How Much Does It Cost
Opening Illustration:
Telemarketers calling . . . “You’ve been chosen . . . FREE”
Honeymoon! . . . cruise, hotel . . . time share . . .
“What’s the bottom line? How much?”
Any good salesman will make the price irrelevant! He’ll convince you that you can’t live without it! We change our thinking from “How much does it cost?” to “How much can I give you?” It’s all in the mindset!
NOW the focus for today is:
How much does it cost to build the kingdom of God?
Actually, I’m hoping to change your mindset to:
How much can I give to help build the kingdom of God?
1. God’s Cost = His Only SON!
A. God created man for fellowship
- We were not created like the other creatures “according to their kinds” (Gen. 1:24).
- We were created in God’s image and likeness (Gen. 1:26-27).
- We were given a free will
B. God’s creation fell
- All have sinned: Adam & Eve -> Pastor Roger! (Rm 3:23)
- Man was destined for hell! (Rm 6:23)
C. God gave His creation a future
- He gave his only son (John 3:16)
God didn’t focus on the cost of His Son, but rather he was more concerned about the product - our salvation! He loved us enough that the price was irrelevant!
Was there a cost? Was there a sacrifice? YES!
WHY? Because he wanted the product!
“That whoever believes in Him should not perish . . .”
2. Jesus’ Cost = Everything
Philippians 2:6-8
A - Jesus gave up his position - “Who, being in very nature God,”
- He was God (v6a)
B - Jesus gave up his power - “made himself nothing"
- emptied himself, divested himself of visible glory (v7a)
C - Jesus gave up his prestige - “taking the very nature of a servant”
- made himself of no reputation (v7b)
D. Jesus gave up his life - “he became obedient unto death” (v8)
Jesus wasn’t focusing on the cost! He didn’t care that he had to leave his Father and His home. He didn’t care that He wasn’t sure where he was going to sleep or what He would eat. He didn’t care that he had to try and train some of the most unqualified, and unruly men and make them disciples. He didn’t care that kids were always running up to him and hanging on him. He didn’t care that he had to go touch the leapers so they could be healed. He didn’t care that He had to go into the church and clean out the money-changers. He didn’t care that many rejected him. He didn’t care that he was stripped and beaten, hung on a cross and left to die!
He didn’t care about the COST! He cared about ME! He cares about YOU! He cared about our future! The price was irrelevant!
How much does it cost to build the Kingdom of God?
It cost God his only Son
It cost Jesus everything
Now what about you and me?
What’s the bottom line? What’s it going to cost me?
3. Our Cost = ???
David’s Example - 2 Samuel 24:24
“No I insist on paying for it! I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”
A. Give careful thought to your ways (READ Haggai 1:2-11)
- ? How do you think God reacts when we become so preoccupied with our own affairs that we leave His work undone?
What are you investing in?
- Work
- House
- Appetites
- Bank Account
Are these things wrong? Of course not!
Are you building God’s Kingdom or your own?
Sometimes we get so caught up in our own “non-essentials” that we are not able to take care of what God has called us to do. Have we lost interest in building the kingdom of God?
This church is full of people who can teach Sunday school . . . evangelist to do out-reach . . . nursery workers . . . people to visit the nursing homes, prisons, sick . . . people to drive someone to the doctor.
When we with hold from fulfilling what God has called and equipped us to do, we hold back God from blessing us.
BUT when we count the cost, and sacrifice our own kingdom for His, He will bless everything we do!
READ Haggai 2:18-19
Matthew 6:33 - Seek His Kingdom!
B - Spend Yourself - Isaiah 58:1-14
1. Watch Your Worship (v1-5)
You do all the religious things - church, care group, sing and lift your hands, fasting, and prayer
v2 - you seek me . . . yet forsake my commands
v3 - your fast . . . yet you do as you please
* Your worship is all talk!
Remember David in 2 Samuel 24:24
* - Religious actions are nothing short of hypocrisy if it doesn’t cost us something!
2. Counting the Cost (v6-10a)
- Loose the chains of injustice - Take a stand - Free the oppressed - Youth letters to China - Share your food with the hungry - Welcome the poor into your homes - hitch hiker - Clothe the naked
3. The Promise (v10-14)
- Your light will shine - your testimony (Matt. 5:16)
- The Lord will guide - direction comes as faith is released
- He will keep you fresh and healthy
- You will leave a legacy!
“Then you will be known as the people who rebuild their walls and cities.”
- Great honor - He exalts the humble
- Full Share of the inheritance
Closing:
* Is it going to cost us? YES! Is there a sacrifice involved? Absolutely!
But don’t focus on the cost! Don’t look at how much time it’s going to take you away from your other stuff. Don’t look at the friends you may lose. Don’t focus on the money you’ll be giving up, or giving out.
Instead, think of the people sitting next to you that would be blessed by you teaching Sunday school for their children. Think of the mothers that would be able to sit in service undistracted because your taking care of the nursery. Think of the elderly man laying in his bed at the nursing home who hasn’t had a visitor in three months. Think of the homeless teen that hasn’t had a hot meal in five days. Think of the nearly 80,000 people that died last year with out knowing Jesus. Or think of the 17 Christians that were martyred in the last hour and half as we had our church service.
Is it going to cost you something? The cost is irrelevant in the light of eternity. Don’t ask how much does it cost. Ask how much can I give!
