Recap:

Roots that run deep produce fruit that lasts. This truth is echoed in Colossians 2, which declares that when believers root themselves deeply in Christ, they will bear the fruit of truth and thankfulness. In a world desperate for truth, the call is clear—spiritual depth leads to transformation.

A striking example of commitment is found in the story of Laura Dekker. Born on a boat, she had an unwavering love for the sea. At just 15 years old, she made a radical decision: she would become the youngest person to sail solo around the world. This was no impulsive dream; it was a conscious choice that required sacrifice. She left behind friendships, school, and the comforts of normal teenage life. She counted the cost, weighed the risks, and still chose to embark on a 518-day journey across the oceans. It was a test of endurance—waking up every 50 minutes to adjust her boat, battling loneliness, and facing relentless storms. Yet, when asked why she did it, her answer was simple: “I knew what it would cost, and I chose it anyway.”

Such determination raises a profound question: What price is one willing to pay for what matters most?

Luke 14:26-33 presents a similar challenge. Jesus tells the parable of a great banquet, where a man prepares a lavish feast and invites many guests. Yet one by one, the invited guests make excuses—property to inspect, oxen to test, a marriage to tend to. The master of the banquet, angered by their rejection, orders his servants to bring in the poor, the crippled, and the blind, ensuring that his house will be full. The invitation is open to all, yet not all are willing to respond.

Immediately following this parable, Jesus turns to the crowds and presents a seemingly paradoxical demand:

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26-27)

At first glance, the contradiction is striking. On one hand, the kingdom is open to everyone. On the other, Jesus demands total surrender. The tension lies in the nature of the kingdom—it is radically free, yet enormously costly.

The call to discipleship is not a casual invitation but a demand for absolute commitment. Jesus illustrates this with two powerful images: a man building a tower and a king going to war. A builder must first calculate the cost before laying a foundation; a king must consider his chances before engaging in battle. Likewise, every believer must weigh the cost of following Christ.

Too many lives resemble an abandoned construction site—pillars leading nowhere, staircases to emptiness. Dreams once held tightly fade into disillusionment, and spiritual momentum grinds to a halt. Jesus warns against starting without the willingness to finish. The Christian life is not a sprint but a long and arduous journey that requires endurance and unwavering faith.

Victory in this journey is not found in self-sufficiency but in surrender. The battle is unwinnable alone. Jesus speaks of a king with 10,000 men facing an army of 20,000. The only path to survival is to seek peace. The parallel is clear—humanity stands against an unstoppable kingdom. Resistance is futile; surrender is the only way forward. Yet, surrender is not a sign of weakness but of wisdom. It is an invitation to be embraced, not conquered.

Even those who falter are not forgotten. Peter, who denied Jesus three times, was met with grace on the shore of Galilee. Thomas, filled with doubt, was invited to touch the scars of the risen Christ. Their failures did not define them—God’s restoration did.

To surrender everything is to gain everything. The world entices with immediate rewards, offering comfort and control, but at a price that leads to spiritual bankruptcy. Jesus offers something infinitely greater—an eternal kingdom, peace that surpasses understanding, and joy that cannot be taken away. Yet, the offer comes with a cost.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer captured this reality when he wrote, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” The call to discipleship is a call to die to self, to release the grip on possessions, security, and self-determination. It is not a loss but a trade—temporal gain for eternal reward.

The question remains: What price is one willing to pay for what matters most? Is there a willingness to let go, to surrender, to trust that what Christ offers far outweighs the cost?

The kingdom is open to all, but only those willing to count the cost will truly belong.

 

Group Questions:

Icebreaker Questions:

  1. If you could sail solo around the world like Laura Dekker, what would be your biggest challenge—loneliness, storms, or something else?
  2. Have you ever committed to something really difficult (like training for a marathon, learning a skill, or a long-term project)? What kept you going?
  3. What’s one thing you’ve had to give up in life to pursue something greater?

Discussion Questions:

Counting the Cost of Discipleship (Luke 14:26-33)
  1. Jesus says that unless we “hate” our family and even our own life, we cannot be His disciple. How do you interpret this challenging statement? What does He really mean?
  2. In what ways is following Jesus “radically free” yet “enormously costly”?
  3. What are some modern-day examples of excuses people give for not fully committing to Jesus, similar to the excuses in the parable of the banquet?
  4. How does the story of Laura Dekker parallel Jesus’ call to count the cost before following Him?
Surrender vs. Resistance
  1. Jesus compares following Him to a builder planning a tower and a king preparing for war. How do these illustrations challenge the idea of casual Christianity?
  2. In what areas of your life do you struggle to fully surrender to Christ? What are the “costs” that feel hardest to let go of?
  3. The sermon mentioned that “too many lives resemble an abandoned construction site.” What does unfinished faith look like? What steps can we take to keep building?
Victory Through Surrender
  1. The sermon describes surrender as an act of wisdom, not weakness. How does this contrast with the way the world views surrender?
  2. How do Peter’s and Thomas’s stories show that failure doesn’t disqualify us from discipleship? How has God restored you in a moment of weakness?
  3. Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die.” What does dying to self practically look like in daily life?

Closing Reflection:

  • If Jesus were to ask you today, “What price are you willing to pay to follow Me?” how would you answer?
  • What is one step of surrender you can take this week to deepen your walk with Christ?