TOWER & KI NG REVNAIS (2) / t SUBJECT Ca s~L---- E.F. I CLASSIFIS:ATION: /V TEXT__ __Iulm__ l4_ :25-1_5_ :_ 2______..5 -1LVA T I O - - EXPOSI TORY - - BIOGRAPHICAL TITLE- --~T=HE~ V=A=L=lE~ OF~~CO=l.Jm'==IN=G~ T=HE~ C=OS=T~ ------TEXTUAL --- TOPICAL SCRIPTURE READING, ______---DEVOTIONAL

DELIVERIES: Date Hou r Place Results and Comments: Southside 5/15/60 Pale stim , Texas XXX K?ET 10/14/60 Palestine, Texas XXX First Bantist 7/30/61 Chickasha, Oklahoma XXX* 2 letter, 2 reded. First Baptist 11/2/61 Ponca City, Okla. XXX* 1 reded. First Baptist 10/27/63 Ch i ckasha, Oklahoma XXXXX Fi r st Baptist 7/25/ 65 Ponca Ci ty, Oklahoma XXX++ 2 l et ter Firs t Ba ptist 2/ 12/67 p.m . Ponca City , Oklahoma XXX++ 4 le tter; B. S. U . 0/ 4/68 Miami , Okla . XXX i.EVISED Fi..;:st Baptist 9-21 - 75 A.M. San Angelo, Texas XXX+++ 4 ltr, 1 ba p Glorieta 8 -20.75 XXX*** S'itR~+.$ f?c. vJ -3/- /0

BIBLIOGRAPHY ______SEEN IN HOW LI ...... ~.-~ T i: I D OF sr TDYIN DO . PS ·ro PONDER • .., WAY OF E . ANY KI ND OF ;J;.F Q.- C Q,0.$ TO LI VE I1 VOLVES A GREAT COST . THAT IS ··THY CHR I S SO STRE SSED HE VAL .i!, F COUN I NGr O · • - ULL CA-Pi) I. The limina tin~ -_;V~a~l~u=-~--~.-...--.--­ - - vs s . 14:25a- c ontra sted wi th 15 : l - 2a : Some of he ha rsh~~t statements of were spoken when the mult i tudes were the l argest /,ll!Dv\ 1 . a .-k- X ii~ b..J,e \Q.I) l a r it I 1 .P --~ ..L. · 25 "and a ll at once He tu r ned & said~' ;-7 -- - o '.,,-Which Chri st does not desir·e • Tempta . exp. Satan urged Him to leap off pinna cle of temple--to be sen­ sationa l & gain shallow popul arity (2 ) Wh ich is un pred ictable : Sunda y p rior t o crucif ixion the ma sses cried "Hosanna !" -- on Thu:rsday "crucify Hirn !" 2 • .J.im m ates those who ollow be ca u~e of merce n­ ary motives --John 6:~ ' 1'And a grea t multitude foll owed him , be ca use the y saw his mira cles which he did on them tha t were diseased . 11 (1) Wh ich seek personal gain in busine s s (2 ) Which seek prest i ge in t he community (3 ) Wh ich seek comfort in the midst of sin 3 . 'te thQse _who foll,S)W onl ... ha lf- hearte_d~ --vs . 26 (must love Him above al e se __ Al.lt.1£ : R. ,4l.J..£ AF X 3 p. 7 8 (1 ) Since nothing can be placed before Christ --Mar 10 :21- 22 (CO f"J }~ ~-f:ti.,vf 'f -ly!f"" .Nr,-¥J (2)-u the se will eventual y qu it a nyway - -II Tim. 4 : lOa "For Demas ha th forsaken , me , havin &1; loved t h is present world , " 4 . li 1na e s he se - r ~ hte u --vss . 15 : l - 2a --r · The publicans & sinners realized tha t the cost for serving was high , BUT t hey a l r ealized the deep nee d of X in their lives,, t hus were willing to pay t he price . Pba rise, not s o--too proud . (1) W o are not ·willing to a c knowledge the ir need (2 ) Wh o feel the price i s too exa cting A J.. CA­ II . --vs . 14 :28- 30 1 . I nsures ou a 8 inst fo ol ish desire s , A.c Q~ w ~9!.\:z.9f y~u-·'cfos 1ring to build .. : If t_he an would have 1s t coun ed the cost, such a f oolish desi re wo uld not have lingered in h i s mind & resulted in such wast, (1 ) fu ich eventua l ly express themselves in a ct i on (story here ) - (2) Wh ich result in d iff iculty (story here) 2 . Insures ou a a inst a wrqn investne QI. ya ur li;te. --vss . 28- 29a C'& is not abl e to finish it 11 ) -- ,-. · : He i nvested a ll he had i n a lost ca us1 be ca use he f a iled first t o count the cost . ,- ~ R Au.'E~ /1,77 J:.~ ~ "~i cn may be wasted in me aningless puvsutt --I : Prod . Son "T ook his journey into I a far country , & there wasted h i s s ub- '.· sta nce with riotous living . " Wha t d i d .J11 have to show for these ye a rs of his lite --NO THING ! ~P.'i (2 ) Wh ich i s the only life ( chance ) you have ~87 ~ :.- · Rich fool "This nd, ght s ha 11 thy .. p. l 51 Wh t y be wisely i nve s ted --Mat t . 10 : 39 "He tha t findeth his life shall lose it : & he tha t loseth his life for my sake sha 11 find it . tr · · : ,Ia ny lives which a re on the rubtl.s he ap of failure c ould have been success­ ful, if they bad counted the cos t! little ins ira -

