(Luke 14:25 - 33)
 

It is vitally important that we understand the context surrounding the words of our Lord in this text.
 

1.  The TRUTH from this Text.

*Jesus Christ is not giving out conditions for Salvation, but He is dealing with the cost for Service!
 

2.  The TIME of this Text.

*The preaching ministry of Jesus Christ lasted three and a half years.  He spoke these words some two months before Calvary.
 

*The closer Jesus drew to the cross, the stronger His preaching became!  This strong preaching certainly disturbed many of the fair-weather followers!

(John 6:53  -  68)
 

*It would behoove us to consider our Lord's requirements for discipleship.  Christ made it clear that there are some who "cannot" be His disciples!
(v. 26, 27, 33)
 

*A disciple is "one who follows the doctrine of another."  Too many in our day are more concerned with being followers of men rather than followers of God!
 

"Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men."
(Acts 5:29)
 
 

  I.  The COMMAND to Follow CHRIST!
 
 

"BE ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;"
(Ephesians 5:1)
 

*Following Christ is not an option. It is a COMMAND!
 
 

 II.  The CHARACTERISTICS of a Follower
       of CHRIST!
 

            A.  A Disciple must be Saved!
 

"Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again."
(John 3:7)
 

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."
(Romans 10:9)
 
 

            B.  A Disciple must be Submitted!
 

"Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
(James 4:7)
 
 

            C.  A Disciple must be Separated!
 

"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,"
(II Corinthians 6:17)
 
 

            D.  A Disciple must be a Servant!
 

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;"
(Colossians 3:23)
 
 

              E.  A Disciple will be a Soul Winner!
 

"And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."
(Matthew 4:19)
 
 

III.  The COST for Following CHRIST!
 

           (Luke 9:57 -  62)
 

           A.  Sacrifice your Place of Comfort!
                 (v. 58)
 

           B.  Surrender and Preach with Conviction!
                 (v. 60)
 

           C.  Steadfast in Plowing with Consistency!
                (v. 62)
 
 

*Following Jesus is forsaking something that we love for SOMEONE that we love more!
 

"And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him."
(Luke 5:11)
 
 

*May God help us to Count the Cost for Following the Christ!