Counting the Cost of Following Jesus
Oct. 2, 2005, Luke 14:25-35
These are my actual notes and sermon handouts and they probably mean more to me than they do to you. If you don’t understand something in my notes – feel free to e-mail me for clarification (stevenmary7@hotmail.com). Here’s some deciphering hints: I use hyphens (-) to separate key elements in a thought progression. I use quotation marks when I’m illustrating what some one in the congregation might be thinking or asking at that particular point in the message or to illustrate different character voices in an illustration. Bullets are springboards for thought progressions associated with main points in a thought.
INTRO:
The following are actual responses from comment cards given to the staff members at Bridger Wilderness Area in 1996:
• Trails need to be reconstructed. Please avoid building trails that go uphill.
• Too many bugs and leeches and spiders and spider webs. Please spray the wilderness to rid the areas of these pests.
• Please pave the trails…Chair lifts need to be in some places so that we can get to wonderful views without having to hike to them.
• The coyotes made too much noise last night and kept me awake. Please eradicate these annoying animals.
• A small deer came into my camp and stole my jar of pickles. Is there a way I can get reimbursed? Please call…
• Escalators would help on steep uphill sections.
• A MacDonald’s would be nice at the trailhead.
• Too many rocks in the mountains.
Apparently many don’t really understand what it means to stay in a “wilderness area.” - looking for convenience and comfort.
Many don’t understand what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ.
• Not always their fault – they follow according to their model or denominational bent
• Look the part – profess – church – offering – not following
• Thinking and living – untransformed – masked by outward appearance
• Outward appearance never an issue with Jesus – transformation
• Jesus seeks is a transformation of the very core of your being.
• When that’s transformed – all the outward stuff takes cake of itself.
The church to blame – easy believism – confused people teaching their watered down version of Christianity – winning converts to inaccurate understanding – many church leaders are waking up to this dilemma and rightfully pointing to the culprit – a misunderstanding of what it means to be Christian – and now find themselves having to push against well formulated systems of theology in an attempt to bring balance back into the equation – so the people in their care won’t perpetuate a careless gospel.
• Jesus said that it will cost you everything to be His follower
Problem is many have this idea that there are different levels of being a follower – “I’ll be one of His ‘followers’ – not a ‘disciple’”
But while on this earth Jesus was very careful to explain what it meant to be His follower / disciple. He never spoke in terms of different levels or categories – “I’ve called some to follow closely – others OK if not as close… I’ll still accept them” – NOT! - He drew a line in the sand and made it clear to everyone what a true follower looked like – sometimes by even telling what will disqualify someone from being His disciple. – as does today…
But before go there I want to explain “disciple”
• Occurs several times in text this morning – 286 times total
• “Christian” occurs – 3 times – Acts 11:26 “…the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.”
AC 26:28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?"
1 Peter 4:16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
In other words - 27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
Could say… anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be a Christian. - somehow carries more weight when said that way.
• Disciple and Christian are synonyms – clear that up -
Counting the Cost of Following Jesus
1. A true Christian has no greater allegiance than Christ.
LK 14:25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said:
• Jesus addressing those interested in Him and message – not antagonists
• “…were traveling with Jesus…” – positive toward Him
• Mistook this for true discipleship – as many do today.
• Considered themselves followers – only casual observers not committed followers.
• Would continue to follow in this way as long as price not too high.
• Like many today – who want everything Jesus has to give – but become disillusioned when problems aren’t solved or sacrifice is too high.
26 "If anyone comes to me
• Notice who addressed to – not special group - apostles, elders, etc.
• Anyone and everyone who would be a follower of Jesus.
…and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be my disciple.
• Doesn’t mean hate literally – hyperbole – “he’s as big as a house”
• “Hate” used by Jewish to refer to lesser love. – how do we know?
Because the clear teaching of scripture is that…
• We are to honor our father and mother (Mark 7:9-13),
• That men are to love their wives as Christ loved the church (Eph. 5:25).
