Sermon preached by Matthew DelValle on January 26, 2025 at First Baptist Church in Delphi, Indiana. First Baptist Church is an evangelical church in Delphi, Indiana helping people find and follow Jesus. Our mission is to declare God’s truth, disciple God’s people, delight in God’s Son, and display God’s glory. Join us for Sunday Worship at 10:30am. Sunday School begins at 9:30am. We gather at 103 S. Indiana Street, Delphi, Indiana 46923.
Learn more about First Baptist Church.
Introduction: Counting the Cost of Following Christ
Big Idea: Following Jesus requires us to count the cost, but it is worth it because he is worthy of unconditional allegiance and undivided affection.
1. Following Jesus Comes Before Earthly Comforts [Mt. 8:18–20]
- The Strategic Departure [Mt. 8:18]
- The Scribe’s Declaration [Mt. 8:19]
- He was respectful (“Teacher”)
- He was resolved (“I will follow you”)
- He was without reservation (“wherever you go”)
- The Son of Man’s Destitution [Mt. 8:20; 26:64; Ps. 8:4; Dan. 7:13–14]
- The Provision of the Creatures [Ps. 84:3; 104:17; Mt. 6:26]
- The Poverty of Christ [2 Cor. 8:9; Phil. 2:5–8]
- The Significance for Discipleship
2. Following Jesus Comes Before Earthly Relationships [Mt. 8:21–22]
- The Excuse Revealed [Mt. 8:21]
- His Priority (“first”)
- His Postponement (“let me go bury my father”)
- The Excuse Refuted [Mt. 8:22]
- A Supreme Devotion [Mt. 6:33–34; 10:37; 15:4; 19:9; Lk. 9:60; 14:26]
- A Spiritual Deadness [Mt. 10:39; Eph. 2:16]
Conclusion: Will You Decide to Follow Jesus?
- The decision is costly, so it must be carefully considered [Lk. 9:62]
- The decision is urgent, so make it soon [Lk. 12:20]
- The decision is worth it, so you want to make it [Mt. 13:44]