Luke 14:25-31 Counting the Cost

And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?

Matthew 10:21 – Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.

John 16:2 – They will make you outcasts from the synagogue, but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think he is offering service to God.

Paul lived in expectation of suffering

Acts 21:13 – Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bount, bur even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the lord Jesus.”

John wrote of a coming time

Revelation 17:6 – And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus. When I saw her, I wondered greatly.

We are not told that life easy once we come to Christ. Instead we are told to “measure the cost”, “bear his cross”, and to “leave your old life”.

We are told

· That we should not walk in fear, but in confidence

o For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

· That we should not be ashamed

o Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; (2 Timothy 1:8)

· The we ought Endure as a good soldier

o Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (2 Timothy 2:3)

· That we need to Stand strong

o Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us. (2 Timothy 1:14)

· That we should be Vigilant

o Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8)

· That We should Expect Persecution

o Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12)

o Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for thiers is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:10)

o But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled. (1 Peter 3:14)

§ Pew Research Reports

· In 2015 – Christians were persecuted in 128 countries

· In 2015 – The number of countries whose governments persecuted Christians was 97

· In 2017 – The number of countries whose governments persecuted Christians was 143

· Across 76 countries, more than 360 million Christians suffer high levels of persecution and discrimination for their faith. -Forbes 01/20/2022

§ In Just 2021 –

· 5,898 Christians were killed for their faith

· 5,110 Churches and other Christian buildings were attacked

· 4,765 believers were detained without trial, arrested, sentenced or imprisoned. - OpenDoors .org

Why do we not tell our young people these things? This way when they are suddenly mocked and ridiculed by their peers for their confession of faith in Jesus Christ, they will be prepared. Instead, if we would let them know that in order to serve Jesus Christ, they will have to endure suffering.

How strong would the church be today, it we were willing to suffer? Not just a handful of us, but every member of the body of Christ was willing to lay down his/ her life for the furtherance of the kingdom… for righteousness?

You know the times in history when the church has grown the most has been in periods of severe persecution? I thank God the no one is conned into the Kingdom of God. I thanks God that Jesus never said it would be easy to serve him

Some preachers have misled a few in saying it would be easy, that God wants to give you a perfect life here. But the Word of God does not say that. I thank God that anyone who is trying to live righteous life, in Jesus Christ, is told the truth from God.

You are told I advance: (1 John 3:13 - Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.)

· You will suffer persecution

· You will be ostricised

· You will be resented

· Men will hate you for Jesus’ name

Rewards and Encouragement

“Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Matthew 5:12)

Matthew 5:12 KJV 1900

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. (1 Peter 4:12-14)

1 Peter 4:12–14 KJV 1900

For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. (1 Peter 3:17)

1 Peter 3:17 KJV 1900

For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.

How should We Respond?

Romans 12:17-21 - Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:17–21 KJV 1900

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Conclusion:

John 16:33 - These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

John 16:33 KJV 1900

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.