DCLM DAILY MANNA 25 MAY 2021 — NOT A CHEAP CALL
TOPIC: Not A Cheap Call (DCLM Daily Manna 25 May 2021)
TEXT: Luke 14:25-35
25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,
26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.
31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.
33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
34 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?
35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
KEY VERSE: “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” – (Luke 14:33)
MESSAGE:
The value one places on a thing determines how much one is willing to pay for it. Precious things do not normally come cheap. This is why investors and speculators after having done very careful and thorough calculations and projections are willing to commit and stake so much into a particular investment.
Also See: OPEN HEAVEN 25 MAY 2021 – ETERNAL INVESTMENTS
In this teaching on discipleship, our Lord Jesus wanted the huge crowd following Him to know that the cost of following Him is not cheap. There were many who obviously were following for wrong reasons. They either had been impressed by the many miracles and wonders He did or were hoping He was their expected Messiah to give them political independence. But Jesus did not want anyone to follow Him for the wrong reasons. He wanted them to be sure they knew why they were following Him. To all who are willing to follow Him, Jesus made it clear that the cost of discipleship is high.
There are many churchgoers today who profess to be following Christ but are not ready to pay the price. There are those who are madly in love with their denominations but do not have love for Christ. Unfortunately also, there are pastors who are satisfied with having large crowds but are not ready to spell out the true cost of disciples to their members.
As a Christian and follower of Christ, have you counted the cost and are you willing to stake all for Him? Are you willing to give up all your sins and indulgences that give you joy and pleasure but are displeasing to the Lord? How about those ungodly relationships and all the unlawful gains that seem to add some pep to your lifestyle? If family members, friends and colleagues should turn their backs on you because of your decision to follow Christ, will you still be willing to follow Him all the way?
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
The cost of following Christ may be high, but the gains are higher.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Samuel 10-11
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
