This morning we are going to consider the cost of being a true disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. To begin, I want to ask you, “Do you consider yourself a disciple of Christ or merely a follower?” What is a disciple? A disciple is more than a follower. A follower merely likes the ideas, thoughts, and teachings of the one he is following. Sadly, many who "profess" Jesus today are merely followers, and churches count decisions, not disciples. But a disciple is a learner (DISCIPLE = a learner, a pupil.) A disciple not only follows the teacher, but the teaching as well. To be a disciple of Jesus we must let Jesus teach us. A disciple is someone who learns from his teacher or master and then becomes like his master. There is a difference between a disciple and a mere follower. A disciple desires to be just like his master. He wants to be with him and learn of him so he can be more like him. On the other hand, a follower may follow as long as it is popular to do so. He may like some of the teachings of the one he follows and excuse himself from others. A disciple is committed to his master; a mere follower is not. The Apostle Paul is an example of a true disciple of the Lord. Look at Philippians 3:8-10: “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, (9) And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: (10) That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death . . . ” Paul is saying, “I want to be just like Jesus . . . even in death.” How many of us who are assembled here today would say with Paul, “I want to be just like Jesus, even if it costs me my life?” Look at what the Lord said to the church at Smyrna in Revelation 2:10: “ . . . be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Note that He said “faithful unto death” not until death. There is a difference. “Unto death” means “until it costs you your life.” That is what Paul is saying in Philippians. That is what he said in Galatians 2:20: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” He is saying, “I am no longer at the center of my universe, Christ Jesus is, and my goal, my desire is to let Him live in and through me on a daily basis.” That should be the desire of every true child of God. Many think that only preachers are to give up their plans for their lives to follow the Lord. But Jesus said in Luke 9:23, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” And most who claim Christ today are not willing to do that. Now, look at vs. 25 of our text. This “jumped” right out at me when I began reading these verses: “And there went great multitudes with him . . . ” Remember from Mark chapter 2 when He was in a house in Capernaum and word got out He was there? This is when the four friends of the one sick of the palsy let their friend down through the roof to be healed by Jesus. The Scripture says (Mark 2:2), “And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door . . . ” and Jesus preached to them. Today, if you will announce that some actor or some sports star is going to be “in the house” to give their testimony (or you’re going to have a car show) you can fill the church house. But if you announce that Jesus is going to be present (and He is every time we meet) and that He is going to speak to us through His Word, you have trouble just getting church members to show up (because we do). This thing called “Christianity” attracts a lot of people. Jesus compared the kingdom of God to a tree that all kinds of birds flock to, and we have many strange birds that are roosting in the world’s version of Christianity today. There are two kinds of “Christianity” - the world’s version and Christ’s version. There is a great deal of laxity of the world’s version. All you have to do is “claim the name,” wear some “Christian” jewelry, learn the terminology. These days you don’t even have to give up your old way of life or become a member of a true church. And you certainly don’t have to “contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” But when we start to apply the Lord’s standards of true Christianity and true discipleship the number of adherents suddenly grows smaller and smaller. John 6:49-50, 53-58,60, 66 gives us an example. But thank the Lord for faithful believers like Peter in vv. 67-69: “Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? (68) Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. (69) And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.” Who is Jesus to you? Is He the One who has the words of eternal life? Is He the Christ, the Son of the living God? In Luke 14:25 the crowds were following Jesus. He was at the point of His greatest popularity, but rather than build upon this, He thinned out the crowd. He didn’t do a miracle to get more followers. He didn’t water down His teaching with user-friendly language. Instead, He talked to them about something that seemed almost shocking. So in Luke 14 Jesus gives us His requirements for being a true disciple for His. They are . . .

I. THERE IS A CROSS THAT CAN BE EXPECTED - VV. 26-27.

II. THERE IS A COST THAT SHOULD BE EXPLORED - 28-30.

III. THERE IS A CONCERN THAT MUST BE EXAMINED - VV. 31-33.