By Steve A. Hamilton

Luke 9:23-26

Introduction:  Are we more like chickens or pigs?  The story goes that the chicken invited the pig over for breakfast.  The chicken suggested, “I’ll provide the eggs if you will provide the bacon.”  In protest the pig replied, “Wait a minute, you want me to make a commitment while you are only making a contribution.”

          Much like members in the Lord’s church, there are those who are committed to the Lord even if it means their life while others only make a contribution.    

          Have we counted the cost of Discipleship?  Are we willing to provide the bacon or just eggs?

I. Christ addresses the cost of Discipleship (Luke 14:25-33).

          A.  We must hate family and self to be His disciple.  Friends or family cannot come before Christ.

                   1. Paul understood this principle (Acts 20:24).  His life meant nothing when compared to the gospel.

                   2. Life itself cannot stand in the way of discipleship (Matt.10:34-39). 

                   3. When we stay home from services in order to entertain family, we demonstrate our lack of discipleship.  I know a Brother in Christ who died while entertaining his family during Sunday morning services.

                   4. If the church building was sold, would we quit assembling or worse, start assembling at a denomination?  If so, we lack commitment to Christ.

                   5. If the church legitimately withdrew from our child, would we withdraw from that child as well?  Too many Christians show their lack of discipleship because of their support for their erring children.

          B. We must bear our cross to be His disciple.  Have we considered the cost?  Would a contractor build a house without considering the cost of construction?  Does a Nation go to war without considering the likelihood of victory? 

          C. Consider what Jesus was willing to give up for the Father (Matt. 16:24-26; Mark 8:34-37; Luke 9:23-25).  Jesus said this after informing His disciples that he was going to be tortured and killed by the Jews.  Peter objected to the notion that such a cost would not happen (Matt. 16:21-23).  Jesus said neither His life nor our lives are more important than following the Lord!

          D.  We must forsake all we have to be His disciple. The best illustration of this is the rich young ruler (Mark 10:17-22).  He couldn’t be a disciple if he was only going to contribute to the cause of Christ.  We must give more to the Lord then an occasional contribution. 

II. The churches in Macedonia valued their commitment to Christ (2 Cor. 8:1-5).

          A. Notice they gave themselves FIRST to the Lord.

          B. The chance of salvation is like a treasure in a field or a pearl of great price for those who are committed to Christ (Matt. 13:44-46).

III. Not unlike our own generation, people followed Christ for the wrong reasons (John 6:24-26). 

          A. They followed Jesus for the food that they could eat!  They didn’t follow Him because they recognized the miracles were from God.  They didn’t follow Him because He was the bread of life (John 6:35, 48, 51).  They followed Him for their own benefits. 

          B. Jesus points out that there are no true benefits except that which results in everlasting life (John 6:27).  In other words, Christ is saying, “come follow me.”        

          C. When Jesus made it clear they had to be committed to Him they left  (John 6:66).  They left because they understood there would be no meals for them.  They weren’t going to get a car to drive.  They weren’t going to have a nice recreational facility.  There wouldn’t be any coffee and donuts in the morning!  Simply, they were not committed to the Lord! They weren’t even willing to provide the eggs (i.e. contribute).

Conclusion:  When the multitudes departed leaving the twelve Apostles, Jesus asked, “Do you also want to go away?”  Notice Peter’s reply (John 6:68-69). Have we truly committed our lives to Christ?  If not, why not now? 

Song #286, “Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone?”

         #266, “Have You Counted The Cost?”

Last modified: 05/02/08