Counting the cost to follow Jesus

Intro

I was in airport

put food and drinks on the counter

she told me price----------WHATTT

water

in lollapalooza 9, cubs game 6, universal probably 4,

counted cost, and put it back

wasnt worth it

we dont pay for our salvation

but it does cost us to follow Christ

following Jesus has implications

Today were going to learn

Why you need to count the cost before making the decision to follow Him

Open your bibles to

luke 14:28

recap - last week

hard teaching, requirments to Be His disciple

Pick up cross to be a disciple

Luke 14:28–30 NKJV

For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’

Count the cost of building

TEACH-

A. We are all Building our life. (decision)

1. foundation - self or Jesus

1 Corinthians 3:11–15 NKJV

For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

2. What are you building with?

wood hay(self)- selfish

jewels and gold(Jesus) - selfless

more costly to build on a solid foundation with gold

B. What is the cost of building a life in Christ.

Illistration - lego

give son the box - salvation

He builds it with me -

he did not earn it but it cost him something.

time, effort , sacrafice,

These are the main things it will cost you to build your life with Christ

time, effort, sacrafice(importance),

add heart motive

love/Joy- becaause these works will come from 2 places

flesh- wood hay stubble- worthless. earning gods love

compare- cleaning bathroom

spirit- joy - love- gold

legos- build from joy not obligation

C. How to build ?

with Jesus as the foreman

co laboring with Him

Psalm 127:1 NKJV

Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain.

If you dont learn to allow Christ to lead you in building your life

you will get very tired

When you get tired - you want to quit

submit to God to build in you

count the cost of war

Luke 14:31–33 (NKJV)

Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

TEACH-

A. everyone is in a spiritual battle

Ephesians 6:10–12 (NKJV)

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Teach-

-There is a war for your soul.

-between Jesus and the devil

-everyone needs to pick a side.

-Pretend that your the king with 10k

-pretend the other king is Jesus

-count the cost of fighting Him

- count the cost surrendering to him

B. Cost of surrendering to Jesus

recieve terms of peace free of charge- Gospel *

avoid war with Him-Mercy

enlisted in a new army-Grace

have to turn away from sin- give it up

fight more battles- target

submit to His lordship- (not king of your own life)

C. Cost of Fighting against the king

far worse

rejecting offer of peace

Recieving Gods wrath

Jesus says to come to peace while you still can

reconciliation

Matthew 5:25 NKJV

Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.

humble man- counts the cost and seeks conditions of peace

The conditions of peace are the free invitation to follow Him and be saved.

Q. Have you considered the cost to follow Jesus.

The world is an opposing army.

will attack

may cost you

friends, jobs, money , status, bigot, right wing extremeist

its worth- eternity

Luke 14:33 NKJV

So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

we must forsake all to be his disciple

say goodbye—to your banner

doesent mean ----go sell everything you have

does mean- everything is on the choping block except Jesus.

If He says it needs to go it goes.

Picture it this way-

Im not the forman of my life

Im not the king of my life

-Disciples of Jesus dont Just count the cost- — UNDERSTAND

Knowing the cost prevents deconstruction

Explain deconstruction

This is what happens to those who do not count the cost.

Luke 14:34–35 (NKJV)

“Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

Teach

mineral salts

Jesus teaches this in more depth in Matthew and Mark

Here - only points to its ineffectivness

apostasy- not losing salvation

A. If you dont count the cost/ evaluate you will be caught off guard.

Story of sammy- neice

B . compare the prosperity Gospel vs biblical gospel

Mark 10:17–25 NKJV

Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ” And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! 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.”

Hes not asking everyone to forsake all their money

anti prosperity verse

B. Be prepared now for what your getting yourself into

-Following Jesus is going to cost you

-easy to make that decision when you love Him

-Illistration- trying out for a team/band - get on the team-

two a days, every day after school, dedication, etc.

-You count cost and see its worth it.

if you didint you would walk away when it gets tough.

these are those who have started off

and lost their flavor

outro

How do you Avoid falling away?---- by counting the cost

A. count the cost to build

-learn to Let Christ build from within you

B. Count the cost to go to war

remember your in a fight for your soul

you Need to surrender and join the better army

let God to fight for you

C. Know the cost to prevent deconstruction

following Jesus is not for the faint of heart

if you dont understand the cost you will fall away

D. Why should I Follow Jesus?

1. cost you more to reject.

2. Spiritual rest

Matthew 11:28-30

Matthew 11:28–30 NKJV

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Every work, challenge , every battle, every trial , every day

is meant to be lived from a place of rest.

It will cost you, but you will have rest for your soul.

GOSPEL

Have you counted the cost and come to the conclusion

I am ready to forsake all to follow Jesus.

you can get right with Him today..

PRAY

rock paper scissors for gift card

group juggle 1 ball, 3 balls, speed round for donuts