Categories: Digging Deeper

by Rob Hans

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Categories: Digging Deeper

by Rob Hans

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Series: The Stories that Read Us
Sermon Title: The Hidden Cost of Playing It Safe
Passage: Luke 14:25–35

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Series: The Stories that Read Us
Sermon Title: The Hidden Cost of Playing It Safe
Passage: Luke 14:25–35

SERMON POINTS: 

  1. Complacency costs you intimacy with Jesus.
  2. Convenience costs you spiritual maturity.
  3. Control costs you true freedom.
  4. Compromise costs you your Kingdom influence

 

GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

  1. Jesus says following Him means denying ourselves and carrying our cross. In what ways are you tempted to live a “safe” version of Christianity that avoids costly surrender?
    • Follow-up: How has that comfort-driven version of faith limited your connection with Jesus on a personal level?
    • Additional Scripture: Philippians 3:10
  2. Where have you prioritized ease or busyness over engaging in consistent spiritual disciplines like prayer, Scripture, or silence?
    • Follow-up: What lies beneath the resistance—fear, shame, or a distorted view of God?
    • Additional Scripture: Hebrews 5:14 
  3. In what areas of life are you still trying to maintain control rather than trust God’s leadership?
    • Follow-up: What would letting go of control look like practically, and what deeper freedom might be on the other side?
    • Additional Scripture: Galatians 5:1
  4. Where in your life are you tempted to compromise your Kingdom values to fit in, avoid conflict, or gain approval?
    • Follow-up: How might your unique story or struggle be exactly what God wants to use to influence others?
    • Additional Scripture: Matthew 5:13–14 
  5. What part of your identity or image is built more on performance, people-pleasing, or fear than on your union with Christ?
    • Follow-up: What would it take to surrender that false identity and live from your belovedness in Jesus?
    • Additional Scripture: Colossians 3:3 
  6. What qualities of Jesus (e.g. gentleness, boldness, patience) do you sense God wanting to form more deeply in your true self?
    • Follow-up: What spiritual practices or relationships are helping you grow into that version of yourself?
    • Additional Scripture: Romans 8:29 
  7. Where in your life have you resisted God’s invitation because it felt too costly, uncertain, or painful?
    • Follow-up: How might the cost actually be a doorway into deeper life, healing, and joy?
    • Additional Scripture: John 12:24 
  8. How has your understanding of God’s character (His holiness, mercy, presence, etc.) shaped the way you see yourself?
    • Follow-up: Where do you need a clearer, more biblically rooted vision of who God is in order to rebuild your true self?
    • Additional Scripture: Exodus 34:6 

 

PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

Day 1 

  • Primary Question: In what areas of life have I been acting like it all depends on me?
    Follow-Up: What does my exhaustion reveal about my trust in God?
  • Scripture: John 15:5

Day 2 

  • Primary Question: What do I fear will happen if I let go of control?
  • Follow-Up: Where do I manipulate outcomes instead of trusting God with the unknown?
  • Scripture: Proverbs 3:5–6
  • Quote: “You are not what you do. You are not what you have. You are not what others think of you. You are the beloved of God.” — Henri Nouwen

Day 3 

  • Primary Question: What part of me do I avoid bringing into God’s presence?
  • Follow-Up: What do I believe would happen if God saw that part of me fully?
  • Scripture: “Search me, O God, and know my heart…” – Psalm 139:2
  • Quote: “To be known is to be loved, and to be loved is to be known.” — Curt Thompson

Day 4

  • Primary Question: What do I turn to for comfort before I turn to God?
  • Follow-Up: What habits are forming my desires away from God rather than toward Him?
  • Scripture: Matthew 6:21

Day 5 

  • Primary Question: Where in my daily life do I live as if God is absent?
    Follow-Up: What would it look like to live each moment aware of His nearness?
  • Scripture: Acts 17:28
  • Quote:  “We should establish ourselves in a sense of God’s presence… by constantly conversing with Him.” — Brother Lawrence

Day 6 

  • Primary Question: What does my resistance to rest reveal about my faith?
  • Follow-Up: Have I made Sabbath a luxury or a command I joyfully obey?
  • Scripture: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and trust shall be your strength.” – Isaiah 30:15
  • Quote:  “God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there.” — C.S. Lewis

Day 7 

  • Primary Question: What parts of my life am I still clinging to for identity and worth?
  • Follow-Up: What would it mean to fully abandon myself to God’s love and leadership?
  • Scripture: “Be still and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10
  • Quote: “Do not seek God in outer darkness, but enter into your own heart and there you will find Him.” — Teresa of Ávila

 

SCRIPTURES TO MEDITATE ON:

 

RESOURCES:

 

MONTHLY SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE: MEDITATION

Jesus ends one of His hardest teachings with a word picture we can’t ignore: “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?” (Luke 14:34).

To be salt means we carry distinctiveness, preserve what is good, and influence the world with Kingdom truth. But just like in the ancient world, salt that was diluted or contaminated became useless—even dangerous. It’s the same with our discipleship. Without daily connection to Jesus, we become spiritually stale.

This 7-day practice is about reclaiming your saltiness.
 It’s about small, daily “yeses” to Jesus—when it’s inconvenient, when we’d rather stay comfortable, when no one is watching. Because the cost of following Jesus is real, but the cost of not following? It’s even greater.

You are salt. You’re not meant to blend in. You’re meant to preserve, to season, and to carry the covenant with flavor.

So as the week unfolds, don’t let the grind wear you down. Let these daily moments be where your saltiness is restored, your surrender renewed, and your voice reclaimed.

