Missed Calls |Pt.2| The Cost of True Discipleship

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Church On The Rock Nashville (COTRN)

Show Notes Date: May 4, 2025

Series: Missed Calls (Week 2)

Title: The Cost of True Discipleship

Speaker: Pastor Nick Birmingham

Text: Matthew 19:16-22 (Focus: 19:20-22)

Opening:

• Acknowledgment of those serving in various roles (Worship Team, Kids Workers, etc.).
• Continuation of the "Missed Calls" series.
• Relatable examples of missed phone calls and their varying importance (boss, spouse, mom).
• Phone calls that evoke anxiety (potential bad news).
• The fast-paced nature of life and its potential to distract us.
• Introduction to the topic: The cost of true discipleship.
• Discipleship is challenging and often requires letting go of comfort and security.
• The process of spiritual growth involves new levels and new challenges.

Scripture Reading and Context: Matthew 19:16-22

• The encounter with the rich young ruler.
• The young man's seemingly successful and put-together life (ages 20-40, successful – "30 under 30" analogy).
• Despite achievements, something was missing – the feeling of "what do I still lack?"
• This moment is a spiritual crossroads for the young man and for us.
• The passage is not just about giving away possessions but about what those possessions represented – his identity.
• As Christ followers, Christ must come first.

Key Point 1: The Honesty of Self Examination (Verse 20)

• The young man's question: "All these I have kept, what do I still lack?"
• How often do we, as Christ followers, truly assess our lives?
• This wasn't a test from Jesus, but a genuine inquiry from the young man who desired eternal life (the kingdom of God).
• He had taken an assessment of his life.
• While it might seem haughty that he claimed to have kept all the commandments, it was not uncommon in the wisdom literature of the day for people to believe they had followed the law to the letter.
• Obedience to the law hadn't satisfied him; he sensed a lack.
• Many people in the world fill their lives with things but remain miserable, never stopping to assess why.
• This young man looked inward and challenged himself.
• Connection to FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) – the anxiety of missing an opportunity.
  • Urban Dictionary definition provided.
  • Suggestion that the worldly perversion of FOMO might have a Godly origin – a fear of missing out on what God has for us, missing the display of His glory.
  • The young man might have been worried about missing out on the kingdom of heaven.
• It takes courage to embark on self-examination.
• True success starts with an honest evaluation of our gaps, not just an appraisal of strengths.
• Reflecting on times when others offer perspective, and our tendency to dismiss it without examination.
• Analogy of Pastor Nick's wife offering feedback on a song choice – the importance of considering others' perspectives and God's promptings.
• This young man paused to assess, wondering if he was about to miss out on a deeper relationship with God.
• This example is for all believers – we need to confront our inadequacies.
• It's easy to look away from our shortcomings, but we must address them to draw closer to the Lord.
• Imagine approaching life asking, "God, what do I still lack?"
• The transformative ripple effects of such humility in our families and communities.

Key Point 2: The Challenge to Let Go (Verse 21)

• Jesus' response: "If you would be perfect, go sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven..."
• The word "perfect" (Greek: teleios) means mature or completely made whole.
• To be mature in his pursuit of eternal life, the young man needed to be willing to let go.
• Jesus tested the young man's priorities.
• Question for the audience: Has God ever done that to you?
• The challenge to sell everything struck at his comfort and valued possessions, which had become his identity.
• Question for the audience: What are we holding onto so tightly that we identify with? What if we lose it?
• Examples: minister's identity in their role, musician in their talent, individual in their job or possessions.
• It's easy to follow Christ when it doesn't cost much, but what about when it hurts and pulls at things we cherish?
• The danger of prioritizing things above God, leading to missed calls.
• The young man went away sorrowful because Jesus' request was radical and uncomfortable.
• True growth in the kingdom is often uncomfortable.
• Giving out of abundance (like the customary alms-giving) doesn't necessarily touch what we truly cling to and can even inflate pride.
• Personal anecdote of Pastor Nick's decision to leave a comfortable worship leading position to pastor COTRN.
• The initial feeling of uncertainty and vulnerability ("ground zero").
• The choice: answer God's call or send Him to voicemail?
• Meaningful growth opportunities are often painful. (Gym analogy, education analogy).
• Holding onto things can cause us to miss out on what God has for us.
• Letting go isn't losing; it's making room for something new and better that God has.

Key Point 3: The Invitation to Follow (Verse 21b-22)

• Jesus' invitation: "...and come follow me."
• Verse 22: "When the young man heard this, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions."
• In life, either we have our possessions, or our possessions have us.
• Jesus' invitation shifts the focus from loss to gain – realigning and redefining true treasure (the kingdom of God).
• The young man's sorrowful departure despite his initial eagerness. The cost was too high for him.
• "Follow me" is a continuous call to action and transformation, not a one-time event.
• Many get stopped by focusing on the cost instead of the purpose and the potential gain in following Jesus.
• This calling is tough but worthy.
• Reminder: Where God guides, He provides.
• The young man's possessions blinded him. Is it better to trust God who holds eternity than to cling to what we think we control?
• The continuous call to go deeper for even long-time followers of Christ.
• Analogy: No vacationing in the kingdom; continual pressing into God.
• Don't "shady button" Jesus; answer the call.

Conclusion and Call to Action:

• Question for personal reflection: What are the moments when God calls, but we silence or ignore Him due to unwillingness to change?
• What is the cost of answering God's call in our lives?
• The kingdom of God demands more than just keeping commandments (as the young man realized).
• Discipleship doesn't always mean losing possessions literally, but that possessions (or anything else) shouldn't have a hold on our hearts.
• Trusting God to drive and relinquishing our own control.
• God's asking is always about aligning our priorities with His purpose and promise, not just for the sake of loss.
• There is a cost to true discipleship.
• This Week's Challenge:
  • Self-examine: "God, what do I lack?"
  • Be vulnerable and honest in the answer, beyond spiritual clichés.
  • Identify areas where we might be falling short (empathy, faith, courage).
  • Remember our identity is in Jesus.
• Prayer for hearts to be fully focused and devoted to Christ.
• Acknowledging the heaviness and cost of following, but its ultimate worth.
• Invitation for those needing prayer to come forward (for drawing closer to God, personal struggles, family issues, etc.).