WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.660 Thank you very much, Sabina. 00:00:04.520 --> 00:00:05.379 Well, good morning. 00:00:05.600 --> 00:00:07.200 Let me add my welcome to Ian's. 00:00:07.259 --> 00:00:08.060 My name is Alistair. 00:00:08.359 --> 00:00:09.980 I'm on the staff here at Brunsfield. 00:00:10.359 --> 00:00:11.580 Now, as Sabina read that passage, 00:00:11.660 --> 00:00:13.519 I'm sure there was some stuff in there 00:00:13.519 --> 00:00:15.259 that was pretty hard-hitting, 00:00:15.759 --> 00:00:18.219 some things that maybe we don't like. 00:00:19.000 --> 00:00:22.400 So let me just pray before we look at this passage 00:00:22.400 --> 00:00:23.320 and ask for God's help. 00:00:25.580 --> 00:00:26.980 Loving God and Heavenly Father, 00:00:27.039 --> 00:00:28.620 we thank you so much for your word. 00:00:28.620 --> 00:00:31.280 We thank you for what it has to say to us, 00:00:31.339 --> 00:00:32.439 for what it has to teach us. 00:00:32.939 --> 00:00:34.000 And Lord, I pray this morning, 00:00:34.060 --> 00:00:36.100 as we look at a difficult passage, 00:00:36.260 --> 00:00:37.160 that you would help us, 00:00:38.060 --> 00:00:39.799 that you would help us learn from you. 00:00:40.579 --> 00:00:42.420 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:00:44.640 --> 00:00:46.359 Have you ever been in a situation 00:00:46.359 --> 00:00:48.340 where there were hidden costs? 00:00:49.760 --> 00:00:51.900 So when my family and I first moved to Romania, 00:00:52.060 --> 00:00:54.439 we discovered that if you ordered food in a restaurant, 00:00:54.859 --> 00:00:56.079 that that was all you would get. 00:00:56.079 --> 00:00:59.239 So for example, you'd be sitting in a restaurant, 00:00:59.339 --> 00:01:01.000 you see this menu, and you see this burger, 00:01:01.100 --> 00:01:01.479 and you'd be like, 00:01:01.579 --> 00:01:03.039 oh man, that looks so nice. 00:01:03.460 --> 00:01:04.679 It looks absolutely amazing. 00:01:04.879 --> 00:01:06.379 And then, of course, it's cheap, 00:01:06.500 --> 00:01:07.400 so you order it. 00:01:08.500 --> 00:01:09.780 But what we didn't realize 00:01:09.780 --> 00:01:11.239 is that if you ordered it, 00:01:11.280 --> 00:01:12.359 that was all you would get. 00:01:13.519 --> 00:01:14.700 So you're sitting there, 00:01:14.759 --> 00:01:16.280 and the waiter brings out this burger, 00:01:16.359 --> 00:01:17.140 and you're disappointed. 00:01:17.400 --> 00:01:18.299 There is no chips. 00:01:18.959 --> 00:01:19.799 There's no sauce. 00:01:19.859 --> 00:01:20.480 There's no salad. 00:01:20.579 --> 00:01:21.259 There's no nothing. 00:01:22.079 --> 00:01:23.540 If you wanted anything else, 00:01:23.579 --> 00:01:24.719 if you wanted all the trimmings, 00:01:24.920 --> 00:01:26.040 you had to order them separately. 00:01:26.140 --> 00:01:27.420 So suddenly that cheap burger 00:01:27.420 --> 00:01:28.680 isn't that cheap anymore. 00:01:28.820 --> 00:01:29.980 There were hidden costs. 00:01:31.420 --> 00:01:32.980 Well, maybe you've received an email, 00:01:33.600 --> 00:01:35.160 or you've seen on a billboard 00:01:35.160 --> 00:01:38.260 that you can fly away to this dream destination 00:01:38.260 --> 00:01:40.060 for as little as 15 pounds. 00:01:41.800 --> 00:01:42.439 You love it. 00:01:42.900 --> 00:01:43.760 So I looked this week 00:01:43.760 --> 00:01:45.820 to see how much a flight to Romania would cost. 00:01:45.880 --> 00:01:47.580 My parents would love it if I went for a visit. 00:01:47.579 --> 00:01:50.319 And I saw a flight for 15 pounds. 00:01:50.459 --> 00:01:51.359 It's next to nothing. 00:01:52.620 --> 00:01:54.079 But they catch you with a hidden cost, 00:01:54.159 --> 00:01:56.420 because you realize that that flight is one way. 00:01:57.239 --> 00:01:58.959 The taxes haven't been added on. 00:01:59.500 --> 00:02:00.459 There's no luggage. 00:02:01.060 --> 00:02:02.959 That you might even have to pay to check in. 00:02:03.039 --> 00:02:04.219 You might even have to use the, 00:02:04.219 --> 00:02:06.519 you have to pay to use the toilet on some planes. 00:02:06.659 --> 00:02:07.519 It's insane. 00:02:08.020 --> 00:02:09.219 So suddenly that flight, 00:02:09.360 --> 00:02:10.780 which was 15 pounds, 00:02:10.860 --> 00:02:12.740 or 14.99 as they like to put it, 00:02:12.979 --> 00:02:15.579 is suddenly 150 pounds. 00:02:15.580 --> 00:02:19.400 That cheap deal was full of hidden costs. 00:02:20.440 --> 00:02:23.420 But we like to know exactly the price of something. 00:02:23.520 --> 00:02:25.140 We like to know what something costs, 00:02:25.200 --> 00:02:28.100 so that we can adjust our lives accordingly, don't we? 00:02:29.580 --> 00:02:31.420 And I think this principle also carries 00:02:31.420 --> 00:02:33.320 into many other areas in our lives. 00:02:33.380 --> 00:02:34.980 So take faith, for example. 00:02:35.680 --> 00:02:38.320 I want to know what it is that I believe. 00:02:39.080 --> 00:02:40.740 And I want to know what implications 00:02:40.740 --> 00:02:43.000 my beliefs will have on my life. 00:02:43.000 --> 00:02:46.599 I want to make sure that there are no hidden costs 00:02:46.599 --> 00:02:48.039 in the Christian faith. 00:02:49.539 --> 00:02:51.699 And the passage that Sabina read to us earlier, 00:02:52.280 --> 00:02:54.759 in it Jesus explicitly tells the crowd 00:02:54.759 --> 00:02:58.219 that was around him about the cost of following Jesus. 00:02:59.280 --> 00:03:01.759 Jesus makes sure that there are no hidden costs. 00:03:02.800 --> 00:03:04.340 So if you have a Bible in front of you, 00:03:04.479 --> 00:03:06.520 I'd encourage you to keep it open. 00:03:06.840 --> 00:03:08.000 And you'll see from verse 25 00:03:08.000 --> 00:03:10.979 that Jesus is speaking to a crowd. 00:03:12.300 --> 00:03:13.620 So throughout the book of Luke, 00:03:13.699 --> 00:03:15.419 there's a distinction between the crowd 00:03:15.419 --> 00:03:16.840 and the disciples. 00:03:18.180 --> 00:03:20.080 The disciples were a group of people 00:03:20.080 --> 00:03:22.159 who had given up everything that they had 00:03:22.159 --> 00:03:23.120 to follow Jesus. 00:03:23.560 --> 00:03:25.120 They went everywhere he went. 00:03:25.199 --> 00:03:25.939 They ate with him. 00:03:26.020 --> 00:03:27.219 They listened to all of his teaching 00:03:27.219 --> 00:03:28.599 and they acted on it. 00:03:29.259 --> 00:03:30.639 These men were dedicated. 00:03:30.819 --> 00:03:31.840 They were true disciples. 00:03:31.840 --> 00:03:35.120 But the crowd weren't like that at all. 00:03:36.039 --> 00:03:38.060 You see, curiosity is one thing, 00:03:38.379 --> 00:03:39.580 but being a disciple, 00:03:39.759 --> 00:03:41.699 being a follower of Jesus is another. 00:03:43.340 --> 00:03:45.620 There were many people who accompanied Jesus, 00:03:46.099 --> 00:03:48.099 but they weren't really following him 00:03:48.099 --> 00:03:51.140 because they weren't really learning from him. 00:03:51.140 --> 00:03:53.659 They simply wanted to benefit from his ministry. 00:03:54.500 --> 00:03:57.400 They didn't want it to have any implications 00:03:57.400 --> 00:03:58.419 on their lives. 00:03:59.560 --> 00:04:01.919 So they followed Jesus at a distance in a way. 00:04:02.039 --> 00:04:03.379 They listened to his teaching. 00:04:03.560 --> 00:04:04.759 They might have even enjoyed it. 00:04:05.240 --> 00:04:06.259 But at the end of the day, 00:04:06.319 --> 00:04:07.800 they went home and carried on life 00:04:07.800 --> 00:04:09.659 as if nothing had ever happened. 