Tag: Christian Discipleship

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The Journey of Walking by God’s Grace

Summary of my sermon, based on Luke 14:25-35. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on February 22, 2026.

Praise the Lord, and welcome. I was completely surprised by all the snow we had this morning! My office is in the basement, so I didn’t see what it looked like outside until I was walking out the door. But praise the Lord for His mercies and grace that we all arrived safely.

I have mentioned my taste in entertainment enough that you probably know I enjoy Japanese manga and anime. One of the first series I really got into was called “Kenichi: The Mightiest Disciple.” It is a classic underdog story about a bullied high school student who decides to learn martial arts to get stronger. He ends up becoming the disciple of five different martial arts masters. It is a comedy, but a running gag is how brutally these masters train him, pushing him until he is physically broken down. While exaggerated, it highlights a true principle: becoming a true disciple of anything, whether it is mixed martial arts or the disciplines of the Shaolin warrior monks, requires an extreme, life-altering level of dedication.

For us as Christians, the word “disciple” is so familiar that we sometimes lose its weight. But in Luke 14, Jesus does not pull any punches about the extreme dedication required to follow Him. He was on His way to Jerusalem—and ultimately to the cross—and He began preparing His followers for the reality of what discipleship truly costs.

Jesus turned to the crowds accompanying Him and said, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26-27, ESV).

That is a shockingly strong statement. Of course, Jesus is using comparative language here. He is not commanding literal hatred of your family. Instead, He is saying that your love for Him must be so supreme that, in comparison, your love for everything else looks like hate. Jesus must be the absolute, unrivaled priority in your life. The Apostle Paul understood this completely when he wrote, “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8, ESV).

In the West today, we generally do not face the threat of physical death for our faith. No one is forcing us to renounce Christ at the edge of a sword. However, we face something that can be just as dangerous to our devotion: a consumeristic culture constantly vying for our time and attention. Are we willing to sacrifice our leisure, our social media, and our entertainment for the sake of Christ? Even our legitimate priorities—our jobs, our health, putting a roof over our families—must not take precedence over Him.

Following Jesus is not something to casually stumble into. To emphasize this, Jesus gave two short illustrations: a man building a tower who must first sit down and count the cost to see if he can finish it, and a king going to war who must deliberate if he has the troops to win (Luke 14:28-32). If you do not count the cost of discipleship up front, you will fall away when the reality of following Jesus becomes difficult. This is exactly why the prosperity gospel fails; it invites people to a shallow, comfortable Christianity without ever mentioning the cross we are called to bear.

A true disciple’s journey involves constant self-reflection. Are you truly prioritizing Jesus in your life? Jesus warned that salt that loses its taste is useless and thrown away (Luke 14:34-35). Merely attending church, going to a growth group, or knowing the right vocabulary does not make you a Christian. As Ephesians 2:8 (ESV) reminds us, “For by grace you have been saved through faith.” Salvation is a free gift, but true faith radically transforms our priorities. Let us continually lay our burdens and distractions down, fully surrendering to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord.

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The Urgency of Choosing Christ

It’s good to be back in the Gospel of Luke. Luke writes an “orderly account” of Jesus’ life not as mere biography, but to transform lives with the good news. Writing largely to Gentiles, he shows Jesus as the fulfillment of Israel’s story and Lord over all history. We’re in the long section (Luke 9–19) where Jesus journeys to Jerusalem—ultimately, to the cross. Today’s passage (Luke 12:49–13:9) gathers five teachings under one theme: the urgency of choosing Christ.

Jesus begins with an arresting purpose statement: “I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished!” (Luke 12:49–50, ESV). The “fire” evokes judgment language familiar from the prophets. John the Baptist foresaw it: the Messiah would gather wheat and “burn with unquenchable fire” the chaff (Luke 3:16–17, ESV). Scripture is clear—Jesus’ second advent will bring just judgment: “in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God” (2 Thessalonians 1:8–9, ESV).

But verse 50 anchors hope: Jesus’ “baptism” points to His cross. “Now is my soul troubled… But for this purpose I have come to this hour” (John 12:27, ESV). Judgment and mercy meet at Calvary. Those who choose Christ are saved from the fire by His finished work.

Still, that choice brings division. “Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division” (Luke 12:51, ESV). Jesus is the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6), and in Him “you who once were far off have been brought near… For he himself is our peace” (Ephesians 2:13–14, ESV). Yet the peace with God that believers enjoy can fracture earthly ties, even within families (Luke 12:53; echoing Micah 7). In some cultures, this cost is painfully tangible; still, “the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus” outweighs every loss (Philippians 3:8, ESV).

Jesus then rebukes spiritual dullness. People can read the sky and predict weather, “but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?” (Luke 12:56, ESV). His works—the blind seeing, the lame walking, the poor receiving good news—are signs shouting Messiah (cf. Luke 7:22). Hypocrisy blinds; truth is plain.

He presses the urgency with a courtroom picture: settle before judgment. “Make an effort to settle with him on the way, lest he drag you to the judge… I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the very last penny” (Luke 12:58–59, ESV). We cannot pay our sin-debt, but Christ can—and did: God “forgave us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt… This he set aside, nailing it to the cross” (Colossians 2:13–14, ESV). Choose Christ while you’re “on the way.”

