Luk 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? I think this has many spiritual meanings to it. One point I want to touch on is this.Counting the cost. Jesus said sitteth down not first and counteth the cost. Many times in are christian live we fail to do this. We count the cost before we shop. We count the cost before we buy things we want. We plan for retirement. We count everything, it seems in this old world. A world that, we will leave. A world that will rot and decay away. We have done all we can to save and build in this world. What I want to talk about is looking at some cost in the spiritual world. I know this is true because of my own life. Many times were I failed to count the cost, and it costed so much more than I wanted to pay. In the book of Gen. 13:12 Lot had a choice, Abram said you go this way and I'll the other. Here we see a saved man of God, standing at a crossroad of choices. Like so many times we find are selfs. Lot weighted it all up, money, retirement, collage for the kids. He weighed all the worldly things that we as parent would weigh. Lot didnt weigh it up on the christian side of his life. He didnt weigh the cost of compromising God word for success in this world. My friend, may the Lord,God of heaven give us his people the wisdom to weigh the choices of this world, against the ways of God. Not to cut it short, but in the end Lot lost his family, he had no testimony, and his wife died, and his two young daughters was immoral. So much Lot paid, so much lost, because he didnt weigh the cost. I hope God will help me and all others to stop and weighed the cost before we pay more than we ever would want too. If you read this and your lost, may the Holy Spirt touch your heart and cause you to see that there is a cost coming that you do not want to pay, a cost that has been paid, a cost that you will spend eternity paying if you dont trust Christ as you Savior. May God bless. Sgt. in Iraq
_________________Ty
Brother,This is a great theme and ties in very closely with the judgement seat of Christ. There are many converts who have not counted the cost, life for themselves and have no concept of the cross in their daily Christian walk. Oh how we need to all count the cost. Christ needs to be our life! period. Leonard Ravenhill said this: Have you ever seen the little plaque that reads, "Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last?" Well, that's not what the poet wrote. The poet wrote this: "Only one life, 'twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last. And when I am dying, how happy I'll be, if the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee." Do you think all Christians die happy? Not on your life! Some of them die as miserable as sinners. Why? Because they've misused their time and wasted their lives. Many of you have laid dying on a hospital bed and prayed, "Lord, if You would only spare me, I'll do this, that, or the other." Well, have you done it?"[b]only what's done for Christ will last.[/b] May that phrase sear our souls for eternity.
_________________SI Moderator - Greg Gordon
I belive that is true to. There was a time that I was backsliding and I was so unhappy. Not that I'am a perfect christin now. I just found this web site and stated to down load the preaching. I'll try some of Mr.Revenhill messages. Thanxs
As far as descipleship the cost is pretty high. Jesus said sell everything of this world and come and follow me to the rich young ruler. Giving up everything to follow is where this goes. The things that will rust or get moth eaten has to go and a different kind of treasure is stored up. Though the cost is a descision made to sell out this world at some time; it is decision that has to be made everyday after. We need to die daily to this world. We need to not try to save this life, but instead loose it for his sake.
_________________Gary Eckenroth
Here is a terrific message on the cost of discipleship in the Christian life by Leonard Ravenhill:the cost of discipleship:https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/singlefile.php?lid=2863you can watch it streaming on myspace.com:http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=1565314605
Amen brother Gordon! I believe I'll hang that poem Ravenhill quoted on the mantle in stead of stockings!
_________________Craig