Your unbapniness Your insecurity Your frustra tion Your 5odl e ss eternity -..... ,__.. ~ - ~~.9- :Uii Qo of .. ~J.s

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D ev tt1t,-i.r1e1 y 3() ;f f ( ~'/Cor, ~~ ~ \ THE VALUE OF CO NTING THE COST

US D: Southside , Pa lest ine , 5/15/60 ( X'f/ ); /rNE[ (4/lji,"'~ lyi~{d('/,>eKJ_,' r. RC C ~1'l--k4-:> It+ ?f;~/61 { X'iJ.-1-J J.le ffe11/ ,).1t"tl&lr/__,,,'

p Oc R r '//a/~ I { i( -f) I I ' F..i. c. CJ,,-clr'4S lt,,,,. 10/«7/6.10:.xMl-]_J F. B. C. Ponca City 7/25/65 p.m. (XXX++) 2 letter; F, 8, c. P() lf/CA- ClfyJ.-/;- {;7 /· """ ( '#'Xt-./))f-l~ffe15/ 8..5.V ~~AM-r) Ok-I-~. /0- Lt-& 8('u ,?::,_ _; 6-J...ofl. I.£ T,4 f'-~ 0 -7 S-{:X.)6.1. .,.~

J erold R. McBride THE VALUE OF COUNTING THE COST

Scripture: :25-33

INTRO: "AS COMES TO THE CLOSE OF HIS PUBLIC MIN­

ISTRY I HE IS RECRUITING FOLLOWERS I BUT NOT UNDER FALSE PRETENSES. THE EMPHASIS THUS FAR HAS BEEN UPON WHAT JESUS WILL DO FOR US. 'I WILL GIVE YOU ETERNAL LIFE,' HE PROMISED. 'COME UNTO ME, ALL YE THAT LABOUR AND ARE HEAVY LADEN, AND I WILL GIVE YOU REST.' THEN, WITHOUT WARNING, IT SEEMS THAT JESUS IS THROWING COLD WATER ON FLICKERING FLA~MES SAYING, 'Y U NEED TO COUNT THE COST IN THIS LIFE. YOU MUST OT THINK SO MUCH ABOUT ETERNAL LIFE T TIT WILL BLIND YOU TO RESPONSIBILITY. IF YOU ARE GOING TO BE MY DISCIPLES, THE TIME FOR COMMITMENT HAS 'coME. I AM GOING AWAY. YOU HAVE A LIFE TO LIVE. YOU HAD BETTER COUNT THE COST! ' " (Speaking in Parables, R. Allen , p. 75) ANY KIND OF LIFE YOU CHOOSE TO LIVE INVOLVES A GREAT COST. THAT IS WHY CHRIST SO STRESSED THE VALUE OF COUNTING THE CO$ T. WA~J YJv ,o w-:, v · · • Corr 0,... /IOl!.4/ !,/, ~v.,,,' /..,,,, •. 1~

