TITLE: Tough Choices

TEXT: Luke 9:57-62

PROPOSITION: We must make difficult choices to follow Jesus.

QUESTION: What?

KEY WORD: Decisions

READING: Same

INTRODUCTION:

1. Denom. people say - "Doesn't mean what it says."

2. WE DO THE SAME THING - ON DIFFERENT PASSAGES.

3. What is Jesus teaching in this passage? What do the words mean?

1. Comfort (implied) vs. Following Jesus. 57-58

A. Man makes a good statement. Follow wherever you go.

B. "IT WILL NOT BE EASY. SOME TOUGH CHOICES."

C. Implied - Following Jesus requires some difficult choices.

1. Moral values2. Friendships

3. Priorities in life4. Pleasures

5. My comfort vs. their salvation

2. Physical vs. Spiritual. 59-60

A. Many discuss the cruilty of Jesus. Missing the point.

B. WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT IN YOUR LIFE?

C. Jesus in not trying to be cruel.

D. Issue is: Matt. 6:33 Seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God

3. Relationships - Old vs. New. 61-62

A. Have a party, Say, "Good by" to my friends.

B. Compare with James and John - left father in boat

C. Mack your choice - Don't look back.

Conclusions:

1. We must make some tough choices to follow Jesus.

2. Only YOU can make your choice.

3. No - IFs, ANDs or BUTs about it.