00:04:10.060 --> 00:04:12.579 These people were not counting the cost. 00:04:14.359 --> 00:04:15.519 And all through Luke's gospel, 00:04:16.319 --> 00:04:17.899 they've been following Jesus. 00:04:18.040 --> 00:04:20.100 They've heard his teaching about the kingdom of God. 00:04:20.519 --> 00:04:22.920 They've heard his teaching about how to get there 00:04:22.920 --> 00:04:23.980 through the narrow door. 00:04:25.120 --> 00:04:27.500 They heard last week as Paul took us through 00:04:27.500 --> 00:04:29.360 the free invitation of God 00:04:29.360 --> 00:04:31.580 to this great banquet that will be heaven. 00:04:33.100 --> 00:04:35.360 The kingdom of God is the language 00:04:35.360 --> 00:04:37.540 that the Bible uses to describe the place 00:04:37.540 --> 00:04:38.259 we call heaven, 00:04:39.040 --> 00:04:41.460 where God and man dwell together. 00:04:41.700 --> 00:04:43.800 And in the previous section, 00:04:44.160 --> 00:04:46.139 Jesus illustrates this kingdom of God, 00:04:46.800 --> 00:04:48.160 illustrates heaven with a banquet. 00:04:50.280 --> 00:04:52.740 But now the crowd are going to hear a sobering truth. 00:04:53.840 --> 00:04:55.780 And that is that there is a cost to the kingdom. 00:04:57.040 --> 00:04:58.240 Jesus explains to them, 00:04:58.319 --> 00:05:00.040 if they want to be in the kingdom of God, 00:05:00.080 --> 00:05:02.180 then they have to count the cost. 00:05:03.020 --> 00:05:04.699 If they're to be followers of Jesus, 00:05:04.840 --> 00:05:07.379 they don't only need to listen to Jesus' teaching, 00:05:07.460 --> 00:05:08.819 but they need to act on it. 00:05:09.520 --> 00:05:11.040 They need to respond to it. 00:05:11.060 --> 00:05:12.500 They need to count the cost. 00:05:13.240 --> 00:05:14.879 Salvation is so valuable 00:05:14.879 --> 00:05:17.720 that if receiving it as a gift 00:05:17.720 --> 00:05:19.920 involves losing everything else, 00:05:19.920 --> 00:05:22.560 we would be foolish not to accept the loss. 00:05:23.960 --> 00:05:27.100 And so the big question that Jesus is asking the crowd 00:05:27.100 --> 00:05:28.580 and asking us this morning 00:05:28.580 --> 00:05:30.560 is are you counting the cost? 00:05:32.840 --> 00:05:35.540 Jesus mentions three costs in this passage. 00:05:36.620 --> 00:05:39.660 The first is that Jesus must come before yourself. 00:05:40.600 --> 00:05:42.520 Sorry, Jesus must come before people. 00:05:42.519 --> 00:05:45.199 Secondly, Jesus must come before yourself. 00:05:45.379 --> 00:05:48.479 And thirdly, Jesus must come before your possessions. 00:05:50.120 --> 00:05:52.199 So Jesus is asking this morning, 00:05:52.379 --> 00:05:53.899 are you counting the cost? 00:05:55.120 --> 00:05:57.219 If you want to be a follower of Jesus, 00:05:57.299 --> 00:05:58.620 if you want to have a seat 00:05:58.620 --> 00:06:00.599 at this great banquet that is heaven, 00:06:00.719 --> 00:06:02.219 have you considered what it takes? 00:06:02.799 --> 00:06:04.259 Are you counting the cost? 00:06:04.259 --> 00:06:07.159 So let's look at these costs 00:06:07.159 --> 00:06:09.459 and see what Jesus has to teach us. 00:06:10.319 --> 00:06:11.659 The first cost of the kingdom 00:06:11.659 --> 00:06:14.800 is that Jesus must come before people 00:06:14.800 --> 00:06:17.139 in verses 25 to 26. 00:06:17.639 --> 00:06:18.759 Jesus before people. 00:06:19.819 --> 00:06:22.740 So here we see Jesus continuing his journey to Jerusalem. 00:06:23.379 --> 00:06:24.980 He's on his way to the cross. 00:06:25.379 --> 00:06:27.959 He's told the crowd about how they can be saved, 00:06:28.459 --> 00:06:30.079 how they can be in the kingdom of God, 00:06:30.199 --> 00:06:31.399 that heaven is like a banquet 00:06:31.399 --> 00:06:32.879 that all people are invited to. 00:06:32.959 --> 00:06:34.039 It's a free invitation. 00:06:35.000 --> 00:06:36.899 Now this is an amazing truth. 00:06:37.819 --> 00:06:39.319 That there even is a possibility, 00:06:39.480 --> 00:06:43.039 there is a way for us to dine with the king of kings. 00:06:43.699 --> 00:06:44.680 What a privilege. 00:06:46.759 --> 00:06:47.980 But for that to happen, 00:06:48.539 --> 00:06:50.659 for us to get to that great banquet, 00:06:50.819 --> 00:06:52.800 we need to put Jesus before people. 00:06:54.379 --> 00:06:57.420 Now the language that Jesus uses there in verse 26 00:06:57.420 --> 00:07:00.139 is tough stuff, isn't it? 00:07:01.659 --> 00:07:03.319 Now you might be sitting there thinking 00:07:03.319 --> 00:07:04.399 and asking this question, 00:07:04.480 --> 00:07:05.480 are you telling me 00:07:05.480 --> 00:07:07.759 that for me to be a follower of Jesus, 00:07:07.879 --> 00:07:09.319 I need to hate my family? 00:07:10.540 --> 00:07:12.860 That I need to hate people and put Jesus 00:07:12.860 --> 00:07:15.120 and think only about Jesus? 00:07:15.240 --> 00:07:16.839 Is that what you're telling me? 00:07:17.699 --> 00:07:18.180 No. 00:07:18.180 --> 00:07:20.860 That is not what Jesus is saying. 00:07:20.860 --> 00:07:22.340 Jesus never says, 00:07:22.780 --> 00:07:25.840 never says that we should reject our family 00:07:25.840 --> 00:07:27.160 or our loved ones. 00:07:28.060 --> 00:07:31.960 But Jesus is saying that a disciple should love Jesus more 00:07:31.960 --> 00:07:33.579 than people. 00:07:34.480 --> 00:07:36.680 Jesus needs to be the priority. 00:07:36.960 --> 00:07:40.780 Jesus is emphasizing that a disciple must love him 00:07:40.780 --> 00:07:41.939 more than their family. 00:07:41.939 --> 00:07:45.719 A disciple needs to put Jesus as their first priority 00:07:45.719 --> 00:07:47.040 in their life. 00:07:48.300 --> 00:07:51.040 Jesus is saying that the love that one of his disciples 00:07:51.040 --> 00:07:53.060 should have for him is so great, 00:07:53.120 --> 00:07:55.759 so great that love for anything else 00:07:55.759 --> 00:07:57.100 would look like hatred. 00:07:59.319 --> 00:08:00.620 Now that is difficult stuff. 00:08:01.839 --> 00:08:04.159 Everyone in the room will know to some extent 00:08:04.159 --> 00:08:06.480 just how big this cost is. 00:08:06.480 --> 00:08:08.860 So let me ask you some questions. 00:08:10.960 --> 00:08:13.740 If you are a son or daughter here this morning, 00:08:14.420 --> 00:08:16.680 do you love Jesus more than you love your parents? 00:08:18.640 --> 00:08:20.300 If you're a parent here this morning, 00:08:20.379 --> 00:08:22.360 do you love Jesus more than you love your children? 00:08:24.900 --> 00:08:26.080 If you have siblings, 00:08:26.660 --> 00:08:27.759 do you love Jesus more? 00:08:29.360 --> 00:08:32.820 If you have friends who are just as close as family, 00:08:32.940 --> 00:08:34.740 do you love Jesus more than you love them? 00:08:34.740 --> 00:08:38.320 And if you're a husband or a wife in this room this morning, 00:08:38.419 --> 00:08:40.680 do you love Jesus more than you love your other half? 00:08:42.519 --> 00:08:44.139 That is what Jesus is asking. 00:08:44.240 --> 00:08:46.759 That is the cost of being a follower of Jesus. 00:08:46.960 --> 00:08:48.580 Are you counting the cost? 00:08:50.639 --> 00:08:54.100 Charles Studd was an English missionary in the 1800s 00:08:54.100 --> 00:08:55.940 and he gives us an amazing example 00:08:55.940 --> 00:08:57.279 of what this would look like. 00:08:57.940 --> 00:09:01.019 Every day he encouraged his wife to say a little poem 00:09:01.019 --> 00:09:03.019 so that she could keep her life in perspective, 00:09:03.019 --> 00:09:05.759 so that she could have her priorities right. 