Radical Discipleship Challenging our Comfort zones A Study of Luke 9:51 62 on the Daily Bible Refresh with Dr.

Brad Miller hello my good friends, Dr.

Brad Miller here with you with Daily Bible Refresh, our daily journey into the New Testament.

Reading from the Revised Common Lectionary.

We're in year C of a three year cycle, the Pentecost season.

We make the reading of the Bible understandable.

We'll use the Message version relatable.

We have some points to ponder and applicable but taking Having you take an action step.

It's all brought to you by voiceofgoddaily.com that's the home of the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible Study Method.

Hope that you'll join us in our effort to get the audible word of God into two millionaires a million people by 2028.

Let's get into our reading for the day from Luke 9:51 62 reading from the Message when it came close to the time for his ascension, he gathered up his courage and steeled himself for the journey to Jerusalem.

He sent messengers on ahead.

They came to a Samaritan village to make arrangements for his hospitality.

But when the Samaritans learned that his destination was Jerusalem, they refused hospitality.

When the disciples James and John learned of it, they said, master, do you want us to call a bolt of lightning down out of the sky and incinerate them?

Jesus turned on them, of course not.

And they traveled on to another village.

On the road someone asked him if they he could go along.

I'll go wherever with you, wherever, he said.

And Jesus was curt, are you ready to rough it?

We're not staying in the best ends, you know.

Jesus said to another, follow me.

And he said, certainly.

But first, excuse me for a couple of days, please.

I have to make arrangements for my father's funeral.

Jesus refused.

First things first.

Your business is life, not death, and life is urgent.

Announce God's kingdom.

Then another said, I'm ready to follow you master, but first excuse me while I get things straightened out at home.

And Jesus said, no procrastination, no backward looks.

You can't put God's kingdom off until tomorrow.

Seize the day.

Wow, what a powerful passage of Jesus challenging the people he encountered about getting them and us out of our comfort zones.

And this is a passage really explores ways and examines our relationship with things like comfort and privilege and our commitment to the faith journey.

Here's some points to ponder.

The first is about the violence we justified.

When the Samaritans reject Jesus, James and John immediately jump to violent retribution.

How often do we even today justify violence or harsh treatment of those we disagree with?

This moment reveals how easily we can mistake our own anger for righteous indignation.

Jesus sharp rebuke reminds us that violence has no place in the kingdom of God, even even when we feel justified.

A second point is about privilege and comfort in faith.

Jesus response to the first volunteer about not having the best accommodations speaks directly to our modern relationships with comfort and privilege in our affluent society.

How often do we let our attachment to comfort prevent us from fully engaging in justice work?

True discipleship often requires stepping out of our comfort zones and challenging systems of privilege.

The third is about the urgency of now.

The final exchange that Jesus has in this passage is about funeral arrangements and home goodbyes.

It may seem a bit harsh, but they speak to a crucial truth that justice and compassion can't wait.

When we say but first to matters of justice, dignity and human rights, we're essentially saying these things aren't our highest priorities.

Climate crisis, systematic racism, poverty.

These issues demand immediate attention, not tomorrow's convenience.

Let's talk about an action step you can take.

Identify a quote but first close quote thing in your life.

One way you've been postponing engagement with justice, work or community needs.

Whether it's racial justice, climate action, local community or poverty.

Make a concrete plan to take a step forward.

Forward even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone.

We're going to come back and have a prayer here in just a moment.

Did want you to know that we have a resource for you to help you with your daily Bible study.

We'd like you to coordinate that with what you get here on the Daily Bible Refresh.

We call it the Voice of God daily.

We call it the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible study method which is which you find at our website voiceofgoddaily.com it will help you with your daily Bible study.

Here's our prayer.

Oh God of divine love, we confess we often choose comfort over conviction, convenience over compassion.

Help us recognize when we've rationalized violence or judgment towards others.

Give us courage to step beyond our privileges and comfortable spaces.

Make us restless in the face of injustice and grant us the wisdom to know that your kingdom work cannot wait for a more convenient season.

Guide us in living our faith not just in words but in immediately in immediate loving action.

Well my good friends, it is always so good to be with you here at Daily Bible Refresh.

I really just want to ask you to join me in the mission that we have to get the audible word of God into two millionaires, a million people by 2028.

And you can help.

You just subscribe to this podcast, Apple Podcast, Spotify, or the website Voice of God Daily and you invite a friend to join us.

It's just that simple.

Be with us again tomorrow and we'll be here by 6am with another reading from the New Testament.

Until tomorrow, friends.

My name is Dr.

Brad Miller, reminding you that God's loyal love doesn't run out.

His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.