The Cost of Being A Sinner

Luke 14:25-35

Introduction

• Cost of discipleship–Counting the cost necessary

–Price to pay (Matthew 7:21; Luke 9:23)

–Moses (Hebrews 11:24)

• Cost of being a sinner?–Not often considered

–Great cost

Life’s Work

• Everyone devoted to something–Many unhappy people

–Life of misery

–Suicide, alcoholism, drug addiction

Life’s Work

• Solomon’s experience (Ecclesiastes)–Wisdom? No! (1:13, 18)

–Pleasure? No! (2:1-3)

–Riches? No! (2:4-11)

–Work? No! (2:18-23)

–Conclusion: Fear God (12:13)

Peace of Mind

• Desire for a clear conscience–Not an infallible guide (Acts 23:1; 26:9)

–Yet, necessary to be at peace with self

Peace of Mind

• Other choices–Troubled (Acts 26:14)

–Temporarily calmed (Acts 24:25; 26:28)

–Seared (1 Timothy 4:1-3)

• Peace of mind through Christ–He invites (Matthew 11:28-30)

–Beyond understanding (Philippians 4:7)

God’s Presence

• Value of God’s presence–Adam and Eve hid (Genesis 3:8)

–Suffered a great loss

–Model for church discipline

God’s Presence

• What is lost?–God as a companion (Isaiah 59:1, 2)

–Access to His throne (Hebrews 4:16; 1 Peter 3:12)

–Eternal separation (Romans 6:23)

God’s Presence

• Are you willing to die without God?–Robert Ingersoll: “God, if there be a

god, save my soul, if I have a soul.”

–Could add: “… from hell, if there is a hell.”

–Will you be like him?

Soul

• Relative value of objects–Possessions

–Life itself worth more

–Human life more than animal life

Soul

• Valuable–Immortal

(Matthew 10:28-30; Luke 16:19-31)

–No price comparison (Matthew 16:26)

–Can be tormented (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9)

Conclusion

• Have you counted the cost of sin?

• Must obey now