A Bridge to God - Sunday Morning Sermon
Teachers
Lesson Summary
Pastor Richard Sutton delivered a powerful sermon on the importance of fully committing to Jesus Christ by examining what it means to "count the cost" of discipleship. Using the illustration of the Mackinac Bridge—a 26,372-foot suspension bridge completed in 1957 after decades of deliberation about its cost—Sutton emphasized that major commitments require careful consideration and complete follow-through. He contrasted this with an unfinished bridge between North Korea and China, destroyed during the Korean War and left incomplete because North Korea refused to invest in its construction. This contrast revealed how one side prospered while the other remained in darkness, illustrating the consequences of commitment versus abandonment. Sutton applied these illustrations to the spiritual realm, arguing that following Jesus is an "all or nothing" proposition that cannot be pursued halfway. He challenged the congregation by noting that Jesus stopped large crowds of followers to tell them plainly that discipleship would cost them greatly. The pastor emphasized that Jesus is not seeking casual fans or part-time followers, but believers who are fully committed, sold out to His cause, and willing to give everything. Drawing on examples from everyday life—incomplete vacations, unfinished jobs, half-hearted athletic performance—Sutton demonstrated that society universally rejects mediocrity and demands full commitment. He concluded that Christians must examine whether they are building a complete bridge to God or settling for an incomplete spiritual life.