By Steve A. Hamilton

Introduction:  We live in an age in which people submit to certain religious doctrines for what the religion can provide to them personally.  We hear of people shopping for a place to worship.  They want to know if the church has a recreational facility; if they have coffee and donuts in the foyer; if meals are provided after services.  I even heard of churches annually raffling cars to its members.

          I can’t help but wonder if anyone has counted the cost of Discipleship?    Have they given any thought to what it means to be a Christian? 

I.  Christ lived in an age not unlike our own generation.

          A.  People followed Christ for the wrong reasons (John 6:24-26).  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.”  It shouldn’t be surprising that when Jesus makes this clear to His audience that they decide to leave (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!   

II.  In a similar fashion, Christ addresses the cost of Discipleship (Luke 14:25-33).

          A.  Must hate family and self to be His disciple.  Friends at church 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 true discipleship (Matt.10:34-39).  If a church legitimately withdrew from my child, I would withdraw from that child as well.  I know too many Christians who show their lack of discipleship because of their support for their erring children.

                   3.  When we stay home from services in order to entertain family, we demonstrate our lack of discipleship.  Christ comes first.  For example, there was a Brother who died in Cary, N.C., while entertaining his family during Sunday morning services. 

                   4.  Is having a building to assemble more important than obeying God’s word?  In other words, if the building was sold, would you quit assembling or worse, start assembling at a denomination?  If so, you lack commitment to Christ.

          B.  Must bear your 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?  (Consider: Matt. 16:24-26; Mark 8:34-37; Luke 9:23-25.)

          C.  Must forsake all you 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.

          D.  You must give more to the Lord then an occasional contribution.  The story of the chicken and the pig is a good illustration.  The chicken invited the pig over for breakfast.  The chicken said, “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.”   

                   1.  Unfortunately, many members only wish to make an occasional contribution to the cause of Christ while expecting others like the preacher to be committed.

                   2.  One member told me that he wouldn’t contribute as much to the Lord if I looked to move to another work.

                   3. I know of a brother in Christ who felt he had to withhold his contributions for fear the church would spend the money in a way he didn’t approve.           

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

          A.  Notice they gave themselves FIRST to the Lord.

          B.  Why?  Because 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).

Conclusion:  When the multitudes departed Christ 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