00:09:06.559 --> 00:09:08.500 So every day Priscilla Studd would say, 00:09:09.519 --> 00:09:10.299 Dear Lord Jesus, 00:09:11.299 --> 00:09:14.100 you are to me dearer than Charles ever could be. 00:09:16.199 --> 00:09:17.199 Could you say that? 00:09:19.039 --> 00:09:20.360 This really hit me this week 00:09:20.360 --> 00:09:21.779 as I was preparing this message 00:09:21.779 --> 00:09:23.279 and I was thinking, 00:09:23.399 --> 00:09:24.600 can I honestly say 00:09:24.600 --> 00:09:26.980 that I love Jesus more than I love my wife? 00:09:26.980 --> 00:09:30.139 That I love Jesus more than I love my family? 00:09:30.259 --> 00:09:32.019 That I love Jesus more than I love people? 00:09:33.259 --> 00:09:34.340 If I'm honest, 00:09:35.180 --> 00:09:36.060 probably not. 00:09:36.960 --> 00:09:37.899 It's difficult. 00:09:39.620 --> 00:09:41.080 Jesus says that he is to have 00:09:41.080 --> 00:09:43.600 our absolute loyalty and commitment. 00:09:44.480 --> 00:09:47.080 This is what kingdom people should be living like. 00:09:47.480 --> 00:09:48.320 Jesus first, 00:09:48.539 --> 00:09:49.720 Jesus before people. 00:09:50.320 --> 00:09:52.320 This is one cost of the kingdom. 00:09:52.320 --> 00:09:56.720 Jesus will not share his heart with another. 00:09:58.020 --> 00:10:00.420 Jesus will not share the heart of a person with another. 00:10:00.560 --> 00:10:01.800 He must come first. 00:10:02.379 --> 00:10:03.780 If we are followers of Jesus, 00:10:03.879 --> 00:10:05.800 then we can serve only him. 00:10:06.640 --> 00:10:08.860 He must have our full allegiance. 00:10:11.200 --> 00:10:13.020 And Jesus is saying to the crowd, 00:10:13.140 --> 00:10:14.540 If you wish to be my disciples, 00:10:14.740 --> 00:10:16.460 if you wish to be in this banquet, 00:10:16.560 --> 00:10:17.580 in the kingdom of God, 00:10:18.780 --> 00:10:21.540 then you must surrender all to Jesus. 00:10:21.539 --> 00:10:25.319 So let me ask you the question this morning. 00:10:26.079 --> 00:10:27.419 Are you counting the cost? 00:10:28.860 --> 00:10:31.740 Have you thought and considered with seriousness 00:10:31.740 --> 00:10:34.219 what it takes to follow Jesus? 00:10:35.719 --> 00:10:36.699 If you haven't, 00:10:36.740 --> 00:10:38.059 and you wouldn't say that you're a Christian, 00:10:38.179 --> 00:10:40.419 I want you to see that there is a cost. 00:10:41.919 --> 00:10:44.360 Life as a Christian is not a bed of roses, 00:10:44.360 --> 00:10:46.439 but it is a life of sacrifice 00:10:46.439 --> 00:10:48.719 and submission to the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:10:48.720 --> 00:10:53.480 But let me make one thing crystal clear this morning. 00:10:54.000 --> 00:10:56.180 Salvation is so valuable 00:10:56.180 --> 00:10:58.879 that if losing everything else, 00:10:59.720 --> 00:11:03.379 if it means losing everything else, 00:11:03.420 --> 00:11:05.500 then we would be foolish not to accept the loss. 00:11:06.660 --> 00:11:08.980 We would be foolish not to accept the loss 00:11:08.980 --> 00:11:11.920 because Jesus himself gave up everything 00:11:11.919 --> 00:11:15.019 so that we can get the most important thing, 00:11:15.159 --> 00:11:16.439 which is the forgiveness of sins 00:11:16.439 --> 00:11:18.399 and reconciliation with our creator. 00:11:21.519 --> 00:11:23.639 And Jesus isn't asking us to do this 00:11:23.639 --> 00:11:25.199 as someone who doesn't know what it's like. 00:11:26.479 --> 00:11:29.059 In fact, Jesus knows exactly what it's like 00:11:29.059 --> 00:11:32.159 to have God as a priority in his life. 00:11:33.539 --> 00:11:34.899 Remember where he is. 00:11:34.899 --> 00:11:39.299 He is on the road to Jerusalem. 00:11:39.459 --> 00:11:41.679 He is on his way to die on a cross. 00:11:42.799 --> 00:11:45.240 He is on his way to take the punishment 00:11:45.240 --> 00:11:47.199 for the sins of the world, 00:11:47.500 --> 00:11:49.740 even though he was sinless. 00:11:53.340 --> 00:11:56.179 Jesus also isn't saying that if we live like this, 00:11:56.240 --> 00:11:57.360 it will save us. 00:11:58.620 --> 00:12:00.519 He has made that clear in Luke's gospel. 00:12:00.639 --> 00:12:01.960 The only way to be saved, 00:12:01.960 --> 00:12:03.920 the only way to be made right with God 00:12:03.920 --> 00:12:05.879 is by believing in Jesus, 00:12:06.100 --> 00:12:07.680 by repenting of our sins, 00:12:07.759 --> 00:12:08.580 of our wrongdoings, 00:12:08.700 --> 00:12:10.060 and turning to God. 00:12:11.320 --> 00:12:13.960 Jesus isn't asking for moral people, 00:12:14.639 --> 00:12:16.160 but he's asking for people 00:12:16.160 --> 00:12:18.160 who understand their brokenness, 00:12:18.940 --> 00:12:21.519 people who understand their need for forgiveness, 00:12:22.560 --> 00:12:25.300 and people who turn to him 00:12:25.300 --> 00:12:27.360 because only Jesus can forgive us. 00:12:28.300 --> 00:12:30.360 Only Jesus can reconcile us with God. 00:12:30.440 --> 00:12:31.759 He is the only way to be saved, 00:12:31.759 --> 00:12:34.059 not by living a good moral life. 00:12:35.679 --> 00:12:38.399 Do you see the significance of Jesus' example? 00:12:39.460 --> 00:12:41.879 This is the Son of God. 00:12:42.659 --> 00:12:45.600 This is the person in whom and through whom 00:12:45.600 --> 00:12:47.019 the world was created 00:12:47.019 --> 00:12:48.460 and who holds it together. 00:12:49.539 --> 00:12:52.580 And he stooped down and died on a cross. 00:12:54.259 --> 00:12:56.179 Jesus counted the cost. 00:12:56.179 --> 00:13:00.379 Jesus knew where he was going. 00:13:01.559 --> 00:13:02.859 Jesus saw the cost 00:13:02.859 --> 00:13:04.459 and with absolute certainty, 00:13:04.620 --> 00:13:05.500 he said, yes, 00:13:05.699 --> 00:13:07.179 I am willing to pay it 00:13:07.179 --> 00:13:09.939 so that you and I can be reconciled with God. 00:13:12.439 --> 00:13:13.759 Now maybe you're here this morning, 00:13:13.839 --> 00:13:14.539 you say, yes, 00:13:14.599 --> 00:13:15.539 I believe this. 00:13:15.779 --> 00:13:16.959 I understand it. 00:13:17.479 --> 00:13:19.079 I have counted the cost. 00:13:20.060 --> 00:13:21.220 And I look out this morning 00:13:21.220 --> 00:13:22.180 and I know some of you 00:13:22.180 --> 00:13:23.460 are in difficult circumstances. 00:13:24.900 --> 00:13:26.540 Some of you feel this cost 00:13:26.540 --> 00:13:29.220 so heavily weighing on your hearts. 00:13:30.639 --> 00:13:32.240 Well, let this passage encourage you 00:13:32.240 --> 00:13:33.300 that Jesus understands. 00:13:35.100 --> 00:13:37.040 Jesus knows what you are going through. 00:13:37.120 --> 00:13:38.300 He knows your struggle. 00:13:38.299 --> 00:13:41.740 I also want you to consider 00:13:41.740 --> 00:13:42.359 what this means 00:13:42.359 --> 00:13:43.879 for your personal evangelism. 00:13:44.639 --> 00:13:45.839 What does this mean for you 00:13:45.839 --> 00:13:47.039 as you go and tell people 00:13:47.039 --> 00:13:48.740 about Jesus and the gospel? 00:13:50.079 --> 00:13:51.620 So often I think we try 00:13:51.620 --> 00:13:53.000 to make the gospel more attractive. 