Counting the Cost

Following Jesus. Jesus you are, and what was said that he will say yes I will pay for your salvation is free.

You following me will never be cheap and easy it would cost Pastor Robert on shot of Clearview church in Henderson, North Carolina I Clearview. Our focus is on making Christ visible through the way we worship. We study God's word and when we love one another.

Come check us out at 3485 Oxford Rd. in Henderson or visit us online@clearviewbc.org join us for the rest of this week's message.

Have you ever heard the expression counting the cost of the expression it means to you know to gauge whether or not something is worth attempting last Monday a few days ago I went with the college and career group is called convertors. We went to a waterpark and at this waterpark to have this ride called the daredevil drop anybody been on the daredevil drop. It says 76 foot waterslide is has a steep drop in something inside said can you imagine if you get Nicole to get a video that I put on Facebook company likes you will get an Instagram and imagine next Sunday. So many people come to church just to hear the daredevil preacher remedy can just imagine I'm like man we can have revival I gotta get on that ride and so we got out the lazy River went up to this piece of this waterslide and I watched it for about 10 minutes counting the cost. Unlike is it worth it, young kids, I think something is coming down this waterslide chickened out. So anyways, the point is account of the cause wasn't worth falling 76 but maybe next year I'll do it when it comes to salvation. We also have to count the cost, we have to ask ourselves what all am I willing to give up in order to be saved while all am I willing to give up in order to have eternal life not want to misunderstand me giving up doesn't save us. You can give up everything you have asked him to save you salvation from start to finish is the work of God. It's by grace through faith in Jesus's cross and his resurrection so giving up does not save you, but being willing to give up everything reveals whether or not you understand the gospel.

If you're still hanging on. Either you're not save you not ready to be saved. Whatever that something is don't talk about that in a few moments this morning. If you have your Bibles with you turn to Mark chapters 10 starting in verse 17. I want to skip over a few verses but you look at all the verses in this account to the message of Mark chapter 10 verse 17.

Once again let us stand together for the reading of God's word now as he was going out. Who is he this is Jesus himself doing his ministry as he was going out on the road, one came running down before him and asked him who is this one if you read Matthew and Luke tell us that this young this one was a young man who was a ruler and all three of them tell us that he was very rich. That's where we get there rich young ruler. He comes in and he almost like you can see him sliding on his knees and he asked Jesus good teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit. I want to get that word in your mind inherit eternal life not jump out of verse 23 then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples how hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God. Go to verse 26 and they meeting the disciples were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, who then can be saved. Have you counted the cost of following Jesus Christ. Are you willing to give up all you have in order to follow him. What is that one thing in your life that you're still holding back, and by the way, giving up money or job, whatever.

That's very easy is old habits old ways of thinking old ways of handling problem handling people in your life dealing with issues old memories. Those are the hardest things to give up what are you unwilling to give up giving up doesn't save you, but giving up reveals whether or not you truly understand the cost of discipleship.

This series on the gospel has been impactful on so many levels. So many of y'all have talk to me email me call me messaged me and told me how much that has been a blessing to you. This series has demanded from us. I know for me unconditional allegiance to Jesus who is not only my Savior but he is also my king.

That means I have to obey him. It has demanded from me immediate confrontation with sin. I cannot tolerate sin in my life if my king has called me to deal with sin I have to deal with sin this message today were going to meet a young man we know him as the rich young ruler who came to Jesus with all the right intentions. He had the right question and yet he walked away from eternal life because he was unwilling to give up everything he had this morning. Let the Holy Spirit, open your eyes.

Three things were going to see in this passage. In this account. The first thing is this. When this young man came to Jesus and asked that question.

What shall I do to inherit eternal life. Jesus did not immediately lead him in the sinner's prayer. Listen to what is says.

He says good teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life.

So Jesus said to him, why do you call me good, no one is good but one, that is God.

You see this young man was under conviction, but he was not ready to make that commitment to follow Christ. For starters, he had a wrong understanding of Jesus in my life I have seen many people get under conviction they ready to leave the past behind that they're done with their whole life there at the end of the road problems in the life financial problems, physical problems, relationship problems big.