Discipleship is costly. But non-discipleship costs even more.

Each day includes three invitation points: morning (center), midday (realign), and evening (release).

  • Center your day in God’s presence
  • Realign your priorities midday
  • Release your burdens in the evening

7-Day Christian Meditation Practice: From Chaos to Comfort

Day 1: The Whisper Over the Noise

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:11–12
 “And after the fire came a gentle whisper…”

  • Center: Sit quietly. Whisper this prayer: “Speak, Lord. I want to follow, not just admire.”
  • Realign: What noise is drowning out God’s voice today? How can you turn toward the whisper again?
  • Release: Invite God to reveal where you’ve been drifting. Ask Him to “restore your saltiness” through daily faithfulness. 

Day 2: Salt and Stillness

Scripture: Psalm 46:10; Luke 14:33–34
 “Be still and know that I am God.”
 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness…”

  • Center: Breathe deep. Repeat slowly: “Be still and know.” Ask God to help you resist the temptation to control.
  • Realign: What parts of your life feel “over-seasoned” with striving? Where do you need stillness to return to your purpose?
  • Release: Reflect on where you’ve tried to maintain control. Surrender it back to the King. 

Day 3: Carry the Cross, Not Just the Name

Scripture: Luke 14:27; James 4:8
 “Whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”
 “Come near to God and He will come near to you.”

  • Center: Pray aloud: “I will follow, not just observe. Help me carry what You’ve asked, not what’s convenient.”
  • Realign: Are you walking with Jesus, or just walking near Him? What would deeper closeness cost today?
  • Release: Confess the places you’ve chosen ease over obedience. Ask God to reshape your affections. 

Day 4: Brick by Brick

Scripture: Luke 14:28–30; Galatians 6:9
 “Don’t begin unless you count the cost…”
 “Don’t grow weary in doing good…”

  • Center: Whisper this: “Faithfulness over flash. Brick by brick.” Ask the Spirit for perseverance today.
  • Realign: Where is convenience tempting you to stall? Re-engage one simple act of obedience you’ve delayed.
  • Release: Offer your day’s unfinished work to God. Rest in His timing.

Day 5: When Surrender Feels Like Loss

Scripture: Luke 14:31–33; Matthew 11:28–30
 “Those of you who do not give up everything…”
 “My yoke is easy…”

  • Center: Pray: “Jesus, I lay down my kingdom today. I trust Your yoke, not mine.”
  • Realign: Where have you been “holding back” in your surrender? What fear do you need to hand over?
  • Release: Imagine placing your fears in Jesus’ hands. Let Him hold what you can’t. 

Day 6: The Cost of Compromise

Scripture: Luke 14:34–35; Leviticus 2:13
 “Do not leave the salt of the covenant of your God out of your offerings.”

  • Center: Say this slowly: “Keep me distinct, God. Keep me true.”
  • Realign: Have you diluted your convictions to avoid discomfort? Where is God calling you to bold integrity?
  • Release: Confess where you’ve compromised. Ask God to restore clarity and boldness.

Day 7: Long Obedience, Lasting Flavor

Scripture: Deuteronomy 4:6–7; Luke 14:35
 “Observe them carefully… this will show your wisdom to the nations.”

  • Center: Breathe deeply. Declare: “Let my life season the world with truth and grace.”
  • Realign: What does faithful obedience look like today? One small act of trust, one decision of courage?
  • Release: Thank God for sustaining you this week. Offer Him your life—again.

 

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT: A Devotional on Enduring Discipleship
By Rob Hans | Spiritual Formation Pastor

Scripture: Luke 14:25–35

Most of us don’t set out to live a half-built life.

We don’t wake up hoping to follow Jesus halfway — to be fans in the crowd instead of followers on the path. And yet, somewhere between the everyday grind and the endless distractions, we drift. Not from belief, but from intentionality. We get tired. Busy. Comfortable. And without even noticing, we begin to live a faith that’s bland — more “safe” than surrendered.

That’s why Jesus’ words in Luke 14 are significant: “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?” (v. 34)

In the ancient Jewish world, salt wasn’t just seasoning — it was sacred. It represented covenant faithfulness. Identity. Influence. Salt preserved life and brought out flavor. When Jesus says, “Don’t lose your saltiness,” He’s calling us to live distinctly — as people whose lives reflect His way, not the world’s.

But here’s the tension: you don’t lose saltiness all at once. You lose it slowly — through complacency, convenience, control, and compromise. These are the daily trade-offs that make discipleship feel optional. And slowly, the things we once did to stay close to Jesus — prayer, surrender, obedience — become negotiable.

So how do we stay salty?

We push through the grind. Not in our own strength, but through daily rhythms of grace. A disciple isn’t someone who starts strong — it’s someone who finishes well. That takes daily practice: returning to the Word, surrendering our control, showing up when it’s inconvenient, and staying rooted in Jesus even when no one’s watching.

Here’s what I’m learning: Staying salty isn’t about being spectacular,  it’s about being faithful. It’s built in the quiet, consistent choice to say yes to Jesus even when it costs something.

So today, ask yourself:

  • What’s pulling me toward convenience instead of commitment?
  • Where have I settled for “safe” when Jesus is inviting me deeper
  • What daily practice can I re-engage to keep my heart tender and distinct?

Remember, you are salt. You were made to preserve what’s good and reflect what’s holy. Let the world taste and see that the Kingdom is real — not because we shout louder, but because our lives look like Jesus.

Don’t play it safe.

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