A Cross-Centered Life, Part 4: The Cross vs. Excuses

Grant Fishbook, Lead Teaching Pastor

The marks of a Cross-centered life:

A supreme love for (Luke 14:26-27 CEV and Galatians 5:22-23)

A denial of (Matthew 16:24)

A deliberate choosing of (John 14:15)

An unswerving commitment to embracing the (John 8:31)

A commitment to love God loves (John 13:35; Proverbs 6:16-19)

Luke 9:57–62: Three Case Studies in Discipleship Excuses

⁵⁷ As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 
        ⁵⁸ Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

For this man: the excuse… this .

⁵⁹ He said to another man, “Follow me.”
          But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
          ⁶⁰ Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

For this man: the excuse… .

⁶¹ Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.”
          ⁶² Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

For this man: the excuse… .

Small Group Questions

1. What’s your favorite excuse for being late?
2. How do you feel when someone you love starts making excuses for bad behavior? What happens in your heart?
3. Who is the most devoted Jesus follower you have met in your lifetime? What makes their life different?
4. Read the Marks of a Cross-centered Life and the corresponding scriptures listed above. Where are you at when it comes to being a faithful follower of Jesus?
5. Read Luke 9:57-62. What is God saying to you through the responses of Jesus to these three men?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?