory and
greatness
and live
for the glory
and greatness
of Jesus
and in
response
the musicians
start
and we
sing the
hymn
so I will
go wherever
he's calling
me
I lose
my life
to find
my life
in him
I give
my all
to gain
the hope
that never
dies
I bow
my heart
take up
my cross
and follow
him
easy to
read
sometimes
easier to
sing
but if we're
going to do
that
we need to
have a view
of the cross
and see
the beauty
of Jesus
the glory
and greatness
of Christ
who dies
on the cross
for you
and for me
who gives
his all
so that we
might gain
everything
who takes
our punishment
and our
judgment
and sets
us free
so that we
can live
for him
we're going
to sing
this song
and I want
us to sing
it in a
sense
praying
that the
Lord would
help us
to follow
him
and that
wherever he
calls us
whatever he
asks me to
let go of
whatever I
need to
bow my
heart to
I will
do it
and I
will follow
him
so
musicians
help us
as we
sing
thank you