COUNTING THE COST - Luke 14:28

Introduction:

1. Luke 14: - blessed in KINGDOM

a. Jesus is KING -

b. Jesus' law is the law of the kingdom

c. It is a SPIRITUAL kingdom - war against the flesh / world / evil

2. SOUNDS GOOD -- but:

a. LEAVE - property

b. LEAVE - oxen

c. LEAVE - marriage

All of these are good in their proper perspective -- but sometimes they interfere with our following our Spiritual King!

3. Turns to followers (would be followers) - makes GREAT demands of such kingdom -

a. unbridled / undivided LOVE -

b. EVEN OVER SELF - 'cross' -- an instrument of crucifixion, of self.

1. Gal. 2:20; 5:24; 6:14 -

2. Rom. 6: -- put to death the old man, buried - raised to walk in newness of life.

4. THE REWARDS ARE GREAT - THE DEMANDS ARE GREAT - IS IT WORTH IT?

BODY

1. The simplicity of the teaching - a common occurrence in life.

a. build a tower, (Jesus illustration)

b. buying car, house, etc. IF NOT PAY, SHOULD CAUSE EMBARRASMENT)

2. THE THREE THINGS TO COUNT - while most only count cost of BEING a Christian, must also consider the cost of NOT being a Christian!

a. THE OPPOSITION.

1. many overlook this - will face Christ someday. - 2 Cor. 7:

2. can you overcome Him and God?- esp. if reject him NOW?

Jn. 14:6; Jn. 8:24; Mk. 16:15-16. 2 Cor. 5:9-11; 2 Thess. 1:7-9

3. NO ONE CAN OVERCOME GOD, NOR GET TO HEAVEN WITHOUT SERVING HIM. COUNT THE COST, CAN YOU AFFORD NOT TO FOLLOW CHRIST??????

b. COST TO OTHERS:

1. the cost to the "parents" -

2. to "husband or wife", 1 Cor. 7 - children, etc.

3. Unrighteous - Eph. 5:11

c. COST TO YOURSELF:

1. NOT EASY BEING RIGHTEOUS!!!!, Mtt. 7:13-14 "hard way"

2. leave "all", Lk. 14:33 (cp. Acts 2 for example - willingness to do so)

a. Property , Oxen, - for it is a spiritual kingdom, put spiritual things first.

3. leave parents, Lk. 14:26 - cp. Paul,

a. not 'forsake' -- for must care for our own,

b. But in religious practice -- my faith is in CHRIST -

4. "bear own cross', Lk. 14:27

a. Again -

3. EXAMPLES OF "COST" OF BEING A CHRISTIAN

a. Paul, - 2 Cor. 11:23ff

b. Peter and John, Acts 4: 5:40-42;

c. Stephen, Acts 7

d. James, Acts 12

4. EXAMPLES OF SOME NOT COUNTING - Heb. 10:23-39

a. Heb. 10; about to forsake Christ for Old law, no more sacrifice

1. He the only way to heaven, reject him, no way to get there

2. to get there, must needs suffer for a while.

b. 2 Pet. 2:1-2, 2~-M

1. deny the Lord that bought them (for lust of flesh)

2. hence, end is worse then when converted,

5. DEMANDED FROM ROM. 6 - NEWNESS OF LIFE - SERVE RIGHTEOUSNESS