I. THE ELIMINATING VALUE OF COUNTING THE C _ST , ... -- vss. 14:25a contrasted with L5:l-2a • i -- ILL US: SonJ:e; a f im:e ~ha_r. hes.L statemen:te o f Ciitist w eM, ,· _ s pos;.en.? .zhem .• tr,.re -im.llt itudes we re the lfffge st,,-.- 1. Eliminates -Shallow and Excitable l)opularity~ Ll -- vs. 2 5 "and all at once He turned and said '~.!S:,l -- NOTE: "Jesus is seeking to make disciples out of followers , and that is not a~ --'-'-"v. thing to do I · 'In, the beginning there had been a arniva spirit pervading the great multitudes. Now the carnival spirit was lost. It was no longer a circus; there were no lo,~n~ et~~..liiiJiii~ ~~ lines. Jesus had begun to talk about , and the closer the cross , the smaller the crowds . The · erer were going to have to face up to some re alities. - 1F was one thing to be a follower; it was quite another to be a di sciple." (S eakin in Parables, R. Allen, pp . 75-76)

~y """-~~J-1-f' (1) Which .Christ does not desire ILL US: Tempt a. exp. Satan urged Him to leap off pinnacle of temple -- to be sensational and gain shallow popularity. (2) Which is unpredictable ILL US: Sunday prior to crucifixion the masses

cried "Hosanna! 11 -- on Thursday "Crucify Him! 11 2. Eliminates Those Who Follow Because of Mercen­ ary Motives -- John 6:2 "And a great multitude followed him , because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased. 11 (1) Which seek personal gain in business PA C t (2) Which seek prestige in the communityX~~,e.,~'' (3) Which seek comfort in the midst of sin~ ~p-/1H 3. Eliminates Those Who Follow Only Half-Heartedly -- vs. 26 (must love Him above all else) -- NOTE: 11 Isn 1 t this confusing? you ask. Didn't Jesus teach us not to hate? Yes, this i s one of the most difficult passages in the Scriptures to accept because we do not understand Jesus I use of the word hate. Per­ haps what He meant i s best explained with an illustra­ t ion. It was not at all unusual in the days of the early Church for soldiers to enter a Christian home and take one of the members. The soldiers would give the father for example, the opportunity to deny his faith in front of his family . If lie aid, he would be left. If he refused , the soldier might order him taken to the dungeon. What happened then - the fire, the lions - was the decision of the rulers. But usually, the family member did not return. This meant that the wife and children were left .with no means of support - no social security, no re­ tirement fund , no pension, no union, and no insurance. It would be difficult not to deny one's faith with his wife and children standing by pleading. On the other hand, if he stood firm, it might seem to his wife and s hildren that he no longer cared for them. Jesus is not saying that we should love our families less , but that we should love God so much more. The call to discipleship means that nothing in this world - :vt).f IT""''·not eveh-tfie precious love of our loved ones - s keep us from being obedient to His command." (Speakipg ip Parah]es. R. Allen, p. 78) -- ILLUS: Missionary who left mother in rest home . Arthritic knitted .... (1) Since nothing can be placed before Christ. Mark 10:21-22, "Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in hea­ ven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying , and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. 11 NOTE: "That which costs nothing is worth nothing. "The discipleship to which Christ calls us means a life in which His claims must have the pre­ eminence. If He is not Lord of all, then He is not Lord at all . " (All The Parables of The , H. Lockyer, p. 2 79) (2) Since these will eventually quit anywa,y. II Tim. 4:l0a "For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world," Jo ··- 4. Eliminates the Self-righteous. -- vss. 15:l-2a -- ILL US: The publicans and sinners realized that the @ for serving Christ was hi, h, BUT they also realized the ee of Christ in their lives, and thus were

illin to pay the price. ~ ,L.c;w..,i.;;;.,~ not so -- to proud. f (1 o are not willing to acknowledge their need 1 (2) Who feel the price is too exacting

