Count the cost… vs. 18-22

• 1^st – The Command… vs. 18
  • When Jesus saw great multitudes about Him – He gave a command to depart to the other side!
  • Healing the UNTOUCHABLE – UNLOVABLE – and FAMILY…
  • Made Jesus VERY popular – VERY quickly – and LARGE [πολύς] crowds began to follow Him…
  • But Jesus was NOT after the NUMBERS – He was looking for DISCIPLES…
  • Therefore He gave the COMMAND – to LEAVE and go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee…
  • Because Jesus wanted to see who was really willing to FOLLOW Him!
  • There is an unfortunate trend within Christianity…
  • The church has adopted an overly simplistic view of church growth based strictly on numbers…
  • The more seats that are filled on a Sunday morning – the better the church is doing…
  • But God is not looking for people to SIT – He is looking for people to FOLLOW!
• 2^nd – No home… vs. 19-20
  • Following Jesus… vs. 19
    • Then a certain scribe came and said to Him: Teacher – I will follow You wherever You go!
    • FIRST to offer to FOLLOW [future] – no matter where Jesus went – was a SCRIBE…
    • SCRIBE [γραμματεύς] – a highly educated – most likely wealthy individual!
    • One might imagine that he lived in a very NICE home – comfortable lifestyle…
    • And the problem was – he had NOT counted the COST to follow Jesus…
    • So the Lord wanted to make sure he knew what he was getting into!
  • No bed… vs. 20
    • 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 said [present] – and is still saying to anyone who wants to FOLLOW Him…
    • Foxes have a HOME [hole] – and birds have a HOME [nest]
    • But the Son of Man – [first time this is used in the NT]
    • TITLE used 78x in the Gospels – emphasizing Jesus time here as a man [Immanuel]
    • Jesus did NOT have a HOME on earth – so those who FOLLOW Him – also have no HOME!
    • Jen and I have lived in our current rental house for FOUR years…
    • That actually marks the LONGEST time we have been in the same HOME since we got married!
    • FOLLOWING Jesus means we are MOBILE – we are FLEXIBLE…
    • We are willing to go ANYWHERE at ANYTIME – at His COMMAND…
    • It means we do NOT hold onto a PLACE – we are not bound to our POSSESSIONS…
    • Because this is not our HOME – our HOME is a place we have yet to see!
    • Hebrews 11:13-14 – “[Confessing we are] strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland… a better heavenly [home]!”
• 3^rd – No Family… vs. 21-22
  • Family first… vs. 21
    • Then another of His disciples said to Him: Lord – let me first go and bury my father.
    • ANOTHER [ἕτερος] – man offered to FOLLOW Jesus…
    • There are TWO Greek for ANOTHER – [ἄλλος] same kind – [ἕτερος] – different kind…
    • This man was NOT like the wealthy SCRIBE – he was a DISCIPLE [μαθητής]
    • He even called Jesus – Master [κύριος] – wiling to submit to His authority…
    • BUT – he demanded [imperative] to FIRST go and BURY his Father!
    • This does NOT mean that his father was DEAD and needed to be buried [aorist infinitive]
    • It means he wanted to be with his Father until he DIED [not sure when]!
  • Follow me… vs. 22
    • Jesus said to him: Follow Me!
    • In response Jesus had a simple command – FOLLOW Me [imperative]
    • Because to FOLLOW Jesus – He must be FIRST – even before FAMILY!
    • Luke 14:26 – “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother – wife and children – brothers and sisters – yes – and his own life also – he cannot be My disciple.”
    • That does NOT mean we need to HATE our FAMILY…
    • It means compared to our LOVE for Jesus – our LOVE for anyone else is a distant SECOND!
  • The dead… vs. 22
    • Let the dead bury their own dead!
    • But Jesus added – LEAVE [imperative] the [spiritually] dead to bury the dead…
    • The response of might seem HARSH to us…
    • Yet if the MAN stayed – his father would DIE physically and spiritually…
    • But if he FOLLOWED Jesus – then he could bring the Gospel that gives LIFE!
