Introduction: Make up your mind

49 Now John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us.”
50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side.”

51 Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, 52 and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. 53 But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. 54 And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?” 55 But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. 56 For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” And they went to another village.

57 Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” 59 Then He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.”61 And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.” 62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

V51 Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, 52 and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. 53 But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem.

- Steadfastly set: stērizō – to render constant, confirm, one’s mind

- Jesus made up his mind.

- Up to this point Jesus ministry was around Galilee, he is now heading to his destination, Jerusalem.

V54 “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?” (2 Kings 1:9-16)

- Jesus offers Salvation not condemnation.

- The disciples are asking “who is our enemy?”

V55 But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. 56 For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” And they went to another village.

- Spirit: pneuma - the wind, our own mind, a demon, the Holy Spirit
- What is the Holy Spirits Agenda? – To do the work of sanctification, make us more like Christ.
- Teach us and remind us of God’s word – John 14:26
- Convict us of sin – John 16:7-8
- Power to witness – Acts 1:8
- Guide us in truth – John 16:13-15
- Bear fruit – Galatians 5:22-25

What is our greatest hurdle when it comes to follow Jesus?

Jesus before Comfort

V57 Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

- Jesus knows our intentions.
- You can’t worship comfort and security at the same time.

Jesus before Security

V59 Then He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.”

- A case of some days.
- You can’t worship security and Jesus at the same time.

Jesus before the Past

V61And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.” 62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

- Steadfastly set our face.
- You can’t worship the past and Jesus at the same time.

Dog vs Cat mentality.

We give up comfort, security, and our past life to follow Jesus out of gratitude not obligation.

Luke 17:33
Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.

You find that the things you let go of while following Jesus were the things that were going to destroy you in the end. - Francis Chan

What do we value?


Steadfast Commitment is an internal abiding in Christ that produces an external action.


Our Lord’s conception of discipleship is not that we work for God, but that God works through us. - Oswald Chambers


The fall of the North African Church in the 7th century.

The Philosopher Jesus: Answers for Life
Pastor Lance Ainsworth
September 23 & 26, 2021

Prayer Requests:


Discussion Questions:

Read Luke 9:49-62

1. Jesus steadfastly set His face toward Jerusalem. He made up His mind to see the journey through to the end. Who is the most determined person you know? What is their motivation? As a Christ follower how important is it to steadfastly set our face toward following Jesus? What does this look like?

2. Jesus shares that our enemy is not other believers and not unbelievers. Why do we like to find a common enemy? How does this play out in culture? Have we wrongly villanized people? Jesus’ message to the world is He came to save not condemn; how do we share that message? What role does the Holy Spirit play in sharing that message?

3. Jesus encourages the three potential followers to give up comfort, security and let go of the past. Which of these 3 are the most difficult for you? As you follow Jesus do you find it easier to let go of these things or harder? Do you know somebody struggling to follow Jesus? How can we help somebody struggling with one of these 3 areas? Pray for those mentioned.

4. Steadfast Commitment is an internal abiding in Christ that produces an external action. Jesus deals with the intentions and attitude of the heart with these the potential followers. Our commitment to Christ is first an attitude and surrender and then an action. Why is it important to spend time getting to know the heart of God? How has Jesus changed your perspective and led you to act differently? How have your values changed since following Jesus?

Family Time:
Take some time with your kids this week and share your story about who you were without Jesus and where your life might be if it wasn’t for him. Then share how grateful you are for the new life you have in Christ. Ask each child where they struggle when it comes to following Jesus.