TEXT:  Matt. 13:44-46

INTRODUCTION:

A.  THESE MEN REALIZED THERE WAS A COST FOR WHAT THEY WANTED.

B.  DAVID REALIZED THE PRICE WAS HIS TO PAY (2 Sam. 24:24).

C.  JESUS TOLD US TO “COUNT THE COST” (Luke 14:27-28).

          1.  Not making discipleship optional (John 8:12;  31-32).

          2.  Talking about the great cost.

          3.  Is it worth it?  (Matt. 13:44-46).

C.  HAVE YOU COUNTED THE COST?

D.  ARE YOU WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE?

E.  LAST WEEK:  FOR DISCIPLESHIP?  FOR BECOMING A CHRISTIAN?

III.    FOR BEING MARRIED? (Gen. 2:18).

A.  ITS PERMANENCY (Matt. 19:6;  Rom. 7:2).

B.  LEAVING AND CLEAVING (Matt. 19:4-5).

C.  FORSAKING ALL OTHERS (Heb. 13:4)

D.  SERVICE – SUBJECTING SELF TO OTHERS (Eph. 5:22-27)

E.  ONE FLESH (Eph. 5:28-33).

F.  THE KEY (Eph. 5:21).

          - Marry someone who will help you get there.

IV.   FOR HAVING CHILDREN? (Psa. 127:3-5).

A.  FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (1 Tim. 5:8).

B.  TIME (Eph. 5:16;  Deut. 6:4-7).

C.  TRAINING (Eph. 6:4;  Titus 2:3-4). èDISCIPLINE (Heb. 12:5-7).

D.  THE KEY (Eph. 5:21).  NO ROOM FOR SELFISHNESS IN THE FAMILY!

V.    FOR STANDING FOR THE TRUTH? (1 Cor. 16:13-14).

A.  LOSS OF FRIENDS AND EVEN BRETHREN (2 Tim. 4:16).

B.  LOSS OF REPUTATION (3 John 9-11;  2 Cor. 10:10).

C.  A COST TO ALL THE APOSTLES & THE LORD (1 Cor. 4:9-13;  John 15:20).

D.  WE MUST BE LIKE PAUL (Phil. 1:16).

VI.   FOR BEING FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH?  (Rev. 2:10)

A.  THERE ARE MEN WHO FEAR NOT DEATH (Acts 20:24;  2 Cor. 4:7-10).

B.  WE MUST CONQUER THE FEAR OF MEN (Heb. 13:5-6;  1 Pet. 3:13-18).

C.  BE WATCHFUL

          1.  For the devil (1 Pet. 5:8).

          2.  For one another (Heb. 3:12-13).

          3.  For temptation (Eph. 5:15).

CONCLUSION:  A HIGHER PRICE IS PAID FOR NOT FOLLOWING

        JESUS.

A.  THERE IS NO GREATER TREASURE THAN OUR REWARD IN HEAVEN

          (Matt. 13:44-46).

B.  HAVE YOU COUNTED THE COST? (2 Thes. 1:8-9).