Scripture Reading: Luke 14:25-30
Have You Counted the Cost?
Intro.
1. Jesus was not a crowd-pleaser, Lk. 14:25-27 (Jno. 6:60-62, 66).
2. He was most interested in telling people what they needed to hear so they could count the cost of discipleship and then, fully aware of the demands and challenges, freely pay the price of following Him:
a. Lk. 14:15-20, 24: Invited would not benefit because they made excuses instead of value the kingdom above all else.
b. Lk. 14:33: Cannot be Christ’s disciple without forsaking all.
3. Have you counted the cost? Will you pay the price?
I. COUNTING THE COST OF BEING A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST, Lk. 14:28-32.
A. The Cost: Prefer Christ Above All, 14:26-27 (16:13).
1. Hate: Not sinful hatred; to love Jesus more than everyone else, Matt. 10:37 (Gen. 29:30-31).
2. “If”: Cannot follow Jesus with divided heart (Jno. 12:42-43).
3. Two points of preference:
a. Relationships (family, brethren, life itself), 14:26.
b. Responsibilities (bear your cross), 14:27; Gal. 6:5.
B. The Price: Self-Denial, Sacrifice and Obedient Service, 14:33; 9:23.
1. Jesus set this example, Matt. 26:38-44 (sacrifice, submission, steadfastness).
2. This is not a one time payment; it is a life long obligation (Heb. 3:6, 14; 10:36-39 (Rev. 14:12).
II. HAVE YOU COUNTED THE COST?
A. The Cost of Becoming a Christian.
1. How to be saved (Mk. 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; 17:30).
2. Renounce your past sins, Acts 2:37-38, 41 (19:18-20).
a. Humble yourself before God and men (Jas. 4:10).
b. “Means I’m condemning my parents, etc.” No, sin condemns (Lk. 16:28-30).
c. Means I will lose friends, business, etc. (Acts 19:25-27).
3. A different way of life, Rom. 12:1-2; Phil. 3:7-11; 1 Jno. 2:15.
a. Different mind and conduct; different values and goals.
b. Sacrifice self and obey Jesus (Gal. 2:20).
4. Some say “I can’t pay the price”! Yes you can. (1 Pet. 5:9)
B. The Cost of being Married Includes:
1. Permanency of marriage, Matt. 19:6 (Rom. 7:2).
2. Leaving and cleaving, Matt. 19:4-5.
3. Forsaking all others (fidelity), Heb. 13:4.
4. Serve, not “be served”, Eph. 5:22-25 (Mk. 10:42-45).
5. Marry a Christian who shares faith, godly values and goals who will help you go to heaven!
C. The Cost of having Children.
1. Financial responsibility (1 Tim. 5:8).
2. Time (Eph. 5:16).
3. Training, Eph. 6:4 (Titus 2:4).
4. Selfish people should not have children!
D. The Cost of Standing for the Truth, 1 Cor. 16:13-14.
1. Loss of friends and even brethren, 2 Tim. 4:16.
2. Loss of reputation (among false brethren), 3 Jno. 9-12.
3. Cost Jesus his life! Cost apostles much (1 Cor. 4:9-13). Does it cost you anything? (2 Tim. 3:12)
E. The Cost of being Faithful unto Death, Rev. 2:10.
1. Context: Persecution; be faithful even to the point of death.
2. Conquer the fear of men, cf. Matt. 10:28 (Heb. 13:5-6).
3. Be watchful against temptations of self-righteousness, apathy and neglect, worldliness, carnality, lack of growth, willful sin, etc. (1 Pet. 5:8-9; Heb. 5:12; 6:9-12)
Conclusion
1. You will pay a far higher price for not being a Christian and for not being faithful to Jesus Christ, Matt. 25:30; 2 Ths. 1:8-9.
2. Mk. 10:28-31: Leaving all for Christ and his gospel will bless you and challenge you – and finally bring you eternal life.
3. Have you counted the cost? Will you pay the price?