The Cost of Following!

Lesson 2

Getting started…

• What things in life do you first “count the cost”?

Getting started…

• Why count the cost of being a disciple of Jesus?

Count the CostLuke 14:28-32

•  28"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? 29For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, 30saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'

Count the CostLuke 14:28-32

• 31"Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace.

Getting started…

• Why can we never fully know how much it will “cost” to follow Jesus?

The cost…SpirituallyEphesians 5:3-12

•  3But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

The cost…SpirituallyEphesians 5:3-12

• 6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7Therefore do not be partners with them. 8For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light… 11Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.

The cost…Spiritually

• It seems like following Jesus is all credit, not a cost, yet what is the spiritual cost?

The cost…Spiritually

• What am I unwilling or struggling to give up that is still part of the sinful nature?

The cost…Spiritually

• Jesus rescued us from our sinful nature to make us “light in the Lord.” How does this make a difference in our following Jesus?

The cost…FinaciallyMatthew 19:16-23

•  16Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"  17"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments."

•  18"Which ones?" the man inquired. •    Jesus replied, " 'Do not murder, do not

commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony,

The cost…FinaciallyMatthew 19:16-23

• 19honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'"

•  20"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?"

•  21Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

•  22When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

The cost…Financially

• Describe the cost this man was unwilling to pay.

The cost…Financially

• If you were the man Jesus was talking to, what would you have done?

The cost…Physically2 Corinthians 11:23-27

• I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26I have been constantly on the move.

The cost…Physically2 Corinthians 11:23-27

• I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. 27I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.

The cost…Financially

• How easily would you endure physical harm for Jesus?

(Check out www.persecution.com)

The cost…SociallyLuke 14:26-27

• 26"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. 27And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

The cost…Socially

• I thought Jesus promoted, “Love your neighbor”? Why in this instance does he tell us to hate?

The cost…Socially

• What social “cost” have you paid in your life of following the Lord?

The cost…Count it…

• Which area has “cost” you the most in following Jesus?

– Spiritually?– Financially?– Physically?– Socially?

The Cost of Following!

Lesson 2