Following Christ Is Costly - But How Do You Count the Cost?

Ask Pastor John
Episode: 1152
Transcript: www.desiringgod.org/interview...

[@setapart2serveministries]

I made plenty of mistakes doing this. And paid for it too. My relatives treated me like crap when I went back to them for help. Bearing the cross means to suffer along the way while following Him even to death.

[@deannang455]

God bless you. This year we suffer so much for Jesus but continue to hope in Him.

[@nelsontorres33733]

And then?

[@JesusIsKingofKings187]

Amen

[@troymilliken6792]

Remember this when face any spiritual conflict, and don't compromise.

[@jerico80]

Many arent counting the cost. They love the popularity of carrying the cross, but not the final destination.

[@regul8or71]

The final destination is the most glorious part. What people might not like is the cost before our life is over.

[@tkleo2006]

So me 😢

[@mao4324]

Ones life is the ultimate cost.

[@MattMorrisINTP]

The gap is growing every day. The narrow way has great cost but it is worth it.

[@ok_big_ben_ok1315]

This is an encouraging word! Jesus was, is, and will be 1000x more valuable than anything this life can offer Oh that I could be a true and faithful disciple. God help me

[@blazanick]

Amen 🙏🏽 same here help of Holy Spirit

[@messengerofgod89]

If you are interested in freedom from sin and how do we receive the Holy Spirit? read below. After God gave me the Holy Spirit, I found proof that TV, movies, novels, music, video games and computer games are all sins, except Christian stuff that don’t have sins like sermons and Christian music words that gives messages. I found out that in them there is lying, stealing, adultery (Matthew 5:28 looking at someone with lust is adultery), fornication which is sex before marriage, revenge, murder, jealousy, pride=self-pity, hypocrisy, using God’s name in vain as a curse word, they are all idols (breaks 2nd Commandment) because most people can’t live without them and they love them more than God and more. Just read the 10 commandments for a list. 1 John 2:15 King James Version (KJV) 15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 New King James Version 9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. Now I will be preaching about how to receive the Holy Spirit and be 100% going to Heaven. First, it’s only by the grace of God that he gives you faith in Jesus Christ in order to give up your sins. It’s only by the grace of God that he leads you to pray to him to destroy all your evil desires of watching TV or any sinful desires. When you pray to God to destroy all your evil desires of watching TV or sinful desires (Romans 6:6-7 and Galatians 5:24), Satan will intervene and extremely tempt you in watching the TV. But if it’s God’s will and if you are one of God’s elects, you will overcome it and God will destroy all your evil desires of watching TV. After God has destroyed all your evil desires of watching TV and if you are one of God’s elects, you receive the joy of the Holy Spirit for about 40 minutes. After the joy wears off, all existence of boredom no longer exists and you no longer burn out (psychology) anymore. That is when you have received the Holy Spirit Then it’s by the grace of God that he forgives you of your sins, as you confess and repent of your sins throughout your life which is called sanctification. But you can watch Christian stuff that don’t have sins (Like sermons) because that helps you grow more mature as a Christian spiritually and for more information about this sermon, go to spreadthegospel59.wordpress.com God's elect or nonelect? www.gotquestions.org/calvinism.html

[@JesusIsKingofKings187]

Amen The Holy Spirit helps us 🙏😊✝️

[@aletheamallory9674]

TRUTH👑🙋🏾👑

[@cmullenmusic]

💜✞🕊 may God continue to use this ministry to help people around the world. Thank you Pastor John, Tony and the whole Desiring God team. Much thanks. #Jesussaves

[@ArieonteCampbell]

Jesus is Lord. Jesus Christ is the only begotten son of God. Amen 🙏🏽

[@Lethargo226]

Indeed, a stern message. But inspiring through Christ' promise. I think verses like these need to be worn on the mind.

[@jerico80]

Amen!!

[@Debbi.O]

🙌🏾🙌🏾 this is amazing

[@troymilliken6792]

I count my physical life, relationships, and goals/desires as dead compared to following Christ.

[@JesusIsKingofKings187]

Amen Following Christ is the only thing that matters 🙏 🙌

[@robmckee5295]

By the way, that's not a trolling comment. Thanks for the video.

