The document discusses three tough choices that Jesus presents to those who want to follow him. The first is choosing discomfort over comfort to follow Jesus. The second is choosing spiritual matters over physical ones, like burying a father. The third choice is establishing new relationships by following Jesus instead of maintaining old ones by saying farewell. Each time, Jesus stresses putting him first without hesitation or second guessing. The conclusion is that following Jesus requires tough choices where believers must prioritize him without excuses.

1. TOUGH CHOICES
Some choices are
difficult and life changing

2. Luke 9:57-58

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."

3. Tough Choice #1
Comfort vs. Follow Jesus (57-58)

Makes a good statement

Man – Where ever you go.

Jesus – It will not be easy, not comfortable

Implied – Must make a difficult choice

Moral values

Friendships

Priorities in life

Pleasures

My comfort vs. their salvation

4. Luke 9:59-60

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."

5. Tough Choice #2
Physical vs. Spiritual (59-60)



We often discuss the physical cruelty and pain
Jesus suffered
Are we missing the point?
The spiritual pain was greater – separation from
the Father

Is Jesus being overly harsh? Cruel?

Issues is: Put Christ first – Matthew 6:33

6. Luke 9:57-62

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."

7. Tough Choice #3
Relationships – old vs. new (61-62)

Have a farewell party – say goodby

Think about James and John

Matthew 4:21-22 21 Going on from there, He
saw two other brothers, James the son of
Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with
Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He
called them, 22 and immediately they left the
boat and their father, and followed Him.

8. Tough Choice #3
Relationships – old vs. new (61-62)

Would you have left “immediately” and leave
your father in the boat?

Jesus said – Make your choice

Once the decision is made don't look back

Don't “second guess” your decision to follow
Christ.

9. Conclusions:
(1) We must make tough choices to
follow Jesus.
(2) Only YOU can make your
choices.
(3) No – IFs, ANDs, or BUTs about
it.

10. Conclusions:
(1) We must make tough choices to
follow Jesus.
(2) Only YOU can make your
choices.
(3) No – IFs, ANDs, or BUTs about
it.