Sermon Title: The Things We Leave Behind
Scripture References:
- Matthew 4:19-20
- Matthew 16:24-26
- Luke 5:11
- Philippians 3:7-8
Introduction:
Praise Jesus, Radiant.Life Church! It’s a blessing to be have you, to bring this powerful message that I believe will speak to each one of us in a profound way. Today, we’re going to explore what it truly means to follow Christ, and I’m convinced that as we reflect on the lives of the disciples, we’ll be challenged to examine our own hearts and commitments. The Things We Leave Behind. There’s a truth here that we often overlook—the very things that the disciples left behind to follow Christ are the very things that many are seeking after today. It’s a powerful thought, one that will challenge us, call us to reflection, and force us to re-evaluate the true nature of our walk with Christ. In the Gospels, when we read about Jesus calling His disciples, we see that their response was nothing short of radical. They didn’t just follow; they left everything behind—careers, family, comfort, and security—to follow Jesus. But, if we’re honest, how often do we see people following Christ today with hopes of gaining exactly those things that the disciples gave up?
It’s important for us to ask ourselves a very honest question: What are we truly following Jesus for? Is it for the things He offers us, or is it for something far greater?
Today, I invite you to journey with me as we unpack this concept and explore the deeper meaning of what it means to follow Jesus with a heart of true discipleship.
1. The Disciples’ Radical Sacrifice
When we think about the disciples, we often romanticize their walk with Jesus, but we must not forget that their decision to follow Him was not a light one. It was radical. It was costly. And it required them to leave behind everything they had known. Let’s begin by looking at Matthew 4:19-20: “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.” Here, we see Simon Peter and his brother Andrew being called by Jesus. They were not casual fishermen. These men had businesses, families, and lives built around their careers as fishermen. Yet, without hesitation, they left it all behind. They didn’t hesitate because they recognized the call of God and understood the gravity of what Jesus was offering—eternal life, a kingdom that could never be shaken, and a purpose that transcended the temporal things of this world.
In Luke 5:11, we see the response of Peter, James, and John: “So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.” What did they leave behind? Their boats, their livelihood, their sense of security. In those days, being a fisherman was one of the most stable and respected occupations. But the call of Christ was more compelling than the comfort of their careers. Imagine being in their shoes. Imagine having everything you’ve worked for—your family legacy, your trade, your community—all stripped away in a single moment. The disciples left everything to follow Jesus, and they did so with a sense of urgency and willingness. Their decision wasn’t about gaining wealth or status, it was about responding to the call of a higher purpose.
They didn’t leave behind their jobs for personal gain. They didn’t leave behind their careers to follow a path of comfort and ease. They left behind everything to follow Jesus, because they saw something far greater than what the world could offer. They left behind the familiar to embrace the unknown, not knowing what would lie ahead, but trusting that Jesus would provide.
2. The Contrast: What We Seek Today
Now, let's take a moment to reflect on the world we live in today. What are we seeking in our walk with Christ? If we’re being honest with ourselves, many people come to Christ today because they hope that He will bring them success, wealth, status, and comfort. Let me ask you a difficult question: Are we following Jesus for what He can give us, or are we following Him for who He is? In the modern world, it's easy to view Christ as a means to an end—a tool to achieve the life we’ve always dreamed of. And in many circles, the prosperity gospel has promoted this idea—that God’s will is to make us rich, comfortable, and free from struggles. But if we study the Scriptures, we quickly realize that this was not the message of Jesus. The disciples didn’t follow Christ for personal gain. They followed Him because they recognized the value of what He was offering: eternal life, peace, and the ability to participate in God’s divine work on earth.
Jesus spoke clearly about the cost of discipleship. In Matthew 16:24-26, He says: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” This is not a message of prosperity in the material sense. It is a call to sacrificial living. It is a call to surrender—not to gain. The cross was the symbol of death, not success. And Jesus wasn’t promising a life free of challenges; He was promising something far greater—the chance to walk in eternal fellowship with Him. In a world that constantly seeks self-preservation and self-promotion, Jesus invites us to lay down our lives, to lose everything in order to gain something eternal. The call to follow Christ is not a call to personal success, but to selflessness, sacrifice, and a radical commitment to the kingdom of God.
3. The True Cost of Discipleship
As we reflect on what it means to follow Christ, we need to ask ourselves: What are we willing to leave behind in order to follow Him? The disciples didn’t just leave behind their careers and security—they left behind their own plans, their ambitions, and even their families, for the sake of the gospel. In Philippians 3:7-8, Paul shares a powerful perspective on the cost of following Christ: “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ…”
Paul had it all. He had a prestigious career, influence, status, and the respect of his peers. But when he encountered Christ, he recognized that everything he had achieved in life paled in comparison to knowing Jesus. His achievements, his status, his reputation—they were all "garbage" when weighed against the surpassing worth of Christ. This is the essence of discipleship. It’s about recognizing that everything this world has to offer is fleeting, temporary, and insignificant in comparison to the eternal riches found in Jesus. Paul’s words invite us to consider our own lives and ask ourselves: What are we holding on to that is keeping us from fully embracing Christ? Are we willing to surrender everything—the things that seem so important, the things we’ve worked so hard to gain—for the sake of knowing Christ more deeply?
4. A Call to True Discipleship
At this point, it’s important for each of us to reflect on our own commitment to Christ. What are we following Jesus for? What is the true motive of our hearts? Are we following Him for what He can give us, or for the eternal relationship He offers us? True discipleship is about surrender. It’s about denying ourselves—not so we can gain material wealth, but so we can gain Christ. It’s about choosing to walk in His footsteps, wherever He leads us, regardless of the cost. Jesus did not promise a life of comfort. He did not promise a life without trials. But He did promise that He would never leave us or forsake us. He promised that in following Him, we would find the true purpose of our lives. We would find meaning, joy, and eternal life.
Conclusion:
As we close today, I want to challenge each of you to reflect on your own walk with Christ. What are you following Him for? Are you following Him for what He can give you, or are you following Him because of who He is? The things the disciples left behind were not treasures of this world. They were things that could not compare to the treasure they found in Jesus. And that’s the invitation today. Will you leave behind the temporary treasures of this world to gain the eternal treasure that is found in Christ? In Matthew 16:25, Jesus tells us: “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” Let us choose to follow Christ not for what we can get out of it, but for what He offers us—a relationship with the Father, eternal life, and a place in His kingdom.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the example of the disciples, who gave up everything to follow You. We confess that, too often, we seek after the things of this world, thinking they will satisfy us. But we know that only You can fill the deep longing in our hearts. Help us, Lord, to follow You with pure hearts, willing to leave behind anything that stands in the way of our relationship with You. May we find true life in You, and may we live in such a way that others see the value of knowing You above all else. In Jesus’ name, Amen.