TEXT:  Matt. 13:44-46

INTRODUCTION:

A.  THESE MEN REALIZED THERE WAS A COST FOR WHAT THEY WANTED.

B.  DAVID REALIZED THE PRICE WAS HIS TO PAY (2 Sam. 24:24).

C.  JESUS TOLD US TO “COUNT THE COST” (Luke 14:27-28).

          1.  Not making discipleship optional (John 8:12;  31-32).

          2.  Talking about the great cost.

          3.  Is it worth it?  (Matt. 13:44-46).

C.  HAVE YOU COUNTED THE COST?

D.  ARE YOU WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE?

I.      FOR DISCIPLESHIP? (Luke 14:25-33).

A.  JESUS TELL US THE PRICE RIGHT OFF (Luke 14:26-27;  16:13).

          1.  Hate (not sinful hatred).  Love Jesus more (Matt. 10:37 è Gen. 29:30-31).

          2.  Two points of reference:

                   a.  Relationships (family, brethren, life). (vs. 26).

                   b.  Bear your cross è crucifixion of self (vs. 27;  Gal. 2:20;  2 Cor. 5:14-15).

B.  THERE ARE IMPLICATIONS.

          1.  The Price (Luke 14:33).

          2.  Priorities Count (Matt. 6:33).

C.  JESUS’ EXAMPLE (Matt. 26:38-44)

          1.  Sacrifice (vs. 39).               3.  Steadfastness (vs. 44).

          2.  Submission (vs. 42). 4.  Voluntary, testimony of his love (John 10:17-18;  15:13).

D.  LIFELONG COMMITMENT (Heb. 3:6, 14;  10:36-39).

II.     FOR BECOMING A CHRISTIAN? (Acts 26:28).

A.  WHAT IT REQUIRES:

          1.  Hear (1 Cor. 1:21;  Rom. 10:17).         4.  Confess (Acts 8:36-37;  Rom. 10:9-10).

          2.  Believe (Heb. 11:6;  Mark 16:16).       5.  Baptism (Matt. 28:19;  Acts 2:38-41).

          3.  Repent (Acts 2:38;  17:30).

B.  WHAT IT COSTS:

          1.  Renounce past sins – life (Acts 19:18-20).

          2.  Humility before God and men (James 4:10).

          3.  Overcome objections and rejection

                   a.  of parents (Matt. 10:34-37).

                   b.  of friends, at work (Acts 19:24-27;  1 Pet. 4:3-4).

          4.  A change of life and thinking (Rom. 12:1-2;  Col. 3:9-10)

          5.  A price that must be paid (Matt. 16:25-27).

III.    FOR BEING MARRIED? (Gen. 2:18).

A.  ITS PERMANENCY (Matt. 19:6;  Rom. 7:2).

B.  LEAVING AND CLEAVING (Matt. 19:4-5).

C.  FORSAKING ALL OTHERS (Heb. 13:4)

D.  SERVICE – SUBJECTING SELF TO OTHERS (Eph. 5:22-27)

E.  ONE FLESH (Eph. 5:28-33).

F.  THE KEY (Eph. 5:21).

          - Marry someone who will help you get there.

IV.   FOR HAVING CHILDREN? (Psa. 127:3-5).

A.  FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (1 Tim. 5:8).

B.  TIME (Eph. 5:16;  Deut. 6:4-7).

C.  TRAINING (Eph. 6:4;  Titus 2:3-4). èDISCIPLINE (Heb. 12:5-7).

D.  THE KEY (Eph. 5:21).  NO ROOM FOR SELFISHNESS IN THE FAMILY!

V.    FOR STANDING FOR THE TRUTH? (1 Cor. 16:13-14).

A.  LOSS OF FRIENDS AND EVEN BRETHREN (2 Tim. 4:16).

B.  LOSS OF REPUTATION (3 John 9-11;  2 Cor. 10:10).

C.  A COST TO ALL THE APOSTLES & THE LORD (1 Cor. 4:9-13;  John 15:20).

D.  WE MUST BE LIKE PAUL (Phil. 1:16).

VI.   FOR BEING FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH?  (Rev. 2:10)

A.  THERE ARE MEN WHO FEAR NOT DEATH (Acts 20:24;  2 Cor. 4:7-10).

B.  WE MUST CONQUER THE FEAR OF MEN (Heb. 13:5-6;  1 Pet. 3:13-18).

C.  BE WATCHFUL

          1.  For the devil (1 Pet. 5:8).

          2.  For one another (Heb. 3:12-13).

          3.  For temptation (Eph. 5:15).

CONCLUSION:  A HIGHER PRICE IS PAID FOR NOT FOLLOWING

JESUS.

A.  THERE IS NO GREATER TREASURE THAN OUR REWARD IN HEAVEN

          (Matt. 13:44-46).

B.  HAVE YOU COUNTED THE COST? (2 Thes. 1:8-9).