Sermons on Costly:

Form Vs. Fire PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 28, 2025

This sermon urges believers to move beyond empty words to genuine, costly obedience, allowing God to rekindle authentic faith and wholehearted devotion in their lives.

Welcome, dear friends. I’m so glad you’re here. Some of us walked in this morning with hearts blazing hot; others with barely a flicker. If faith were a fireplace, some of us are warming our hands, and others are cupping the last little coal, begging it to glow again. Life can be like that. A long ...read more

Scripture: Titus 1:16

Topics: False Appearance, Hypocrisy

It's Our Choice

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Sep 23, 2022

Looking at the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, we see how costly it is to be focused only on "self" and not be mindful to be preparing our soul for eternity.

THOMAS HOOKER, THE GREAT PURITAN LEADER AND FOUNDER OF THE COLONY OF CONNETICUT, ONCE WROTE THIS OF HELL: “CONCEIVE THIS MUCH, IF ALL THE DISEASES IN THE WORLD DID SEIZE ON ONE MAN, AND IF ALL THE TORMENT THAT ALL THE TYRANTS OF THE WORLD COULD DEVISE, WERE CAST AGAINST HIM; AND IF ALL THE ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:19-31, 2 Peter 3:9, Mark 8:36

Denomination: Free Methodist

Beware Lest You Fall

Contributed by James May on Feb 3, 2008

We must ever be on guard lest we allow the enemy of our souls to cause us to fall into rebellion. Just one slip can be so costly!

Beware Lest You Fall By Pastor Jim May Miriam, the sister of Moses and of Aaron, is a perfect picture of what it means to be both led of God, blessed of God, used of God, and then cursed by God if allow sin to enter our lives. Even more importantly, through Miriam and God’s dealing with her, we ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 12:1-13

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The High Cost Of Christian Writing Paper

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Mar 2, 2010

Paul speaks about a letter not written on stationary, parchment, onionskin, or even newsprint; written on the most costly writing paper in the world – the hearts and lives of believers.

The High Cost of Christian Writing Paper 2 CORINTHIANS 3:1-6 “You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Victory With Tears: The Cost Of Leadership Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 7, 2025

2 Samuel 18 teaches us that leadership is not always glamorous—it is often costly. Behind the cheers of victory may lie tears of regret, pain, or loss.

VICTORY WITH TEARS: THE COST OF LEADERSHIP By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 2 Samuel 18:1-33 Supporting Texts: Ezekiel 33:11, Luke 19:41-44, Proverbs 11:10, Romans 12:15, Hebrews 13:17 INTRODUCTION: This chapter narrates the climactic battle between David’s forces and Absalom’s rebellious ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 18:1-33

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Faith Never Fails: It Is Imperishable PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 18, 2025

The sermon calls believers to courageous, costly obedience, trusting God’s sovereignty even when outcomes are uncertain, inspired by Esther’s example of sacrificial faith.

There’s a holy hush that falls over a room when courage walks in. Not the loud kind that shouts to be seen, but the quiet courage that prays in whispers and stands when knees are weak. We know this courage. We’ve asked for it in hospital hallways. We’ve reached for it at midnight when the house is ...read more

Scripture: Esther 4:16

Topics: Perseverance, Faith

Fished Out Of The Sea Series

Contributed by Christopher Howitz on Oct 30, 2017

"Jesus’ authority as kingly Messiah rests not in spectacle or selling-out or cutting corners, but rests on His reliance on the Father and Jesus’ costly obedience to the Father even along the road to the cross."

“The time has come,” Jesus said, “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (1:15) That was Jesus’ great announcement at the beginning of his ministry in Galilee. And to the two pairs of brothers… “Come follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:21-45

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Broken And Spilled Out

Contributed by Glenn Newton on Jun 24, 2004

Is your love a extravagant, costly love. Are you Broken and spilled out in your love for Christ? That’s the only kind of love that is going to change our world.