    • I number of years ago – a friend asked me about his desire to become a missionary…
    • His hesitation was he had a GOOD job – and a NICE house…
    • He wondered if it might be unfair to ask his WIFE and KIDS to give that up…
    • My question was what do you want to give to your FAMILY…
    • And EASY life – or a God who is so worthy – you are willing to give up all to FOLLOW Him!
    • The BEST things we give our FAMILY – is to put Jesus FIRST…
    • There is no greater BLESSING – than a life dedicated to following Christ!
    • Mark 10:29-30 – “No one who has left house or [family]… for My sake and the gospel – who shall not receive a hundredfold now… and in the age to come – eternal life.”

• 2^nd – Storms of life… vs. 23-27
  • 1^st – Following Jesus… vs. 23-24
    • Into the Boat…
      • And when He got into a boat – His disciples followed Him.
      • AND [Καὶ] when Jesus got into the BOAT – to cross over the Sea of Galilee – Matthew 8:18
      • We can see who His DISCIPLES [μαθητής] were – because they FOLLOWED [indicative] Him!
      • It is easy to SAY that we CHRISTIANS – we FOLLOW Jesus…
      • But the PROOF is in our ACTIONS – when Jesus moves – we go with Him!
    • The Storm…
      • Suddenly a great tempest arose on the sea – so that the boat was covered with the waves!
      • As soon as they were out in the midst of the SEA…
      • A STORM – like a powerful [μέγας] earthquake [σεισμός] rose up…
      • And the little BOAT was quickly covered by the WAVES!
      • The Sea of Galilee is quite small – only about THIRTEEN kilometers across [east to west]
      • But it sits TWO hundred meters below sea level – while Mount Hermon is 2,800 meter high…
      • Cold air sweeps down from the Mountain – hitting the hot air of the Sea – HUGE storms…
      • The little fishing boats [2 meters wide] could quickly become overwhelmed by the waves!
      • FOLLOWING Jesus does NOT mean we will have easily SAILING…
      • As soon as we step out to FOLLOW the Lord – the STORMS hit – John 16:33
      • It might be the MONEY is gone – we suddenly get SICK – or fighting in the family…
      • If we chose to FOLLOW the Lord – we are going to go through TRIALS!
      • I Peter 4:12 – “Beloved – do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you – as though some strange thing happened to you.”
  • 2^nd – Little Faith… vs. 24-26
    • Sound asleep… vs. 24-25
      • But [Jesus] was asleep.
      • Then His disciples came to Him and awoke Him – saying: Lord – save us! We are perishing!
      • The boat is SINKING – the storm is RAGING – but Jesus is SLEEPING [imperfect]
      • And His DISCIPLES [μαθητής] woke Jesus up saying – Lord [κύριος] save us [imperative]!
      • I HATE flying – I am NOT a fan of turbulence…
      • I was on a flight out of New Delhi – we flew right into a thunder storm…
      • As the large 777 plane was being tossed around – the stewardesses were screaming…
      • When the people who are in charge PANIC – that is when you get NERVOUS!
      • Jesus NEVER panics – because He is the MASTER [κύριος]
      • And if He is NOT nervous – then no matter what is happening around us…
      • We also can have perfect PEACE – knowing Jesus is with us – and He is in CONTROL…
      • We may not know HOW He will take care of it – but we can TRUST He will!
      • Philippians 4:7 – “The peace of God – which surpasses all understanding – will guard your hearts and minds.”
    • Do not Fear… vs. 26
      • But [Jesus] said to them: Why are you fearful – O you of little faith?
      • Jesus asked the DISCIPLES – why were they AFRAID [indicative]
      • The answer would seem to be OBVIOUS – because they were about to DIE…
      • But Jesus instead told them – you of LITTLE faith [ὀλιγό πιστος] – 4x in Matthew!