They are the place where man I gotta give everything over to God thereunder conviction for the pain they have caused other people and so they're ready but they're not ready to receive Christ. They're not ready to pray the sinners prayer under conviction is not the same as ready to make the commitment and again he calls Jesus good teacher. Jesus was much more than just a good teacher. He was the son of God in flesh you there many people who have prayed a prayer, but they never got saved because didn't know who they were praying to and what they were praying for and some person may be a pastor or Sunday school teacher or parent just let them in a prayer and their walking around thinking oh I'm saved. I prayed the prayer I prayed the sinners prayer but they know deep in their hearts. There is no connection with the living true God as spiritual things come at them. There is no receptor that says yup I receive it. There's emptiness so they imitate people around them. They think it hoping to make it and nothing happens. They prayed the prayer but didn't know who they were praying for bring to or what they were praying for and by the way, let me clarify something.

At this point the problem is not with the sinners prayer.

Some people have a problem with that term. I don't have a problem with that expression. I had a person come to me and say you know there is no sinners prayer in the Bible is a well.

I agree, but do you also know that there is no word call Trinity in the Bible, but I believe in it. Oh, I do know that us about the way did you know that Jesus never use the word grace in any of his messages all I do know that either. But salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus's work right. Yeah I said the word sinners prayer doesn't have to be.

But it is still valid as long as you know what you're praying to for and who your praying to close.

I was only four years of age and I prayed the sinners prayer in my sinners prayer was not as deep and complicated was as simple as this, Jesus I need you in my life to be my Lord and Savior. And from this day I want to follow you. Forgive me of my sins. That was my prayer but God honored that prayer the sinners prayer is not the problem. In fact, if you see in Romans chapter 10 and verse nine what is a safe that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus. Something has to be said.

When this person came to me. I asked him the question is, I will hold you confess to me than the church. No, God is all right, so what he called a thing when you talk to God in prayer. There you go.

I don't know if you want to call the sinners prayer knobs you got pray something you have to talk to God is a God. I need Christ to forgive me or Jesus, forgive me of my sins so hothouses is all happen if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, but also believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead. What would happen was the word you will be saved with the heart one believes unto righteousness and with the mouth means words have to come out confession is made unto salvation that I asked this person. Did you ever read like three verses down Romans 1013 is a well yeah I think so, as it will let's read it was a second L read together with me for whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. I mean, what is calling on the name of the Lord, but prayer the sinners prayer is not the problem. The problem is this young man was not ready to make that commitment. He was not ready. So the point is this, Jesus did not immediately lead him in some road prayer. He challenges understanding of the gospel.

He challenges understanding of himself. Jesus was much more than a good teacher. He was the son of God, to take God's wrath upon himself and paid the penalty of our sins. Here's my question to you. How are you say was adjusted by some prayer or did you truly understand the gospel. I'm not asking you this morning. Could you explain the book of Romans. I'm not asking you this morning. Did you understand the deep meaning of propitiation. All I'm saying is, did you understand the gospel that you are a sinner.

Jesus came to die for your sins and by repenting and receiving. You can be safe. Has that happened in your life.

If not, this is an is what needs to happen today as I'm preaching to you. You need to be praying for the very first time and asking God to save us. What needs to happen because all this time was conviction.

All this time he was paying all this time it was just you at the end of your life and of your role, but salvation never happened you prayed a prayer.

And no amount of praying a prayer can ever save you. It has to come from the heart. You have to believe in Christ. So the first thing first. Jesus did not immediately lead him in the sinners prayer for something else. When this young man came to Jesus. Jesus clearly laid out the cost of discipleship to him know what were about to read, especially if you been in charge sure you been teaching Sunday school for years and you know the Bible you know this is a very passive what did Jesus say to this young man. He said you know the commandments, do not commit murder, adultery, do not murder. Do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, honor your father and your mother was Jesus courting at this point he was going the 10 Commandments.

But here's the question. Was Jesus advocating work. Salvation was Jesus actually telling this young man who says how can I inherit eternal life. You know you gotta keep the 10 Commandments folk that's goes completely against what the Bible says we listen to what Paul says in Romans chapter of Galatians chapter 2 verse 21. I want to see the screen.

He said I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain means is not by keeping the 10 Commandments that you can be saved.

