To Count the Cost
Luke 14:28 “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?”
Luke 14:31 “Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?”
The Lord told His disciples that they were to count the cost of service, and following Him.
He gave two examples; and one of building, and one of warfare.
We are to do both.
If we follow Christ, we will be in a battle against the wiles of the Devil. The Adversary will seek to dissuade us, by fear. Or seek to hinder and destroy our peace, if we stand with Christ.
If we follow Christ, we are to build. First we are to build our house upon the Rock of Christ and His Word.
Then we are to add to the building of the Church. From the foundation to the roof, we are to build up His Church, by edification (teaching); exhortation (to wake up) and comfort.
1 Corinthians 3:10 “According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.”
We are to count the cost, because to stand with Jesus in this world, will cause you to be mocked, hated, ridiculed, and left out of, a lot of what the world has.
You sit down and count the cost. And He says to do it first.
To run after Christ emotionally, will play out. (Emotions do)
To run after Christ mentally, will lead you to reasons, and when reasons run out, so do you.
To run after Christ willfully, will lead you to count the cost for yourself, and choose.
Christ wants you to run after Him willfully; eyes wide open, to what is ahead.
He has a great life for all who follow Him; here: peace, and joy in Christ Jesus, even amid the trouble this life gives (and He always tells His disciples that there will be trouble).
There, in Heaven: face to face with Christ; which makes heaven, heaven.
Luke 14:33 “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.”
“Forsaketh” here means to bid adieu, to depart from, to leave.
We are to count the cost of giving up all that we have, for the life Christ has for us.
This is not saying that He will require all things; He certainly will require you to give up sin, and anything which leads to it.
But, you need to count the cost, as He says.
That way you know, if there is something in your life that you will refuse to give up, even for Christ’s sake.
That is what counting the cost means. Christ requires of His servants, that they should obey Him, and His words to Him. It costs everyone the same amount: everything.
Jesus did not seek to persuade men to follow Him with false promises.
He spoke plainly, that to follow Him was the most costly of decisions.
Luke 14:25-26 “And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,
If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.”
Multitudes were following Christ, but instead of encouraging them, He put a hurtle in front of them.
Why? Because to follow Christ for any other reason but love for Him, will not stand the test of time, of battle, of worldly affections.
But love for Christ will follow on. Maybe slowly here, and faster in other circumstances. With failings and triumphs; our life with Christ, in love, moves ever forward.
“To follow Me means that the emotions you feel for everything else, even yourself, will be like hatred in comparison to the love you have to Me.”
Are you a disciple of Christ Jesus? Have you counted the cost?
Preaching, Teaching, and Notes 