January 7, 2007
Rev. Terry D. Campbell

What’s the Cost?
Luke 14:25-33 (MsgB)

““One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, ²⁶’Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one’s own self!—can’t be my disciple. ²⁷Anyone who won’t shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can’t be my disciple.

²⁸’Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn’t first sit down and figure the cost so you’ll know if you can complete it? ²⁹If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you’re going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: ³⁰'He started something he couldn’t finish.’

³¹’Or can you imagine a king going into battle against another king without first deciding whether it is possible with his ten thousand troops to face the twenty thousand troops of the other? ³²And if he decides he can’t, won’t he send an emissary and work out a truce?

³³’Simply put, if you’re not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can’t be my disciple.’”

Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem and the cross. He turned to the crowd following Him and bluntly told them that if they were going to put anyone or anything ahead of obeying Jesus, they couldn’t be His disciple.

Jesus is not about church growth per se, rather about Kingdom health. Jesus is not a people-pleaser. He is a life-transformer and a Kingdom of God builder. To the large group of people that were following Jesus were out for fun—for excitement, Jesus said, “You must be serious about living—and that means living God’s way.”

²⁷Anyone who won’t shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can’t be my disciple.

I. “Count the cost” means plan life for the long haul.

Jesus warned the crowd not to have an attitude of, “I’m with you Jesus, unless . . .” Unless my parents have other ideas about me serving You; unless I want to marry a person contrary to what You want me to marry; unless I want to do something with my children instead of be obedient to You; unless Your plans conflict with my plans. “I’m with you Jesus, unless . . .”

Do you see a separation between the secular and the spiritual? Jesus doesn’t! Every area matters to Jesus. We are too easily distracted away from living Jesus’ way.

We need to be sure why we want Jesus. Is it the popular thing to do? Just because your family went to church? You’ve heard that Jesus can give you a “Get out of Hell free” card? Why do you want Jesus? What is your commitment to Him?

Jesus was saying to the crowds and He says to us that being a Christian is not about just “following” Him around, it’s about discipleship! It’s about learning from Jesus, and living Jesus’ way, and being strengthened by Jesus’ Spirit.

Discipleship means: Internalizing the presence of Jesus so that you live with Jesus as your only Savior, and Jesus as your only life-leader. It means living in Jesus’ steps—doing things that He would do, doing them the way He would do them, with the attitude with which He would do them. Focus on Jesus! Persist in Jesus! We’re talking about a change for life, not changing in the lust of a moment.

Jesus summarized Christian discipleship when He said in John 4:34-“’My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.’”

Discipleship is tough. That is why Jesus said that we shouldn’t take it lightly. We must be aware of and count the cost—then choose.

This is why, in John 6:53-60, 66-69, Jesus compared being a disciple to eating His flesh and drinking His blood—being sent by Jesus into the world, just like the Father sent Jesus to be the kingdom before the world.

Discipleship life-long AND life complete obedience and service for Jesus Christ.

II. “Count the cost” challenges, “What will be lost if I don’t.”

planning to build a new house, first sit down and figure the cost so you’ll know if you can complete it?

³¹’Or imagine a king going into battle

To me— I do not fully-developed as the person I was created to be.

I fail to learn the sufficiency of Jesus’ grace. I don’t trust Christ about my giving, or honesty, or in tough times. Consequently, I do not develop spiritual muscle.

To others—If I fail to live the disciple life, I risk the possible loss of eternity with Jesus by those who would be challenged and spiritually inspired by my relationship with Jesus.
Others do not receive spiritual encouragement to keep on keeping on that I would have given.

To God—the Kingdom family less complete. We know from Scripture that God doesn’t want anyone to perish, but for all to come to repentance. If I don’t choose discipleship, God’s family will be one less.

III. “Count the cost” defines how I spend my one life.”

³³’Simply put, if you’re not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can’t be my disciple.’”

Is your “unless . . .” worth spending your life for it? Is it bigger than you? Is what you are giving your life for a God-sized dream? That’s what discipleship is about.

How Vain are the Things We Save

• I counted dollars while God counted crosses.
• I counted gains while He counted losses.
• I counted my worth by the things gained in store, but He sized me up by the scars that I bore.
• I coveted honors and sought for degrees. He wept as He counted the hours on my knees.
• And I never knew till one day at a grave how vain are the things that we spend life to save

The apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 3:7-“But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.”

Choose for whom you will live your life. You? Your family? Your boss? Your friends? or Jesus Christ?

What will you do now?

2007 at Bradley will be “The Year of the Disciples.”

Vs. 33 can be put in these words—"Jesus—Jesus in the morning, Jesus at noontime, Jesus when the sun goes down. Jesus at work, Jesus at school, Jesus at home, Jesus with the church, Jesus when alone, Jesus in the mall, Jesus on the road". Amen.