1. Have You Counted The Cost?
“For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it --
lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.” {Luke 14:28-30}
Title Slide: Have You Counted the Cost? {Luke 14:25-33}

2. Jesus Was Not A Crowd Pleaser
His teaching did not change in order to hold on to His “followers.”
John 6:60-62, 66
Demanded that people count the cost and pay the price without excuses
Excuses not accepted— Luke 14:15-20,24
Forsake all to be a disciple—Luke 14:33
Jesus Was Not a Crowd Pleaser
His teaching did not change in order to hold on to His followers—Jno.6:60-62,66
Demanded that people count the cost and pay the price without EXCUSES—(1) Not acceptable—Lk.14:15-20, 24 (2) Forsake all a requirement—not a suggestion—Lk.14:33.

3. Counting the Cost of Discipleship
COST: Prefer Christ above all.
Luke 14:26,27; 16:13
HATE (not sinful hate) “love less”
Love Jesus more— Matthew 10:37; Genesis 29:30ff
“If”—not with a divided heart—Matthew 6:24; John 12:42,43
Counting The Cost of Discipleship
COST: Prefer Christ above all.
Luke 14:26,27; 16:13
HATE (not sinful hate) “love less”
Love Jesus more— Matthew 10:37; Genesis 29:30ff
“If”—not with a divided heart—Matthew 6:24; John 12:42,43

4. Counting the Cost of Discipleship
Two points of reference:
Relationships (family, brethren, life) Luke 14:26
Responsibilities (bear your cross) Luke 14:27; Galatians 6:5; Matthew 16:24
PRICE TO PAY: Self-denial, self sacrifice and service for others— Luke 14:33; Luke 9:23
Counting The Cost of Discipleship
Two points of reference...
Responsibilities (bear your cross)
Price to Pay: Self-denial, self sacrifice, service for others, etc.
Luke 14:26,27; 16:13
HATE (not sinful hate) “love less”
Love Jesus more— Matthew 10:37; Genesis 29:30ff
“If”—not with a divided heart—Matthew 6:24; John 12:42,43

5. Counting the Cost of Discipleship
Jesus set this example
Sacrifice— Matthew 26:39
Submission— Matthew 26:42
Steadfastness— Matthew 26:44
Lifetime commitment Hebrews 3:6,14; 10:36-39;
John 10:17,18
Counting The Cost of Discipleship—Explain example of Jesus

6. Have You Counted the Cost of Becoming a Christian?
How to Be Saved
Mark 16:15,16
Acts 2:38-41
Acts 17:30
Renounce past sins.
Acts 19:18-20
Humility before God and men
James 4:10
Acts 26:28
Have You Counted the Cost Involved in Becoming a Christian?

7. Have You Counted the Cost of Becoming a Christian?
Objections include:
“I’ll condemn my parents”
“I’ll lose my friends, business”
Luke 14:27-30; Acts 19:24-27
Different way of life.
Romans 12:1,2; Philippians 3:7-11;1 John 2:15
Different way of thinking
2 Corinthians 10:3-5
You can pay the price!
1 Peter 5:9
Have You Counted the Cost Involved in Becoming a Christian?

8. Have You Counted the Cost of Being Married?
Its permanency.
Matthew 19:6; Romans 7:2
Leaving and cleaving
Matthew 19:4,5
Forsaking all others (fidelity)
Hebrews 13:4
Have You Counted the Cost Involved in Being Married?(Genesis 2:24)

9. Have You Counted the Cost of Being Married?
Serve—not “be served.”
Ephesians 5:22-25
Marry a Christian who has faith, godly values, and wants to go to heaven as badly as you do!
Matthew 6:33
Have You Counted the Cost Involved in Being Married?(Genesis 2:24)

10. Have You Counted the Cost of Having Children?
Financial responsibility:
1 Timothy 5:8
Giving of my time.
Ephesians 5:16; Deuteronomy 6:4ff
Training
Ephesians 6:4; Titus 2:4
Selfishness will hinder good parenting!
Colossians 3:21
Have You Counted the Cost Involved in Having Children?(Psa.127:3-5)

11. Have You Counted the Cost of Standing For the Truth?
Loss of friends and even brethren.
2 Timothy 4:16
Loss of reputation (among false brethren).
2 John 9-12
Cost Jesus His Life!
Cost the apostles much
1 Corinthians 4:9-13
Does it cost us anything?
2 Timothy 3:12
Have You Counted the Cost Involved in Standing for the Truth?(1 Cor.16:13,14)

12. Have You Counted the Cost of Being Faithful Unto Death?
Context of persecution: even to the point of death.
Philippians 1:21:16
Conquer the fear of men.
Matthew 10:28; Hebrews 13:5,6
Be watchful and alert
1 Peter 5:8,9; Hebrews 5:12-14; 6:9-12
Have You Counted the Cost Involved of Being Faithful Unto Death?(Revelation 2:10)

13. A Higher Price Will be Paid if One Does Not Follow Jesus Now!!!!
Everlasting destruction.
2 Thessalonians 1:8,9
Leaving all for Christ and His gospel will bless you and challenge you now—and finally reward you with eternal life!
Mark 10:28-31
A Higher Price Will Be Paid If One Does Not Follow Jesus Now! (Matt.25:30)

14. Have you counted the cost? Will you pay the price?
6/29/08 am & 7/6/08 am
Have you counted the cost? Will you pay the price?
Summary--Invitation