Let the Dead Bury Their Own Dead

• Matthew 8:18-22
• Many things in life you agree to before you know what it really means and what it will cost
• Marriage is one. A new job. A house. A car. My first car I owned for a year and didn’t do nothing to it- no oil, rotations, anything. No one taught me. I didn’t know nothing. It was work had no $
• When I became a Christian- I didn’t really know what it meant. There have been times I wanted to turn back because I didn’t realize what it was going to cost me in this life
• Telling Jesus you are going to follow him and then turning back isn’t what he wants
• You must make a decision to let the dead bury their own dead- and follow Jesus

Let the dead bury their own dead- learn to endure

• 19 Then a certain scribe came and said to Him, “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.”20 And 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 is talking to this scribe who sees in Jesus the messiahship, but Jesus is letting him know the tangible realities of both being the son of man and what it would be like to follow him
• Being the son of man isn’t glorious- but to be a son of man in the biblical sense is understanding that Jesus identifies with all of who we are as human- he is a son of man- but he is THE son of man as well
• Ellicott describes it this way– It was accordingly, with these ideas attached to it—involving at once fellowship with the lowest of the heirs of our humanity, and yet also participation in the eternal glory of the Highest—that our Lord claimed the title, and used it with such marvelous frequency
• So whatever Jesus asks of us- he identifies with and experiences with us. We don’t serve a Savior that asks us to endure with him, who didn’t endure himself. He suffered for us and continues to intercede for us before the father on our behalf. 
• And so when this scribe comes and says “ I will follow you wherever you go” Jesus says, “but will you”? because I’m you and I’m God but I don’t even get a place to live. This Jesus life is the real deal, if its that way for me- its going to be that way for you- so are you willing to live a life of endurance following me? Do you really know what it means to follow me?
• John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
• Jesus knew and told his disciples- in this world you will have tribulation. It will not be easy
• This guy wants to follow Jesus but Jesus makes it clear- its not a cake walk- it wont be easy
• Luke 9:23 then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.
  does that sound like a party you want to be invited to? Its going to take some endurance. Its going to take some grit. Its not going to be easy
• Can I be honest with you? I think many have done a disservice to Christianity by trying to sell it as love, peace and blessings. People say “you’ll feel so much peace” “you’ll fill a God sized whole in your heart” “The benefits are out of this world” 
• I think its why many fall away and don’t come back- They are not told what it really means to follow Jesus- Their life is already hard, they want a reprieve and someone sells it to them
• But it either gets hard, or it lacks any teeth because they weren’t really converted
• This Christian life takes ENDURANCE if you are really try to live for Jesus- everything is at you
• Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
• What does it mean to you
• Have you embraced the suck of following Jesus? That’s a military term- embrace the suck
• Its just a way to describe a horrible situation- you either fight it and complain or endure
• Romans 5:3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance;
• If you’re suffering for Jesus- glorify God in it- be excited about it- be pleased- You’re enduring
• Maybe it means there’s places you don’t go, people you don’t hang out with, worldy loneliness, choices about your money, time, family, activities etc. Endure! Embrace it- 
• Colossians 1:11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;
• Jesus had no where to lay his head and you’re worried people don’t like you
• 1 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;
• And its not going to get easier! Is there anything in your faith you’re willing to die for? Jail?
• Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through [a]Christ who strengthens me.
• 1 cor 11:22-29 pauls beating
• 11:35-38 Those of the faith who didn’t receive the earthly promise 
• Do you know how you get through it? The scriptures- they keep you and encourage you
• Romans 15:4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
• Build some endurance in your walk with Jesus! Lets go! We’ll get there together 

