Count the Cost of Committing to the Cross of Christ (Matthew 10:37-42)
Paradox: “Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it” (Mt 10:39).
For whatever reason, one word titles of sermons resonates, fascinates and appeals to me, with titles such as: AHA (Luke 24:32), Contingency (Genesis 48:15), Extravagance (John 3:16), and for this sermon, Paradox (Matthew 10:39) [questions]–the text is for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time (6/28/2026).
A quote I found useful is in regards to Christian Thinking by Oswald Chambers: “The safe position in Christian thinking is to remember that there are deeper depths than we can fathom, higher heights than we can know; it keeps us reverent, keeps us from hardening off into a confined, cabined experience of our own. Thinking [“correct” Bible interpretation] is not of first importance; life is of first importance. Christian thinking means thinking on the basis of things, not thinking in pious terms.” [See verses below. *** THINK.]
In light of this quote I thought of the following probing questions:
- How should you think, talk, text, type, teach (and preach) as a Christian?
- Are you faithful to God? Or to what you think you must be faithful to as a Christian?
- How do you know you love God? Do you love God or love how you are loving God?
- When you speak is your concern yourself being good and correct, or is it for others to meet Christ?
In Matthew 10 Jesus sends out the 12 disciples, which can be regarded as a handbook of Christian discipleship with the following sub-headings:
- The mission of discipleship (Mt 10:1-6, 8). Healing, driving out demons.
- The message of discipleship (Mt 10:7). The kingdom of God.
- The instructions of discipleship (Mt 10:9-15). Depend only on God.
- The response to discipleship (Mt 10:16-25). Betrayal, hatred, persecution.
- The faith/encouragement of discipleship (Mt 10:26-33). No fear/Do not fear.
- The cost of discipleship (Mt 10:34-39). Love God utmost.
- The reward of discipleship (Mt 10:40-42). Commendation by Christ.
Previous sermon: Love Jesus More Than My Kids (Matthew 10:1-42).
*** THINK. The Bible values the mind immensely, explicitly stating that our thoughts shape our character, actions, and overall peace. Scripture addresses mental discipline, choosing healthy thoughts, and not over-thinking and giving into anxiety.
Choose Healthy Thoughts
- “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Phil 4:8).
- “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Col 3:2).
- “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he” (Prov 23:7, NKJV).
Mental Transformation and Renewal
- “Do not be conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Rom 12:2).
- “…take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Cor 10:5b).
- “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Eph 4:22-24).
Overcoming Over-thinking and Anxiety
- “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you” (Isa 26:3).
- “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Mt 6:34).
- “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline [sound mind]” (2 Tim 1:7).
Humility and Self-Assessment
- “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment…” (Rom 12:3).
- “…stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults [mature]” (1 Cor 14:20).
