In today’s episode of the International Gospel Hour, Jeff Archie explores the profound message of counting the cost when following Jesus Christ. With references to Scripture, he emphasizes the fundamental decisions and sacrifices required to be a true disciple. From understanding the necessity of commitment found in Luke 14 to the steps of repentance outlined in Acts 2, this episode unpacks the essential elements of faith and devotion. Join us as we delve into these transformative teachings and strive toward a deeper spiritual journey.
The old hymn asks the question, Have you counted the cost? Jesus asks the same about following him, counting the cost that’s just ahead from the long-running International Gospel Hour.
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It’s time for our broadcast from the International Gospel Hour. I’m Jay Webb, and welcome to our study today as we embrace God’s Word to help us meet the challenges of today. Let’s open our Bibles and open our heart for this time of Bible study with our speaker Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour, a broadcast of the Churches of Christ. Here’s Jeff.
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Well, thank you to our Jay Webb, and greetings to all of you. We appreciate you joining us today for our studies from the International Gospel Hour. You know, friends, we’ve been on the air since 1934, and we’ve been on the air through all those years because of the listening audience that found our broadcast worthy to listen in those early days and have throughout all these years. We want to thank you for joining us today and always. The greatest decision in one’s life is to choose to become a follower of Jesus Christ. When one counts the cost seriously, there is no better choice. To the early Christians, Peter said in 1 Peter 2.21, For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that you should follow his steps. Yet, friends, we understand this decision must not be taken lightly, as it requires that we allow Jesus to direct our lives, We follow His steps as He is the way, as He stated in John 14 and verse 6. For our study today, let us count the cost and see the value and benefits of being a Christian and desire to make heaven our home. We’ll continue this study in about 30 seconds.
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The best way to reach us is our toll-free number at 855-444-6988. Would you take a moment and give us a call and tell us where you are listening to our broadcast? Our number is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Just call 855-444-6988. That’s 855-444-6988. Thank you so much and keep listening. Friends, when one counts the cost, one sees the commitment in following Christ.
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It was Jesus who taught in Luke 14, verses 25-33, Now great multitudes went with him, and he turned and said to them, If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, in his own life also he cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it, lest after he has laid the foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build and was not able to finish? Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be my disciple. Friends, from this reading before building a tower, what should be done first? Well, as they did, you sit down and count the cost. You see what will it take. And must our commitment to Jesus be stronger than any other relationship as Jesus taught us in verses 25 and 26? Yes. The question would be, are you willing to make tough decisions to be a disciple of Jesus? Are you willing to make those decisions when you sit down and count the cost and realize, it’s going to cost me? In Luke 9, 23 through 25, Jesus said to them all, if anyone desires to come after me, Let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and is himself destroyed or lost? Friends, we must see the commitment in following Christ and to turn away from the world and to turn unto Him. Second, when one counts the cost, one must be willing to change. When you count the cost and you see the great advantage, you’ve got to change. In Luke 13, beginning with verse 1, there were present at that season some who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had meagled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered such things? I tell you, no. But unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Jesus let us know that everybody must repent, must make changes in their lives. In Acts 3 and verse 19, Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. You see, repentance would lead to them changing their lives. Repentance is a change of decision resulting in a change of direction. And that’s the only way one’s sins can be blotted out is to be converted. Let’s see how this happened in Acts chapter 2 beginning with verse 36. Peter is wrapping up the lesson and he says, Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said to them, Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call. And with many of the words he testified and exhorted them, saying, Be saved from this perverse generation. Then those who gladly received his word were baptized, and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in prayers. From verse 36, this same Jesus that Israel had crucified, God had made Him both Lord and Christ. They knew what they had done. And from verse 37, when our hearts are convicted, what is the question we will ask? What shall we do? From verse 38, what two things must be done to get remission of sins? To repent and to be baptized. Friends, we know they believed, for they were at a feast on Pentecost listening. But they had lived a life not in accordance with what God would have them to do. What will one do if he gladly receives the word? Well, from verse 41, they were baptized. Friends, we would submit to you baptized into water, for water was the element used when one was baptized. We note that going back to the days of John, but also what about the eunuch in Acts chapter 8? And we find that they continued steadfastly, their change of life continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine in fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers. So, friends, when one counts the cost, one sees the commitment in following Christ, and one must be willing to change. But thirdly, when one counts the cost, one must accept the invitation of Jesus Christ. From Matthew 11, verses 28-30, we find that Jesus is the only person that could provide rest for our souls. How beautiful is Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection! It made the change in the church at Corinth, 1 Corinthians 15, 1-4. And friends, we understand salvation through Christ. When we hear the word, according to Romans 10, verse 17, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Jesus taught the importance and the necessity of faith from John 8, 24, that we should believe that He is the Christ. We noted from Luke 13 and verse 3 moments ago that we must repent of our sins. And that we confess our faith in Christ. And we confess as our faith brings us to confession. That with the heart man believes unto righteousness, but with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10, 9 and 10. And as we’ve already noted from Acts 2 and verse 38, we are to be baptized. Baptism that we find those in the days of Philip. In Acts chapter 8, they were baptized. The eunuch was baptized. How Saul was told to arise and to be baptized and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord, Acts 22, 16. In John 6, 44 and 45, Jesus said, No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, and they shall all be taught by God. Therefore, everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me. When we learn of the commands of Christ, we hear them and we learn them, we are going to come to Christ, just like He commanded in Luke 14, Acts 2, and as we noted moments ago, through His salvation plan, through Jesus Christ. Friends, have we prompted you to think about some things today? Let’s see if we can help you in your further study of these matters. And our J-Web has a few words of how you can receive our free Bible course by mail titled, God and Man.
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An additional Bible study by mail is now available from International Gospel Hour. It’s titled, God and Man, How to be Saved from Sin. This study booklet addresses a number of questions about the salvation from God to man. And friends, like all materials, it’s free. Call us toll free at 855-444-6988 and leave your name, address and just say God and man. Or you can go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com, click on the Contact tab, and leave us the same information, name, address, and type God and man in the message box. Another Bible study that is free from IGH and our friends at godandman.com. That’s god-and-man.com. And, you know, since you can’t see it, let me just spell that out for you. god-and-man.com We’d love to hear from you.
SPEAKER 01 :
So friends, we hope you’ll reach out for our God and Man Study. When we count the cost, we know that it’s worth everything to follow Jesus Christ. May we help you in your counting the cost and the study of His Word. Thank you for joining us today on our broadcast from the International Gospel Hour. We’ll continue our studies together at another time. I’m Jeff Archie. Thanks again and keep listening.
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God be with you till we meet again. Thank you for listening today to God Be the Glory and we hope that our study today will draw you closer to His Word to walk in His way. Feel free to listen to our other programs at our website at internationalgospelhour.com and join us next time. God be with you till we meet again.
