Beacon Hill Church
The Cost of Discipleship
Sermon: Luke 14:25-33
Locations & Times
Beacon Hill Church - Main Campus (English)
1990 Norco Dr, Norco, CA 92860, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
In most Bibles this text of scripture is titled, “The Cost of Discipleship” or “The Cost of Being a Disciple”.
· Jesus calls upon those who would be his followers to “count the cost”.
· A decision for Jesus Christ in the first century marked a person and came with a cost – alienation and persecution.
· The cost of discipleship refers to the commitment required to follow Jesus, which involves prioritizing him above all else and living a life that reflects his teaching even when it comes with personal sacrifices.
JESUS THEN PRESENTS A PICTURE OF A MAN CONTEMPLATING BUILDING A TOWER:
· Before building, the wise person assesses the expense. One does not build the tower, despite its benefits, until one knows it is affordable and that can be brought to completion.
· The wise decision involved reflection, not reaction. Sitting and calculating the cost means a reasoned assessment.
So, Jesus suggests, should it be with discipleship: one should assess whether one is ready to take on the personal commitment and sacrifice required to follow Jesus
This is not about earning or paying for salvation. Salvation is a gift of God
· Jesus calls upon those who would be his followers to “count the cost”.
· A decision for Jesus Christ in the first century marked a person and came with a cost – alienation and persecution.
· The cost of discipleship refers to the commitment required to follow Jesus, which involves prioritizing him above all else and living a life that reflects his teaching even when it comes with personal sacrifices.
JESUS THEN PRESENTS A PICTURE OF A MAN CONTEMPLATING BUILDING A TOWER:
· Before building, the wise person assesses the expense. One does not build the tower, despite its benefits, until one knows it is affordable and that can be brought to completion.
· The wise decision involved reflection, not reaction. Sitting and calculating the cost means a reasoned assessment.
So, Jesus suggests, should it be with discipleship: one should assess whether one is ready to take on the personal commitment and sacrifice required to follow Jesus
This is not about earning or paying for salvation. Salvation is a gift of God
WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT FOLLOWING THROUGH ON ONE’S COMMITMENT TO FOLLOW CHRIST?
THE SECOND PARABLE PRESENTS A KING CONTEMPLATING WAR (vv. 31-32)
· Will he take the field of battle in which his forces are greatly outnumbers?
· Or will he make peace and reconcile with the one who has all the power?
The second parable asks one to consider what refusing to follow Jesus will mean. Jesus is the one who possesses all the power and authority.
THE SECOND PARABLE PRESENTS A KING CONTEMPLATING WAR (vv. 31-32)
· Will he take the field of battle in which his forces are greatly outnumbers?
· Or will he make peace and reconcile with the one who has all the power?
The second parable asks one to consider what refusing to follow Jesus will mean. Jesus is the one who possesses all the power and authority.
Jesus summarizes his comments by telling the crowd: In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples. (V. 33 - NIV)
THIS IS A SOMBER CHARGE: Jesus calls us to TOTAL COMMITMENT
A disciple’s attachments are potentially the most destructive thing for discipleship.
· This verse doesn't mean we have to sell everything we own and give the money to the poor.
· It means we need to release our love of our possessions and all else to the Lord and put Him at the center of our priorities and affection.
During His earthly ministry, Jesus spoke to the multitudes; yet he took the time to call to the ONE to follow Him.
· Today Jesus still calls men and women; boys and girls to follow him.
· He calls to the ONE to come and follow Him.
According to scriptures in Acts 1:15 there were 120 believers who counted the cost and remained in Jerusalem with the Apostles to await the Promised of the Holy Spirit.
The 120 were filled with the Spirit that day and the Church of Jesus Christ was birthed. From that 120 believers the Good News of Jesus spread throughout the known world and the followers of Jesus Christ multiplied.
In 312 A.D. Emperor Constantine had a conversion experience and legalized Christianity in 313 A.D.
There are approximately 2.4 billion people who identify as Christians in the world today. This makes Christianity the largest religion globally, representing about a third of the world's population.
WHAT CAN A COMMITTED MINORITY DO IN THE GREAT SCHEME OF THINGS?
· THEY CAN TRANSFORM THEIR WORLD
JESUS IS CALLING
THIS IS A SOMBER CHARGE: Jesus calls us to TOTAL COMMITMENT
A disciple’s attachments are potentially the most destructive thing for discipleship.
· This verse doesn't mean we have to sell everything we own and give the money to the poor.
· It means we need to release our love of our possessions and all else to the Lord and put Him at the center of our priorities and affection.
During His earthly ministry, Jesus spoke to the multitudes; yet he took the time to call to the ONE to follow Him.
· Today Jesus still calls men and women; boys and girls to follow him.
· He calls to the ONE to come and follow Him.
According to scriptures in Acts 1:15 there were 120 believers who counted the cost and remained in Jerusalem with the Apostles to await the Promised of the Holy Spirit.
The 120 were filled with the Spirit that day and the Church of Jesus Christ was birthed. From that 120 believers the Good News of Jesus spread throughout the known world and the followers of Jesus Christ multiplied.
In 312 A.D. Emperor Constantine had a conversion experience and legalized Christianity in 313 A.D.
There are approximately 2.4 billion people who identify as Christians in the world today. This makes Christianity the largest religion globally, representing about a third of the world's population.
WHAT CAN A COMMITTED MINORITY DO IN THE GREAT SCHEME OF THINGS?
· THEY CAN TRANSFORM THEIR WORLD
JESUS IS CALLING