HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

Luke 14:28-35

We live in a time when it's fashionable to go to church.

More people call themselves "Christians" or "Born Again" than at any time in history.

[Gallup: Never have so many people called themselves Christians; never has it made so little difference in people’s lives!” ]

85% of all Americans consider themselves "Christians".

1 out of 3 adults calls himself "born again".

Barna Research affirms that 34% of American adults are professing Christians.

    2 criteria:

    1. ⅔ say they’ve made a commitment to Jesus Christ that’s important in their life today. [⅔!!!]

    2. ⅓ selected one of five statements about their destiny: "When you die, you will go to heaven because you have confessed your sins and accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior."

Yet, most people who call themselves Christians are too busy to do much about it!

Only 1 out of 5 "believers" reads their Bible regularly.

Only 1 out of 5 "believers" is involved in leadership in a local church.

Only 1 out of 5 "believers" is involved in a small group of some kind.

[Interestingly 1 out of 12 non-believers is involved in a religious small group of some kind.]

 "We don't have time!"

Americans have more leisure time today than any generation in history.

Jesus speaks to this issue in Luke 14.

    Jesus draws a distinction:

He has said repeatedly: "Whosoever will may come!"

        He offers salvation to all who stop trusting self and cling to Him.

But, in Luke 14, Jesus repeats a startling declaration 3 times:

        "You CANNOT be my disciple!"

Not all who come to Christ for salvation,

    are willing to pay the price to become disciples.

        Discipleship isn't for everyone.

        Discipleship isn’t for wimps!

            It requires a commitment to pay the price!

In light of growing rejection, Jesus tells the crowd: whoever wishes to be His disciple must be willing to sacrifice everything, even life or family.

        It may cost that!

Jesus is visiting a leading Pharisee, exposing their motives and thoughts.

Their banquet demonstrates that they’re out to get 1^st place for themselves.

They’re not really interested in coming to God's banquet.

He turns to crowd and warns them about the cost of discipleship.14:25

    It was popular to follow Jesus.

        You could be part of the crowd, but that didn't make you a disciple!

Lots of people were coming to see the show!

Living above the Level of Mediocrity, Swindoll: "An eaglelike lifestyle doesn't come cheap.

    Being different is costly, especially when most are satisfied to blend in with the majority.

    There aren't many magnets on earth stronger than peer pressure. . . .

        Motto: It’s hard to soar like an eagle when I'm surrounded by so many turkeys!'"

COST OF DISCIPLESHIP 14:25-35

Some think Jesus went after crowds. In reality the opposite is true.

        He makes clear that COMMITMENT would thin the ranks.

            DISCIPLESHIP REQUIRES COMMITMENT

Jesus reminds them that His popularity won’t last long!

        He’s on His way to Jerusalem to die.

            If they follow Him, it's going to mean a cross.

                 Not the way to draw crowds!

Is that how you get someone to become one?

If we want to follow Him, we must be prepared to pay whatever it takes!

JESUS COMES FIRST!

    1. Before family 14:26

Our family may pressure us to forget about this fanatical "Jesus" business.

    2. Before self 14:27   

Taking up the cross implies death-to self, to our plans, to our desires.

For some, to stick with Him on the way to the cross, would mean literal physical death.

                     Were they willing to pay that price?

    3. Before possessions 14:28-33

Example of the builder 14:28-30

                 If you’re going to build a house,

                     You have to know what it will cost!

                         Builder decides to build and starts out.

When he realizes he doesn’t have what it takes to finish, everybody knew

He becomes laughingstock of the town.

                         Following Jesus sometimes turns out that way.

                              It sounds glamorous and everyone’s excited.    So, off we go!

                                  Then everything goes wrong. –we didn’t think it would be like this!

                                      We didn’t expect a cross! –How could this happen to us?!!

                              We have doubts and second thoughts, so we turn back.

Jesus says, “Count the cost beforehand, so you don’t make a commitment you can’t keep!”

Jesus isn’t using this parable to show us that everyone who returns is a fool. –or that he was wrong to go!

                                      That’s not His point!

Sometimes builders CAN’T foresee all the unforeseen expenses!

                                  Sometimes disasters strike you couldn’t know about in advance.

That’s part of being willing to take up your cross!