• 1JN 2:9 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness.
• 1 JN 3:15 Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.
• Not saying hate in that sense – nor in that emotion
What Jesus really is saying is that our love for anyone even most important relationships - must pale in comparison to our love for Him.
- …yes, even his own life - watching out for number 1
JN 12:25 The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
It’s a statement of comparison – “If you are going to follow me – that desire must be stronger than your desire to follow anyone else.”
• If your desire is not that strong – Jesus says…
…he cannot be my disciple.
• If you’re more concerned about your life and comfort or the opinion and counsel of spouses / parents / children than you are about following Jesus and His opinion and counsel – Jesus said – you “cannot be my disciple.” – Christian!
Where do your allegiances lie this morning?
Now that you know – how will you decide? Follow or fade away?
Jesus’ call to us is for the highest allegiance possible!
A true Christian has no greater allegiance than Christ.
2. A true Christian is willing to lay down his life.
27 And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
• Image familiar to everyone present – the image of a convicted criminal stumbling to their deaths carrying the very instrument of that death
• The cross was not an implement of irritation or inconvenience it was an implement of death.
• Everyone knew this person was saying “goodbye” to everything.
• There would be no turning or coming back.
• This image undoubtedly sent a shudder of fear through his listeners.
• This is a trip that you don’t come back from retaining your life.
• The Green Mile – “Dead man walking”
Exactly the image Paul was speaking about in…
RO 6:1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
RO 6:5 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with,n that we should no longer be slaves to sin-- 7 because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.
RO 6:8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
RO 6:11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
• Death to self is only way Christ’s life resurrected in us…
Pastor - Now how does this total commitment requirement fit into the “free gift of God” truth?
ILLUS: Suppose I had a desire to climb Mount Everest. But it costs about $70,000 to do it and I don’t have that kind of money. Suppose a wealthy businessman heard of my desire and offered to pay for the entire expedition. He would buy all the expensive clothing and gear; he would pay for my transportation, the guides, and the training. It’s totally free for me. But if I accept his free offer, I have just committed myself to months of difficult training and arduous effort. It could even cost me my very life, because many good climbers die trying to climb Mount Everest. It is free and yet very costly.
Source: The Cost of Discipleship, www.fcfonline.org/80199.htm, Copyright, Steven J. Cole, 1999, All Rights Reserved.
• Cost me every ounce of my strength to accomplish the goal
• I lay my life down for the summit. – because a price I could not afford was paid – so that I might climb – so I give myself to it. – TOTALLY!
• A true disciple / Christian understands that, and gladly lays down his life for the one who paid his way!
3. A true Christian counts the cost…
Of finishing what was started.
LK 14:28 "Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? 29 For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, 30 saying, `This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’
• It’s easy to start – finishing takes real effort
ILLUS: There is a commercial… that has a man sitting in the chair at a tattoo parlor expressing his love to Donna by getting her name tattooed on his arm. Halfway through the procedure he asks how much it will cost - $50.00. He pulls out his cash, and says, “Oh, I only have $41” Cut to the couple on the sidewalk, Donna storming off, with the guy yelling after her, "I’ll get it fixed." Zoom into the tattoo which reads, "I love Don!”
That commercial shows the foolishness of considering the cost of something so irrevocable halfway through.
• Jesus wants us to ask ourselves, "Am I in this for the long haul?"
• Jesus is asking us, "Are you willing to follow me no matter what happens or what you’re required to give up?"
• There is only one way to truly follow Jesus! - To completion!
JAS 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
• Seen so many who did not complete what was begun – tragic!
1CO 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
2TI 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
Look! You’re not on your own in this!
PHP 1:3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
• Jesus is committed to you – are you committed to Him?
If this is just a phase your going through – take it or leave it – as long as scratches you where it itches you’ll stay – but if gets rough – out of here!
Jesus says – if that’s your mind set – you can’t be his disciple – you can’t be a Christian!
A true Christian will count the cost of completing what was started.