Let the dead bury their own dead have the right priorities

• 21 Then another of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”
• This is a part of scripture that shows where the disciples priorities are
• This disciple says “I’ll follow you but there’s something important I need to do first” 
• Let me first get married, get my job, my house, my kids, my yard, my vacation, my fun
• Luke 12:34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
• People say they want the Jesus life- but they don’t they want to bury their father first
• Why? Because they love their family more than Jesus- they want people to like them
• I love the movie pumping iron- Arnold- dad died, didn’t go- trying to win a championship
• Some would say “That’s mean” and maybe in the worldly sense it may have been- but if Arnold wanted a championship- what Good is the funeral when his dad is dead?
• I always have to clarify- im not saying funerals are bad- its about priorities and heart
• Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before Me.
• We elevate family above Christ- we justify it because our kids need to be loved
• Matthew 10:37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
• Is that scripture true? Did Jesus mean it when he said it?
• My kids need to learn that idolatry will keep them out of heaven and sports wont get them in
• 1 Timothy 4:8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come
• Its why my kids didn’t do sports that required Sundays- not gonna do it- Church
• It really demands your priorities to serve God. Its not an addition it’s the equation. 
• Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
• What does it mean to you
• Is Jesus your number one priority? Does it guide your life? Do you want to serve him only?
• I get it- I hear a lot of people complain about serving Jesus in the PNW but if this is where he has me- this is what I do- I want to serve Jesus in the PNW because he wants me 
• Galatians 5:24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
• The flesh wars against what God wants- and we have to fight it- we have to choose Jesus
• We want comfort- we want laziness and immorality in our flesh- but we have to crucify it
• Mark 8:36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
• Anyone can live for the world- its easy- you just do what the world does and follow its ways
• But if you want to follow the priorities of Jesus- you look at the dead bodies of your life and you ask Jesus- do you want me bury these, or go and follow you?
• I’ve lost many worldly relationships because of following Jesus- I’m not mad about it just the way it is
• Psalm 90:12 So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.
• I know I only have so many days on this earth and I’d rather spend them in the things of God
• We’re going on vacation this summer- missing 4 weeks. 3 of those 4 weeks I’m going to be in the pulpit. Why? Because I love the church and the Gospel. I’m not tooting my horn- I’m letting you know what priorities look like- And working on my vacation isn’t work. Its my life. 
• 2 Corinthians 5:15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.
• We have and continue to have Jesus be the number one priority in our marriage and life. 
• Proverbs 24:27 Prepare your outside work, Make it fit for yourself in the field; And afterward build your house.
• Colossians 3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
• What is your mind consumed with? The things of God, or the things of this world?

Let the dead bury their own dead Forsake all

• 22 But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
• Jesus was harsh. He drew lines in the sand and said, what side are you on?
• Are you going to follow me, or your desires, your plans or do what I want for you in this life?
• John 12:25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
• He tells his followers- hate your life- love me. Don’t put all your hope in this world. 
• 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.
• I’ve used this scripture before because it’s a powerful scripture- and I don’t think Jesus wants us to hate our family- but he does want us to leave everyone and everything to follow him
• Some people can’t even leave bad friendship for Jesus- 
• psalm 73:25 Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.
• Who do we desire? Who do we want in this life? Have we turned our back on everything?
• I have decided to follow Jesus- no turning back- tho none go with me- I will follow
• Freshman year in college- many turned out to not be that Christian- I would find a piano and go and worship- hours and hours a week-. Not looking for accolades- just saying what it takes
• Philippians 3:8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ
• If you have given your life to Jesus- you know what I’m saying- its not always easy but its worth it- because he is worth it
• What does it mean to you?
• Are you willing to forsake all for him? Your family? Your national identity, racial identity, money, job, family, possessions, wants, desires, hopes for vacations possessions, worldly acceptance and experiencing the things of this world
• Luke 14:33 So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.
• If you don’t want to do that- its probably better you turn back now- don’t damage the Gospel 
• OR- you fall to your knees and you say “Jesus- whatever you want from me you can have” 
• Its probably because you haven’t died to yourself yet- you’re still living for yourself. 
• 2 Corinthians 4:10-11 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
• If you die daily to yourself- you have less demands because its not about you- its about others
• God will take care of the details- he will take care of you and the needs of your life (Mat 6:33)
• 1 Timothy 4:10 For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.
• Just forsake all- labor and suffer reproach- live for Jesus in all areas and watch what he does
• Ive seen a lot of half hearted followers of Jesus in my time- and they struggle needlessly
• I wasn’t good at football- why- I wanted everything about football without doing football
• I never did football outside of football- only on the field- and didn’t give it my all. 
• Matthew 13:44 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
• If you really found treasure in Jesus- you’d give up anything for him- chances are if you haven’t had that kind of experience- you find it difficult to give up anything because you don’t value JC
• Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
• Don’t love the world or anything in the world. Just love Jesus. Live for him. 

Pastor Matt Krachunis preaches on let the dead bury their own dead . Please share online for others to see.

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