Sermon Central
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Counting The Cost
Contributed by Scott Carroll on Mar 11, 2008 (message contributor)
Summary: THAT THERE IS COST AND COMMITMENT IN LIVING FOR GOD.
COUNTING THE COST
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?
29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
(KJV)
33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
(KJV)
A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer’ showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.
As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car.
Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study.
His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him.
He handed his son a beautifully wrapped gift box.
Curious, and somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the Box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man’s name embossed in gold.
Angry, he raised his voice to his father and said, "With all your money you give me a Bible?" and stormed out of the house.
Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him.
He had not seen him since that graduation day. Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things.
When he arrived at his father’s house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart.
He began to search through his father’s important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. His father had carefully underlined a verse, Matthew 7:11, "And if ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father which is in Heaven, give to those who ask Him?"
As he read those words, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible.
It had a tag with the dealer’s name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words PAID IN FULL.
*** We are at a new dimension-- that’s exciting but also has a negative side--sacrifice, demanding!
*** Israel was at Jordan and on the other side was the promise land, Canaan: they could see it they were so close. All they had was to cross over! But they had to spend three days getting ready to cross. Waiting to be sanctified to cross.
Josh 1:10-11
10 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying,
11 Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it.
(KJV)
Josh 3:1-6
1 And Joshua rose early in the morning; and they removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, he and all the children of Israel, and lodged there before they passed over.
2 And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the host;
3 And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it.
4 Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore.
5 And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you.
6 And Joshua spake unto the priests, saying, Take up the ark of the covenant, and pass over before the people. And they took up the ark of the covenant, and went before the people.
(KJV)
*** We are at a standstill {counting the cost}?
*** We are facing some issues that need to be settled in your mind and spirit for good.
*** We are going to stand still until you settle it.
*** Issues can keep you from Jesus.
