Sermon: A Costly Allegiance

“A Costly Allegiance” Matthew 10:34-42              January 4, 2026 Pastor Tony Felich  Sermon Application [file]   ----more---- Matthew 10:34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. [35] For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. [36] And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. [37] Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. [38] And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. [39] Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. [40] “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. [41] The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. [42] And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”   Jesus calls us to ultimate allegiance to Him—even when it comes at the cost of human relationships—while assuring us that God sees and rewards every act of faithful loyalty.        I. Expect the gospel to create tension, not comfort (vv. 34–36)        II. Examine competing loyalties in your heart (vv. 37–39)     III. Trust that God notices costly faithfulness (vv. 40–42)