"Following Jesus is not easy, but it's what God has called all of us to do."

THE COST IN FOLLOWING JESUS (MATT. 8:18-22)
18-20)
1) it's uncomfortable (20)
2) it's unconventional

1 Cor. 4:11-13
four reality checks on following Jesus:
reality check #1 - Following Jesus can be uncomfortable & painful.

21-22)
reality check #2 - Following Jesus will challenge my closest relationships.
"Family is our first ministry, but it's not our foremost ministry."

Matthew 10:37-39

THE COMPANY WE ARE CALLED TO LOVE (MATT. 9:9-13)
9)
"Jesus called a man to follow Him who was hated socially, spit on physically, and rejected completely. Behind the job was a lost soul in need of the Savior"

10-13)
"The religious leaders saw Jesus as compromising by eating with sinners. And so they had a critical eye to discredit His ministry. Jesus saw an opportunity to love the sinners where they are at and help them heal."

reality check #3 - Following Jesus means we are loving all people, even those we would rather not.

THE COURSE AHEAD OF US (MATT. 9:35-38)
35-36)
"Jesus sees us as we are, and yet has compassion for us."

37-38)
2 things of this mission:
1) I need to catch His vision of things (37)
2) I need to pray (38)

"when God's people, see the world from God's perspective, and then pray in line with God's Will & Word, then things will change."

reality check #4 - Following Jesus means we are actively reaching the lost.