00:13:53.139 --> 00:13:54.399 We like to sugarcoat it. 00:13:54.919 --> 00:13:57.240 We don't like talking about judgment and sin 00:13:57.240 --> 00:13:59.259 because nobody likes to hear that. 00:14:00.779 --> 00:14:02.439 But if we are to be faithful 00:14:02.439 --> 00:14:03.620 in our witness of Jesus, 00:14:04.099 --> 00:14:05.539 then we need to tell people 00:14:05.539 --> 00:14:07.279 that there is a cost to following him. 00:14:07.279 --> 00:14:09.720 And the first part of that cost 00:14:09.720 --> 00:14:12.120 is that Jesus must come before people. 00:14:12.539 --> 00:14:14.120 Jesus before people. 00:14:15.759 --> 00:14:17.720 The second cost is that 00:14:17.720 --> 00:14:19.539 Jesus must come before yourself. 00:14:19.740 --> 00:14:21.559 Verse 26 to 27. 00:14:22.139 --> 00:14:23.419 Jesus before yourself. 00:14:24.720 --> 00:14:26.759 Jesus goes on and he says 00:14:26.759 --> 00:14:28.679 that we are to hate our own lives. 00:14:30.000 --> 00:14:31.399 Again, we need to remember 00:14:31.399 --> 00:14:33.199 that Jesus is saying 00:14:33.199 --> 00:14:34.399 that the love for our family 00:14:34.399 --> 00:14:35.339 and our own life 00:14:35.339 --> 00:14:36.399 must come secondary 00:14:36.399 --> 00:14:38.480 to the love that we have for him. 00:14:39.959 --> 00:14:41.879 Look at verse 27 with me. 00:14:43.579 --> 00:14:45.259 And whoever does not carry their cross 00:14:45.259 --> 00:14:45.959 and follow me 00:14:45.959 --> 00:14:47.740 cannot be my disciple. 00:14:49.799 --> 00:14:50.699 Jesus is saying 00:14:50.699 --> 00:14:52.159 that if we are to be followers of him, 00:14:52.199 --> 00:14:53.240 if we are to seriously 00:14:53.240 --> 00:14:54.379 count the cost 00:14:54.379 --> 00:14:56.559 of being in the kingdom, 00:14:56.740 --> 00:14:57.980 then we need to pick up 00:14:57.980 --> 00:14:59.379 our cross and follow him. 00:14:59.379 --> 00:15:01.779 Now I don't think 00:15:01.779 --> 00:15:03.100 the seriousness of what Jesus 00:15:03.100 --> 00:15:04.059 is saying here 00:15:04.059 --> 00:15:05.659 comes across in our culture today. 00:15:07.039 --> 00:15:08.240 So when people think 00:15:08.240 --> 00:15:09.159 of the cross nowadays, 00:15:09.360 --> 00:15:11.000 they would usually think of Jesus. 00:15:11.980 --> 00:15:13.639 Maybe they'd think of a church building 00:15:13.639 --> 00:15:14.759 or something like that. 00:15:15.600 --> 00:15:16.820 Or maybe they'd link it 00:15:16.820 --> 00:15:18.240 with an emotional point 00:15:18.240 --> 00:15:18.939 in their lives 00:15:18.939 --> 00:15:19.759 where the cross was 00:15:19.759 --> 00:15:20.659 an encouragement to them. 00:15:20.720 --> 00:15:21.659 So they look at the cross 00:15:21.659 --> 00:15:22.500 with fondness. 00:15:23.700 --> 00:15:25.340 We all see things differently 00:15:25.340 --> 00:15:26.960 based on the culture we're in. 00:15:26.960 --> 00:15:27.800 So for example, 00:15:28.320 --> 00:15:30.400 I would have absolutely no problem 00:15:30.400 --> 00:15:32.100 chucking on some wellies 00:15:32.100 --> 00:15:33.139 and some dirty trousers 00:15:33.139 --> 00:15:33.800 and t-shirt 00:15:33.800 --> 00:15:35.420 and jumping into a pig pen. 00:15:35.920 --> 00:15:37.040 I used to work in a farm 00:15:37.040 --> 00:15:37.860 which had pigs 00:15:37.860 --> 00:15:39.300 so I'd actually quite enjoy that. 00:15:40.120 --> 00:15:41.620 But the Jews of Jesus' day, 00:15:41.759 --> 00:15:43.060 if they would have even heard that, 00:15:43.100 --> 00:15:44.019 they would be appalled. 00:15:44.920 --> 00:15:45.840 They wouldn't even go 00:15:45.840 --> 00:15:47.060 anywhere near a pig pen 00:15:47.060 --> 00:15:48.879 because pigs were unclean animals. 00:15:50.220 --> 00:15:52.480 So do you see how culture changes 00:15:52.480 --> 00:15:54.320 the way we see and hear things? 00:15:54.820 --> 00:15:56.240 So we might look at the cross 00:15:56.240 --> 00:15:57.060 with fondness 00:15:57.060 --> 00:15:59.500 but the crowd, 00:15:59.919 --> 00:16:01.440 the cross only meant 00:16:01.440 --> 00:16:02.820 one thing to the crowd 00:16:02.820 --> 00:16:04.720 and that thing was death. 00:16:06.720 --> 00:16:08.120 And what Jesus says 00:16:08.120 --> 00:16:10.100 would come as even more of a shock 00:16:10.100 --> 00:16:11.000 because he says 00:16:11.000 --> 00:16:13.700 that they are to carry their cross. 00:16:15.000 --> 00:16:15.799 Now a person, 00:16:16.320 --> 00:16:17.360 when they were to be crucified, 00:16:17.519 --> 00:16:18.820 they had to carry their cross 00:16:18.820 --> 00:16:20.100 until the point 00:16:20.100 --> 00:16:21.519 where they were to be put to death. 00:16:21.600 --> 00:16:22.700 So in the minds of the crowd, 00:16:22.799 --> 00:16:23.620 you can imagine them 00:16:23.620 --> 00:16:25.379 thinking and asking the question, 00:16:25.379 --> 00:16:27.720 in order for me to be in this banquet, 00:16:28.720 --> 00:16:31.460 are you saying that I have to die? 00:16:33.840 --> 00:16:34.659 Well in a sense, 00:16:34.720 --> 00:16:36.340 that is exactly what Jesus is saying. 00:16:37.080 --> 00:16:38.700 If we are carrying our cross, 00:16:38.759 --> 00:16:40.399 it means that we die to ourselves. 00:16:41.139 --> 00:16:44.519 It means that you can't carry anything else 00:16:44.519 --> 00:16:45.720 if you're carrying a cross. 00:16:46.259 --> 00:16:48.580 You've given everything to Jesus. 00:16:48.580 --> 00:16:52.060 If we are following Jesus wholeheartedly, 00:16:52.139 --> 00:16:53.400 if we are to count the cost, 00:16:53.460 --> 00:16:55.300 we must take up our cross 00:16:55.300 --> 00:16:56.440 and follow him. 00:16:57.139 --> 00:16:58.400 We need to put Jesus 00:16:58.400 --> 00:17:00.160 and his kingdom first. 00:17:01.820 --> 00:17:03.460 Jesus has mentioned this before. 00:17:03.720 --> 00:17:04.140 If you want, 00:17:04.200 --> 00:17:05.120 you can turn back with me 00:17:05.120 --> 00:17:06.400 to Luke chapter 9 00:17:06.400 --> 00:17:07.980 in verse 23. 00:17:08.640 --> 00:17:09.559 Luke chapter 9, 00:17:09.660 --> 00:17:10.860 beginning of verse 23. 00:17:10.859 --> 00:17:11.740 Jesus says, 00:17:12.199 --> 00:17:13.619 whoever wants to be my disciple 00:17:13.619 --> 00:17:14.719 must deny themselves 00:17:14.719 --> 00:17:15.939 and take up their cross 00:17:15.939 --> 00:17:17.079 daily 00:17:17.079 --> 00:17:18.779 and follow me. 00:17:20.479 --> 00:17:22.259 For whoever wants to save 00:17:22.259 --> 00:17:23.059 their life 00:17:23.059 --> 00:17:23.879 will lose it. 00:17:24.240 --> 00:17:26.279 But whoever loses their life for me 00:17:26.279 --> 00:17:27.339 will save it. 00:17:28.339 --> 00:17:29.779 What good is it for someone 00:17:29.779 --> 00:17:30.859 to gain the whole world 00:17:31.399 --> 00:17:33.939 and forfeit or lose 00:17:33.939 --> 00:17:34.859 their very self? 00:17:34.859 --> 00:17:38.819 If we are to be followers 00:17:38.819 --> 00:17:39.819 of Jesus, 00:17:39.959 --> 00:17:41.539 then we must count the cost. 00:17:42.519 --> 00:17:43.679 This means that we have to 00:17:43.679 --> 00:17:44.459 pick up our cross 00:17:44.459 --> 00:17:45.419 and follow Jesus. 00:17:46.740 --> 00:17:48.039 We need to put him 00:17:48.039 --> 00:17:49.339 as our priority. 00:17:50.740 --> 00:17:51.939 Now let me encourage you 00:17:51.939 --> 00:17:52.819 this morning and say 00:17:52.819 --> 00:17:54.679 that I am seeing so many, 00:17:54.939 --> 00:17:56.259 I am seeing this 00:17:56.259 --> 00:17:57.740 in so many of your lives. 00:17:58.819 --> 00:18:00.399 You understand the cost 00:18:00.399 --> 00:18:00.879 of the kingdom. 