      • The DISCIPLES were trusting in their STRENGTH to row across a STORMY sea…
      • And because they put their TRUST in the wrong place – it was LITTLE faith…
      • What they should have put their TRUST in was the WORD of God…
      • Jesus told them – they were going to the OTHER side – Matthew 8:18
      • When we FOLLOW Jesus – and end up in a TRIAL…
      • Remember it does NOT matter what the STORM looks like – the WAVES might be HUGE…
      • And if we look to our STRENGTH to get us out of the STORM – we will be AFRAID…
      • But if we look to the WORD – what God said – we will have PEACE! 
      • II Corinthians 1:20 – “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes – and in Him Amen.”
  • 3^rd – Power over Nature… vs. 26-27
    • Great calm… vs. 26
      • Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea – and there was a great calm!
      • Jesus stood up and REBUKED the wind and sea – and the STORM stopped…
      • Because the STORM was not in control – Jesus is the MASTER [κύριος]!
      • We serve a God – who created the UNIVERSE with a WORD – Genesis 1:1
      • There is NOTHING that is impossible for Him – Luke 1:37
      • Our CIRCUMSTANCES [wind and waves] obey His COMMAND…
      • He is the one who ALLOWS them to come – and He is the one who can stop them!
    • Amazed… vs. 27
      • So the men marveled – saying: Who can this be – that even the winds and the sea obey Him?
      • The MEN were AMAZED – who is this that WIND and WAVES obey Him…
      • But the ONLY reason they saw the POWER of Jesus – is because they were in the STORM…
      • And the ONLY reason they were in the STORM – is because they FOLLOWED Jesus!
      • If I told you it was possible to pick up half MILLION kilograms – what would you say…
      • And said it can fly 20 thousand kilometers – at 900 kph – at over 10 thousand meters…
      • With over 500 people comfortably seated inside – what would you say…
      • You would believe me – but only because you have seen an airplane…
      • But if you had never seen one before – you would say it was impossible!
      • Many people have never experienced the POWER of God…
      • The reason is because they have not chosen to FOLLOW Jesus…
      • It is only in the STORMS of life – that we get to see God is greater than the STORM…
      • It is only in the TRIALS – that we get to see that God can do the IMPOSSIBLE!

• 3^rd – No Compromise… vs. 28-34
  • 1^st – The other side… vs. 28
    • Gergesenes…
      • When He had come to the other side – to the country of the Gergesenes!
      • The area on the east side of the Sea of Galilee – was called the Decapolis [10 cities]
      • The name Gergesenes come from the Hebrew [גִּרְגָּשִׁי]
      • Gergishites were the original Canaanite [pagan] dwellers of that area…
      • They were supposed to have been CAST out by Israel – Deuteronomy 7:1
      • When the TWELVE tribes of Israel came with Joshua to conquer the land of Canaan…
      • The tribes of Reuben – Gad – and HALF tribe of Manasseh settled the area of the Gadarenes…
      • These THREE tribes decided NOT to enter into the Promised Land – Numbers 32:5
      • They were CONTENT to settle in the lands EAST of the Jordan river…
      • They were also the FIRST of the TWELVE tribes to be conquered!
      • When people live on the FENCE – one foot in the WORLD and one in JESUS…
      • They are in a VERY dangerous place – because it is too easy to fall off on the wrong side…
      • Rather than being known by Christ – we will be labeled as part of the world [Gergesenes]
      • We do NOT want to live on the edge – come into the PROMISED Land! 
    • Demon possessed…
      • There met Him two demon-possessed men – coming out of the tombs.
      • Exceedingly fierce – so that no one could pass that way!
      • When Jesus arrived – TWO [only here] men came to CONFRONT [hostile] Him…
      • They were DEMON possessed men – also Mark 5:1-20 and Luke 8:26-39
      • Naked – dwelling in the tombs – no one could control them…
      • FIERCE [χαλεπός] – 2x in NT – to be VERY dangerous – II Timothy 3:1
      • They had been bound hand and foot – but they could break the chains…
      • Their name was LEGION – referring to 6000 soldiers – VERY possessed!
      • We do NOT talk about demon possession much today…
      • I think as a society – we have come to a place where we rationalize it…
      • We talk about people being CRAZY – but do not consider the root cause might be SPIRITUAL!
