WHAT IS JESUS COSTING YOU?
Luke 14:26-28
INTRODUCTION
A. HUMOR
1. Thieves found a police car outside a motel - the officers had checked in & gone to sleep. The thieves jacked up the car and took off the tires.
2. Just then the policemen awoke and came running out. The thieves jumped into their car and fled - and the police pursued them tirelessly.
B. TITLE & THESIS
1. “But the king [David] replied to Araunah, ‘No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.’” 2 Sam. 24:24.
2. David was saying, ‘If [my service for God] “costs me nothing,” then it’s not worth anything!’ This is true of our walk with Jesus: if it doesn’t impact our lifestyle, alter our objectives, cost us friendships, & isn’t the first priority of our money – then the Spirit of Jesus isn’t controlling us!
3. So we’re looking at “What is Jesus Costing You?” In other words, what is sacrificial about your life? How is your life different from other people’s?
I. COUNT THE COST
A. JESUS’ COMMAND: COUNT THE COST
1. As you look at the ministry of Jesus, the closer you get to Calvary the less people there are. When He was out on the hillsides of Galilee, breaking bread and feeding the multitudes, there were thousands out to watch the religious show.
2. But as he moved toward Calvary – the Cross – He said to the multitudes, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple” Lk. 14:26-27. Jesus talked about “counting the cost” of being His disciple; if we’re not willing to surrender all, we can’t be His disciples!
3. The crowds suddenly began to leave Jesus in droves. They were saying in effect, "We came out here for the blessings, the miracles -- not to be told we’re going to have to suffer.” They walked off and left him.
B. TYPICAL COSTS TO CHRISTIANS
1. When people in first century became Christians, there was a price tag attached. Some of them were disowned, they lost property, were persecuted, were put out of the synagogue, were ostracized, their spouses divorced them, they lost their jobs, they were run out of town, they were tortured & killed, etc.
2. Even in America, following Jesus should have its costs: some FRIENDSHIPS will be lost; we’ll have to quit some JOBS; we’ll lose some SLEEP; we’ll lose some MONEY to tithes & offerings; we’ll probably lose social STATUS (“woe to you if all men speak well of you”). Paul said he suffered the loss of all things!
C. CLIMBING MOUNT EVEREST
1. Wanting to be a disciple of Jesus is like wanting to climb Mount Everest. First, it costs a lot -- around $70,000. You say, “I could never afford that!” But imagine if a wealthy benefactor said, “I’ll pay the $70,000!” Wow! Awesome! That’s like Jesus paying for you to go to heaven.
2. But does that mean there’s no more costs to climbing that mountain? No! You must enter into rigorous physical training, get the appropriate gear, learn all the techniques of climbing, learn all the weather conditions & how to survive them, learn how to negotiate each section of the mountain, etc.
3. In other words, if you want to climb Mt. Everest, you have to COUNT THE COST! Being a disciple of Jesus is like deciding to be in the Olympics. You must spiritually train every day and stay in shape!
D. SECRET SAINT?
1. I read a true story about a preacher who was standing at the door shaking hands as the congregation departed. He grabbed one man by the hand and pulled him aside.
2. The preacher said to him, "You need to join the Army of the Lord!" The man replied, "I’m already in the Army of the Lord, Preacher."
3. The preacher questioned, "How come I don’t see you except for Christmas and Easter?" He whispered back, "I’m in the secret service."
4. The Secret Service? …I don’t think so!
II. CONSIDER WHAT OTHERS DO TO PLEASE THEIR GODS
A. LOOK HOW MUCH THEY LOVE THEIR GOD
1. In India, there are men who strip off clothes, cover their naked bodies with white ashes, or don’t cut or comb their hair; some stare into the sun for years; others plaster their bodies with cow manure (Gorehabba, 'cow dung festival'). They do all this to show their love for their god.
2. The Sadhus afflict themselves by lying on beds of nails to show their devotion.
3. Muslims beat their backs until they are bloody (Matam) because they believe it pleases Allah.
4. These all show their devotion to gods who are FALSE. Our God is TRUE! Yet, do we show the True God less devotion than others show their false gods?
B. BEAST GAMES. Maybe some of you have heard of the Beast Games.
1. Mr. Beast is a YouTube sensation who gives away very expensive items – like homes, cars, and expensive play toys – to gain a wide audience.
2. In 2024 he announced the Beast Games. The prize is $5 million, but you have to do outrageous things to win.
3. The NYT asked the contestants – “Would you do ‘anything’ to win? Like be buried alive or being shot out into space?” Some of them said, “For $5 million? Yes!” Of course they had to sign a contract, as contestants, saying that they were willing to die for the $5 million.
4. Again, here’s an example of people willing to die for worldly gain or recognition. Are we willing to die for Jesus? Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me” Mt. 16:24.
C. ARE YOU PULLED IN TWO DIRECTIONS?
1. One of the worst train disasters in history occurred in the El Toro Tunnel in Leon, Spain, on January 3,1944. Over five hundred people died.
2. The train was one of those long passenger trains with an engine on both ends. On this particular day, when the train went into the El Toro Tunnel, the engine on the front stalled.
3. When the front engine stopped, the engineer on the back engine started up his engine to back the train out of the tunnel. At the same time, however, the front engineer managed to get the front engine started again and attempted to continue the journey.
4. Neither engineer had any way of communicating with the other. Both engineers thought they simply needed more power. They continued to pull in both directions for several minutes.
5. Hundreds of passengers on the train in the tunnel died of carbon monoxide poisoning because the train could not make up its mind which way to go. They died because the train had one too many engineers.
6. Many of us struggle as to which way to go with our lives-whether to let Jesus be in charge or to run our lives ourselves.