So why in the world would Jesus say something like this when he says good teacher what can I do to inherit eternal life. Why do you call me good ones good but God all right, here's answer the 10 Commandments while you say this and some people have argued that Jesus was trying to get the young man to see the hopelessness and the emptiness in keeping the law so you young man is like here Jesus. I've been doing that until you what is an empty life.

I been keeping all the law and it just doesn't build my relationship with God. Actually, that's not what he says. What is he say he said teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth, which means what oh yeah, I love the law is good and I grew up in a good moral home religious home been keeping it so it's not that Jesus was trying to get him to admit to be the emptiness in the hopelessness of keeping the law because that's not what this young man says some people have argued that Jesus was trying to get him this young man to reject works righteousness. You know what works righteousness is trying to earn God's favor. Unfortunately, Jesus did just the opposite works righteousness keeping the law will murder known. Steal don't do all this and yet none of this saves me Jesus I need you.

Actually, Jesus is just the opposite was a do listen to the next verse.

Then Jesus looked at him. Verse 21, was a dude loved him and said to him, one thing you lack if Jesus was telling this young man in a in a subtle way that you need to give up works righteousness. I think he's doing a very poor because guess what Jesus said one more thing you gotta do what is one more thing. Jesus go your way, sell whatever you have, give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven and come, take up your cross and follow me.

If God Jesus was trying to take away works righteousness, he adds more what exactly is going on. Why did Jesus do this.

Why did he talk so weird, so odd, so contrary to what we know it takes to be say I want you to hear me carefully. Jesus was and is God. He knew the young man's heart. If you don't remember what was his question. What shall I do to inherit you know what he was saying how can I once and for all, get my get my ticket into heaven, and what inheritances once someone dies, the Passover, they can come back and claim their inheritance right there gone they're done now. It all belongs to you what this young man was saying is, how can I get to a place when eternal life belongs to me and I don't have to do anything else. Jesus being God's all right through him and he said you're not ready for other people just like that even today the ready to get Jesus in their hearts but and I will give up sin still hang onto the old lifestyle still hang on to their pornography, they will still cause it will still talk trash, they will still have their old ways of handling things and problems. There's a way God has told us how you need to live in a marriage relationship but instead of doing it God's way you still try to do it your way, but I know how my wife. They mate what I gotta do this window on my husband is like this and I'm treating this wiggly but God has told you a whole different way will harm you. I'm single I can do whatever I want to.

You don't know what I've been through, it doesn't really matter. Your King tells you that is sent to give it up. By the way, I have no sympathy for people who come to church and then the in the demand their old-fashioned hymns is what the really want this Temple music to suit their souls as Monday morning. They got AC/DC cranked up as a driving down the road and L and the hairs or whatever is left is flowing in the wind. Guess what they're doing there reminiscing when they were written the note. That day, 30 years ago on man, how things were and what they were doing it there daydreaming and the living and failed in Sunday morning the waterlogged little who are to go… Something to shame on you when it comes to following Jesus. Jesus knew his heart and he knew what he was saying to him, and he was saying yes I would pay for your salvation is free to you, but following me will never be cheap and easy it will cost you. There's a cost of discipleship.

Some things have to be given up. I had to tough it out been the family. I had to make it work. This is this is why am going take me know I have to give that up. I have to give up that take me as I am. This is just me being me, I have to crucify that me being me is easy to put a few bucks and that offering play don't get what I'm saying is easy to stand in a soup kitchen and and serve the line is very hard to give up that me being me, it costs Jesus is life to buy your part.

If you follow him. It may cost you your life as well and please don't misunderstand, you don't have to go sell everything you have and give to the poor. Before you can be say, but you better be willing to do it if you King tells you to.

If he tells you to go to the other side of the world and share the gospel. If your King tells you cans awarded auto homebody now know if you've got tells you to get on the plane and go on a mission trip. You do it. You no longer own you. You been bought with a price heavy count of the cost of discipleship. What are you willing to give up a better question what are you unwilling to give up giving up doesn't save you giving up only reveals whether or not your say and if today you still have that sin, whatever that sinners anger, bitterness, old way of handling things and you still have a new start.

Give up everything I give up that cigarette. I'll give up that bottle out but this right here.

No one wants it will take that from me. Shame on you Jesus did not immediately lead him in the sinners prayer. Jesus clearly laid out the cost of discipleship here comes 1/3 point.

