T HE C OMMITMENT OF A D ISCIPLE L UKE 9:57-62

S IGNS OF R EDUCED C OMMITMENT A BOUT HALF OF ALL NEW MARRIAGES END IN DIVORCE. M ORE PEOPLE ARE CHOOSING TO LIVE TOGETHER. A DULTS FEEL THAT THEY HAVE FEWER CLOSE FRIENDS. B RAND LOYALTY IN CONSUMER PURCHASING STUDIES HAS DROPPED IN MOST PRODUCT CATEGORIES. T HE PROPORTION OF PEOPLE WILLING TO JOIN AN ORGANIZATION IS DECLINING.

S IGNS OF R EDUCED C OMMITMENT B OOK CLUBS AND RECORD CLUBS ARE LESS LIKELY TO ATTRACT NEW MEMBERS. T HE PERCENTAGE OF ADULTS WHO SENSE A DUTY TO FIGHT FOR THEIR COUNTRY HAS DROPPED. T HE PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE WHO COMMIT TO ATTEND EVENTS BUT FAIL TO SHOW IS ON THE RISE.

57 A S THEY WERE TRAVELING ON THE ROAD SOMEONE SAID TO H IM, “I WILL FOLLOW Y OU WHEREVER Y OU GO !” 58 J ESUS TOLD HIM, “F OXES HAVE DENS, AND BIRDS OF THE SKY HAVE NESTS, BUT THE S ON OF M AN HAS NO PLACE TO LAY H IS HEAD.” Luke 9:57-58

59 T HEN H E SAID TO ANOTHER, “F OLLOW M E.” “L ORD,” HE SAID, “ FIRST LET ME GO BURY MY FATHER.” 60 B UT H E TOLD HIM, “L ET THE DEAD BURY THEIR OWN DEAD, BUT YOU GO AND SPREAD THE NEWS OF THE KINGDOM OF G OD.” Luke 9:59-60

61 A NOTHER ALSO SAID, “I WILL FOLLOW Y OU, L ORD, BUT FIRST LET ME GO AND SAY GOOD - BYE TO THOSE AT MY HOUSE.” 62 B UT J ESUS SAID TO HIM, “N O ONE WHO PUTS HIS HAND TO THE PLOW AND LOOKS BACK IS FIT FOR THE KINGDOM OF G OD.” Luke 9:61-62

T HE C OMMITMENT OF A D ISCIPLE L UKE 9:57-62

C OMMITTED BUT CAREFUL — DECLARED ALIGNMENT ( VS ) A NY COMMITMENT IN WORDS CALLS FOR FURTHER EXAMINATION. J ESUS TOLD THE MAN TO COUNT THE COST. W E HAVE MANY WHO HAVE DECLARED ALIGNMENT TO J ESUS ; WE HAVE FEW WHO FOLLOWED THROUGH WITH DISCIPLESHIP.

C OMMITTED BY CONFOUNDED — DIVIDED ATTENTION ( VS ) H ERE J ESUS INITIATES THE ACTION. F OR A J EW THIS WAS A RELIGIOUS DUTY HAVING PRECEDENCE OVER EVERYTHING ELSE. J ESUS DEMANDS AN ALLEGIANCE TRANSCENDING EVEN THIS GREATEST OF OBLIGATIONS OR A J EWISH CHILD.

C OMMITTED BY CONFOUNDED — DIVIDED ATTENTION ( VS ) C OMMITMENT TO J ESUS TAKES PRECEDENCE OVER ALL COMMITMENTS. W HEN J ESUS CALLS YOU ARE TO RESPOND.

C OMMITTED BUT CONFLICTED — DOUBLE ALLEGIANCE ( VS ) A NOTHER MAN DECLARED, "I WILL NOT BE LONG.” J ESUS AGAIN SAYS, C OME ! F OLLOW ! N OW ! O NCE WE START TO FOLLOW J ESUS WE MUST NEVER LOOK BACK. J ESUS WARNED HIS FOLLOWERS THAT WHEN HE RETURNED TO EARTH HE WOULD BE COMING SUDDENLY AND THEY SHOULD BE READY.