Count The Cost

June 28, 2026

Pastor John Stirewalt

COUNT THE COST Big Idea: Following Jesus costs everything — but what you gain is worth more than anything you'll ever give up. Primary Text: LUKE 14:25-33 Luk 14:25  And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, Luk 14:26  If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. Luk 14:27  And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 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? Luk 14:29  Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Luk 14:30  Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Luk 14:31  Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Luk 14:32  Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. Luk 14:33  So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. Context: Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem. Great crowds are following Him, caught up in the excitement. But Jesus turns and makes clear that following Him isn't a popularity contest — it demands everything. INTRODUCTION Church, think about the last big decision you made. Maybe it was buying a house, or taking a new job, or getting married. You sat down and counted the cost. You figured out what it would take. You made sure you were ready before you jumped in. But here's what I want y'all to hear this morning — following Jesus is the biggest decision you'll ever make. And Jesus never once tried to make it sound easy. He didn't sugarcoat it. He looked at the crowd and said, "Before you follow Me, count the cost." I ask you today — have you counted the cost of following Jesus? Or are you just riding the wave because it feels good on Sunday morning? MOVEMENT 1: LOVE ME MORE THAN ANYTHING LUKE 14:26 Key Verse: "If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple." The Point: Jesus demands first place — above every relationship, even your own life. Jesus isn't telling us to literally hate our families — that would contradict the whole of Scripture He's using strong language to make a strong point: your love for Him must be so supreme that every other love looks like hate by comparison Illustration: Think of it like this — when the doctor says, "You can only save one," you don't hate the other. But you've got to choose. Jesus is saying, "Am I your first choice?" "And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple" — bearing the cross means dying to self, picking up the life of sacrifice and surrender Application: Church, I ask you — is there a relationship, a habit, a dream that's sitting in the seat where Jesus belongs? If He's not first, He's not really Lord at all. MOVEMENT 2: COUNT THE COST BEFORE YOU BUILD LUKE 14:28 Key Verse: "For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?" The Point: Real discipleship is deliberate — not impulsive, not half-hearted. Jesus gives two illustrations — a man building a tower and a king going to war The builder who lays a foundation and can't finish becomes a fool in the eyes of everyone who sees it The king with ten thousand troops doesn't march against twenty thousand without thinking it through Illustration: Folks, I've seen it too many times — somebody gets emotional at an altar, makes big promises, and by Wednesday they're right back where they were. Not because God failed them, but because they never sat down and counted the cost Application: Are you building something with your faith, or are you just stacking blocks that keep falling over? Following Jesus means counting the cost and committing for the long haul — not just when it's convenient MOVEMENT 3: GIVE UP EVERYTHING OR YOU CAN'T BE MY DISCIPLE LUKE 14:33 Key Verse: "So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple." The Point: Jesus isn't asking for a tip — He's asking for the deed to your whole life. "Cannot be my disciple" — that's not a suggestion, that's a condition He's not saying you have to sell everything and live in a cardboard box He's saying you have to hold everything with open hands — your stuff, your plans, your future — and say, "Lord, it's all Yours" Illustration: Think of a wedding — when you stand at that altar, you don't say, "I'll give you most of my heart" or "I'll be faithful most of the time." No. You give it all. That's what Jesus is asking for Application: Church, what are you holding back? What's the one thing you haven't surrendered? I'm telling you, until you lay it down, you'll never know the freedom of walking with Jesus fully THE GOSPEL CONNECTION Church, here's the good news — yes, following Jesus costs everything. But look at what He gave up for you. He left the glory of heaven. He took on flesh. He bore your sin on that cross. He gave His very life so you could have eternal life. You're not giving up your life to get nothing. You're giving up your broken, empty life to receive His abundant, eternal life. Jesus said in another place, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." The cost is real. But the reward? It's beyond anything this world could ever offer. APPLICATION — WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? If you've never surrendered your life to Jesus — today is the day. Don't walk away from this moment. Count the cost, and then step out in faith. He's worth it. If you're a believer holding something back — lay it down this morning. Whatever it is — a relationship, a secret sin, a plan you're clinging to — give it to Jesus. He's not trying to take something from you; He's trying to give you something better. If you're coasting in your faith — stop building a half-finished tower. Recommit. Get back in the Word. Get back in prayer. Get back in church. Count the cost and finish what you started. CLOSING I want y'all to hear me today. Jesus never said following Him would be easy. But He did say it would be worth it. Count the cost — and then follow Him with everything you've got. Suggested Next Step: This week, identify one area of your life you've been holding back from Jesus. Write it down. Pray over it. And surrender it to Him before next Sunday. So, let's go to the Lord in prayer.