Summary
This message takes us deep into Luke chapter 8, where we encounter one of the most dramatic demonstrations of What does it truly mean to follow Jesus? In this powerful message, we’re confronted with an uncomfortable truth: genuine discipleship isn’t about comfort, convenience, or ease. Drawing from Luke 9:23, we discover Jesus’s radical call to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him. The context is striking—this conversation happens at Caesarea Philippi, a place once known as the gates of hell, where ancient peoples sacrificed their children to false gods for personal prosperity. Against this dark backdrop, Jesus reveals His mission: not to sacrifice others for His benefit, but to sacrifice Himself for ours. This flips everything upside down. We’re challenged to examine whether we love Jesus more than we love comfort, convenience, power, or approval. The question isn’t just whether we’d die for Jesus in some dramatic moment, but whether we’re willing to live for Him daily—waking up each morning to say no to our selfish desires and yes to His purposes. This is the heart of sacrificial love: willingly offering what we’d rather keep, not giving God our leftovers. When we grasp this, we understand that following Christ isn’t a garage-sale relationship where we offer Him what we no longer want. It’s about opening our hands and releasing what’s most precious to us, trusting that His way is better than our own.
Key Scripture – Luke 9:23
Key Takeaways
- Discipleship is dangerous but joy-filled. Following Jesus isn’t safe or comfortable, but it’s the most fulfilling life possible.
- The world’s way vs. Jesus’ way: The world sacrifices others for personal benefit; Jesus sacrificed Himself for our benefit, and calls us to do the same.
- Sacrifice defined: Giving God what we’d rather keep, not what we don’t want anymore.
- Daily surrender: This isn’t about one heroic moment, but about waking up each day and choosing Jesus over ourselves.
- Love is demonstrated willingly: God doesn’t force us to carry our cross; He invites us to pick it up as an act of love.
Discussion Questions
Understanding the Text
- What struck you most about the historical context of Caesarea Philippi and the “gates of hell”? How does this backdrop change your understanding of Jesus’ words?
- Why do you think Jesus asked His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” right before teaching about taking up our cross? What’s the connection?
- Jesus says, “if anyone wants to follow me” (emphasis on “anyone”). Why is it significant that this call isn’t just for spiritual elites or church leaders?
Personal Application (20 minutes)
- Andy mentioned, we all have “that guy” or “that girl” inside us—the selfish, self-promoting version of ourselves. When does your “that person” show up most often?
- What’s the difference between giving God our “garage sale” items versus true sacrifice? What in your life would you rather keep that God might be asking you to release?
- The sermon distinguished between being willing to die for Jesus (once) versus being willing to live for Jesus (daily). Which feels more challenging to you? Why?
Going Deeper (15 minutes)
- Read 1 Kings 17:8-16 (the widow’s story). The widow gave from her need, not her excess. What would it look like for you to give sacrificially this week—not just financially, but with your time, energy, or comfort?
- Andy asked: “Do I love Jesus more?” More than comfort, convenience, money, power, attention, etc. What competes most with your love for Jesus? How do you know?
- Our culture promotes comfort, convenience, and ease. How have these values crept into your expectations of church, faith, or Christian community? What needs to change?
Scripture Reference
- Luke 9:23 – “Then he said to them all, if anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me.”
- Luke 9:18-22 – The conversation at Caesarea Philippi where Jesus asks, “Who do you say that I am?” and Peter responds “God’s Messiah”
- 1 Kings 17 – The story of Elijah and the widow during the famine
- Romans 12 – Living sacrifices (referenced as “Romans chapter 12” regarding offering our bodies as a living sacrifice)