Can You Afford This?

Title: Can You Afford This?

Title: Can You Afford This?

Scripture: ,

Objective: To send you home today with the desire of never wanting to come back, but with the realization that you are hopeless with Christ, so you need to come back.

I. Introduction - Blank Sheet

A young man was eager to grow in His Christian life. He got a piece of paper and made a list of all the things he would do for God. He wrote down the things he would give up, the places he would go to minister and the areas of ministry he would enter. He was excited. He took that list to the church and put it on the altar.

He thought he would feel joy, but instead he felt empty. So he went home and started adding to his list. He wrote down more things he would do and wouldn’t do. He took the longer list and put it on the altar, but still he felt nothing.

He went to a wise, old pastor, told him the situation and asked for help. The pastor said, “Take a blank sheet of paper. Sign your name at the bottom. Put that on the altar.” The young man did, and then peace came to his heart.

II. Watch and be Ready

A. Alert – Jesus Will Return –

i. The signs of times are flashing

ii. Are you ready? ________________

iii. Watch means not only to focus on the signs but rather take an account of your life daily to see if you are ready?

iv. The signs can only warn you, they cannot save you.

B. Take n Account of Yourself (Awareness) –

i. The Thief rejected his friend, confessed his sin and connected with Jesus

ii. While his comrade mocked God, He realized that he was in a terrible condition.

iii. Are you Worthy? No, but that’s the point.

iv. , – Jesus wants to save you from your sins while you are in your sins!

v. In return, he wants you to Love Him and Hate Everything else

C. Abandon (Your Old Self and old life) –

i. No One or Nothing Can Take Priority over Jesus

ii. Don’t be like Adam –

III. Cost of Discipleship

a. Discipleship is a live of sacrifice, humility and a lot of faith

i. Not Hatred but Rather Priority in Loyalty

ii. According to Cyrus, Blood means your Relate, but Loyalty means your Family

iii. Who is number one and only priority in your life? Take an Account.

D. Discipleship requires you carry your cross – ,

What is required of me to be a disciple of Christ?

1.Totally Surrender Life to Christ - Deny yourself of the pleasures of this World

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 14:28–33

This principle of sacrifice is also important in the realm of discipleship: one must be willing to give up everything for Jesus. The people who were following Jesus throughout the countryside of Israel had done that. They had given up possessions and employment, knowing that the message Jesus was proclaiming was the most important thing on earth.

The Cow and the Hen - Commitment vs Contribution

A cow and a hen sharing the same barnyard heard about a church’s program to feed the hungry. The cow and the hen discussed how they could help. The hen said, “I’ve got it! We'll provide steak and eggs for the church to feed the hungry.” The cow thought about the suggestion and said, “There’s one problem with your steak and eggs solution. For you, it only requires a contribution, but from me, it will mean total commitment!”

That’s the cost of true discipleship.

2. Take Up your Cross - You will suffer for the Glory of Christ

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 14:25–27

When the Roman Empire crucified a criminal or captive, the victim was often forced to carry his cross part of the way to the crucifixion site. Carrying his cross through the heart of the city was supposed to be a tacit admission that the Roman Empire was correct in the sentence of death imposed on him, an admission that Rome was right and he was wrong. So when Jesus enjoined His followers to carry their crosses and follow Him, He was referring to a public display before others that Jesus was right and that the disciples were following Him even to their deaths. This is exactly what the religious leaders refused to do.

3. Follow Me - Obedience to Christ - (If You Love Me Keep my Commandments)

Christ lived a life of Obedience to His Father as a demonstration of Love for His Father.

He ask us to live a life of obedience to Him as a demonstration of Love to Him.

Walking Like My Father

A father and son arrived in a small western town looking for an uncle whom they had never seen. Suddenly, the father, pointing across the square to a man who was walking away from them, exclaimed, “There goes my uncle!”

His son asked, “How do you know when you have not seen him before?”

“Son, I know him because he walks exactly like my father.”

If we walk in the Spirit, the world should know us by our walk.

When we Follow Christ people will know No A Difference.

Anything Christ ask you to do, will you be willing to Do it?

Everything Christ.

The reward for the cost –

Future Rewards for Discipleship

Revelation 2:7

Revelation 2:7 ESV

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.’

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”’

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.”’

Revelation 2:11

Revelation 2:11 ESV

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”’

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.”’

Revelation 2:17

Revelation 2:17 ESV

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”’

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”’

Revelation 2:26

Revelation 2:26 ESV

The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations,

And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—

And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—

Revelation 3:5

Revelation 3:5 ESV

The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.

He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.

Revelation 3:12

Revelation 3:12 ESV

The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God. Never shall he go out of it, and I will write on him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down from my God out of heaven, and my own new name.

He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.

He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.

Revelation 3:21

Revelation 3:21 ESV

The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.

To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

Revelation 21:7

Revelation 21:7 ESV

The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.

He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son or daughter.

He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son or daughter.

Current Rewards for Discipleship

Romans 8:15

Romans 8:15 ESV

For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”

1. We have an new identity is Jesus - We are Children of God - Romans 8:15

John 14:12 ESV

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.

[ The Answered Prayer ] “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.

[ The Answered Prayer ] “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.

2. We work with God and alongside God. John 14:12

John 10:10 ESV

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

3. We have abundant Life. John 10:10

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27 ESV

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

4. We have peace of mind. John 14:27

[Full Chapter]

Psalm 30:5 ESV

For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.

For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.

5. Although we go through some temporary suffering we will have Joy.

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

6. We are a New Creation our past in forgotten.

7. The Kingdom of God is in You NOW!!!!!!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”

Conclusion - Discipleship Cost, but it’s more than WORTH IT

Appeal - Ask yourself

Can You Afford It?

Count the cost?

Weigh your scale -

What you have now, is it more valuable to you than Jesus Christ?

Today, Jesus is asking you to make Him the center of your Life.