[@bradhouston4734]

I have been reading the Gospels again and as seems to be the same each time. I find myself really confronted by Jesus statements such as: let the dead bury their own dead, or the ones sighted here regarding hating your family. Even the verses that talk about the person who wanted to say goodbye to their family. They have always seemed to feel counterintuitive to his commands to love everyone. I feel like this message has cracked the door open a bit into how to interpret it all. What do others think?

[@anastazjamalczyk7683]

Hi Brad, I've been wondering the same things! Even when I wish somebody Happy Birthday I wonder what would Jesus say to that person. Like, He seemed to speak only speak and what His Father wanted Him to do. When I am truly surrendered do I have the right to buy a cup of coffee or spend time with my family watching a good, clean movie and things like that? I constantly feel condemned and guilty and I am so scared when I contemplate Jesus' demands but I'd also rather never had been born than live without God, I know life is simply not worth living without Him and so my struggle is so great..

[@brandonttessier7203]

Cross examined channel have all the answer for u my friend

[@Cuthbert237]

@@anastazjamalczyk7683 You know by listening to the conviction of the Holy Spirit in you. If you keep praying to be led and are listening by waiting to be convicted, you will know which way to go. *And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.* Isaiah 30:21

[@josephlewis1912]

I dont know how to process this. I want to be content with this. But coming to the conclusion that i mist forgo everything that could possibly bring me joy and happiness is something i have been trying to tackle. I believe in god, however the more i read, the more i come across things like Luke 14 that make me sad, and fearful, and lonely, and angry. I dont want to feel this way, but i just do. Its been something i have been trying to fix

[@antcross8623]

It is costly to follow Jesus some people must leaves their families or become estranged from their loved ones...it is hard but Jesus sends the helper to guide us and give us strength...we ourselves cannot follow him on our own willpower.Look the the twelve Jesus gave them auhtority over demons and they knew his teachings and followed him but when Jesus was arrested they all scattered Peter even denied him three times.The Holy spirit is the Helper to help us follow him while we are here on earth.Every christian will have a price to pay for following Jesus...for some it might be leaving family or homes behind or for some leaving their jobs or leaving certain hobbies...for some it will cost them thier lives...but dont think so much on what you will lose but on what you will gain remember Jesus's words "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" or "Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life."

[@josephlewis1912]

@@antcross8623 the more and more i read i just associate being a christian as suffering on this planet. We are called to be tested, struggle, and be pursecuted. God doesnt care about our happiness or comfort he cares about our salvation. It just makes me think, whats the point of having family amd loved ones if you get called to leave them. Thats something that has never made sense to me.

[@audreyd6725]

What you're feeling my dear is our normal fleshly reaction to Jesus. Jesus is of the light and like He said, the light exposes our inner darkness. We don't want to come to the light because we are accustomed to the darkness. Only Jesus can call us from the dead (our current spiritual state) and change us into being born again which loves the light. Continue to pray for God's Spirit

[@audreyd6725]

Also, God does care about our comfort and good things on earth. Like a father Jesus said He gives us good gifts all the time for our enjoyment! But when something comes in the way of us following Jesus it is bad for us and because He loves us and wants to give us true joy He will have us go through some trials or tests. In the end it is because He wants us and loves us. Also, what He has planned for you and me is way better than anything we could ever, EVER imagine!

[@aubriellelucille1762]

@@audreyd6725 aman aman!

[@folf]

This isn’t about mathematics!

[@angloaust1575]

Evangelism has made millions Obviously the costs don't matter!

[@mrzy7765]

I love my parents very much so losing them might be the ultimate cost for me.