Broken and Spilled Out Pastor Glenn Newton 3-18-01 Mark 14:1-11Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some sly way to arrest Jesus and kill him. 2 "But not during the Feast," they said, "or ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:1-11

Denomination: Nazarene

Are You Gaining Or Losing? Series

Contributed by Garth Wehrfritz- Hanson on Mar 10, 2003

In losing life for the sake of Christ and the gospel we gain life. Do you live by cheap grace or costly grace? Have you counted the cost of true discipleship?

Sermon for 2 Lent Yr B, 16/03/2003 Based on Mk. 8: 31-38 "Are you losing or gaining?" Grace Lutheran Church, Medicine Hat, Alberta By Pastor Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson Someone (I’ve unfortunately lost the source) tells the following humorous story: When Ole quit farming, he discovered that he was ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: Lutheran

The High Cost Of Acceptance

Contributed by Perry Greene on Nov 13, 2013

We see some costly things involved in the story of Ruth, including the costs of her "Redeemer." The book of Ruth reveals: A Spiritual Conversion; A Substantial Compassion; and a Significant Commitment.

1. Benjamin Franklin and the book of Ruth Benjamin Franklin had an appreciation for the Bible as he, along with T. Jefferson and J. Adams designed the first US Seal for congress with the Red Sea episode depicted. When he was the newly formed US government's representative to France he indulged in a ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

10000 Bricks: Open Doors Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Jan 7, 2026

May we be open to the Lord placing a burden on our hearts so that when the time comes, we are willing to take the risky costly hard path to serve the Lord.

10000 BRICKS: OPEN DOORS Nehemiah 2:1–8 #10000Bricks READ NEHEMIAH 2 FROM THE MSG It was the month of Nisan in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king. At the hour for serving wine I brought it in and gave it to the king. I had never been hangdog in his presence before, so he asked me, “Why the ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Costs Of The Journey Series

Contributed by E Philip Davis on Mar 6, 2008

Jesus makes it clear in Luke 9:23 that the path of discipleship is a costly one; what challenges do we face in "bearing our cross daily" in today’s culture?

COSTS OF THE JOURNEY In this series from Luke we are seeing how following Jesus – what we call discipleship – is like a journey with him. This is what the disciples did in Luke’s Gospel, where Chapters 9-19 are in the form of a journey from Galilee to Jerusalem. In the first week Wayne introduced ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:23-26

Denomination: Baptist

Faithful Servants (A Sermon On Luke 12:35-40)

Contributed by David Smith on Feb 26, 2008

Following Jesus: It’s long hours, hard work, costly, and a little bit crazy, but would we ever consider changing positions and serving someone else? Not a chance! ...

I thought that I finally had a totally positive sermon for you today! I’ve been under rather trenchant criticism of late for repeatedly giving sermons focused on the theme of judgement and on the hard path of discipleship, and I admit that I have been looking for that text, "Come to me, all ye who ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:35-40

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Faithful Servants (A Sermon On Luke 12:35-40)

Contributed by David Smith on Oct 24, 2007

Following Jesus: It’s long hours, hard work, costly, and a little bit crazy, but would we ever consider changing positions and serving someone else? Not a chance!

I thought that I finally had a totally positive sermon for you today! I’ve been under rather trenchant criticism of late for repeatedly giving sermons focused on the theme of judgement and on the hard path of discipleship, and I admit that I have been looking for that text, "Come to me, all ye who ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:35-40

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

The Cost Of Christmas Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 30, 2021

It cost Him the cross to be born at Christmas. He was born to die, and die He did that we might be saved. We are saved freely, for it is a gift that Jesus bought for us, but the fact is it cost Jesus everything. Grace is free to receive, but it was costly to give.

December in Peru is just as hot as July. The jungle is steaming and the insects are ferocious. Yet in that jungle setting more than 300 people from the Wycliff Bible Translators celebrate Christmas. The twinkling Christmas tree lights are not on a pine or fur tree, but on a banana or palm tree. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-9