00:18:01.039 --> 00:18:02.419 You have counted the cost 00:18:02.419 --> 00:18:03.939 and you're living it out. 00:18:03.940 --> 00:18:05.140 I know it isn't easy. 00:18:05.539 --> 00:18:07.200 Jesus knows it isn't easy. 00:18:08.299 --> 00:18:09.880 But it is such an encouragement 00:18:09.880 --> 00:18:10.519 for me 00:18:10.519 --> 00:18:12.700 to see so many of you 00:18:12.700 --> 00:18:14.299 leading the way 00:18:14.299 --> 00:18:15.160 as examples 00:18:15.160 --> 00:18:16.120 of what it means 00:18:16.120 --> 00:18:16.820 to put Jesus 00:18:16.820 --> 00:18:17.779 before yourself. 00:18:20.840 --> 00:18:22.500 Are you counting the cost? 00:18:25.019 --> 00:18:26.340 Are you putting Jesus 00:18:26.340 --> 00:18:27.360 and the kingdom of God 00:18:27.360 --> 00:18:28.100 above everything? 00:18:29.100 --> 00:18:30.440 This means that decisions 00:18:30.440 --> 00:18:31.860 are no longer simply made 00:18:31.860 --> 00:18:33.140 between myself and I. 00:18:33.940 --> 00:18:34.500 Or decisions 00:18:34.500 --> 00:18:35.420 are no longer made 00:18:35.420 --> 00:18:36.960 between Sabina and I. 00:18:37.360 --> 00:18:38.000 But instead, 00:18:38.640 --> 00:18:39.799 putting Jesus first 00:18:39.799 --> 00:18:41.220 means that my decisions 00:18:41.220 --> 00:18:42.120 are evaluated 00:18:42.120 --> 00:18:43.059 not by what is best 00:18:43.059 --> 00:18:43.740 for myself, 00:18:44.400 --> 00:18:45.500 not by what is best 00:18:45.500 --> 00:18:46.460 for my comfort 00:18:46.460 --> 00:18:47.640 or for my finances, 00:18:48.059 --> 00:18:49.340 all of which are good things. 00:18:50.640 --> 00:18:51.940 But all of my decisions 00:18:51.940 --> 00:18:53.480 are made with this question 00:18:53.480 --> 00:18:54.539 or should be made 00:18:54.539 --> 00:18:55.279 with this question 00:18:55.279 --> 00:18:56.220 in the back of my mind. 00:18:57.340 --> 00:18:58.259 Will the outcome 00:18:58.259 --> 00:18:58.960 of this decision 00:18:58.960 --> 00:18:59.960 lead to me 00:18:59.960 --> 00:19:01.500 leaving a comfy life? 00:19:01.500 --> 00:19:03.180 or will it lead 00:19:03.180 --> 00:19:03.920 to me carrying 00:19:03.920 --> 00:19:04.559 my cross 00:19:04.559 --> 00:19:05.500 for Jesus Christ? 00:19:08.359 --> 00:19:09.259 We see this 00:19:09.259 --> 00:19:10.220 so evidently 00:19:10.220 --> 00:19:10.859 nowadays 00:19:10.859 --> 00:19:11.720 in North Korea, 00:19:11.819 --> 00:19:12.180 don't we? 00:19:13.180 --> 00:19:14.180 Where if anyone 00:19:14.180 --> 00:19:15.680 decides to follow Jesus, 00:19:16.220 --> 00:19:16.839 they face 00:19:16.839 --> 00:19:17.720 imprisonment, 00:19:18.440 --> 00:19:18.819 torture, 00:19:19.500 --> 00:19:20.099 and sometimes 00:19:20.099 --> 00:19:20.720 death. 00:19:21.420 --> 00:19:22.359 But still, 00:19:22.500 --> 00:19:23.359 there are approximately 00:19:23.359 --> 00:19:25.099 300,000 Christians 00:19:25.099 --> 00:19:25.440 there. 00:19:25.440 --> 00:19:25.799 Why? 00:19:26.100 --> 00:19:26.980 Because they have 00:19:26.980 --> 00:19:27.980 counted the cost 00:19:27.980 --> 00:19:28.980 and they are carrying 00:19:28.980 --> 00:19:30.460 their cross daily. 00:19:33.059 --> 00:19:33.580 Practically, 00:19:33.700 --> 00:19:34.720 for us in the UK, 00:19:35.299 --> 00:19:36.620 this might mean 00:19:36.620 --> 00:19:37.420 not accepting 00:19:37.420 --> 00:19:38.299 a job promotion 00:19:38.299 --> 00:19:39.600 because it would mean 00:19:39.600 --> 00:19:40.320 that we can't serve 00:19:40.320 --> 00:19:41.180 Jesus as much. 00:19:42.660 --> 00:19:43.680 This might mean 00:19:43.680 --> 00:19:44.820 that you get ridiculed 00:19:44.820 --> 00:19:45.680 at work because 00:19:45.680 --> 00:19:46.360 of your faith. 00:19:47.100 --> 00:19:48.080 This might mean 00:19:48.080 --> 00:19:48.960 that you get shunned 00:19:48.960 --> 00:19:49.740 by your family 00:19:49.740 --> 00:19:50.559 because you've just 00:19:50.559 --> 00:19:51.340 become a Christian. 00:19:52.299 --> 00:19:53.180 The cost 00:19:53.180 --> 00:19:54.279 is real. 00:19:55.440 --> 00:19:56.660 This sounds difficult 00:19:56.660 --> 00:19:57.720 and that's the point. 00:19:59.380 --> 00:20:00.380 This might sound 00:20:00.380 --> 00:20:01.080 too difficult 00:20:01.080 --> 00:20:02.100 but let me say 00:20:02.100 --> 00:20:03.580 that salvation 00:20:03.580 --> 00:20:05.600 is so valuable 00:20:05.600 --> 00:20:07.140 that if receiving 00:20:07.140 --> 00:20:07.960 it as a gift 00:20:07.960 --> 00:20:08.840 involves losing 00:20:08.840 --> 00:20:10.180 everything else, 00:20:10.500 --> 00:20:11.480 we would be foolish 00:20:11.480 --> 00:20:12.840 not to accept 00:20:12.840 --> 00:20:13.440 the loss. 00:20:16.279 --> 00:20:17.100 Maybe you aren't 00:20:17.100 --> 00:20:17.960 a Christian this morning 00:20:17.960 --> 00:20:18.779 and I want you to 00:20:18.779 --> 00:20:19.320 consider 00:20:19.320 --> 00:20:20.460 an eternity 00:20:20.460 --> 00:20:21.180 with God. 00:20:22.320 --> 00:20:22.860 Consider 00:20:22.860 --> 00:20:23.980 eternal freedom. 00:20:24.220 --> 00:20:25.180 Consider the forgiveness 00:20:25.180 --> 00:20:26.200 of sins 00:20:26.200 --> 00:20:27.180 and a relationship 00:20:27.180 --> 00:20:28.340 with your creator. 00:20:30.120 --> 00:20:31.220 What is better? 00:20:32.100 --> 00:20:33.680 To live for an eternity, 00:20:33.840 --> 00:20:34.420 the eternity 00:20:34.420 --> 00:20:35.519 for which you were 00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:36.039 created 00:20:36.039 --> 00:20:38.180 or to live 00:20:38.180 --> 00:20:38.860 these few years 00:20:38.860 --> 00:20:39.440 that you have 00:20:39.440 --> 00:20:40.120 here on earth 00:20:40.120 --> 00:20:40.880 for yourself? 00:20:42.680 --> 00:20:43.720 Are you willing 00:20:43.720 --> 00:20:44.920 to count the cost 00:20:44.920 --> 00:20:46.120 and put Jesus 00:20:46.120 --> 00:20:47.120 before yourself? 00:20:47.119 --> 00:20:50.279 the last cost 00:20:50.279 --> 00:20:50.779 of the kingdom 00:20:50.779 --> 00:20:51.519 is that Jesus 00:20:51.519 --> 00:20:52.159 must come 00:20:52.159 --> 00:20:53.779 before your possessions 00:20:53.779 --> 00:20:54.919 verses 28 00:20:54.919 --> 00:20:56.039 to 33. 00:20:56.199 --> 00:20:56.459 Jesus 00:20:56.459 --> 00:20:57.959 before possessions. 00:20:58.959 --> 00:20:59.299 Now Jesus 00:20:59.299 --> 00:21:00.539 uses two illustrations 00:21:00.539 --> 00:21:01.379 to express 00:21:01.379 --> 00:21:02.279 the importance 00:21:02.279 --> 00:21:03.179 of counting 00:21:03.179 --> 00:21:03.759 the cost 00:21:03.759 --> 00:21:04.859 and each little 00:21:04.859 --> 00:21:05.699 story has a 00:21:05.699 --> 00:21:06.659 rhetorical question 00:21:06.659 --> 00:21:07.599 in it which is used 00:21:07.599 --> 00:21:08.179 to point to the 00:21:08.179 --> 00:21:08.919 obvious answer. 00:21:08.920 --> 00:21:11.120 So the first story 00:21:11.120 --> 00:21:11.680 is a man who 00:21:11.680 --> 00:21:12.200 wants to build 00:21:12.200 --> 00:21:12.660 a tower. 00:21:13.720 --> 00:21:14.259 Now obviously 00:21:14.259 --> 00:21:14.680 if he's going 00:21:14.680 --> 00:21:15.300 to build something 00:21:15.300 --> 00:21:16.160 he needs to estimate 00:21:16.160 --> 00:21:16.860 how much it's going 00:21:16.860 --> 00:21:17.340 to cost. 00:21:17.860 --> 00:21:18.600 So he's going 00:21:18.600 --> 00:21:19.279 to hire himself 00:21:19.279 --> 00:21:19.840 an architect 00:21:19.840 --> 00:21:20.840 to draw up plans. 