Counting The Cost

Text: Luke 14:25–33 Big Idea: Following Jesus isn’t cheap. It costs your comfort, your control, and your crown—but He’s worth it. Anchor Phrase: Love Him. Carry It. Leave It Behind.

INTRODUCTION: The Decision Before the Journey

Tell a story about someone who joined a cause, a mission trip, or an elite program (sports, ROTC, etc.)—excited at first, but unaware of the weight of the cost.

Most people say “yes” to Jesus with excitement… few say “yes” with full understanding.

Jesus doesn’t do hype. He does truth.

And in this passage, He’s not thinning the crowd because He doesn’t care

He’s thinning the crowd because He wants real disciples, not impulsive fans.

What if the biggest obstacle to your walk with Jesus… is that you never stopped to count the cost?

1. Love Him More Than Anything (vv. 25–27)

Luke 14:25–27 NIV

Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

Will You Choose Jesus or This World? V. 26

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother…” (v. 26)

Jesus speaks to the crowd—but presses on the heart… gives a shocking condition.

Misei = μισέω = hatred (not hatred in emotion, but comparison in loyalty)

properly, to detest (on a comparative basis); hence, denounce; to love someone or something less than someone (something) else, i.e. to renounce one choice in favor of another.

The word hate (μισέω) isn’t about hostility—it’s a Hebrew idiom: “love less by comparison.”

It’s a Hebrew expression for preference.

Jesus is saying: No one—no relationship, no dream, no identity—can compete with Me.

He’s saying: Even your closest relationships should look like hate compared to your love for Me.

“Yes” to Jesus might mean “no” to comfort, approval, or even family tradition.

μισέω = not hatred in emotion, but comparison in loyalty

Jesus demands exclusive allegiance. He’s not a side piece—He’s King.

Take Up Your Own Cross v. 27

“Whoever does not bear his own cross…” (v. 27)

The cross was not metaphorical. It was literal death.

Not just hardship. Crucifixion meant death to self.

Jesus is not asking for inconvenience. He’s asking for surrender.

Jesus isn’t asking you to be uncomfortable, He’s asking you to die to your old life.

Greek Insight: μισέω — “to love less by comparison” (cf. Gen. 29:30–31). Cultural Note: Carrying your cross = walking to your execution. Jesus wants you all in, not “on the fence.”

Anchor Truth:

Love Him more than anyone or anything else. Nothing else can come close.

2. Carry What It Will Cost You (vv. 28–30)

Luke 14:28–30 NIV

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’

“Who builds a tower without first sitting down to count the cost…”

Jesus uses a builder and a king—not emotional examples, but strategic ones.

He’s not against emotion—He’s just saying: Don’t make this decision lightly.

Halfway followers don’t just fall away—they get stuck halfway and become spiritually frustrated

Jesus uses a construction metaphor, a builder who calculates before laying bricks.

Impulsive faith leads to incomplete discipleship.

This is not about earning salvation, but about understanding what real allegiance requires.

A tower half-built is a monument to spiritual impulsiveness.

Starting is easy. Finishing is costly.

Student Challenge:

Don't just ride the camp high. Count the daily cost:

What will it mean on Monday, in your friend group, in your dating life, with your future?

Anchor Truth:

Count the cost before you claim the crown. Faith that lasts counts first and commits fully.

3. Leave Everything to Follow Him (vv. 31–33)

Luke 14:31–33 NIV

“Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.

“Or what king, going out to encounter another king…”

The second parable flips the lens: now you’re the king facing a stronger king.

You can’t win, so you do the wise thing: you surrender.

Then Jesus lands it:

“So therefore, anyone who does not renounce (ἀποτάσσεται) all that he has cannot be my disciple.” (v. 33)

apotassó = ἀποτάσσεται = to “not say farewell to,” “take leave of,” “dismiss permanently.”

Not just giving things up—it’s giving them over.

Jesus doesn’t want your stuff—He wants your allegiance.

Nothing in your hands should be off-limits to His Lordship.

Adoniram Judson

First American missionary, buried his wife and child in Burma, but never turned back.

“God is to me the Great Unknown, I believe in Him still.”

Anchor Truth:

You can’t cling to everything and carry your cross. Let go to follow well.

CONCLUSION: Is He Worth It?

Go back to the intro: everyone starts excited. Few finish surrendered.

But here’s the good news:

The One who asks you to carry your cross first carried His for you.

He counted the cost of saving you—and still went to the cross.

Final Gospel Charge:

Jesus isn’t asking you to give up more than He already gave. But He is asking you to stop playing games and go all in.

Counting the Cost

1. Love Him – Jesus must come first (vv. 25–27) 2. Carry It – True disciples count the cost (vv. 28–30) 3. Leave It Behind – Nothing off-limits to Christ (vv. 31–33)

The cost is great. But the reward is greater.