7. Sometimes we think we can have it both ways, but we can't. We either have to serve GOD or SELF. Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters" (Matt. 6:24a). [Hot Illustrations For Youth Talks. Wayne Rice, Zondervan, pp. 208-209.]
D. THE PRICE FOR THE PEARL
1. A man was in a pawnshop and saw a necklace with a breathtaking, giant pearl. “I want this pearl! How much does it cost?” The seller says, “Well, it’s very expensive.” “Do you think I could buy it?” “Of course. Anybody can.” “How much does it cost?” “Well, the price is ‘everything you have’ – so anybody can buy it.” “Then I’ll buy it.”
2. “What do you have?” “I have $10,000 in the bank.” “Good. What else?” “Nothing more. That’s it.” “What about your wallet?” “Oh yeah, I have $117 dollars.” “That’s fine. What else do you have?” “Nothing else.” “Where do you live?’ “I live in my house.” “The house too will be mine.” “Does that mean that I have to live in my camper?” “You have a camper?” “Yes.” “That too. Do you have a car?” “I have two.” “Both become mine. What else?” “Well -- you have the house, the cars, the money, everything.” “What else?” “I have nothing else.”
3. “Are you alone in the world?” “No, I have a wife & two children….” “Your wife and children are now mine.” “Really?” “Yes, everything you have. What else?” “I have nothing else, I’m left alone now.”
4. “Well, there’s still YOU yourself; I want you too! Everything becomes mine: wife, children, house, cars, money, clothing, everything. And you too. Now...I will let you use all those things temporarily, but don’t forget they’re mine. When I need any of them, I may ask you to give them to me.” [Juan Carlos Ortiz]
III. FOLLOWING CHRIST SHOULD MAKE YOU PURSUE AN EXCEPTIONAL LIFE
A. WHAT JESUS SAID
1. “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matt. 5:46-48, NIV.
2. VARIOUS VERSIONS OF WHAT JESUS SAID
CSB, “What are you doing out of the ordinary?”
CEV, “What’s so great about…?” (what you’re doing)
Philips, “Are you doing anything exceptional?”
MSG, [What you’re doing-] “Anybody can do that!”
NLT, “How are you any different?”
Worldwide English, “…you are not doing anything better than other people. Even people who do not believe in God do that.” (5:47b) SELAH!
3. The Early Church lived exceptional lives. The Greek writer, Lucian (A.D. 120-200) said, “It is incredible to see the fervor with which those people help each other in their wants. They spare nothing.”
4. Tertullian, an early Christian, said, “It is our care for the helpless, our practice of loving-kindness, that brands us in the eyes of many of our opponents. ‘Look’, they say, ‘How they love one another! Look how they are prepared to die for one another!’”
5. Do we have the same spirit of love that the Early Christians had? Have we died with Christ & we no longer live, but Christ lives in us? Is self-sacrifice for others part of our daily devotion?
B. ILLUS.: PROVING YOUR IDENTITY
1. The famous artist, Gustave Dore was traveling from one country to another in Europe when he lost his passport, which was required to be shown by every traveler.
2. Trying to cross to the next country he said to the border agent, “I am sorry, but I have lost my passport. I am the artist, Gustave Dore. I hope you will let me pass.”
3. “Oh!” said the officer, “You can’t deceive me. Many people try to pass through, claiming they’re some famous person.” But Dore declared he actually was the famous artist.
4. The border agent said, “We’ll soon see if you’re the famous painter. Here’s a pencil and paper. Do you see that group of tourists? Make a sketch of them for me!”
5. The great artist did, and so lifelike was the sketch that the officer was immediately convinced and let him pass through! [7,700, #1522].
6. When our heavenly Father looks at our life, does He see a reflection of His Son Jesus?
CONCLUSION
A. HYMN “I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS”
1. 150 years ago missionaries from the Welsh Revival reached Northeast India. The region had hundreds of aggressive tribes called head-hunters. Despite severe opposition, the missionaries shared the gospel to these tribes. One of them shared the gospel to Nokseng, his wife, and two children, and they received Jesus Christ as their Savior. As a result, many villagers turned to Jesus.
2. Hearing this, the angry chief of the village called Nokseng and demanded him to publicly renounce his faith or face death. Touched by the Holy Spirit, Nokseng replied, “I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back, no turning back.”
3. The outraged chief ordered that his two children be shot. Arrows pierced them and they fell dead immediately. Again he demanded Nokseng to deny his faith if he wanted to spare his wife. But Nokseng responded, “Though no one joins me, still I will follow. No turning back, no turning back.” Nokseng’s wife also died by shooting.
4. Then the chief asked for the final time “Deny your faith or die!” Nokseng gladly said these final words, “The cross before me, the world behind me. No turning back, no turning back.” He was shot immediately like the rest of his family.
5. But this triggered a massive revival in the village – beginning with the chief! The chief came under tremendous guilt about his killing of Nokseng’s family. He couldn’t understand why Nokseng & family gave up their lives for a man who lived 2,000 years ago on some other continent.
6. So he wanted to experience the remarkable power behind the family’s faith. The Holy Spirit touched him and he spontaneously confessed, “I too belong to Jesus Christ!” When the gathered villagers heard their chief confessing his faith in Jesus Christ, the whole village accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior.
7. Hymnologist William Reynolds discovered this song in 1958 and arranged the melody and it began to be sung in Billy Graham crusade meetings. https://www.christianlearning.com/true-story-behind-the-hymn-i-have-decided-to-follow-jesus/
B. THE CALL
1. We’re going to sing this song. As we sing it, if you would like to profess Jesus Christ and surrender all to Him, then make your way up here to the front.
2. Song & prayer of dedication.
