Notes from the Aug. 22 sermon on Luke 9:51-62, the 42nd in the Luke series: Jesus sets his face toward Jerusalem, literally marching toward his cross. Along the way, he teaches that followers of Jesus must put him before tribe, before comfort, before security, and before the past. You can either reject Jesus or repent. It is impossible to plow a straight row if you look backwards; Jesus kept his hand to the plow, pressing forward straight to the cross, not looking back.

You need to walk with Jesus and your family right now. That day [when you make it] may never come. And even if it does, you're wasting all your time between now and then to follow Jesus as a father as a husband, with your family. … And the myth that he believed was, "If I put security before Jesus, I can have both." No. No, you can't. Because if you worship security as an idol, as God, and you devote your whole life to it, it will fail you, disappoint you, and destroy you. And if Jesus is in first position, the rest of life will work itself out, and it doesn't mean you'll be rich, it doesn't mean you'll be successful, it doesn't mean you'll be profitable, but it does mean you'll be with Jesus, and he'll get you through it. … We want good for you. So when Jesus looks at this man and says, "No, not 'Some day I'll become a Christian and follow Jesus.'" Today. That's my exhortation to you.