Finish What We Started: Fan or Followers

Sermon Notes for May 28-29, 2011
Sermon Title: Finish What We Started: Fan or Followers
Sermon Text: Luke 14: 25-35

25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. 27 And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 28 “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? 29 For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, 30 saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’ 31 “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33 In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples. 34 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? 35 It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”

Introduction:
Jesus is on his way to Calvary. In this passage of text, Luke is very particular in his recollection of Jesus' words. The large crowd that is traveling with them raises an issue for Jesus. He needs to know who is a fan and who is a follower. There is a difference. This is the same in our lives. When we are trying to get things done and do the will of God, we also need to know who's a fan and who's a follower.

Point 1: Tower of Power (vs 28-30)
There is a cost associated with being a follower. Jesus dies not shy away from talking about the cost. Jesus knows this is a way to find out who is really with him. He uses something that he knows they are familiar with to illustrate His point. In bible days, people build towers in the vineyard. The towers allowed them to watch for wild animals and thieves. They understand that they need the tower to
prevent generations from going hungry. Fans will want a seat in the tower but will be unwilling to help build. When you get the cost estimates upfront you will be able to tell who is a fan verses who’s a follower. Salvation is free but discipleship cost. You can be saved but are you ready to carry the cross.

Point 2: Culture Warriors vs 31-32
In this text everything refers to giving up the right it ownership. Jesus is alluding to the war that Herod Antopest went into. Everyone knows that he shouldn't have gone into war. He incorrectly estimated
the cost of he had verses what he was coming up against. He did not know who was a fan, and it cost him the war. He had to make peace with his enemy. We are in culture war. One that says having a baby out of wedlock is ok, you don't need a man, couples should live together instead of getting married, and that being smart is white. Every war has cost. There has to be some sacrifice to win. If you lose, you still have to pay the price for winning. You also have to make peace with your enemy. This will cause you to have to enter into an unholy covenant.


Point 3: Salty Soldiers vs 34-35
Salt preserves, seasons, clean, and is mixed with manure. When it’s mixed, it’s good for the manure but does nothing for the salt. Manure is one that you can't change the taste of. Be careful who you mix
with. Fans will mix with anyone because they don't know their worth. Followers can go to war and change the culture, because they know their worth. The word salary comes from the word salt. Salt was used to pay people during the Bible days. When salt was no longer salty, it was thrown to the grown. This is where we get the saying good for nothing. Followers understand that what they have does not belong to them. Their loyalty belongs to God. God needs builders, warriors, and salty soldiers. He is not interested in quantity of people but the quality of people.