The Cost of Following Christ

I. THE SAVIOUR’S APPEAL FOR FOLLOWERS (Luke 9:23)

A. The Initial Call

1. The call of Peter and Andrew (Matthew 4:18-20)
2. The call of James and John (Matthew 4:21-22)
3. The call of Matthew (Matthew 9:9)

B. The Ongoing Call (Matthew 4:19)

II. THE SAVIOUR’S HESITANCY FOR FOLLOWERS (Luke 9:57-62)

A. The Reason Many Followed Christ

1. “Many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did” (John 2:23)
2. “And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.” (John 6:2)

B. The Lord’s Willingness to See Followers Depart (John 6:48-71)

C. The Reluctance for New Followers (Luke 9:57-62)

1. The response to the hasty zealot (Luke 9:57-58)
a. The zeal of the man—“I will follow thee WHITHERSOEVER thou goest” (Luke 9:57)
b. The response of the Saviour (Luke 9:58)
1.) “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests;”
2.) “The Son of man hath not where to lay his head”
2. The response to the hesitant disciples (Luke 9:59-62)
a. A man with familial obligations (Luke 9:59-60)
1.) The call—“Follow me.” (Luke 9:59)
2.) The hesitance (Luke 9:59)
3.) The response (Luke 9:60)
b. A man with familial attachments (Luke 9:61-62)
1.) The zeal—“Lord, I will follow thee;” (Luke 9:61)
2.) The hesitance (Luke 9:61)
3.) The response (Luke 9:62)