[@lizzyw7861]

I am so sorry to hear that 🥺 I am dealing with the same things. But I prayed about it, and I think the way to tell them is slowly, wisely amd calmly. Pray for wisdom and stregth. Do research. Give reasons for your faith. You need to explain why you believe Jesus is God, why the Bible is true. Listen to apologetics, read. I am in that process right now. Tell them what Jesus/Bible said here and there... for ex. When they are facing a diffuculty, you can find a relevant bible verse (make sure it is inspiring) and tell it to them, “mom, you know I saw on Pinterest this Bible verse a few days ago, isn’t it a cool advice tho? Weird it was written 2000 years ago.” Then, eventually they will catch what’s going on and you can sit down and have a looong talk

[@lizzyw7861]

We are COMMANDED to love another as Christ loved us. Tell them nothing has changed about your love for them. But loving and obeying are different things. You must disobey them and get baptised, go to church etc. Make sure before you tell them you are a Christian, become a better child. Help the community, help at home, act calmer and more patient. A few books I’d recommend is: Mere Christianity (really good, the best) I don’t have enough faith to be an atheist (u can find a 1:30 hr video on youtube by the author Frank Turek) Evidence that demands a verdict (can purchase from websites that sell used books, thriftbooks for ex ~same things for the other books)

[@mrzy7765]

@@lizzyw7861 Thank you so much for the wonderful advice 🙏

[@gdawg1585]

I will never stop loving my parents whoever agrees with hating their own family are in a death cult

[@ssebhatu3001]

@@gdawg1585 I think you have misunderstood the Words of Jesus my friend. Jesus is saying your love and devotion for God has to come first, even before family. Your love and devotion to God has to be soooooooo much that when you compare your love for God to the love for family, that love for family will look like hate. I hope this makes sense, God told us to honour our father and mother. God bless you and open the eyes of your heart to understand the Words of Jesus.

[@bradhouston4734]

Is discipleship the same as being a born again Christian? Or a higher level calling?

[@messengerofgod89]

If you are interested in freedom from sin and how do we receive the Holy Spirit? read below. After God gave me the Holy Spirit, I found proof that TV, movies, novels, music, video games and computer games are all sins, except Christian stuff that don’t have sins like sermons and Christian music words that gives messages. I found out that in them there is lying, stealing, adultery (Matthew 5:28 looking at someone with lust is adultery), fornication which is sex before marriage, revenge, murder, jealousy, pride=self-pity, hypocrisy, using God’s name in vain as a curse word, they are all idols (breaks 2nd Commandment) because most people can’t live without them and they love them more than God and more. Just read the 10 commandments for a list. 1 John 2:15 King James Version (KJV) 15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 New King James Version 9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. Now I will be preaching about how to receive the Holy Spirit and be 100% going to Heaven. First, it’s only by the grace of God that he gives you faith in Jesus Christ in order to give up your sins. It’s only by the grace of God that he leads you to pray to him to destroy all your evil desires of watching TV or any sinful desires. When you pray to God to destroy all your evil desires of watching TV or sinful desires (Romans 6:6-7 and Galatians 5:24), Satan will intervene and extremely tempt you in watching the TV. But if it’s God’s will and if you are one of God’s elects, you will overcome it and God will destroy all your evil desires of watching TV. After God has destroyed all your evil desires of watching TV and if you are one of God’s elects, you receive the joy of the Holy Spirit for about 40 minutes. After the joy wears off, all existence of boredom no longer exists and you no longer burn out (psychology) anymore. That is when you have received the Holy Spirit Then it’s by the grace of God that he forgives you of your sins, as you confess and repent of your sins throughout your life which is called sanctification. But you can watch Christian stuff that don’t have sins (Like sermons) because that helps you grow more mature as a Christian spiritually and for more information about this sermon, go to spreadthegospel59.wordpress.com God's elect or nonelect? www.gotquestions.org/calvinism.html

[@MM-np4md]

I think it's the same 🤔

[@tynstaci]

Followers of Christ are called to be disciples. The term Christian was derogatory and never used by Jesus. However, he did use the term disciple.

[@user-ks5iq1lf7f]

Is being a disciple of Jesus and a child of Jesus the same thing?

[@brokyle2267]

Yes

[@The12thSeahorse]

Honestly……if we are going to follow Paul……we should be avoiding getting married, avoid from obtaining property, attending Bible school, and having no fix address……for most Christians this is out of reach……especially for those who preach and believe the prosperity Gospel.

[@piehound]

Hey guess what . . . NOT following Christ is also costly. All humanity both Christian and non - Christian is in trouble with the big guy upstairs. All of us know there is a cost involved with just living. How to count that ????? Ask an accountant.

