Kingdom Power: Courage & Compassion | Week 2 | Mission Costs | Matthew 8:18-20 & 9:9-13

Week 2 | Mission Costs

Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. And a scribe came up and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go. And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” - Matthew 8:18-20

Matthew 8:18-20 & 9:9-13 

Living on Jesus’ Mission comes with a cost. Jesus wants those who would follow him to understand the personal costs associated with being one of Jesus disciples, the difficulties they will face, and ultimately be reminded why Jesus is worth trusting as Savior and following as Lord.

Mission Misunderstanding (8:18-20) – Crowds are gathering around Jesus, yet many had not considered the full cost of becoming a disciple of Jesus. They thought they could use Jesus as a supplement to their current lives. Jesus wants more than crowds; He wants converts who become champions of His mission. Jesus tells them discipleship and mission means leaving your present securities and venturing into path and territories that are presently unknown. He wants anyone who desires to follow him to have a clear picture of what they are signing up for and to thoughtfully count the cost before impulsively saying, “Yes I am all in!”

Mission Avoidance (8:21-22) – While the boat is getting loaded to head on to the next stage of mission one of the disciples shows hesitation. He is more concerned with his present or possible responsibility than being faithful to what Jesus is calling him to. “Jesus, I’ll follow you, but not until I’ve taken care of all responsibilities I currently have or may have in the future.” He wants the promise of being with Jesus in the future without living with and for Jesus today. Jesus says the time is now. “Follow me now. You’ve been following me while I’ve been in your hometown where you are comfortable now get on the boat and follow me to the unknown.” Jesus calls His disciples to radical and immediate commitment to mission.

Mission for Matthew (9:9-13) – Matthew was a man living for himself, serving the kingdom of the world. He was a Jewish man collecting taxes from Jews to give to the Roman government. Jesus meets Matthew in his tax booth outside of Capernaum and clearly calls him saying, “Follow me! Renounce your allegiance to your king Herod, to your Caesar, and come follow me THE King.” He follows Jesus and his response is not “Lord Jesus, can you bless me?” it is “Lord Jesus, let me honor you!” Matthew throws a party with all his sinner friends with Jesus as the guest of honor. Matthew is excited for his new life, but he’s more excited for his new king and he wants to share with everyone he knows who needs to Trust Jesus.

QUESTIONS:

1. What part of the text or sermon had the greatest impact on you? Did you learn anything new about Jesus, the cost of discipleship, or the call of Matthew?
2. Why is it easier to draw a crowd than make converts who champion Jesus’ mission? How does our responsibilities to the people and places we are called to lead us to mission and purpose?
3. How has discipleship or mission been costly for you?What is Jesus calling you to give up or sacrifice to faithfully follow Him on Mission?
4. What is the difference between knowing about Jesus and following Jesus in your daily life? Who is God calling you to share Jesus with? How is it both a responsibility and a blessing to be on mission?

PRAY – Praise God for His mission of redemption and freedom for His people. Thank Jesus for His ultimate sacrifice in saving sinners and calling us to be on mission to sinners. Ask the Holy Spirit for clarity and boldness to faithfully follow Jesus on mission where He has you.

Watch or Listen to the Sermon HERE