The biblical topic of the "Cost of Following Christ" refers to the sacrifices and challenges that believers must endure as a result of their devotion to Jesus Christ. As Jesus himself warned, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23), emphasizing the need for self-denial and perseverance in the face of adversity. The apostle Paul also wrote about the cost of following Christ, stating that "we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him" (Romans 8:17), and that "all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" (2 Timothy 3:12). Through such teachings, the Bible underscores the idea that following Christ requires a willingness to surrender one's own interests and desires, as embodied in the principle "for whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it" (Luke 9:24).
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of preaching the whole truth of the Gospel, lamenting that many Christian leaders shy away from conveying the cost of true discipleship. He contrasts the call of Christ to carry one's cross and embrace suffering with the modern tendency to promote a comfortable a
Basilea Schlink emphasizes the necessity of 'first love' for Jesus, which is crucial for enduring the trials of our time. This love, akin to 'bridal love,' is a powerful force that enables believers to face suffering and persecution with courage and joy. Schlink illustrates that true discipleship st
In this sermon, the speaker addresses the topic of being a true disciple of Jesus and how to follow Him. He criticizes the common approach of entertaining and manipulating emotions in evangelistic meetings, emphasizing the importance of understanding the true meaning of receiving Jesus. The speaker
In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the structure of the text. The main command or controlling verb is to make disciples, accompanied by three participles: going, baptizing, and teaching. The speaker highlights that disciples are primarily made through teaching and
In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of maintaining zeal for God in the Christian life. He warns against getting caught up in worldly pursuits and living a life without true passion for God. The speaker shares a story about a young man who works for Ford Motor Company and is also in
In this sermon, the preacher focuses on three accounts from the 9th chapter of Luke. He refers to them as the peril of the uncounted cause, the peril of the unburied corpse, and the peril of the unversaken circle. The preacher specifically discusses the last two accounts. In the first account, a man
In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the need for radical repentance and a reverence for God. He challenges the audience to examine their own lives and confess if they have enjoyed powerful messages but then engaged in sinful behavior, such as watching explicit scenes in movies. The preacher high
In this sermon, the preacher reflects on a powerful experience he had while visiting a prison. He came across a young child who had written a note saying "God is with me" and was deeply moved by the child's faith. The preacher then contemplates his own reaction if he were in a similar situation, f
In this sermon, the preacher, Broadus, discusses the belief that in the future state, the relationships and memories of earthly life will be remembered and cherished. He shares a personal anecdote about a winter walk in North Carolina, emphasizing the importance of not letting fear or caution preven
In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that the world is smaller than we think, and therefore the task of spreading the word of God is greater than we realize. The speaker shares a personal experience of feeling afraid and sinking, but being saved by calling out to the Lord. The speaker also highlig