Not Everyone Who Starts Will Finish

57 And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 58 And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. 61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Introduction

Welcome

Welcome to Session 7 of our Bible study series on The Warnings of Jesus. Tonight, we explore one of His hardest teachings: that starting the walk with Him is not enough—we must continue in faithfulness until the end.

Why This Study Matters

Many today assume that a moment of decision or confession is all that matters.

Jesus taught that following Him is a lifelong commitment, requiring endurance and steadfastness.

Tonight’s session will answer:

Why is perseverance necessary in true discipleship?

What warnings did Jesus give to those who started but looked back?

How can we endure faithfully to the end?

Part I: Following Jesus Is a Serious Commitment (Luke 9:57–58)

Luke 9:57–58 KJV 1900

1. Emotional Promises Are Not Enough

The man eagerly claims he will follow Jesus “wherever,” but Jesus immediately challenges the sincerity of that promise.

Jesus warns that following Him means forsaking worldly comforts and security.

Parallel Scriptures:

Matthew 8:19–20 – Jesus emphasizes the cost of discipleship again.

John 6:66 – Many disciples walked away when His teachings became hard.

Part II: No Excuses in Following Jesus (Luke 9:59–60)

Luke 9:59–60 KJV 1900

59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 60 Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

2. Priorities Must Be Set

Jesus is not being harsh about family. Rather, He is teaching that nothing—even the most sacred earthly obligations—can come before His call.

Parallel Scriptures:

Matthew 10:37 (KJV): “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me.”

Luke 14:26 – A disciple must “hate” (love less) all others in comparison to their love for Christ.

“Let the dead bury their dead” (Luke 9:60)

1. First, What Was the Context?

Jesus called a man to follow Him immediately.

The man replied that he needed to bury his father first.

But “burying his father” probably did not mean the funeral was happening that day.

In Jewish custom, burial often referred to ongoing family obligations (caring for aging parents until their death and inheritance matters).

This man may have been asking to delay following Jesus indefinitely until all his earthly responsibilities were handled.

Some have said that he wanted his inheritance before following Jesus. He could have been planing a back up plan just in case following Jesus didn’t work out.

Key Point:

This was an excuse to postpone obedience, not a true emergency burial.

2. What Does “Let the Dead Bury Their Dead” Mean?

A. Spiritually Dead vs. Physically Dead

The first use of “dead” refers to the spiritually dead — those who are separated from God, living according to the world.

The second “dead” refers to the physically dead — those who have died physically.

In other words:

“Let the spiritually dead take care of worldly matters. You, who are called to life, must prioritize the Kingdom of God.”

Parallel Scriptures:

Ephesians 2:1 (KJV): “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.”

Colossians 2:13 (KJV): “You, being dead in your sins… hath he quickened together with him.”

Jesus divides humanity into two groups:

The spiritually alive — those who follow Him.

The spiritually dead — those who are consumed with the affairs of this world.

3. Kingdom Priorities Must Come First

Following Jesus must be immediate and total.

Earthly duties, even good ones like family obligations, must not delay or take priority over the call to discipleship.

Preaching the Kingdom is a matter of life and death—eternal life and death.

Parallel Example:

Matthew 8:21-22 tells the same event, showing that excuses — even noble ones — are unacceptable when Christ calls.

4. Summary of What Jesus Meant

The spiritually dead are concerned with the temporary affairs of this world.

The spiritually alive must be focused on the eternal work of the Kingdom.

When Jesus calls, it demands immediate and total obedience—no delay, no excuse.

Obedience to Jesus must outweigh even the most sacred human ties when necessary.

Application:

Are there things I am putting ahead of Christ’s call?

Am I delaying obedience because of worldly priorities?

Part III: No Looking Back (Luke 9:61–62)

Luke 9:61–62 KJV 1900

61 And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

3. The Danger of Divided Loyalties

Plowing requires full attention. If a farmer looks back while plowing, his row will be crooked and unusable.

Jesus uses this vivid image to teach that following Him requires an undivided heart.

Parallel Scriptures:

Hebrews 10:38–39: “But if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.”

Philippians 3:13-14: “Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before…”

Application:

Am I looking back with regret, longing for my old life, or am I moving forward with Christ wholeheartedly?

Part IV: Endurance Until the End

1. Salvation Is a Walk, Not Just an Event

Matthew 24:13 (KJV): “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”

True discipleship is marked by continuing faithfulness, not a one-time emotional decision.

2. Faithfulness Requires Daily Cross-Bearing

Luke 9:23 (KJV): “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”

Daily faithfulness, even in trials, proves true discipleship.

Conclusion

Summary of Key Truths

Emotional enthusiasm is not enough to follow Jesus.

Discipleship demands sacrifice, single-hearted devotion, and perseverance.

Those who look back, delay, or prioritize other things are not fit for the Kingdom of God.

True faith endures and finishes the race.

Final Call to Self-Examination

Am I committed to Christ without excuse or condition?

Am I willing to forsake all to finish faithfully?

Have I looked back, or am I pressing forward toward the prize?

Next Session: The Final Separation: The Sheep and the Goats

What does Jesus teach about the final judgment?

How can we be sure we are among the faithful when He returns?

Why is serving others part of being ready for the Kingdom?

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