00:21:21.340 --> 00:21:21.720 He's going 00:21:21.720 --> 00:21:22.759 to see how much 00:21:22.759 --> 00:21:23.860 planning permission 00:21:23.860 --> 00:21:24.640 is going to cost. 00:21:25.400 --> 00:21:25.860 He's going 00:21:25.860 --> 00:21:27.640 to approach 00:21:27.640 --> 00:21:28.519 different construction 00:21:28.519 --> 00:21:29.200 companies 00:21:29.200 --> 00:21:30.240 and contractors 00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:31.000 to get different 00:21:31.000 --> 00:21:31.500 quotes 00:21:31.500 --> 00:21:32.480 and he's going 00:21:32.480 --> 00:21:33.340 to check his bank. 00:21:33.740 --> 00:21:33.980 He's going 00:21:33.980 --> 00:21:34.560 to see if he has 00:21:34.560 --> 00:21:35.100 enough money. 00:21:35.099 --> 00:21:37.259 There is no point 00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:37.799 him diving 00:21:37.799 --> 00:21:39.000 into this project 00:21:39.000 --> 00:21:40.419 because before 00:21:40.419 --> 00:21:41.459 he realizes it 00:21:41.459 --> 00:21:42.059 he might not 00:21:42.059 --> 00:21:42.619 even have the 00:21:42.619 --> 00:21:43.579 foundations down 00:21:43.579 --> 00:21:44.579 and he's run 00:21:44.579 --> 00:21:45.039 out of money. 00:21:47.659 --> 00:21:48.539 Nobody builds 00:21:48.539 --> 00:21:49.139 a mansion 00:21:49.139 --> 00:21:51.039 when their funds 00:21:51.039 --> 00:21:51.859 only allow them 00:21:51.859 --> 00:21:52.559 to build a garden 00:21:52.559 --> 00:21:52.959 shed. 00:21:54.159 --> 00:21:54.919 No, instead 00:21:54.919 --> 00:21:55.579 this man is going 00:21:55.579 --> 00:21:56.559 to count the cost. 00:21:57.659 --> 00:21:58.240 And the second 00:21:58.240 --> 00:21:59.279 story is of a king 00:21:59.279 --> 00:21:59.859 who's going to go 00:21:59.859 --> 00:22:00.759 to war with another 00:22:00.759 --> 00:22:01.679 king but he is 00:22:01.679 --> 00:22:02.859 hugely outnumbered. 00:22:02.859 --> 00:22:05.000 So he'll sit 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.699 down with his 00:22:05.699 --> 00:22:06.479 army advisors. 00:22:07.159 --> 00:22:07.740 He'll look at 00:22:07.740 --> 00:22:08.639 war strategies. 00:22:08.879 --> 00:22:09.479 He'll count his 00:22:09.479 --> 00:22:09.759 men. 00:22:09.859 --> 00:22:10.419 He'll check out 00:22:10.419 --> 00:22:11.019 the landscape 00:22:11.019 --> 00:22:12.099 to see if he 00:22:12.099 --> 00:22:12.639 has the upper 00:22:12.639 --> 00:22:13.379 hand or not. 00:22:13.899 --> 00:22:14.740 He is not going 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:15.539 to simply rush 00:22:15.539 --> 00:22:16.240 into war with 00:22:16.240 --> 00:22:17.199 a smaller army 00:22:17.199 --> 00:22:18.579 because he thinks 00:22:18.579 --> 00:22:19.099 he's got it in 00:22:19.099 --> 00:22:19.679 the bag because 00:22:19.679 --> 00:22:20.259 he thinks he 00:22:20.259 --> 00:22:20.839 can do it. 00:22:21.959 --> 00:22:23.479 No, he is going 00:22:23.479 --> 00:22:24.279 to sit down 00:22:24.279 --> 00:22:25.319 and count the 00:22:25.319 --> 00:22:25.799 cost. 00:22:27.039 --> 00:22:27.559 And with these 00:22:27.559 --> 00:22:28.219 two stories 00:22:28.219 --> 00:22:29.240 Jesus is stressing 00:22:29.240 --> 00:22:30.059 to the crowd 00:22:30.059 --> 00:22:30.779 that has been 00:22:30.779 --> 00:22:31.319 following him 00:22:31.319 --> 00:22:31.919 for a while. 00:22:31.920 --> 00:22:33.519 the crowd 00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:33.840 that have 00:22:33.840 --> 00:22:34.400 listened to 00:22:34.400 --> 00:22:34.840 his teaching 00:22:34.840 --> 00:22:35.259 but done 00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:35.840 absolutely 00:22:35.840 --> 00:22:36.620 nothing about 00:22:36.620 --> 00:22:36.820 it. 00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:38.080 They've benefited 00:22:38.080 --> 00:22:38.620 from his 00:22:38.620 --> 00:22:38.940 ministry. 00:22:39.060 --> 00:22:39.420 They've gotten 00:22:39.420 --> 00:22:40.300 out of it 00:22:40.300 --> 00:22:40.680 what they 00:22:40.680 --> 00:22:42.420 wanted but 00:22:42.420 --> 00:22:42.840 they haven't 00:22:42.840 --> 00:22:43.340 thought about 00:22:43.340 --> 00:22:43.720 what it would 00:22:43.720 --> 00:22:44.220 mean for them 00:22:44.220 --> 00:22:44.940 to be true 00:22:44.940 --> 00:22:45.640 followers of 00:22:45.640 --> 00:22:45.880 Jesus. 00:22:46.019 --> 00:22:46.440 They hadn't 00:22:46.440 --> 00:22:46.960 counted the 00:22:46.960 --> 00:22:47.259 cost. 00:22:47.420 --> 00:22:47.820 And Jesus 00:22:47.820 --> 00:22:49.000 uses these 00:22:49.000 --> 00:22:49.800 stories to say 00:22:49.800 --> 00:22:50.320 that they need 00:22:50.320 --> 00:22:51.080 to sit down 00:22:51.080 --> 00:22:52.039 and seriously 00:22:52.039 --> 00:22:52.800 think about it. 00:22:54.120 --> 00:22:54.940 They need to 00:22:54.940 --> 00:22:55.620 seriously think 00:22:55.620 --> 00:22:56.620 about whether 00:22:56.620 --> 00:22:57.160 or not they 00:22:57.160 --> 00:22:57.900 can handle the 00:22:57.900 --> 00:22:58.460 cost and 00:22:58.460 --> 00:22:59.180 whether or not 00:22:59.180 --> 00:22:59.820 the cost 00:22:59.820 --> 00:23:01.240 outweighs the 00:23:01.240 --> 00:23:01.720 rewards. 00:23:01.920 --> 00:23:05.000 And then 00:23:05.000 --> 00:23:05.580 Jesus takes 00:23:05.580 --> 00:23:06.080 it a step 00:23:06.080 --> 00:23:06.460 further. 00:23:07.519 --> 00:23:07.860 And he 00:23:07.860 --> 00:23:08.980 says that if 00:23:08.980 --> 00:23:09.840 they do not 00:23:09.840 --> 00:23:10.220 give up 00:23:10.220 --> 00:23:10.980 everything 00:23:10.980 --> 00:23:13.019 then they 00:23:13.019 --> 00:23:13.440 cannot be 00:23:13.440 --> 00:23:14.100 his disciples. 00:23:15.759 --> 00:23:16.460 Jesus is 00:23:16.460 --> 00:23:17.000 thinking right 00:23:17.000 --> 00:23:17.300 now of 00:23:17.300 --> 00:23:18.279 material possessions. 00:23:18.519 --> 00:23:18.860 Do you see 00:23:18.860 --> 00:23:19.519 that with the 00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:20.400 tower and the 00:23:20.400 --> 00:23:20.700 city? 00:23:21.380 --> 00:23:22.019 With a tower 00:23:22.019 --> 00:23:22.500 a man is 00:23:22.500 --> 00:23:23.140 focused on his 00:23:23.140 --> 00:23:23.460 tower. 00:23:23.580 --> 00:23:23.840 He's not 00:23:23.840 --> 00:23:24.400 concerned about 00:23:24.400 --> 00:23:25.000 anything else. 00:23:25.100 --> 00:23:25.660 With a city 00:23:25.660 --> 00:23:27.120 he's focused 00:23:27.120 --> 00:23:28.380 on his city, 00:23:28.519 --> 00:23:29.279 his property. 00:23:29.279 --> 00:23:30.899 If he's 00:23:30.899 --> 00:23:31.440 going to 00:23:31.440 --> 00:23:32.119 submit to 00:23:32.119 --> 00:23:32.539 this other 00:23:32.539 --> 00:23:32.980 king he 00:23:32.980 --> 00:23:33.480 needs to 00:23:33.480 --> 00:23:34.559 probably hand 00:23:34.559 --> 00:23:35.000 over some 00:23:35.000 --> 00:23:35.259 of his 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.539 city. 00:23:35.700 --> 00:23:36.200 So it's 00:23:36.200 --> 00:23:36.700 all about 00:23:36.700 --> 00:23:37.200 possessions. 00:23:39.240 --> 00:23:40.200 Jesus comes 00:23:40.200 --> 00:23:41.700 before possessions. 00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:46.519 All of the 00:23:46.519 --> 00:23:47.220 things that we 00:23:47.220 --> 00:23:48.299 own need to 00:23:48.299 --> 00:23:48.899 be as good 00:23:48.899 --> 00:23:49.720 as lost 00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:50.619 to us. 00:23:51.339 --> 00:23:52.160 And we need 00:23:52.160 --> 00:23:52.759 to put Jesus 00:23:52.759 --> 00:23:53.279 first. 