What Is Jesus Costing You?

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.