Tough statements from Jesus that you must deal with…

Your dad just died?
But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me; and allow the dead to bury their own dead.” (Mt 8:22)

What if your child has a problem and you want the Lord’s help, and His attitude is, your child is a dog?
And He was saying to her, “Let the children be satisfied first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” (Mk 7:27)

You think highly of Mary?
And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what do I have to do with you?” (Jn 2:4)

You think highly of the Lord’s earthly, fleshly family?
And it was reported to Him, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, wishing to see You.” But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it.” (Lk 8:20-21)

“For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.” (Mt 12:50)

You think highly of your earthly, fleshly family?
“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.” (Lk 14:26)

You think you can put your earthly, fleshly family ahead of God?
And another also said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home.” But Jesus said to him, “No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Lk 9:61-62)

You think your loved ones are in heaven?
“And no one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven, even the Son of Man.” (Jn 3:13)

You think you’re a good person?
And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.” (Lk 10:18)

You think God loves you?
Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.’” (Mt 4:7)

You think you’re okay because God knows your heart?
“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness.” (Mk 7:21-22)

You think you don’t need to fear God?
“And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who after He has killed has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!” (Lk 12:4-5)

You think you’re forgiven?
“And everyone who will speak a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him.” (Lk 12:10)

You think it’s okay to believe church teachings?
“‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’” (Mt 15:9)

You think it’s okay to follow church ways?
“Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.” (Mk 7:8)

You think highly of your church leaders?
“But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ.” (Mt 23:8-10)

You think wealth is a blessing from God?
And He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.” (Lk 12:15)

“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” (Mk 10:25)

You think you can lift up your life and live it how you want?
But turning around and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter, and said, “Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” And He summoned the multitude with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross [tree], and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s shall save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” (Mk 8:33-38)

You think false teachings about God aren’t a big deal?
“And whoever causes one of these little ones who believe to stumble, it would be better for him if, with a heavy millstone hung around his neck, he had been cast into the sea.” (Mk 9:42)

You think you can speak falsely about God at all?
“And I say to you, that every careless word that men shall speak, they shall render account for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you shall be justified, and by your words you shall be condemned.” (Mt 12:36)

You think there is no hell?
“So it will be at the end of the age; the angels shall come forth, and take out the wicked from among the righteous, and will cast them into the furnace of fire; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Mt 13:49-50)

“And cast out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Mt 25:30)

“And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (Mt 25:46)

“And if your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than having your two hands, to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire, where THEIR WORM DOES NOT DIE, AND THE FIRE IS NOT QUENCHED.” (Mk 9:43-44)