[@linkskywalker5417]

And yet, in life, following Christ is more costly, potentially total, right down to dying for him as he died for us. Not accepting Christ is less costly since those who reject him won't be fighting their sin nature, yet there will be punishment and it will be severe. But the cost of discipleship is worth everything.

[@piehound]

@@linkskywalker5417 Good answer. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aHzKcpyiibmNpLMsi=BXrx5q5meMINw233

[@jerrysweany278]

Is a disciple different from all who are "in Christ" or are they one in the same?

[@robmckee5295]

So when my church tells me to give all of the money I have, should I hand it over?

[@ambrossmbunga4664]

Robert McKee it doesn’t sound right when a church asks that first and foremost. However tithing is a must as commanded if that’s what your asking? God instructs us to honor him with our first produce of our labour. Like if your paycheck comes in at $1000 after taxes cause tax takes it out before you any way, but of $1000 you honor God with $100 that’s 10% of every labour you produce. Abel honored God with the first offspring of his sheeps not with the second but the first . Lastly in other words don’t spend your money first on other things and pay tithes that won’t count . Trust God with your offerings he will multiply you 7 times fold.

[@reubenpaul94]

I can't tell if this was a genuine question or a comment. If God calls you to empty your pockets, why wouldn't you? It's another thing when the church asks you...

[@robmckee5295]

@@reubenpaul94 Thank you for your reply. So when I wrote that comment a year ago, I was trying to differentiate between the call of God and being spiritually abused, which can and does happen. If it's the call of God, I would probably be blessed financially and definitely blessed spiritually. If it's abuse by a spiritual leader that I should have been able to trust, I may find myself with an empty bank account and, even worse, angry at God for letting it happen even though I was being naive and God told me to do no such thing.

[@reubenpaul94]

@@robmckee5295 I understand your dilemma now. I'm sorry if I sounded harsh. Praise God.

[@regul8or71]

I know I’m 2 years late, but your “answer” is indirectly found in 2 Corinthians 10:5. Also, sometimes when churches ask for large financial gifts, they might not be doing it because they “need” the money. I will try to succinctly explain: true freedom is found in completely trusting God with every area of our life and handing everything over to Him, knowing that he will take care of us in His own way. Sometimes when churches ask for monetary donations, it is partly/largely/completely because of that - they want people to experience the freedom of not being “tied” to our money (being tied to our money is a form of idolatry - Matthew 6:33). In other words, we as Christians have the opportunity to entrust EVERYTHING to God, knowing that God is good and He can be trusted to make the best of everything (Philippians 3:7-14, Romans 8:28)(regardless of if we see it or if it makes sense to us - 2 Corinthians 4:18, Isaiah 55:8-9). Sorry for this imperfect explanation. I’m not trying to start a theological debate, nor will I participate in one. Cheers!

[@MatrixMaster777]

The Cost = October 14 @ en.wikipedia.org/wiki/October_14

[@bliss7620]

Yo 1,000 fold! I thought it was 100?!?

[@alexanderpantin7355]

How is Jesus asking this moral?

[@koreyknockout]

I know this comment is 5 years old but think of it this way: he is not forcing you to do so. He is giving the disclaimer up from of what truly following Him looks like. The thing about it is He isn’t asking for us to do anything more than what He himself already did. He forsook himself, he served others, he took humiliation and abuse for us, he literally died for us. It’s almost like Him saying “I would do /did this for you. Would you do the same for me?”

[@yeoberry]

If this were a video, I'd show it at church but not as just an audio.

[@tuconexionlocal7516]

I would….something different would be good.

[@larry1824]

With a dollar store calculator😅

[@TB3hnz]

I have $83k in student loan debt, and I know now that it is not good to be in debt. Does that mean I'm useless in being a disciple?

[@ClickThief]

No; you are not useless in being a disciple for Jesus Christ looks not at our debts we have to pay (which he btw payed the ultimate one) as something to condemn us by but he came to save us from all our debts before God. If you follow Christ with all your heart he will clear all your debt and I'm not talking only about Money. God bless you 🙏

[@alicehoward2653]

Your christain community and bible can not follow jesus for you your reasonality and emotions can not either sometimes you got to walk through stuff that everyone hates you for that looks wrong to the natural and ligalistic mind and that hurts qnd is very frightening and also freeing when you hear him say well done my child.