The Cost, the Calm, and the Conflict

Gospel Light Church

Matthew sermon #18

July 26th, 2026

(Baptism Sunday)

“The Cost, the Calm, and the Conflict.”

Matthew 8:18–34

Every person wants a Savior, but not everyone wants a Lord.

Many people admire Jesus from a distance, but Matthew 8 reminds us that following Him means more than admiration—it requires total surrender.

In this passage Jesus demonstrates His authority in three powerful scenes:

• Over our priorities (vs.18-22)
• Over nature (vs.23-27)
• Over demons (vs.28-34)

Matthew is building his case that Jesus is not merely a teacher; He is the King.

As Matthew has already shown:

• Jesus has authority to teach (chapters 5–7)
• Jesus has authority to heal (8:1-17)
• Now Jesus reveals authority over life itself.

I. Following Jesus Requires Total Commitment (8:18-22)

“Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” vs.22

Jesus is preparing to cross the Sea of Galilee because the crowds have become overwhelming.

Interestingly, instead of attracting more followers, Jesus begins thinning the crowd.

 

A. The First Volunteer

A scribe approaches.

“Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.” vs. 19

That sounds impressive.

But Jesus answers:

“Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” vs. 20

Jesus wasn’t discouraging him. He was informing him.

• Following Jesus isn’t about comfort. It’s about surrender.

“Jesus wanted the man to know exactly what he was getting into. Following Christ means surrendering the right to put personal comfort first.” – David Guzik

• Christianity is not a promise of ease. It is a promise of Christ’s presence.

B. The Second Disciple

Another disciple says:

“Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”

Most scholars believe his father had not yet died.

The phrase likely meant:

“I’ll follow You later after I settle my family responsibilities.”

Jesus responds:

“Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

Jesus was not dishonoring parents. He was teaching priorities.

• There is always another reason to postpone obedience.

“The Lord Jesus Christ claims the first place. Whatever stands in competition with Him must yield.” C.H Spurgeon

• Delayed obedience is still disobedience.

What competes for first place today?

• Career?
• Family?
• Comfort?
• Retirement?
• Recreation?
• Security?

Jesus never asked for part of our lives.

He asks for all of it.

“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” – Luke 9:23

II. Following Jesus Means Trusting Him in the Storm (vs.23-27)

Suddenly the peaceful Sea of Galilee becomes violent.

The Greek word Matthew uses describes a shaking like an earthquake.

• Many of these disciples were experienced fishermen.
• If they were terrified… This storm was severe.

Meanwhile—Jesus is asleep. Not because He doesn’t care. Because He is completely at peace.

• His humanity is on display. After ministering tirelessly, He is exhausted.

The disciples cry:

“Lord, save us! We are perishing!”

Jesus answers:

“Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?”

Notice—

He calms their hearts before He calms the storm.

Then He rebukes the wind.

Instantly…

• Perfect calm. Not gradual. Immediate.

“The miracle isn’t simply that Jesus calmed a storm; it’s that creation instantly obeyed its Creator.” – Skip Heitzig

• Nature recognized the voice that spoke Genesis 1.

Psalm 107:29 – “He calms the storm, so that its waves are still.”

The disciples ask:

“Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?”

Matthew wants every reader to answer:

Only God.

“He who slept in the boat was man, but He who rebuked the sea was God.” C.H Spurgeon

One of the clearest pictures of Christ’s two natures appears here.

1. Fully human.
2. Fully divine.

Storms come in every life.

Some are:

• Financial
• Physical
• Emotional
• Family
• Spiritual

Sometimes Jesus calms the storm. Sometimes He calms His child inside the storm.

Either way— He remains Lord.

Isaiah 43:2 – “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.”

• God didn’t promise that there would not be storms. He promised His presence.

A little boy was flying through terrible turbulence. Everyone on the plane looked terrified.

Yet the child calmly colored in his book. Someone asked, “Aren’t you afraid?”

He smiled. “My dad is the pilot.” That is faith.

III. Jesus Has Authority Over Every Spiritual Enemy (vs.28-34)

• The boat lands in Gentile territory. (show map on the screen) (show picture of Sussita)

Immediately two demon-possessed men meet Jesus.

(Mark and Luke focus on the one maniac.)

** Matthew records both. **

These men were:

• Violent
• Isolated
• Hopeless
• Beyond human help

Everyone had given up. But Jesus hadn’t.

1. The Demons Recognize Jesus

“What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God?”

James 2:19 – “Even the demons believe—and tremble!”

Demons possess correct theology. But no saving faith.

Knowledge alone never saves.

“Have You Come Here to Torment Us Before the Time?”

• Even demons know judgment is coming.

Revelation 20 confirms their future defeat.

Jesus grants permission for them to enter a herd of pigs.

Immediately the pigs rush into the sea.

Why?

Several reasons have been suggested.

Perhaps to demonstrate:

• The demons had truly left the men.
• Satan’s ultimate purpose is always destruction (John 10:10).
• The destructive nature of evil becomes visible.

“The destruction of the pigs showed the real intention of the demons. Their goal has always been destruction.” – David Guzik

The Tragic Ending

Instead of celebrating two transformed lives… The townspeople ask Jesus to leave.

Why?

Possibly because:

• They feared His power.
• They valued the pigs more than the people.
• They preferred comfort over confrontation.

“The people were more disturbed by the loss of their economy than amazed by the miracle of transformed lives.” – Skip Heitzig

How often do people reject Jesus because following Him costs something?

The townspeople faced a decision:

• Keep Jesus…Or keep business as usual.

Sadly—

• They chose the pigs.

We wonder at the decision in that story until we realize people still trade Christ for:

• Money
• Success
• Reputation
• Pleasure
• Convenience

Matthew 8 leaves us with three questions.

1. Have you truly counted the cost of following Jesus?

• He deserves first place. Not leftovers.

2. Are you trusting Christ in the middle of your storm?

• The safest place is not where there are no storms. The safest place is wherever Jesus is.

3. Have you surrendered every area of your life to His authority?

• The demons recognized His authority.
• The wind obeyed His authority.
• The sea obeyed His authority.

The question is— Will we?

“If Christ be anything, He must be everything. He will never go into partnership as a part Savior of men. If He be God, He must rule our whole heart.” C.H Spurgeon