Preaching on Leave Everything Behind Luke 14:33
INTRODUCTION:
Luke 14:33 records Jesus saying, "So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple." This powerful statement highlights the radical commitment required to truly follow Christ. In this study, we will examine the examples of several men in Scripture who demonstrated this renunciation, leaving behind their possessions, comfort, and former lives to serve God and do His will. Their sacrifices serve as a powerful challenge and inspiration for us today .
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I. ABRAHAM LEFT EVERYTHING TO SERVE GOD.
• A. Abraham is a prime example of God's servants who willingly left everything to obey and serve Him. His life is a testament to faith and radical obedience.
• B. God commanded him to leave his country, his kindred, and his father's house (Genesis 12:1). Without knowing the specific destination, Abraham obeyed in faith (Genesis 12:4).
◦ He went out not knowing where he was going, trusting in God's guidance (Hebrews 11:8).
▪ Discussion: What does Abraham's willingness to leave without knowing his destination teach us about the nature of faith and obedience to God's call?
• C. As a result of his obedience, God greatly blessed Abraham (Genesis 24:35). This highlights that while there is sacrifice in following God, there is also abundant reward and blessing.
◦ Discussion: How does God's blessing on Abraham encourage us when we are called to make sacrifices for Him? What are some of the blessings that come from obedience?
II. MOSES LEFT EVERYTHING TO SERVE GOD.
• A. Another significant figure who left everything to follow the Lord was Moses. His decision involved a deliberate rejection of worldly privilege for the sake of God's people.
• B. He was heir to the throne of Egypt (Exodus 2:9-10). Being adopted as the son of Pharaoh's daughter, Moses had access to immense power, wealth, and security. However, he refused this privileged position.
◦ Being called Pharaoh's son meant renouncing all the advantages and allurements of Egyptian royalty (Hebrews 11:24).
▪ Discussion: What were some of the "treasures of Egypt" that Moses willingly gave up? What does this tell us about his values and priorities?
• C. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin (Hebrews 11:25). 1 Moses recognized the temporary nature of worldly pleasures compared to the eternal significance of aligning himself with God's will.
◦ This aligns with the warning against loving the world and the things in the world (1 John 2:15-17).
▪ Discussion: What are some of the "fleeting pleasures of sin" that can tempt us to compromise our commitment to God? How can we cultivate a perspective that values eternal realities over temporary ones?
• D. His greatest riches were found in identifying with God's oppressed people, not in the treasures of Egypt (Hebrews 11:26). Why? Because he had his eyes fixed on the future reward promised by God.
◦ Where do we have our eyes? If we have them set on heavenly things (Colossians 3:1-2), we will be less attached to earthly possessions. Let's forget all the things of the earth that hinder our service to God (Matthew 6:21).
▪ Discussion: Where is our treasure truly located? How does focusing on heavenly rewards impact our willingness to let go of earthly attachments?
• E. He went out from Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible (Hebrews 11:27). Moses' faith in the unseen God empowered him to face earthly opposition without fear.
◦ Discussion: How can cultivating a strong sense of God's presence and an unseen reality help us overcome fear when we are called to make difficult choices for Him?
III. MATTHEW LEFT EVERYTHING TO SERVE THE LORD.
• A. Matthew is another powerful example to imitate in leaving everything for God and serving Him wholeheartedly. His transformation was immediate and complete.
◦ 1. He was a publican (tax collector) (Luke 5:27). This profession was often associated with corruption and was despised by the Jewish people. Yet, this did not prevent Matthew from responding to Jesus' call.
◦ But this did not prevent Matthew from following Jesus and leaving his lucrative post without hesitation (Luke 5:28). "And leaving everything, he rose and followed him."
▪ Discussion: What does Matthew's immediate response teach us about the urgency and priority of following Jesus' call? What "tax booths" might we need to leave behind to serve Him fully?
◦ Thus, he became an apostle of Christ, a key leader in the early church (Luke 6:15).
▪ Discussion: How did Matthew's willingness to leave everything lead to a significant role in God's plan?
IV. BARNABAS LEFT EVERYTHING TO SERVE GOD.
• A. Another inspiring example we see in the Bible is that of Barnabas (Acts 4:36-37). He, whose name meant "son of encouragement," lived up to his name through his generosity and support of the early church.
◦ He sold a field he owned and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet to help the needy at that time. This selfless act demonstrates a willingness to prioritize the needs of God's people over personal wealth.
▪ Discussion: How did Barnabas' act of selling his field demonstrate a "leaving everything" mentality? What does this teach us about using our resources for God's kingdom?
• B. He was a significant companion of Paul in his missionary journeys (Acts 13:2, 7, 42, 50; 14:12; 15:2). Barnabas' willingness to serve alongside Paul, facing hardships and challenges, further illustrates his commitment.
◦ This aligns with the call for believers to proclaim the virtues of Christ (1 Peter 2:9), which sometimes requires sacrificing personal comfort and security. The text implies that not leaving everything would hinder this proclamation.
▪ Discussion: How can our unwillingness to "leave everything" hinder our ability to effectively proclaim the virtues of Christ to those around us ?
V. PAUL LEFT EVERYTHING TO SERVE GOD.
• A. Paul is another powerful example of someone who radically left everything to serve God. To him, his former accomplishments and status became as nothing compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ (Philippians 3:7-8). "But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ."
◦ 1. Paul had much to lose; he was circumcised on the eighth day, a mark of his Jewish heritage and standing.
◦ 2. He was of the lineage of Israel, a member of the chosen people (Philippians 3:5).
◦ Regarding the law, he was a Pharisee, a highly respected and influential religious leader.
• B. But to him, all his former privileges and achievements were considered "rubbish" (Greek: skubalon, meaning refuse or dung) in order to fully embrace God's will in Christ. What a profound conviction the Apostle Paul had, to renounce everything he once valued to follow Christ wholeheartedly (Acts 20:21-24). His commitment to preaching the Gospel, even in the face of suffering and death, demonstrates his complete abandonment to God's purpose.
◦ Discussion: What were some of the significant things Paul willingly counted as loss for the sake of Christ? What does his radical renunciation teach us about true discipleship?
- Preaching on Interest in Material Things Matthew 19:27
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CONCLUSION:
The lives of Abraham, Moses, Matthew, Barnabas, and Paul serve as powerful testimonies to the radical call of discipleship. They understood the profound truth that following Jesus often requires a willingness to leave behind earthly security, comfort, and even esteemed positions. Their examples challenge us to examine our own hearts: What are we holding onto that might be hindering our full devotion to God? Are we willing to renounce all that we have, in our own context , to wholeheartedly serve Him and follow His will? May their sacrifices inspire us to a deeper level of commitment and a greater willingness to leave everything for the sake of the Kingdom.
