Explore the cost of discipleship, emphasizing the importance of self-denial, carrying one's cross, and prioritizing eternal treasures over worldly gains as taught by Jesus.
Good morning, family. Today, we're going to take a deep dive into one of the most challenging teachings of Jesus. We're going to talk about the cost of discipleship, the value of eternal treasures, and the necessity of investing in what truly matters.
D.A. Carson once said, "The kingdom of heaven is worth infinitely more than the cost of discipleship, and those who know where the treasure lies joyfully abandon everything else to secure it." And friends, that's exactly what we're going to unpack today.
Let me read to you from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 16, verses 21 through 28:
The cost of discipleship is a concept that is often overlooked in our modern Christian culture. We live in a world that values comfort, convenience, and personal gain. However, Jesus presents a radically different perspective on what it means to follow Him. He tells us that whoever wants to be His disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him. This is a call to self-denial, sacrifice, and complete surrender to the will of God.
Not a popular concept in our self-centered culture: We are constantly bombarded with messages that encourage us to pursue our own desires, to do what feels good, and to put our own needs and wants first. But Jesus calls us to a different way of living. He calls us to put God first, to seek His kingdom and His righteousness above all else. This means that we must be willing to set aside our own plans, dreams, and desires if they are not in line with God's will for our lives. It means that we must be willing to say no to ourselves in order to say yes to God.
A call to embrace suffering and hardship for the sake of Christ: In the ancient world, the cross was a symbol of shame, suffering, and death. When Jesus calls us to take up our cross, He is calling us to be willing to endure hardship, persecution, and even death for His sake. This is not a call to seek out suffering for its own sake, but rather a call to be willing to endure whatever comes our way as we faithfully follow Christ.
A daily commitment: It involves a continual process of learning from Him, obeying His commands, and becoming more like Him in character and conduct. It involves a willingness to go wherever He leads, to do whatever He commands, and to be whatever He calls us to be. It is a journey of faith, obedience, and transformation.
The cost of discipleship is high: But, the rewards are infinitely greater. Jesus promises that whoever loses their life for His sake will find it. This is a promise of eternal life, of a relationship with God that begins now and lasts forever. It is a promise of a life filled with purpose, meaning, and joy. It is a promise of a treasure that is worth more than anything this world can offer.
A radical reorientation of our values: Jesus asks, "What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" This is a challenge to consider what we truly value, what we are truly living for. Are we living for the temporary pleasures and possessions of this world, or are we living for the eternal treasures of God's kingdom? Are we investing our time, energy, and resources in things that will pass away, or in things that will last forever?
A call to count the cost: To consider whether we are truly willing to pay the price to follow Jesus. It is a call to examine our hearts, to see whether our love for Jesus is greater than our love for anything else. It is a call to make Jesus the Lord of our lives, to surrender everything to Him, and to follow Him no matter what the cost.
Pastor, here would be a good place to share a personal story about a time when you had to count the cost of following Jesus, and how that experience deepened your understanding of what it means to be His disciple. What are some costs you’ve had to pay?
In the passage we read earlier, Jesus asked, "What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" This question is a stark reminder that the treasures we should be seeking are not of this world, but of the world to come ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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