Some in the crowd pivot to headlines: Pilate’s brutality, a tower collapse (Luke 13:1–4). Were the victims greater sinners? Jesus won’t play that game. Everyone dies; everyone faces God. “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3, 5, ESV). The point isn’t ranking tragedies; the point is readiness—repentance now.

He closes with a parable (Luke 13:6–9): a fruitless fig tree given one more year—one more gracious chance—to bear fruit before the axe falls. It pictures Israel in Jesus’ day, but it also preaches God’s patience to us. “The Lord is… patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:9, ESV). Patience, yes—but not forever: “the day of the Lord will come like a thief” (2 Peter 3:10, ESV). Therefore, choose Christ today: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 4:7, ESV).

And choose Him for His worth, not merely to avoid hell. He is better than every alternative—“fullness of joy” in His presence; “pleasures forevermore” at His right hand (Psalm 16:11, ESV). Stir your heart by seeking Him where He reveals Himself—in His Word, among His people, at His Table. Don’t delay. Christ is worth everything.

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Balancing Service & Reflection

Summary of my sermon, based on Luke 10:38-42. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on February 23, 2025.

The story about the renovations at Morningstar has always stuck with me. Before they changed anything, it looked just like you’d expect a Baptist church to look—choir seats up front, a baptistry behind the stage, nothing flashy. But Morningstar was famous for their Christmas and Easter musicals, and at some point they decided to upgrade their entire auditorium to better support those productions. One major part of the plan was to install this huge 18-foot screen at the back of the stage. It wouldn’t just be for Sunday mornings—it was meant to be a dynamic backdrop for all their dramatic presentations.

They spent a year or two raising funds and finally began construction in January 2011. Funny enough, that was right after I started my internship there. Every week, they’d make progress on the renovations, while we held services with massive white tarps cordoning off the stage area. Every Saturday night, I’d have to set up the temporary stage for Sunday morning, which gave me a front-row seat to all the behind-the-scenes conversations.

One discussion in particular still echoes in my memory. It was about this load-bearing pillar that they discovered behind the old stage. It hadn’t shown up on any of the original plans, but once they tore things down, there it was—right in the way of the projector they needed to use for the giant screen. The projector had to be a specific distance from the screen to work properly, but the pillar blocked the spot where the projector needed to go.

So, they were faced with a choice. Either change the projector setup—make the screen smaller or move the projector to the front—or re-engineer the pillar, which would cost an extra $20,000–$30,000. I’ll never forget when the construction foreman looked at the plans and said, “From what I understand, this screen and that projector are what this whole project is about… so I think you only have one choice—you need to fix the beam, not the projector.”

That moment hit the pastors hard. They realized they had lost sight of the main point. The whole renovation centered around that screen and that projector. It was necessary. And so, they did what had to be done. They adjusted the pillar and kept the vision intact.

That same kind of moment shows up in our passage from Luke 10. Jesus visits the home of Martha and Mary. Martha, being a good host, gets busy with preparations. Mary, on the other hand, sits at Jesus’ feet and listens to Him teach. Martha eventually gets frustrated and complains—“Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to serve alone?” But Jesus doesn’t scold Martha for serving. Instead, He gently redirects her focus. “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

This isn’t about a right or wrong choice. It’s about priorities. Service is good—our church wouldn’t function without it. People set up chairs, prepare meals, run the tech… and Scripture is clear that we are called to serve. But the passage isn’t saying don’t serve—it’s asking, what’s the main thing? What is necessary?

When we get caught up in our tasks—whether they’re good things or not—we risk losing sight of Jesus. We become anxious, overwhelmed, maybe even resentful, like Martha. And in that moment, Jesus gently reminds us: keep your eyes on Me. Choose the better portion.

The amazing thing is that Martha seems to have learned from this. Later, in John 11, when her brother Lazarus dies, it’s Martha—not Mary—who runs out to meet Jesus and confesses her faith in Him. “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God.” That’s one of the great declarations of faith in the Gospels—right up there with Peter’s own confession.

It’s a beautiful full-circle moment. Martha, who was once distracted by service, becomes someone who understands who Jesus truly is. And Mary, who once sat in stillness, eventually serves Jesus in a profound way—anointing Him in preparation for burial.

So, maybe the real question isn’t whether we serve or reflect—but are we serving from a place of reflection? Are we remembering the main thing? Because when Jesus is our portion, our source, and our goal, our service becomes more meaningful. It becomes an act of worship. It keeps us grounded in joy, not overwhelmed with duty. Choose the better portion—because when Jesus is first, everything else falls into place.

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I Will Follow

Summary of my sermon, based on Luke 9:51-62. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on November 17, 2024.

If you were a Christian in the 90s, you probably remember the WWJD bracelets—short for “What Would Jesus Do?” This phrase has deep roots in Christian history, tracing back to Charles Spurgeon in 1891. However, it became mainstream in 1896 when Charles Sheldon used it as a tagline in his novel “In His Steps.” His idea was to look to Jesus as a moral example in daily life, which helped birth the Social Gospel movement—an effort to apply Christian ethics to social issues.

