Count the Cost

Luke 14:25-30

November 13, 2005

Summit AM

Tom Painter

Theme: We often fail to achieve God’s full purpose in our lives by settling for things that are 2^nd best. Rather than trusting God fully, we hold back in order to gain a sense of control and security. Scripture calls us to lay it all on the altar before God. When we trust in God’s promises, we will live an abundant life that is rich in meaning and impact upon our world. Anything less than full sacrifice is wasting life God has blessed us with. God’s servant today needs to have: 1. Faith 2. Action 3. Servant’s heart 4. Confidence 5. Spiritual Perspective 6. Sacrificial devotion. When we know God in ever-deepening ways, these attributes will be revealed.

Introduction:

• Collector’s pennies to buy chewing gum.
• We are outraged when something of real value is traded for something of little intrinsic value (Handmade antique quilt used to dry the car)
• Our lives have real value to God! Are we trading them for that which has no value?
• God has devoted his attention to man for the past 6000 years.
• What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but forfeit his soul – Mark 8:36
• For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life – John 3:16
• Let’s examine the life of Paul, arguably the most dedicated Christian of any age, to see how we can live in a way that does not waste the precious life God has given.

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Paul’s Situation:

· Saul: Pharisee, Studied under Gamaliel, Excelled in Judaism, Roman citizen, Zealous for God

· Light on the way to Damascus to arrest/kill Christians

· God’s call:

o I will show him how much he must suffer – Acts 9:16

· What did it cost?

o Career/power/fame

o Rejection by the Jewish nation that he loved

o Wealth

o Persecution (beating, shipwreck, imprisonment, rejection)

o Martyr

TRANSITION: Imagine you are Paul at this watershed moment in your life. What do you choose? How do you decide?

Paul’s Response:

• The rest of Paul’s life demonstrates the decision he made:
• He exhibited the following traits that we should all have in our lives:
• Faith: He trusted God to give him the means to accomplish any task he placed before him. I can do all things through him who gives me strength – Philippians 4:13
• Action: He did not quibble or delay he set about doing God’s will. Within a few days he had stirred up the Jews to the point that they plotted to kill him.
• Servant’s Heart: He recognized himself as the Lord’s servant above all else; and gloried in that exalted position. To live is Christ to die is gain – Philippians 1:21
• Philippians 3:8-11 -- 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ-the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 10 I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

• Sacrificial Devotion: He counted the cost of his faithfulness and held nothing back.decided a life lived in God’s service is greater than any cost.
• Spiritual Perspective: He looked beyond the practical difficulties of the task before him and saw the beauty in being used for God’s purpose

TRANSITION: God asked much of Paul and he responded in faith and action. What has God asked of us?

Our Situation:

· God has called us to:

o Romans 12:1 – Offer our bodies as living sacrifice

o Matthew 28:19 – Go into all the world

o Matthew 16:24 – Deny yourself and take up your cross daily

· What holds us back from following through on these commands?

o We have not counted the cost and decided to pay it:

§ Luke 14:25-30 – Count the cost of building before you start

§ Self-determination: I don’t call the shots, I am a slave to God

§ Relationship to the World: In the world, but not of the world

§ Time, Money, Friends, Family, Possessions -- maybe even life itself

· When disciples were deserting Jesus, Peter asked: “to whom do we go? You have the words of life” – John 6:68

o The cost is high

o The reward is greater

o Acts 3:19 – Repent and be converted (to turn away from world and to God) so that times of refreshing may come

§ Unfortunately we sometimes try to compromise with God. “I’ll do this much in exchange for salvation”

§ If we are properly converted, we make Christ lord of our life. Then we know the peace that passes understanding.

· {optional} Matthew 13:18 – The thorns of life choke the Word and make it unfruitful

Application:

• Like Elijah on Mount Carmel: "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him." -- 1 Kings 18:21
• To please God and gain all the blessings he has promised, we must fully commit ourselves to God!
• This decision rests with each individual, family and church
• Husbands & Fathers: As the spiritual leader of your family what do you choose? Count the cost and make a choice. If you choose to serve God then what do you need to lay before God?
• Parents: What will you model for you children? What will you encourage your children to do with their lives? Athelete/Doctor/Scientist/Lawyer or Preacher/Missionary/Elder/Teacher or their wife
• FHU representative will be here tonight to talk about Christian education. Will you have your children here to hear about this opportunity?
• {optional} Josh 24:14-15

14 "Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15 But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

Conclusion

· Life is precious, don’t waste it!

· Christians:

o God calls his people to be holy, set apart for his service, devoted? Will you recommit your life to Christ this morning? Publicly or privately lets all count the cost then recommit our lives to Christ this morning.

· Not Yet Christians:

o Count the cost and reward of following the world(Satan): sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.-- Galatians 5:19-21

o Count the cost and reward of following Christ: Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord --, Acts 3:19