What is it that keeps people from receiving God's salvation? We know that God's salvation is given to us freely. But what if people don't believe in Christ because of what believing will cost them? In Luke chapter 14 we are confronted with some of the reasons people don't believe. To believe in Jesus can be costly. We need to realize that and take it to heart, because for we who do believe, following Jesus will also be costly. It's almost scandalous how Jesus describes people rejecting God's gracious invitation. And yet, how is it that we who believe in Jesus find it so hard to follow him? Maybe we also are afraid of what it will cost us.

Time is running out, soon they will be in Jerusalem. The decision to follow Jesus will soon be diffi-cult and yet more clearly defined. Looking ahead, Jesus warns those who follow him of traps to watch out for. There will be dangers from others, and also distractions that arise from within us. This week we will talk about these dangers and distractions, things to watch out for and things not to fear, as Je-sus warns us in Luke chapter 12.

It is said that "familiarity breeds contempt." Perhaps it should also be noted that familiarity can lead to carelessness. This is true in many things, but it also can be true in following Jesus. We know what we know and no more. We follow as far as we go, but not further. We can be comfortable where we are, even when the where that we are isn't nearly as far as we think we are.

Luke chapter 11 seems like a somewhat random collection of teachings about various issues. But the unifying theme among them is that in each case, who God is and what God is doing is more than they realize. God intends to do more than they expect, ask, or imagine. I hope this chapter uncovers one or more areas in which you can Follow Further.