II. THE INSURING VALUE OF COUNTING THE COST -- vs. 14:28-30 1. Insures You Against Foolish Desires -- vs. 28a "For which of you desiring to build ... 11 -- NOTE: "It is possible that, as Jesus spoke, He stood within sight of an a ueduct hat Pilate had begun but never finished. Because he had to the cost, the structure stood incomplete, useless ) Jesus is saying, 1 f ou wan to be My disciples, ou better count the cost; for 1 ou are o ~ om- plete the construction, ·perhaps you oug!1t never to start:•! (Speaking in Parables, R. Allen, p. 77) j -- ILLUS: If the man would have first counted the cost , such a foolish desire would not have lingered in his mind and resulted in such waste. ----- (1) Which eventually express themselves in action (story here) '"4 ' · j(2) Which result in difficulty (story here) 2. Insures You Against A Wrong Investment of Your Life -- vss. 28-29a (11 and is not able to finish it"}_ -- ILLUS: He invested all he had in a lost cause because he failed first to count the cost. - - --NOTE: "It is not cowardly to count the cost. How can one fully make up his mind unless he knows the price he will pay? By the s·::1me token, a decision to go against the expressed will of God for one's life - whether by hiding personal talents, taking what belongl: , to God, or moral looseness - always involves a cost, too! 11 (Speaking in Parables, R. Allen, p. 7 7) (1) Which may be wasted in meaningless pursuits ILLUS: Prod. Son "Took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous livi-ng. 11 What did he have to show for these years of his life? -- NOTHING! (2) Which is the only life (chance) you have --.... ------'IL= L"'-'U"'-'S=-: Rich fool 11 This night shall thy ... 11 NOTE: "When Peyton Place hit the bookshelves in 1956, Grace Metalious was apparently happily married to a teacher. They had three children and their income was less than $3,000 a year. When the famous authoress died, the news­ papers estimated her fortune (earnings from Peyton Place and resultant fame) was a million dollars. An accounting showed that her liabilities outstrip­ ped her assets by about $125,000. Peyton Place had sold over eight million copies, followed by six million copies of her other three novels. Her tragic story has now been told in national magazines. She married George Metalious when both were seventeen. They were divorced after the book was published and the money began coming. Grace Metalious next married a radio disc ~ • ~o&e;.--T~i~ l~;~~~;--="~ ~/p~;;dl~-. came to the divorce court drunk. She briefly re­ turned to her first husband, but they separated again after a few months. The celebrated teller of a small town's scan­ dals next went with a Welsh journalist, who al­ ready had a wife and five children of his own. Grace Metalious died five months later, leaving this Welshman what she probably thought was a sizable fortune. Her funeral was held in Laconia, New Hamp­ shire. Among the twenty-five people attending were her children and ex-husband George who sat near her coffin and cried·. The minister mentioned her name only once wiaen he said, 'May Grace rest in peace . 1 Grace Metalious gained what some called success, but in the gaining she lost her family' her reputation, her health, and finally her life. " (A Dictionary of Illustrations, J. Hefley, p. 287) (3) Which may be wisely invested Matt. 10:39 11 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. II ILLUS: Many lives which are on the rubbish heap of failure could have been successful, if they had counted the cost! 3. Insures You Against Becoming An Object Of Ridicule and Scorn - - vss. 29-30

=;..=..:US::a..: "It was the fourth game of the 1954 World Series. The stands were buzzing. One more out and the New York Giants would beat the Cleveland Indians four in a row. The Cleveland batter hit a lazy pop-up fly that drifted across the third base foul line. Bill Bailey (not his real name) came running under, reached up and grabbed it. Fellow Giants swarmed on the field to smother him with congratulations. Not only had Bill made the last out, but he had hit in every game, batting . 364 and breaking a series record with seven walkl.s in four games. Bill kept the ball of the final out as a memento of th e series. But he doesn't have it now. Rules about personal property are stri_ct in the Texas jail where he I s serving a ten year term for armed robbery. Bill got only $90 from the liquor store robbery. His share of the 19 54· World Series came to $11,000 ar:id he estimates he made a quarter of a million from endorsing products. How does a guy go from a World Series hero to a convict in less than ten years? ' Liquor and bad friends,,. Bill told a reporter. When Bill ~as a paseball player and was loaded with money he had an infi.eld full of friends. They cheered Bill ,when he picked up the checks in rest­ aurants and night clubs, even when Bill had to bor­ row to pay the checks. Players remember Bill as a I great guy with cha.rm, except when he hit the booze.' After Bill was drop­ ped from baseball he became a bartender. When his money ran out he would return to the ball park to bor­ row money off the guys he had played with. 'I'm gonna get a hit pretty soon,' he would tell them. 'I'rr gonna quit striking out.' But Bill Bailey never got his 'break. 1 Liquor and bad friends dept throwing him curves until one day the ex-hero took a final bad pitch and was handed a prison sentnece. That day none of his friends were around to see him strike out. 11 (A Dictionary of Il­ lustrations, J. Hefley, p. 120) (1) Which is part of the bitter cost of sin (2) Which also hurts those about you ILLUS: Young woman on plane with Grady Cauthe