  • 2^nd – Power of all… vs. 29-32
    • Son of God… vs. 29
      • Behold they cried out – saying: What have we to do with You – Jesus – You Son of God? 
      • Have You come here to torment us before the time!
      • BEHOLD [imperative] – they screamed – why are You here – Jesus Son of God…
      • They wanted to know if He came to PUNISH them before the TIME…
      • They knew WHO Jesus was – and knew WHAT He would do to them one day!
      • Demons are FALLEN angles – who rebelled along with satan against God – Revelation 12:4
      • As a result God cast them out of heaven – they were banished to the earth…
      • But there is a final judgment that awaits these fallen angels – Jude 1:6
      • When they will be cast into the Lake of Fire prepared for them – Matthew 25:41
    • Herd of pigs… vs. 30-31
      • Now a good way off from them there was a herd of many swine feeding.
      • The demons begged Him saying: If You cast us out permit us to go into the herd of swine!
      • Off in the distance there were [imperfect] a herd of many PIGS…
      • The demons pleaded [imperfect] with Jesus – demanding [imperative] to be sent into swine!
      • PIGS are a forbidden animals for Jews to eat – Leviticus 11:7
      • Further evidence of the compromised walk of the Jews in the Gergesenes…
      • A symptom of a people far from God – where EVIL [demons] felt welcome!
      • If we look at a WICKED world around us – and wonder what we can do…
      • And answer is to NOT be compromised – live for the Lord…
      • Because just as DARKNESS is not welcome when there is LIGHT…
      • So also EVIL [demons] has to flee when once Jesus enters!
    • Cleaning up… vs. 32
      • He said to them: Go! So when they had come out – they went into the herd of swine. 
      • Suddenly the whole herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea and perished!
      • Jesus gave them one WORD – He commanded [imperative] the demons to GO…
      • They came out of the MEN – and went into the PIGS [over 2000] – Mark 5:13
      • And the PIGS ran off a steep cliff – into the water – and ALL [πᾶς] drown…
      • Jesus got rid of the DEMONS and PIGS with one WORD!
      • It is NOT just WIND and WAVES Jesus has authority over…
      • He has power over ALL – we have NOTHING to FEAR from the supernatural…
      • And when we FOLLOW Jesus – we will see the ENEMY flee…
      • We will see a COMPROMISED world – become CLEAN because of His WORD!
      • Luke 10:19 – “Behold – I give you the authority… over all the power of the enemy.”
  • 3^rd – Rejecting Jesus… vs. 33-34
    • Set free… vs. 33
      • Then those who kept them fled – and they went away into the city and told everything.
      • Including what had happened to the demon-possessed men!
      • The MEN who were watching the PIGS – ran for their lives [terrified]
      • And when they got to the CITY – they told the people EVERYTHING [πᾶς]
      • Including what had happened to the POSSESSED men – whom everyone knew!
      • Luke 8:35 – “Sitting at the feet of Jesus – clothed and in his right mind.”
        
    • Not ready… vs. 34
      • Behold – the whole city came out to meet Jesus. 
      • And when they saw Him – they begged Him to depart from their region!
      • The WHOLE [πᾶς] city came out to see for themselves…
      • But when they saw Jesus – they pleaded with Him to leave [subjunctive]
      • The men who had been possessed – wanted to go with Him – but Jesus told him no!
      • Mark 5:19 – “Go home to your friends – and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.”
      • Jesus would return to this area – He was not finished with them…
      • And when He returned – it was to a VERY different reception…
      • Because of the TESTIMONY of the man who had been possessed…
      • The people were EXCITED – and rushed to come see Jesus – Matthew 14:35
      • We are called to FOLLOW Jesus – put Him FIRST…
      • Because that is the ONLY place where we will see God do the IMPOSSIBLE…
      • And once we SEE what Jesus can do – we NEED to tell others…
      • Because even though some may NOT receive Jesus today…
      • As they see the change in our lives – they will one day be excited to see the Lord!