You realize that “all hell may break loose!”

Satan will seek to destroy you!

Therefore, you’re will to pay whatever it costs!

Jesus is using this to warn the crowd who want to come along for the ride. Following Him won’t be a picnic!

                                  “You’d better think this through!”

                                  “Are you really willing to make that kind of commitment?”

“When the going gets rough–and it will–you’d better be sure that God called you into this, or you’ll never hang on!

Example of the king 14:31-32

If you’re going to go to war,

You’d better know what it will take to win!

                         Enough men to defeat the enemy and win victory

If He doesn't count the cost and prepare adequately for the opposition, when the opposition comes, he will have to make peace with the enemy.

Know what it will cost and prepare adequately to withstand the attack of the enemy.

                          Plan so as not to have to give in!

If you haven’t figured out what it’s going to take to stand up to the onslaught of the enemy, you will never win the war!

In fact, you’re going to run in defeat, and Satan will “rub your nose in it!”

Fundamental Principle: COUNT THE COST! 14:33

Unless you let go of everything, you can't be Jesus’ disciple!

Corrie ten Boom: "I've learned that we must hold everything loosely, because when I grip it tightly, it hurts when the Father pries my fingers loose and takes it from me!"

            Jewish Talmud: "Man is born with his hands clenched, he dies with them wide open."

ONE PERTINENT ILLUSTRATION: SALT 14:34-35

Salt is only good while it is salty.

Otherwise it serves NO useful purpose; it is useless and good only to be discarded.

It is not even useful when thrown out on the ground or into the manure pile. It is worthless!

What’s distinctive about salt?

        The distinctive thing about SALT is its TANGY TASTE.

If it loses the quality that gives it that taste, it has lost all that makes it salt, it's worthless!

What’s distinctive about a disciple of Jesus?

The distinctive thing about a disciple is their COMMITMENT.

A true disciple is willing to give up everything to follow Jesus!

                 That’s what sets disciples apart. That’s what makes them unique!

If we lose our distinctiveness, we will be as useless as tasteless salt.

If we're not willing to let go of everything for Him, He will lay US aside as useless.

            How about US? Anybody ready to follow Him–no matter what it costs?

Discipleship isn't for everyone!

But if we want to be HIS disciple, we’d better be prepared to let go of everything. It may cost us that!

    1. As far as salvation is concerned, Jesus wants a full banquet table -every spot taken!

When it comes to discipleship, He only wants people who are totally committed to Him-willing to give up everything for Him!

    2. Salvation is available to all who trust Jesus.

            Jesus offers that to every person in this room this morning. TRUST HIM and receive life!

Discipleship-following Jesus-is only for people willing to pay the price!

    3. Salvation: for all willing to come to the cross

Discipleship: Only for people willing to carry their cross and follow Him.

When Jesus was out preaching, everyone flocked to Him. That was fun.

        It was socially acceptable and popular thing to do.

            "Let's go listen to Jesus!"

But when He went to the cross, He was all alone.

        The masses were gone.

Even His closest loved ones abandoned Him. They couldn't pay the price.

Following Jesus means taking up a cross!

Communist youth commitment–breaking off engagement to girl–totally committed to a cause –willing to pay any price!

He was willing to "take up the cross" for something much less than what God has given us!

Are we willing to take up OUR cross, for the most valuable Person, the most significant cause ever presented on this earth?

Hal Lindsey: house church in Russia before recent political transformation: Believers arrived in small groups to avoid suspicion. At night they would meet, closed in. quietly worshiping God. Suddenly door burst open; 2 armed soldiers broke in. One shouted: "Everyone line up against the wall. All those who are willing to renounce your commitment to Jesus may leave!" Several left, then a few more, as they were given a chance to renounce Him and escape.

After final two slipped away, no one else moved. Parents with small children looked at one another trembling. After a few moments of silence, one of the soldiers closed the door. "Keep your hands up, we wish to join you in praising God together. We, too, are Christians. We were sent to arrest people at a church several weeks ago and were converted to Jesus. But we have learned that unless people are willing to die for their faith, they cannot be trusted.

        "What we obtain too cheaply, we esteem too lightly!"

Jesus is on His way to the cross.

    To follow Him means to join Him in heading for the cross.