Introduction

A. The signing of the Declaration of Independence and the crossing of the Rubicon were both points of no return, moments when the parties involved committed their very lives to their cause.

B. What did Jesus have to say about commitment to His cause?

I. Instead of hiding the cost, Jesus urged everyone to count it.

A. Jesus was always honest about the hardships that His disciples would have to endure (Luke 9:57-62; 21:16-17).

B. He was honest about what it would cost them to follow Him (Luke 14:26-33; 18:22-26).

C. He was also upfront about the benefits of discipleship (Matthew 20:16; 19:27-30; 20:20-23).

II. Jesus says that we must deny ourselves to follow Him.

A. He told Peter that he should be more mindful of the things of God than the things of men (Matthew 16:21-23).

B. If we wish to follow Jesus, we must bear a cross wherever we go (Matthew 16:24; Luke 9:23).

C. Jesus said that following Him will cost one his very life (Matthew 16:25-28).

Conclusion

A. What would be too great a thing to give up for Jesus? Earthly treasure (Matthew 26:6-9)? How about an eye (Matthew 5:29-30)?

B. A place in God’s kingdom is more precious than anything we could ever possess (Matthew 13:45-46). Don’t miss it for the world!