By the way, what happened to this young man was about to say he was sad at this word and he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. He was very rich. He walked away. Now Jesus revealed the secret to following him not to the young man but he's gone but to the disciples who are still there. Jesus explained to them.

Listen to what he said. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples how hard it is how tough it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God and the disciples were astonished at his words and and Jesus answered and again and said to them, children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God. I mean, he's really driving this point to them and then he uses this this funny image or imagery.

It is easier for a camel. Is he a big snout and and home trying to force that camel to the eye of this tiny needle means impossible. It is easier for a camel to go to the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God, rim of the rich man young ruler is gone.

Jesus is talking to his disciples, and what is the response and they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, who then can be. Did you notice the three different terms used for salvation was the young man's question what can I do to inherit eternal life. How did Jesus answer it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God is eternal life is the same as the kingdom of God. It did you notice how the disciples questioned who then can be returned alive equals kingdom of God equals say this one the same who then can be saved. What was Jesus's response to his disciples.

I want to see this is very powerful in verse 27 fact, I want to say it with meets on the screen and I hope these words will ring in your mind and your heart for the rest of your life is not just any word.

These are words that that make our Christian life happen ready with men it is impossible, but not with God for with God all things are possible. The rich young ruler walked away. The disciples stood in amazement going against I'm not willing to give up stuff right now mean does that mean I'm not saved either. And then Jesus reveals the secrets to those who are still hanging around and are still willing and the secret is this you can do it but if you walk away from this message today and say something like that, you know, from this day on, give up everything I have everything I have my wealth and my money, my habits, my attitudes, my old ways of doing things. My old memories of my old cuts and bruises. I'm giving it all of you and not in him million billion years. Do that salvation from start to finish completely is by grace, he is not asking you. Are you able to follow me here. See, saying are you willing there was another young man.

His name was Simon and wonder. Jesus came to him as well and he got into his boat and he told them Simon will launch out into the deep and drop unit. Oh Simon's response to been fishing all night just to let you know we have caught nothing is for some reason they're not biting. Nevertheless at your word. We will do it. This young man said nothing and walked away. Peter said if you say so, do it in the did it listen to what happens. They pulled in the net. There were so many fish that they could not lament that to get other boats to come and help them and listen to what happens. I really want you to focus on this one. And by the way, when Simon Peter saw all this, he fell down and Jesus need to knees and what do you say he said, depart from me, for I am a sinful man or Lord. And Jesus said to him what, do not be afraid. From now on you will catch man. If only that young man had said, depart from me, Lord. I'm a sinful man. I believe at that moment Jesus would've said to him, all right. The school and what happened when these men Simon and Andrew, James and John when they came to the show what happened. They what's the word there.

They first suck all and followed him.

You know how different. So call it was the Holy Spirit who help them give it all what God expects from you is not your ability. Only your willingness. He's not saying are you able to give up everything he's saying. Are you willing he will do the rest with you.

It is impossible with God all things are possible this morning.

There are two groups of people in this place. One is the group that has prayed some prayer you know and I know you, you know. And God knows that you not say what needs to happen today is you really need to receive Christ as your Savior. You have to acknowledge that you are a sinner right you are no longer the king of the world. Christ is and he died for your sins and you have to say God forgive me. That's repentance and I need Jesus to come into my life and be my Savior and my king and from this day on, you will follow him. That's your prayer. The other people in this group who are saved. For some odd reason you are still trying to sit on the throne of your life. One thing I've learned with God.

If you belong to him. If you really save you are his. He will drop kick you so hard and you will be on the ground.

He will bring you face-to-face with your old sin nature. You will do something that you used to do 30 years ago at the heart will pass through your mind and you will realize how unworthy you really are, you know we we have decided that from somebody. I've been there, done it at and we become the masters, the kings of our lives is not bad those of the moment you say God. How dare I sit on his you will see God doing things God bringing people in your life, God taking you to levels that you could ever do on your own.

But as long as you have been told whatever the controllers you are you.

Thank you so much for joining us for this message just like the rich young ruler, you and I must count the cost of what it means to follow Christ. But unlike the young man who walked away sad. You and I should understand that God's love to take up our cross daily and follow more information, visit us online@clearviewbc.org and for this sermon's notes check a pastor shot but I'm shocked.com