Counting the Cost: The True Price of Following Christ

Introduction: The Hidden Cost

You ever downloaded a free game that seemed awesome? The graphics are clean, the gameplay is smooth, the ads make it look like you’ll be dominating in no time. So you start playing… and at first it’s fun.

But then it hits.

You’re getting crushed. Other players have better weapons, better gear, faster upgrades — and the only way to catch up? Pay up. You realize the game wasn’t really free — not if you actually wanted to win. And that moment is frustrating. Maybe you’ve even rage-quit, uninstalled it, and said, “Forget this. I’m not paying for that.”

The thing is, a lot of people treat following Jesus the same way.

They love the idea of peace, forgiveness, heaven — all good stuff. But the moment it starts costing something? When it means giving something up, standing out, or being uncomfortable? They check out. They back off. Some even “rage-quit” their faith.

But here’s the truth: Jesus never pretended following Him would be easy or free. He didn’t hide the cost. He led with it.

Luke 9:23 “23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

That’s where we’re going tonight. What does it really mean to follow Jesus? What does it cost — and why is it still worth everything?

So if following Jesus does come with a cost… The next question is: What is it exactly that He’s asking from us?

Let’s go back to that verse we just read — Luke 9:23 “23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” .

That’s a big statement. Jesus isn’t just inviting people to believe something. He’s calling them to live differently — to deny themselves, take up a cross, and follow Him daily.

Point 1: Deciding to Deny

Luke 9:23–25 ESV

23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?

Let’s be honest: self-denial doesn’t sound fun.

We live in a world that says, “Do what makes you happy,” “Chase your truth,” “Put yourself first.” But Jesus says, “Deny yourself.”

That doesn’t mean you lose your personality, your dreams, or your worth. It means you stop being the center of your own story. You lay down your right to call the shots and trust Him to lead.

“For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.” – Luke 9:24

That flips everything.

Make it Real:

So what does denying yourself actually look like as a teenager?

It might mean choosing honesty, even if it costs you a grade.

It might mean walking away from a party or relationship that’s pulling you away from God.

It could mean giving up part of your weekend to serve or spend time with God instead of just scrolling or gaming.

It might mean not fighting back when someone insults you — because you’re learning to respond with love instead of pride.

Denying yourself isn’t about punishment — it’s about purpose. It’s about saying, “Jesus, I trust You more than I trust myself.”

Connect to Christ:

And here’s the thing — Jesus isn’t asking you to do something He didn’t do first. He denied Himself every day. He gave up the throne of heaven for a cross. He laid down His rights, His comfort, His life… for us.

So when He says “Follow me,” He’s not shouting orders from the top — He’s walking the road ahead of you, carrying a cross of His own.

Challenge Question:

What’s one area of your life where you know Jesus is asking you to deny yourself — but you’ve been holding on?

Point 2: Prioritizing the Priceless

Jesus doesn’t just talk about denying yourself — He goes deeper.

Matthew 10:37–39 ESV

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.

At first glance, that sounds intense. Is Jesus saying we’re supposed to hate our families? No — He’s not telling us to love others less, He’s telling us to love Him more.

What It Means:

This is about priority. Jesus is saying, “If you want to follow Me, I need to come first — even before your closest relationships, your biggest dreams, or your strongest desires.”

He’s not looking to be one of many important things in your life. He’s asking to be the center — the foundation everything else is built on.

Make it Real:

So how does this show up in a teenager’s world?

Maybe you’re in a relationship and you know it’s pulling you away from God… but it feels too important to give up.

Maybe your friends pressure you to compromise your values — and you feel like you have to choose between Jesus and popularity.

Maybe your family doesn’t really get your faith, and you’ve been tempted to keep quiet instead of standing firm.

Choosing Jesus first isn’t always easy. But He’s not just a good thing — He’s the best thing. And anything you put above Him will eventually let you down. He’s the only one who won’t.

Jesus Lived It:

Even Jesus had moments where people tried to pull Him off mission. In Mark 3, His own family thought He was “out of His mind” — but He didn’t stop. He stayed focused on what God had called Him to do.

Why? Because He knew what was priceless: doing the will of the Father.

Challenge Question:

Is Jesus just part of your life… or is He first in your life?

What’s one area where you need to re-center and say, “Jesus, You come first”?

Point 3: Sacrificing for Surpassing Value

Philippians 3:7–8 ESV

7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ

Paul had everything — status, education, influence. He was at the top of his game. But once he encountered Jesus, he realized none of it compared. So he gave it up. Willingly. Not because he had to… but because he found something better.

What It Means:

This is about value. What you value most will shape the way you live. Paul’s life shows us that when Jesus becomes our greatest treasure, sacrifice doesn’t feel like loss — it feels like gain.

Make it Real:

For you, it might not be wealth or power. It might be:

Giving up a habit or comfort that’s numbing your soul

Letting go of a dream that isn’t part of God’s plan for you

Being willing to stand out, be different, even be misunderstood — because Jesus means more

And honestly, it will feel like sacrifice. That’s the point. But it also leads to something deeper — peace, purpose, joy, and a closeness with Jesus that can’t be bought any other way.

Jesus Modeled It:

Jesus gave up everything for us — not just His life, but His comfort, His rights, His reputation. He saw the surpassing value of rescuing you — and He thought you were worth it.

Now He’s asking us: Do you see Me the same way?

Challenge Question:

What’s something you’ve been holding onto that Jesus may be asking you to surrender?

Is there something good you need to lay down in order to gain something greater?

Conclusion: Is He Worth It?

We’ve talked a lot tonight about the cost of following Jesus:

Denying yourself

Putting Him above everything else

Letting go of things you thought were valuable

And maybe you’re sitting there thinking, “That sounds hard.” It is. Jesus never said it wouldn’t be.

But the question He’s asking isn’t “Will it be hard?” — it’s “Am I worth it?”

Because the truth is: Jesus gave everything for you. He didn’t hold anything back. He didn’t walk away when it got hard. He looked at the cross, at all the pain, the shame, the cost — and still said, “They’re worth it.”

Now He’s asking: Will you say the same about Me?

“Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow Me.” – Luke 9:23

Call to Action:

So here’s the challenge tonight:

What’s your cross? What is Jesus calling you to carry — or maybe let go of — so you can follow Him fully?

Where have you been holding back? Is Jesus first in your life, or just somewhere in the mix?

Are you ready to follow Him — even when it’s not easy? Even when it costs something?

You can ask the group to respond silently at first — maybe bow their heads and reflect — or invite them to come forward if you do response moments.

Prayer Suggestion: Invite them to pray something like this:

“Jesus, help me count the cost — and choose You anyway. I know You gave everything for me. I want to follow You fully, not just when it’s easy. Show me what I need to lay down, and give me the courage to do it. You’re worth it.”