The Cost of Discipleship

Are You a Disciple of Jesus? 3 Elements of Discipleship Part 4: The Cost (Luke 14:28-32) REVIEW: Three Elements: 1. Learning: Placing God’s Truth into My Head 2. Living: Putting God’s Truth into My Actions 3. Leaving: Prioritizing God’s Truth in My Choices Leaving: 3 Key Priorities in Which God Must Become First 1. God Before All People (Relationships) 2. God Before All Pursuits (Ambitions) 3. God Before All Possessions (Belongings & Money) JESUS INSERTS TWO PARABLES: 28 "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—29 "lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 "saying, `This man began to build and was O not able to finish?' 31 "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? 32 "Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. TWO APPROACHES TO BUILD A TOWER (vv. 28-30) Sitting Down First and Counting the Cost: 1. 2. 3. Cost of Materials Cost of Labor Cost of Time, Energy, & Focus Failing to Sit Down and Calculate (Plan-less): 1. 2. 3. 4. Beginning (investing time, money, labor) Unable to End (with ongoing reminder) Ongoing Mockery by Others Waste of All Invested Resources TWO APPROACHES TO FIGHT AN ENEMY (vv. 31-32) Sitting Down First and Considering His Strength: OPTION #1: Defeating the Enemy 1. 2. 3. Do I Have Enough Soldiers to Win? Do We Have Greater Skills to Win? Do We Have Superior Weapons to Win? OPTION #2: Surrendering to the Enemy 1. 2. 3. Distance: When Far Away (still time) Delegation: Send a Representative Deal: Ask What Would Be Required for Peace Pastor Kevin Subra – Northridge Baptist Church – June 14, 2020 What Point Is Jesus Making with These Two Parables? Common ERRORS in the Interpretation of Luke 14:28-32 Error #1: Trying to Identify and Define the ___________ in These Parables • What is the tower? Why is the tower optional? What happens if he succeeds? What happens if he fails? Do I need to build a tower? • Who are the kings and armies? What happens if I win? What happens if I surrender? Error #2: This Passage Relates to ________________________ • • • • • Salvation requires total commitment. Don't attempt to be a saved person (a disciple) unless you really mean it. Jesus is explaining the cost to follow Him for salvation. Salvation is free, but it costs you everything. You're better not trying to be saved, than failing once you try. Error #3: This Warns Believers to Count the Cost Before Getting _________ • • • • Problem #1: God never warns you away from obedience. Problem #2: God never suggests that obedience is optional . Problem #3: God never hints that obedience is for serious Christians only. Problem #4: Jesus never asks you to "count the cost." Sensible CLARITY in the Interpretation of Luke 14:28-32 Clarity Point #1: WORKS Can ________________________ Save You • • • • • • Works cannot save you. No one has sinless commitment to be saved by their own effort. Jesus death & resurrection fully paid for your sins and your guilt. You cannot add to your salvation by works. You work out of thankful obedience to do as God desires. Salvation is fully and only gotten as a gift from God through belief. Clarity Point #2: Discipleship Is Not ________________________ • You are either following Jesus ("disciple") or you are disobedient • The concept of "dedication" as a step or choice creates an unbiblical affirmation of those that are not following. • The Bible identifies only 3 groups of people: Spiritual, Carnal, Natural Clarity Point #3: Jesus ________________________ What the Cost Is! • You are never told to "count the cost," because Jesus tells you the cost. • You are not to COUNT the cost but rather you are to CLAIM the cost that Jesus has shared to be true and required to follow Him. • In the context, Jesus gives the 3 priorities required to be His disciples. • Jesus uses both parables to illustrate the need to calculate the cost of building and the cost of winning. He has done BOTH. • Our job: To put God first in relationships, ambitions, and possessions.