Count the Cost
The sermon emphasizes the importance of counting the cost of discipleship and building one's life on the foundation of Christ.
Robert Hawker preaches on the importance of counting the cost of following Christ, using the analogy of a builder and a warrior to emphasize the eternal significance of the Christian life. He challenges the listeners to examine if they have truly laid their foundation on Christ and are willing to give up everything for Him, including earthly pursuits, relationships, and even life itself. The sermon highlights the necessity of making Christ the center, strength, and unity of our spiritual lives, ensuring that every part of our being is built upon Him.
Text
AUGUST 23.
EVENING.
"For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost?" Luke 14:28
Ponder, my soul, over this very striking image of your Lord's, concerning the divine life. The picture of a builder is most aptly chosen; for the Christian builder is building for eternity. And the figure of a warrior, which our Lord also joins to it, is no less so, for the battle is for life, and that life is eternal. Have you counted the cost? Have you entered upon the work? Is the foundation-stone, which God hath laid in Zion, the rock on which you are building?
Pause and examine. Be the cost what it may; the loss of earthly friends; the parting with every worldly pursuit; the scorn, contempt, and derision of all mankind; indeed, the loss of life itself: if these come in the way of competition, are you ready to give them all up?-When you has answered these inquiries, go on, and see that your foundation be really fixed on Christ.
If so, it must have been previously sought for, by digging deep into the natural state in which you were born. Jesus must have been first determined to be most essentially necessary, and most essentially precious, before the spiritual building of the soul was made to rest upon him. And, when found, unless the whole of the building rest entirely upon him, it will, as a column out of its centre, still totter. Oh! it is blessed to make Christ the all in all of the spiritual temple; blessed to make him the first in point of order; blessed to make him the first in point of strength, to support and bear the weight of the whole building; blessed to make him the grand cement, to unite and keep together, in one harmonious proportion and regularity, every part of the building; and blessed to bring forth the top-stone of the building, by his strength and glory, crying, "Grace, grace unto it."
Precious Jesus! May it be found that I have so sat down, counted the cost, and formed my whole plan, in your strength, and to your praise; that whatever oppositions, like the Tobiahs and Sanballats of old, I may meet with in the work, I may feel the sweetness and encouragement of that blessed Scripture, and exult with the prophet: "Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain!" Zech 4:7
Sermon Outline
- I points: - Introduction to the concept of counting the cost - The significance of the builder's image - The eternal implications of our choices
- II points: - The cost of discipleship - What must be given up for Christ - The importance of commitment
- III points: - The foundation of our faith - Christ as the essential cornerstone - Building our lives upon Him
- IV points: - The role of trials and opposition - Encouragement from Scripture - The promise of victory in Christ
- V points: - The unity and harmony in Christ - Christ as the grand cement of our lives - The ultimate goal of glorifying God
Key Quotes
“Have you counted the cost?” — Robert Hawker
“Oh! it is blessed to make Christ the all in all of the spiritual temple.” — Robert Hawker
“Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain!” — Robert Hawker
Application Points
- Reflect on what you may need to sacrifice to follow Christ more closely.
- Ensure that your faith is firmly rooted in Christ as your cornerstone.
- Draw strength from Scripture when facing challenges in your spiritual journey.