III. THE INSPIRING VALUE OF COUNTING THE COST -- vss. 14:33 and 27 - - ILL US: So often you need only a little inspiration to go ahead and do what you know is right -- counting the cost provides this inspiration. 1 . Inspires You to Forsake II All That You Have 11 -- vs. 33 (Wiat do you have??) (1) Your sins (2) Your unhappiness (3) Your insecurity (4) Your frustration (5) Your godless eternity 2. Inspires You to Accept All That God Offers -- vs. 27 (1) Forgiveness of sins q lll'P.5 (2) A 11 cross 11 (voluntary) l k <1~ J..3-,;, /('/£. , (3) Life of obedience ( 11 come after me") (4) Privilege of Christian discipleship (2 7c) (5) 11 Mansions 11 in heaven {Jo . • l4) ~ Do »o, BElJB/£' THEJ)CV.IL --fle?t1~ ..c.,Qli: THERE IS A PRICE TO BE PAID FOR ANY KIND OF LIFE YOU CHOOSE TO LIVE. • • • w.1 7 vr~ V. 11 ! CALL HEAVEN AND EARTH T RECORD THIS DAY AGAINST YOU, THAT I HAVE SET BEFORE YOU LIFE AND DEATH, BLESSING AND CURSING: THEREFORE CHOOSE LIFE, THAT BOTH THOU AND THY SEED MAY LIVE:",r,o.se..s (Deut. 30:19) t -,I. ::,0/ ..,( r 10 :.;.3: (/() THE VALUE OF COUNTING THE COST

USED: Southside, Palestine, 5/15/60 (XXX); KNET, Palestine, 10/14/60 (XXX); F .B.C. Chickasha, 7/30/61 (XXX+) 2ltr, 2 1-reded; F. B. C. Ponca City, 11/2/61 (XXX+) 1 reded F.B.C. Chickasha, 10/27/63 (XXX++); F .B.C. Ponca City, 7/25/65 p.m. (XXX++) 2 ltr; F.B.C. Ponca City, 2/12/67 p.m. (XXX++) 4 ltr; BSU Miami, Okla, 10/4/68 (XX+); Glori eta, 8/2 0/7 5 (XXX+++) F. B. C. , San Angelo, Tex 9/21/7 5, a. m. !fl.. cf- 1/3. (_'f:t.,µ~!) f. B 'C, ) 5.4-Y. A,"ll r~ I °I rT7 y. 7/.J J I 8~ f' ?+1 ,()<:,lJ +tt I L; SA-w,1s e,c w~-J-.19/4-31-toA'>tJ ~,: jO The Value of Counting the Cost Luke 14:25-33 Sardis Baptist Church October 31, 2010

I. The Eliminating Value - 15:25/15:1-2a 1. Eliminates shallow & excitable popularity vs. 25a "All at once He turned and said" 2. Eliminates those with mercenary motives Jo 6:2 some followed because of miracles 3. Eliminates half-hearted followers vs. 26 must love Him above all else 4. Eliminates the self-righteous :1-2a

II. The Insuring Value - 14:28-30 1. Insures against foolish desires vs. 28a "which of you desiring to build?" 2. Insures against a wrong investment of life vss. 28-29a 3. Insures against ridicule vss 29-30

III. The Inspiring Value - 14:33 and 27 1. Inspires you to forsake all that you have vs.33 2. Inspires you to accept all that God offers vs. 27

There is a price to be paidfor however you choose to live. Therefore count the cost and choose life.