Reach Community Church

We live in a culture that wants everything to be easy, convenient, and inexpensive. We want: Fast food, Fast internet, Fast results, and Convenient Christianity. Many people approach worship the same way. We want worship that fits our schedule. Worship that doesn't interrupt our plans. Worship that doesn't require sacrifice. Worship that costs us nothing. But throughout Scripture, worship has always involved sacrifice. When Abraham worshiped, it cost him a journey and his son. When the widow worshiped, it cost her last two mites. When Mary worshiped Jesus, it cost her an alabaster jar worth a year's wages. When Jesus worshiped the Father through obedience, it cost Him His life. And here in 2 Samuel 24, David teaches us a powerful truth: Worship that costs nothing is worth nothing.

As we close out this “Disciples Follow Jesus” series, I think it’s important to realize where Jesus has been taking us these last several weeks. We started with the simple invitation of Jesus: “Follow Me.” Because before disciples do anything for Jesus, they must first surrender to Jesus. Week 2 We talked about staying ready—living with urgency and faithfulness because Jesus is returning and disciples don’t drift through life asleep. Week 3 We learned that disciples forgive because forgiven people are called to walk in forgiveness toward others. Week 4 We saw that disciples do what Jesus says—even when it doesn’t make sense, even before they see the miracle, because obedience is part of following. Week 5 Then we came to the crossroads in John 6 where Jesus gave hard teachings and many walked away, reminding us that disciples don’t just follow Jesus when it’s easy—they stay when it’s costly because He alone has the words of life. Week 6 Last week we saw that disciples were never meant to follow Jesus in their own strength. The Spirit of God fills ordinary people with extraordinary power so they can live boldly and faithfully for Christ. And now we arrive at the natural conclusion of all of it: Disciples don’t just follow Jesus personally… disciples help other people follow Jesus too. Because real discipleship always moves outward. Jesus never intended for His disciples to simply gather information, attend church, and keep their faith private. He called us to live on mission. Because disciples follow Jesus…and disciples make disciples.

Most Christians believe in the Holy Spirit, but live like He doesn’t exist. We try to fight spiritual battles in human strength, overcome sin with willpower, and live the Christian life exhausted, frustrated, and empty. But Jesus never intended His disciples to follow Him powerless. The Christian life was never meant to be sustained by your strength, your discipline, or your effort alone. Acts 2 shows us what happens when ordinary people are filled with the Spirit of God. Fearful men become bold witnesses. Weak people become powerful instruments in the hands of God. And the same Spirit that filled the early Church is still available to empower disciples today.

At some point in everyone’s faith journey, you come to a fork in the road—a moment where you have to decide whether you are truly in or out. Following Jesus was never meant to be easy, comfortable, or free from difficulty. There will be moments when staying faithful will cost you something or cost you everything. And in todays passage, we see that Jesus is not afraid to create moments that force a decision. Some people spend their whole lives sitting at the fork, unwilling to choose a direction. But Jesus is not looking for crowds who follow Him when it’s easy—He’s looking for disciples who will follow Him no matter what He asks, no matter what it costs. Because in Him there is fullness of life.

Today is Mother's Day, and if you grew up with a good mom, there’s one thing you heard over and over: “Listen to me.” “Do what I told you.” And if you didn’t listen…you felt it. But here’s the truth: Some of the best things in your life happened because you listened to your mom. “Don’t go there.” “Stay away from that.” “Trust me on this.” And today, we’re going to see something powerful: A mother gives one simple instruction…and it becomes one of the clearest pictures of what it means to follow Jesus. “Do whatever He tells you.”

There are some things in life that are hard…But forgiving someone who hurt you deeply? That’s different. Because forgiveness isn’t just hard—it feels unfair. They said it. They did it. They caused the damage. And now… I’m supposed to forgive? Let me ask you: Who do you need to forgive right now? Not theoretically. Not someday. Right now. Because here’s the truth: You cannot follow Jesus fully while holding on to unforgiveness.

Reach Community Church

If you knew that Jesus was returning one week from today, what would change in your life over the next seven days? Would it change what you watch, what you say—or how you say it—or how you spend your time, your money, even what you drink? The list could go on. My guess is everyone in this room would change something, and some of us would change everything. So why is that? Why do we live like what we do and say doesn’t really matter? Why do we put off the very things we know we’re called to do? Because we tell ourselves, “I’ll deal with it later—I’m just too busy right now.” But one day we will all stand before the Father. In Matthew 12, Jesus confronts religious leaders and says, “You will be known by your fruit… and out of the overflow of your heart your mouth speaks,” meaning your words reveal your heart, and just a few verses later He says that on the day of judgment people will give an account for every careless word they speak—feel the weight of that. Because if you don’t feel the weight of your calling as a follower of God, you will drift, and when you drift, everyone around you feels it. Jesus spends a significant portion of His teaching talking about His return and judgment—why? Because He wants His people to be ready. So the question is, are you ready?

There’s a difference between being interested… and being all in. You can be interested in fitness and never go to the gym; interested in investing and never buy a stock; interested in eating healthy and still hit Chick-fil-A 4 times a week. We live in a world full of interested people. And the danger is—we’ve brought that into Christianity. We’ve created a version of faith where: you can believe in Jesus, agree with Jesus, even like Jesus…but never actually follow Him. And Jesus never invited people to just believe something about Him. He invited them to leave something for Him.That’s the tension: Have we reduced following Jesus down to just believing in Him?

There are moments in life when it feels like it’s too late. Too much has happened. Too many mistakes. Too far gone. You missed your chance.
You had your opportunity. And now… it’s over. And most people assume that’s how it works with God too. That at some point, the door closes. But what we’re about to see is this: As long as there is breath in your lungs… the invitation of Jesus is still open.