This is a good thing. James 1:27 tells us, “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” Likewise, 1 Peter 2:21 states, “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.” However, the WWJD movement also had its flaws, primarily its commercialization and oversimplification of discipleship.

Following Jesus is not just about wearing a bracelet or making a moral decision in a single moment—it is a lifelong commitment that requires sacrifice. Luke 9:57-62 presents three responses to discipleship that highlight its demands.

First, Jesus tells a man who eagerly volunteers to follow Him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head” (Luke 9:58). This reveals that following Jesus may require giving up security and comfort. Many missionaries, like Robert and Sheila Cousins, have left everything to serve Christ. Even Christian leaders such as John Piper and Tim Keller could have pursued more wealth and success elsewhere but chose humble service instead.

Next, Jesus responds to another man who wants to delay discipleship until after burying his father: “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:60). This shocking statement underscores that following Jesus must take the utmost priority. Matthew 6:33 reminds us, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Finally, Jesus warns against looking back when called to follow Him: “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62). Discipleship requires focus. Hebrews 12:1-2 exhorts us to “run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.”

Ultimately, we cannot do this on our own. Jesus set His face toward Jerusalem, resolved to go to the cross for our salvation (Luke 9:51). When the Samaritans rejected Him, James and John wanted vengeance, but Jesus rebuked them, teaching mercy. He was on a mission to save both Jews and Samaritans, showing us that His path leads to the cross and the mercy of God. 1 Peter 1:3 reminds us that we have “a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

So, what sacrifices do you need to make to follow Christ more fully? How can you rearrange your life to better reflect His kingdom?

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Five Loaves and Two Fish

Summary of my sermon, based on Luke 9:10-17. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on July 14, 2024.

In the early days of my Bible school years in British Columbia, one of the most memorable experiences was the annual Temple Tour. We would visit various religious temples in Vancouver, including places for Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Hare Krishna. One of the standout moments was our stop at the Sikh temple, or Gurdwara, where we participated in Langar – the practice of serving a free, communal meal to all. This meal, served 24 hours a day, is a reflection of Sikh values of equality and service, with everyone sitting together on the ground, regardless of age, gender, or background. I remember learning that Langar serves not only as a charitable meal but as a global practice, with many travelers depending on it for sustenance. The Gurdwara in New Delhi, for example, feeds 35-40 thousand people daily, with numbers skyrocketing during religious holidays.

The sight of so many people being fed in such an organized manner brought to mind the feeding miracle of Jesus that we find in Luke 9:10-17. This miracle offers a striking glimpse into the power and provision of Jesus, and also serves as a reminder of His identity as the Messiah. In this passage, after the apostles return from their mission, Jesus seeks to give them rest, only to be met by a crowd eager to hear from Him. As the day grows long and the crowd grows larger, the disciples realize that they face a problem: they have nothing to feed the people. In verse 12, they ask Jesus to send the crowd away to find food in nearby towns. But Jesus responds, “You give them something to eat” (Luke 9:13).

The disciples’ initial response is understandable: they have only five loaves of bread and two fish, insufficient to feed a crowd of thousands. In fact, in the parallel account in John, Philip points out that even 200 denarii—about seven months’ wages—wouldn’t be enough to buy food for everyone. But Jesus, undeterred, has them seat the people in groups of fifty, and He miraculously multiplies the food. The result? Every person is fed until they are satisfied, and twelve baskets of leftovers are gathered up (Luke 9:16-17).

This miracle is significant for a couple of reasons. First, it highlights Jesus as the fulfillment of both the Law and the Prophets. In the Old Testament, God provided manna in the wilderness through Moses (Exodus 16:14-18) and fed a hundred men through Elisha (2 Kings 4:42-44). But unlike Moses and Elisha, who acted as conduits for God’s provision, Jesus Himself provides. He is greater than both; He is the Messiah, the Christ of God (Luke 9:20).

In light of this miracle, we also see that provision ministries, like those of the Gurdwara or the various charities that spring up during the holidays, hold significant value. But we must remember that these ministries must ultimately point to the cross. Providing for people’s physical needs is essential, but it must also lead to sharing the gospel—the true “bread of life” (John 6:35). As 2 Corinthians 5:20-21 reminds us, we are ambassadors for Christ, calling people to be reconciled to God, not just to receive food or shelter.

The feeding of the 5,000 points to Jesus’ ultimate provision—His sacrifice on the cross. The language of blessing and breaking bread in Luke 9 echoes the words Jesus spoke at the Last Supper: “This is my body, which is given for you” (Luke 22:19). Just as Jesus fed the crowd, He offers Himself to us as the ultimate provision for our spiritual needs.

As we engage in ministries of provision, let’s remember the source of all provision—God Himself. Just as He provided manna in the wilderness and multiplied the loaves and fish, He continues to provide for us today. Philippians 4:19 assures us, “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” As we minister, let’s keep our eyes fixed on the cross, where God’s provision was made most fully known.