The Cost of Discipleship
Northwest Bible Church – Oct. 11, 2026 – Matthew – Alan Conner
Matthew 8:18-22
The Cost of Discipleship
Intro
A. JESUS PREPARES TO CROSS THE SEA (Matthew 8:18).
1. Why?
2. The disciples proceeded to secure a boat to make the journey.
B. THE CHALLENGE OF DISCIPLESHIP (Matthew 8:19-22).
1. Counting the cost of discipleship (Matthew 8:19-20).
a. The scribe’s commitment (Matthew 8:19). “Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.”
b. Jesus’ challenge (Matthew 8:20). “Foxes have holes and birds have nests, they have homes to live in but the SON OF MAN has nowhere to lay His head.”
c. The “Son of Man” expression. Why did Jesus use this phrase of Himself?
(1) Christ’s humanity.
(2) Christ’s deity (Daniel 7:13-14).
2. Devotion to Christ should exceed devotion to family (Matthew 8:21-22).
a. Another request (Matthew 8:21). “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father. “
b. Jesus responds (Matthew 8:22). “Follow Me, and allow the dead to bury their own dead.”
Compare: Matthew 10:37; Matthew 12:50; Luke 14:26.
Conclusion