"Is the Cost of Following Jesus Worth It? Exploring the True Price of Discipleship"

I read this great book by Steven J. Lawson when I became serious about my walk with Jesus.

When He became real to me.

The book is called It will Cost you everything.

Here Jesus was teaching about the cost of being a disciple.

Scripture tell us in Luke 14:27 The red letters of Jesus, says

"And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple ." NLT

"Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." ESV

"Whoever does not carry his own cross (expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come )

and follow Me (believing in Me, conforming to My example in the living and, if need be suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me ) cannot be My disciple. Amp

Wow ! Well that was hard to read. I cant be a disciple of Jesus if I don’t carry my own cross and follow him ?

Yup ...thats right.

So lets see how we can carry own cross so we CAN be a disciple of Jesus.

This is a journey for life that comes with a price.

It's a commitment-one that will last a lifetime.

A sacrifice and willingness

A call to follow HIM not the other way around.

So...whats the price ?

Your old way of life

Living for this world

Old ways you are use to

Suffering in this world because you serve Jesus

Unpopular to this world

opposition  and persecution  from the world.

Are you still there?? Are you still with me ???

Lets do a little self-examination .

How can we apply this to our everyday lives.

*Get in to the word daily - Read your bible

*Carving time out to pray and read His word

*Rearranging schedules

*Putting aside any distractions

*be consistent  show up everyday

*Invite Him in to your quiet time

*Pray

*don’t give up KEEP GOING !

Back to the book. Jesus is inviting you in . He is calling you to take steps of faith and follow His direction for your life. Our spiritual journey determines how we live our daily lives. What are your motives, desires, thoughts, choices, and actions. More importantly are they in alignment with Jesus.

Scripture Tells us to calculate the cost.

Before we start to build a project any wise builder would first count the cost.

A wise builder would never be so foolish as to begin the build without calculating the cost.

*Sacrifice

*suffering

*opposition

*your time

NON-NEGOTIABLE

If we take a look back at the pervious verse, Jesus says some shocking words in Luke 14:26

If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life he cannot be My disciple

WAIT, STOP .... The fifth commandment says that we are to honor our father and mother (EX20:11)

Here it comes .

The invitation and Jesus did not exclude anyone from this.

He welcomes all of us no matter where we've been in this life,or where we are in our walk even today .

We are personally invited by Jesus himself !!

This same invitation had been extended by Jesus many times. Earlier, He said: Enter the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and the gate is wide for many who choose that way. BUT.. The gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only few ever find it. (Matt7:13)

Here we see Jesus calls this a narrow gate. We see 4 examples of the choices we have to make.

1.The narrow gate or the broad road -. we have a choice on which one to take

2. The good tree or the bad tree- what kind of fruit will we produce ?

3. True or false discipleship -what kind of commitment will you make ?

4. A shaky foundation -which one will you build your life upon .

It means the commitment to follow HIM, no matter the cost. The cross was a scarifice He made provided us with the opporturnity for an eternal relationship with Jesus. We have to strive to be like Jesus. That is why its so important to have a relationship with Him. To know Him , to know what He said and what he did. Believing in Jesus is the only way to the Kingdom of God, because He alone died for our sins and made us acceptable to God. Living His way may not be popular or easy, but it is true and right. Thank Him for providing a way for us to be with Him.

When we apply His teachings and become more like him our life is different. We no longer crave this world and what it has to offer. We get rid of idols in this world, we start to look different to others, we cant be a "halfway disciple". Jesus's diciples walked with him for 3 years learning, observing, and participating in His miracles. They still could not follow Him faithfully on their own . Jesus know they needed help . Thats the help of the Holy Spirit. The Holy spirit indwells in the heart of every believer. The action which Jesus takes permanent residence in the body of a believer. A learner that follows. This teaching of Jesus is to emphasis on self-denial and surrender . Jesus will not accept second place in your life. Live for Him , learn Him, surrender to Him.

Under new Management .

Do not love the world or the things of the world.

Be careful who you follow

Watch who and what you are giving attention to

Beware of the false teachers of this world.

A.W towser says it this way " The emphasis of the crucified life was to press forward-regardless of the difficulties and in spit of the cost- to the state of spiritual perfection.

Paul reminds us in Philippians 3:12- I don’t  mean to say that I already achieved these things or that I already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus

first possessed me.

Did you Know ?

Christian is the diminutive (small) form for Christ, meaning "little Christ" . It was the first term of derision, intended to mock the early believers.

Lets Pray

Father , We come to gloify you and to lift you high above all . You are a lamp to our feet as we walk in the wilderness. Help us to count the cost of following you . Self-examine ourselves to be a disciple of yours.

I pray that we invite you in and give you full control of our lives. To count the cost to follow you . We know that it comes with a price . Help us to stay focused as we follow you. Give us the ears to hear you. Help us to put aside all distractions. I pray for us to be reminded when we feel driven or overwelmed to keep going knowing that our strengh comes from you.

Help us this week to evaluate our lives as we focus on putting you first in our day. Help us to pray and ask you for a teachable heart and spirit and to open our hearts . May we empty ourselves so you can fill us Father. May our lives relect yours as we navigate from wanderers to wonderers.

Its in your heavenly name we pray ~Amen