00:23:54.259 --> 00:23:54.680 Now Jesus 00:23:54.680 --> 00:23:55.399 isn't saying 00:23:55.399 --> 00:23:55.879 that it's bad 00:23:55.879 --> 00:23:56.559 to own things 00:23:56.559 --> 00:23:57.059 because it 00:23:57.059 --> 00:23:57.500 isn't. 00:23:59.419 --> 00:24:00.059 But the 00:24:00.059 --> 00:24:00.779 priority in 00:24:00.779 --> 00:24:01.299 our lives 00:24:01.299 --> 00:24:01.919 matters. 00:24:03.639 --> 00:24:04.079 Now this 00:24:04.079 --> 00:24:04.559 can affect 00:24:04.559 --> 00:24:05.079 you if you 00:24:05.079 --> 00:24:05.519 are rich 00:24:05.519 --> 00:24:06.019 or if you 00:24:06.019 --> 00:24:06.460 are poor. 00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:08.000 Is your 00:24:08.000 --> 00:24:08.940 constant desire 00:24:08.940 --> 00:24:09.480 to have 00:24:09.480 --> 00:24:10.059 more money? 00:24:10.720 --> 00:24:11.339 To have 00:24:11.339 --> 00:24:11.839 a nicer 00:24:11.839 --> 00:24:12.519 car because 00:24:12.519 --> 00:24:12.859 you've been 00:24:12.859 --> 00:24:14.200 driving around 00:24:14.200 --> 00:24:14.980 in a hand-me-down 00:24:14.980 --> 00:24:15.519 for the past 00:24:15.519 --> 00:24:16.119 few years? 00:24:17.399 --> 00:24:18.039 Do we 00:24:18.039 --> 00:24:18.899 constantly think 00:24:18.899 --> 00:24:19.240 about a 00:24:19.240 --> 00:24:19.839 desire to 00:24:19.839 --> 00:24:20.299 own our 00:24:20.299 --> 00:24:21.000 first home 00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:21.639 or maybe 00:24:21.639 --> 00:24:22.240 our second 00:24:22.240 --> 00:24:23.259 or a 00:24:23.259 --> 00:24:23.940 holiday home? 00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:25.319 Now none 00:24:25.319 --> 00:24:25.759 of these are 00:24:25.759 --> 00:24:26.359 bad things 00:24:26.359 --> 00:24:26.639 but if 00:24:26.639 --> 00:24:26.959 they come 00:24:26.959 --> 00:24:27.639 before Jesus 00:24:27.639 --> 00:24:28.059 then we 00:24:28.059 --> 00:24:28.379 have a 00:24:28.379 --> 00:24:28.759 problem. 00:24:29.459 --> 00:24:30.000 We haven't 00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:30.959 counted the 00:24:30.959 --> 00:24:31.500 cost. 00:24:33.500 --> 00:24:34.139 Now this 00:24:34.139 --> 00:24:34.740 is difficult. 00:24:35.659 --> 00:24:36.019 This is 00:24:36.019 --> 00:24:37.000 tough stuff. 00:24:38.459 --> 00:24:39.039 The costs 00:24:39.039 --> 00:24:39.439 are real 00:24:39.439 --> 00:24:39.939 but are you 00:24:39.939 --> 00:24:40.639 counting them? 00:24:42.099 --> 00:24:42.519 Are you 00:24:42.519 --> 00:24:43.259 counting the 00:24:43.259 --> 00:24:43.719 cost? 00:24:44.659 --> 00:24:45.179 Can you 00:24:45.179 --> 00:24:45.619 say that 00:24:45.619 --> 00:24:46.039 you put 00:24:46.039 --> 00:24:46.399 Jesus 00:24:46.399 --> 00:24:47.279 before people? 00:24:47.779 --> 00:24:48.500 That you 00:24:48.500 --> 00:24:49.079 put Jesus 00:24:49.079 --> 00:24:50.000 before yourself 00:24:50.000 --> 00:24:50.699 and that you 00:24:50.699 --> 00:24:51.219 put Jesus 00:24:51.219 --> 00:24:51.779 before your 00:24:51.779 --> 00:24:52.240 possessions? 00:24:55.059 --> 00:24:55.539 Now Jesus 00:24:55.539 --> 00:24:56.240 doesn't ask 00:24:56.240 --> 00:24:56.640 this of 00:24:56.640 --> 00:24:57.140 people without 00:24:57.140 --> 00:24:57.620 knowing what 00:24:57.620 --> 00:24:58.140 it's like. 00:24:58.920 --> 00:24:59.500 In fact 00:24:59.500 --> 00:25:00.359 Jesus knows 00:25:00.359 --> 00:25:00.740 better than 00:25:00.740 --> 00:25:01.420 anybody what 00:25:01.420 --> 00:25:01.920 it's like. 00:25:02.680 --> 00:25:03.200 He put 00:25:03.200 --> 00:25:03.740 God's kingdom 00:25:03.740 --> 00:25:04.339 above his 00:25:04.339 --> 00:25:05.819 family because 00:25:05.819 --> 00:25:06.259 in his 00:25:06.259 --> 00:25:06.880 ministry he 00:25:06.880 --> 00:25:07.700 travelled around 00:25:07.700 --> 00:25:08.599 Judea and 00:25:08.599 --> 00:25:09.539 Galilee preaching 00:25:09.539 --> 00:25:10.059 about the 00:25:10.059 --> 00:25:10.579 kingdom of 00:25:10.579 --> 00:25:10.900 God. 00:25:12.220 --> 00:25:13.140 Jesus put the 00:25:13.140 --> 00:25:13.779 kingdom above 00:25:13.779 --> 00:25:14.680 himself because 00:25:14.680 --> 00:25:15.620 he literally 00:25:15.620 --> 00:25:16.380 took up his 00:25:16.380 --> 00:25:17.579 cross and 00:25:17.579 --> 00:25:18.660 went and 00:25:18.660 --> 00:25:20.680 died so 00:25:20.680 --> 00:25:21.079 that we could 00:25:21.079 --> 00:25:21.579 be forgiven 00:25:21.579 --> 00:25:22.380 and reconciled 00:25:22.380 --> 00:25:22.840 with God. 00:25:23.840 --> 00:25:24.780 Jesus put 00:25:24.780 --> 00:25:25.620 God's kingdom 00:25:25.620 --> 00:25:26.920 above everything 00:25:26.920 --> 00:25:28.260 because Jesus 00:25:28.260 --> 00:25:29.180 the son of 00:25:29.180 --> 00:25:29.780 God who was 00:25:29.780 --> 00:25:30.500 born in an 00:25:30.500 --> 00:25:31.400 animal shelter 00:25:31.400 --> 00:25:32.200 without a 00:25:32.200 --> 00:25:32.520 bed. 00:25:33.860 --> 00:25:35.200 The son of 00:25:35.200 --> 00:25:36.260 God lived a 00:25:36.260 --> 00:25:36.880 life on the 00:25:36.880 --> 00:25:37.580 road travelling 00:25:37.580 --> 00:25:38.440 towards Jerusalem. 00:25:38.600 --> 00:25:39.320 He died a 00:25:39.320 --> 00:25:40.340 criminal's death 00:25:40.340 --> 00:25:41.440 even though he 00:25:41.440 --> 00:25:42.200 was completely 00:25:42.200 --> 00:25:42.660 innocent. 00:25:42.800 --> 00:25:43.220 The only 00:25:43.220 --> 00:25:43.940 innocent person 00:25:43.940 --> 00:25:44.280 that ever 00:25:44.280 --> 00:25:44.680 lived. 00:25:46.780 --> 00:25:47.820 Jesus the son 00:25:47.820 --> 00:25:48.640 of God became 00:25:48.640 --> 00:25:49.060 nothing. 00:25:49.059 --> 00:25:50.700 he gave up 00:25:50.700 --> 00:25:51.480 everything. 00:25:53.319 --> 00:25:54.019 Doesn't that 00:25:54.019 --> 00:25:54.419 make our 00:25:54.419 --> 00:25:55.220 cost seem 00:25:55.220 --> 00:25:55.759 minimal? 00:25:56.359 --> 00:25:57.039 Seems small? 00:25:58.899 --> 00:26:00.000 If all I have 00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:00.700 to do is love 00:26:00.700 --> 00:26:01.440 Jesus more than 00:26:01.440 --> 00:26:02.220 anything surely 00:26:02.220 --> 00:26:03.139 that is small 00:26:03.139 --> 00:26:04.480 in comparison to 00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:05.480 the salvation and 00:26:05.480 --> 00:26:06.220 forgiveness that 00:26:06.220 --> 00:26:07.019 Jesus has offered 00:26:07.019 --> 00:26:07.279 me. 00:26:09.519 --> 00:26:10.559 Are you counting 00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:11.220 the cost? 00:26:13.440 --> 00:26:14.299 If we go 00:26:14.299 --> 00:26:14.779 through life 00:26:14.779 --> 00:26:15.500 counting the 00:26:15.500 --> 00:26:16.079 cost and 00:26:16.079 --> 00:26:16.879 following Jesus 00:26:16.879 --> 00:26:18.319 this will lead 00:26:18.319 --> 00:26:18.899 to us being 00:26:18.900 --> 00:26:19.700 distinct and 00:26:19.700 --> 00:26:20.420 being different 00:26:20.420 --> 00:26:22.180 it will lead 00:26:22.180 --> 00:26:22.960 to us being 00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:24.380 salty if you 00:26:24.380 --> 00:26:24.600 will. 00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:25.560 That's what 00:26:25.560 --> 00:26:26.540 verses 34 and 00:26:26.540 --> 00:26:27.600 35 are talking 00:26:27.600 --> 00:26:27.940 about. 