Parable: Counting the Cost. January, 28 A.D. Luke 14:25-35

Transcription

1 1 Parable: Counting the Cost January, 28 A.D. Luke 14:25-35

2 2 Text: Luke 14:25-35, Counting The Cost 25. And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26. If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29. Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30. Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32. Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. 33. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. 34. Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be seasoned? 35. It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

3 3 Commentary: Luke 14:25, 26, And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. I. Great multitudes were with Jesus. Jesus turned to the multitudes and said, A. If any man comes to me and hates not his own father, mother, wife, children, brethren, and sisters and even his own life also he cannot be my disciple. B. There was more to being a disciple of Christ than walking along in big popular crowds listening to the teachings of Jesus. C. To be a disciple of Christ a person must love him more than any person or thing, more than they love even themselves. Note: Hate as used here means to love less, not to despise. Example: Genesis 29, 30, 31, And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years. And when the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren. Luke 14:27, And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. I. In order to be Christ s disciple a person must bear his own cross and follow Jesus.

4 4 A. To be Christ s disciple one must be willing to literally bear his actual cross to a place of crucifixion just as Jesus soon would do until he fell under its weight. B. Just 24 years before in A.D. 6, the Romans had crucified hundreds of followers of Judas the Gaulonite. C. Christ s disciples must be faithful unto death as martyrs. Luke 14:28-30, For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. I. In view of the fact that the cross was the price of discipleship, Jesus told the multitudes to count the cost before affiliating with his cause. A. Who would begin to build a tower without first counting the cost. B. The man who fails to do this courts failure and ridicule when he is unable to finish his project. C. Following Jesus is costly! Count the cost before committing to the Messiah s cause. Luke 14:31, 32, Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.

5 5 I. A related point is made with a king s going to war. A. He must first count the cost and determine his probabilities of victory. B. If he finds he is unable to defeat an attacking force of superior strength, he had best negotiate conditions of peace. II. While we must count the cost of being a disciple of Christ, we must also consider the cost of fighting against God. Luke 14:33, So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. I. Who today is truly a disciple of Christ?... willing to renounce all that he has in service to Jesus? II. Strait is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life and few are they who enter in thereby! Luke 14:34, 35, Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. I. Salt is ordinarily good, beneficial. A. However, if salt has lost its beneficial qualities, it is not possible for the salt to regain these qualities such as the ability to season and preserve. B. Under these conditions it is fit only to be cast into the sewer.

6 6 C. He that has ears to hear had better pay attention. II. In this parable salt represents self-sacrifice, the placing of everything we are and have at the service of our Lord Jesus Christ. A. A person or church which has lost this true dedication is good for nothing and is suitable only for the garbage can.

7 7 Counting the Cost Questions 1. As great followed Jesus, he said to them, If any man not his,,,,, and his own also, he cannot be my. 2. What does this verse mean? 3. Whoever does not bear his and come after me cannot be my. 4. What does cross in verse 27 really mean? 5. Before deciding to follow Jesus we are told to count the cost of being a disciple. What is following Jesus likely to cost you? Are you willing to pay the price?

8 A or which has lost this to Christ is good for nothing except the!