And they will count the cost…
Of submission to a more powerful King.
LK 14:31 "Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32 If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace.
• Both of these illustrations by Jesus talk about counting the cost before launching into a serious endeavor.
• The church is filled with people who have not considered the cost!
• Just look at the statistics – divorce – pregnancy – MTV – immorality
• This moral compromise and half-hearted commitment wouldn’t exist if people really understood what it meant to be a Christian.
The question we face is “Will I submit myself to the King of kings?
His rule and reign will never cease – yours will!
That day and that King is coming! – you can make your peace with Him now - or you can try your luck against Him on that day.
His terms are – Total Surrender! – total absorption of your kingdom into His
• You are off the throne – He now sits on the throne of your life
• Those are His terms!
Count the cost! – but in your counting – consider the outcome of not surrendering – you’ll loose everything if you try to keep it – you will gain everything worth having - if you loose it now.
JN 12:25 The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
That’s why he goes on to say…
33 In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.
• What – everything? – pretty inclusive word – means everything.
The Greek word translated as "give up" can also be translated as "say goodbye or renounce." In other words, Jesus says that we must be willing to renounce or forsake anything that interferes with following him faithfully and completely.
A true Christian counts the cost of submission to a stronger King.
4. A true Christian is a preserving influence.
LK 14:34 "Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? 35 It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out.
Jesus used the metaphor of salt often to refer to spiritual life…
MT 5:13 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
Here’s what I think Jesus is saying in this context…
Salt is a preserver – meat – stops the rotting process
Salt is a seasoner – applied to food – enhances flavor
Salt is a fertilizer – helps certain soils balance PH
In His day – not mined but skimmed from sea
Had other properties and minerals – made it susceptible to loosing saltiness
Like the acid test of whether you’re a true Christian or not…
• If you’re used as a preserver – and the meat rots around you – you apparently aren’t what you’re supposed to be.
• If you’re used to season – and you don’t enhance the flavor – you’re not what you appear to be.
• If you’re used as a fertilizer – and nothing grows around you – you’re not what you appeared to be.
You might look like salt on the outside – but if you’re not a preserving influence on the corruption of this world – if you don’t enhance the flavor of life around you – if you’re not causing growth – the salts not in you!
In the end – if you don’t pass the salty test – you’ll be thrown out.
What a tragedy.
That’s why Jesus says – “listen up!”
"He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
He said this to remind us of our responsibility to listen and respond to this difficult message. The teaching isn’t difficult to understand but it is difficult to accept.
Conclusion: Leadership magazine once ran a cartoon that showed a church building with a billboard in front that said: “The LITE CHURCH: 24% fewer commitments, home of the 7.5% tithe, 15 minute sermons, 45 minute worship service; we have only 8 commandments—your choice. We use just 3 spiritual laws and have an 800 year millennium. Everything you’ve wanted in a church … and less!” Source: Leadership Summer, 1983, p. 81.
This cartoon may represent what people are looking for in a church, but to follow Jesus, you must be totally committed.
I want you to understand what a Christian is as Jesus defined it.
The question we need to ask ourselves is not "Am I able to follow Jesus completely?" But rather "Am I willing to follow Jesus completely?"
We are all human and sometimes we will fail in our commitment but the thing Jesus is confronting here is not our ability but our willingness to follow him with our whole hearts.
For those of you who are not Christians you need to understand what following Jesus really means before you make that commitment.
For the majority of you in here who are already Christians let this lesson be a reminder of what being a Christian and a disciple truly entails.
Pray
Counting the Cost of Following Jesus
October 2, 2005 Luke 14:25-35
1. A true Christian has no greater ___________ than Christ.
Luke 14:25-26
2. A true Christian is willing to lay down his __________.
Luke 14:27
3. A true Christian counts the cost…
Luke 14:28-33
Of finishing what was _______________________.
Of submission to a more powerful ________________.
4. A true Christian is a ___________________ influence.
Luke 14:34-35