00:26:29.480 --> 00:26:30.200 They say that 00:26:30.200 --> 00:26:30.800 a Christian, 00:26:31.160 --> 00:26:31.780 a follower of 00:26:31.780 --> 00:26:32.560 Jesus, if they 00:26:32.560 --> 00:26:33.360 count the cost 00:26:33.360 --> 00:26:34.160 and live it out 00:26:34.160 --> 00:26:35.060 then they will 00:26:35.060 --> 00:26:35.740 be living a 00:26:35.740 --> 00:26:36.840 salty life. 00:26:39.660 --> 00:26:40.500 These verses 00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:41.440 encourage us to 00:26:41.440 --> 00:26:42.720 be committed to 00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:43.740 living this life. 00:26:44.080 --> 00:26:44.860 Only then are we 00:26:44.860 --> 00:26:45.759 salty if we are 00:26:45.759 --> 00:26:46.519 committed and we 00:26:46.519 --> 00:26:47.160 stick it out. 00:26:48.900 --> 00:26:49.680 So let me ask 00:26:49.680 --> 00:26:50.300 you this morning 00:26:50.300 --> 00:26:51.320 as an individual 00:26:51.320 --> 00:26:52.880 and let me ask 00:26:52.880 --> 00:26:53.480 us this morning 00:26:53.480 --> 00:26:54.280 as a church 00:26:54.280 --> 00:26:55.920 family, how 00:26:55.920 --> 00:26:56.620 are we tasting? 00:26:58.840 --> 00:26:59.780 Are we salty? 00:27:01.620 --> 00:27:02.500 Are we living 00:27:02.500 --> 00:27:03.300 lives that are 00:27:03.300 --> 00:27:04.560 distinct and 00:27:04.560 --> 00:27:04.920 different? 00:27:05.040 --> 00:27:05.640 Are we carrying 00:27:05.640 --> 00:27:06.320 our cross? 00:27:07.380 --> 00:27:08.100 Are we putting 00:27:08.100 --> 00:27:08.920 Jesus before 00:27:08.920 --> 00:27:11.259 people, before 00:27:11.259 --> 00:27:12.019 ourselves and 00:27:12.019 --> 00:27:12.440 before our 00:27:12.440 --> 00:27:12.860 possessions? 00:27:12.859 --> 00:27:16.219 are we 00:27:16.219 --> 00:27:16.919 making people 00:27:16.919 --> 00:27:17.500 aware that 00:27:17.500 --> 00:27:17.939 there is a 00:27:17.939 --> 00:27:18.539 cost to 00:27:18.539 --> 00:27:19.240 following Jesus? 00:27:19.619 --> 00:27:20.479 The cost is 00:27:20.479 --> 00:27:22.059 huge but it 00:27:22.059 --> 00:27:23.099 is insignificant 00:27:23.099 --> 00:27:24.000 in comparison 00:27:24.000 --> 00:27:24.419 to the 00:27:24.419 --> 00:27:25.079 greatness of 00:27:25.079 --> 00:27:25.579 an eternity 00:27:25.579 --> 00:27:26.219 with God. 00:27:28.719 --> 00:27:29.659 Salvation is 00:27:29.659 --> 00:27:31.039 so valuable 00:27:31.039 --> 00:27:32.219 that if 00:27:32.219 --> 00:27:32.959 receiving it as 00:27:32.959 --> 00:27:33.639 a gift means 00:27:33.639 --> 00:27:34.079 that we lose 00:27:34.079 --> 00:27:34.899 everything else 00:27:34.899 --> 00:27:35.479 we would be 00:27:35.479 --> 00:27:36.959 foolish not 00:27:36.959 --> 00:27:37.679 to accept the 00:27:37.679 --> 00:27:38.059 loss. 00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:40.819 Jesus counted 00:27:40.819 --> 00:27:41.440 the cost and 00:27:41.440 --> 00:27:42.059 he paid it. 00:27:42.819 --> 00:27:43.399 History is 00:27:43.399 --> 00:27:44.579 filled of men 00:27:44.579 --> 00:27:45.179 and women who 00:27:45.179 --> 00:27:45.919 counted the 00:27:45.919 --> 00:27:46.519 cost and live 00:27:46.519 --> 00:27:47.759 lives glorifying 00:27:47.759 --> 00:27:48.179 God. 00:27:48.960 --> 00:27:50.220 This room is 00:27:50.220 --> 00:27:51.139 filled with 00:27:51.139 --> 00:27:51.879 godly men and 00:27:51.879 --> 00:27:52.440 women who are 00:27:52.440 --> 00:27:52.960 counting the 00:27:52.960 --> 00:27:53.539 cost and are 00:27:53.539 --> 00:27:54.539 living examples 00:27:54.539 --> 00:27:55.519 of what it 00:27:55.519 --> 00:27:56.240 means to be 00:27:56.240 --> 00:27:57.500 salty, of 00:27:57.500 --> 00:27:57.960 what it means 00:27:57.960 --> 00:27:58.399 to live a 00:27:58.399 --> 00:27:59.759 life wholeheartedly 00:27:59.759 --> 00:28:00.619 dedicated to 00:28:00.619 --> 00:28:00.960 God. 00:28:02.440 --> 00:28:03.460 The challenge I 00:28:03.460 --> 00:28:03.799 want you to 00:28:03.799 --> 00:28:04.519 think about this 00:28:04.519 --> 00:28:05.200 morning is can 00:28:05.200 --> 00:28:06.039 you wholeheartedly 00:28:06.039 --> 00:28:06.799 repeat the words 00:28:06.799 --> 00:28:07.379 of this song? 00:28:08.059 --> 00:28:09.440 All to Jesus 00:28:09.440 --> 00:28:10.740 I surrender 00:28:10.740 --> 00:28:12.200 All to him 00:28:12.200 --> 00:28:13.279 I freely give 00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:14.339 I will ever 00:28:14.339 --> 00:28:15.240 love and trust 00:28:15.240 --> 00:28:16.279 him in his 00:28:16.279 --> 00:28:17.200 presence daily 00:28:17.200 --> 00:28:17.619 live. 00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:19.659 I surrender 00:28:19.659 --> 00:28:20.240 all. 00:28:21.220 --> 00:28:22.139 I surrender 00:28:22.139 --> 00:28:22.599 all. 00:28:23.119 --> 00:28:24.179 All to thee 00:28:24.179 --> 00:28:25.039 my blessed 00:28:25.039 --> 00:28:26.319 saviour I 00:28:26.319 --> 00:28:27.220 surrender all. 00:28:29.039 --> 00:28:30.159 As I close 00:28:30.159 --> 00:28:30.779 this morning let 00:28:30.779 --> 00:28:31.639 me ask you 00:28:31.639 --> 00:28:32.339 that question. 00:28:33.399 --> 00:28:34.000 Are you 00:28:34.000 --> 00:28:34.579 counting the 00:28:34.579 --> 00:28:35.179 cost of the 00:28:35.179 --> 00:28:35.419 kingdom? 00:28:36.619 --> 00:28:37.419 Are you 00:28:37.420 --> 00:28:37.940 counting the 00:28:37.940 --> 00:28:38.300 cost? 00:28:40.640 --> 00:28:41.220 Let's pray 00:28:41.220 --> 00:28:41.600 together. 00:28:45.920 --> 00:28:46.560 Loving God 00:28:46.560 --> 00:28:47.000 and heavenly 00:28:47.000 --> 00:28:47.560 father we 00:28:47.560 --> 00:28:48.320 thank you so 00:28:48.320 --> 00:28:50.120 much for the 00:28:50.120 --> 00:28:50.820 free offer of 00:28:50.820 --> 00:28:51.259 salvation. 00:28:52.140 --> 00:28:52.940 We thank you 00:28:52.940 --> 00:28:53.519 that you sent 00:28:53.519 --> 00:28:55.560 your son to 00:28:55.560 --> 00:28:56.039 die on the 00:28:56.039 --> 00:28:56.580 cross so that 00:28:56.580 --> 00:28:57.019 we can be 00:28:57.019 --> 00:28:58.039 reconciled to 00:28:58.039 --> 00:28:58.380 you. 00:29:00.140 --> 00:29:00.680 Lord we 00:29:00.680 --> 00:29:01.460 confess that the 00:29:01.460 --> 00:29:03.259 cost for us 00:29:03.259 --> 00:29:05.519 is big and 00:29:05.519 --> 00:29:06.259 we feel it in 00:29:06.259 --> 00:29:06.779 our lives. 00:29:08.480 --> 00:29:09.400 Lord give us 00:29:09.400 --> 00:29:10.759 strength to 00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:11.279 carry our 00:29:11.279 --> 00:29:11.700 cross. 00:29:12.579 --> 00:29:13.099 Give us 00:29:13.099 --> 00:29:13.799 strength to 00:29:13.799 --> 00:29:14.640 live lives that 00:29:14.640 --> 00:29:15.700 are wholeheartedly 00:29:15.700 --> 00:29:16.720 dedicated to 00:29:16.720 --> 00:29:17.000 you. 00:29:18.140 --> 00:29:19.059 Not that we 00:29:19.059 --> 00:29:19.960 would be glorified 00:29:19.960 --> 00:29:20.680 Lord but that 00:29:20.680 --> 00:29:21.920 people would see 00:29:21.920 --> 00:29:23.900 you in us and 00:29:23.900 --> 00:29:24.339 that they would 00:29:24.339 --> 00:29:24.960 see that you 00:29:24.960 --> 00:29:25.740 are a great 00:29:25.740 --> 00:29:26.119 God. 00:29:26.119 --> 00:29:29.000 we ask this in 00:29:29.000 --> 00:29:29.759 your son's most 00:29:29.759 --> 00:29:30.739 holy and 00:29:30.739 --> 00:29:31.539 precious name. 00:29:32.539 --> 00:29:32.879 Amen.