Cost of Christianity

I. Introduction

A. We are all familiar with the cost of projects and goods

B. We realize

1. There is often a price paid for something worthwhile.

2. And many times, a price is paid for not obtaining

C. The Bible provides us with the information we need to do a “cost analysis”

1. The cost of becoming a Christian and living a life of service

2. Versus, The cost of not becoming a Christian

II. As we know a price was paid for Christianity to be possible. Let’s notice what others have paid to make this available to us.

A. What did God pay for Christianity?

1. God gave His only son - John 3:16

(John 3:16 KJV) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

2. God showing his love for us – Rom 5:8

(Rom 5:8 KJV) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

B. What Jesus gave up for Christianity

1. The glory of heaven – Phil. 2:6-8

a) Humbled himself

b) Was obedient

c) Gave His life

2. Gave himself – Titus 2:14

(Titus 2:14 KJV) Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

C. What the Apostles and others paid for being a Christian while continuing to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ

1. Stephen gave his life Acts 7

2. Paul endured physical harm for the cause of Christ
2 Cor 11:23-28

3. Many others, apostles and Christians were beaten, tortured and killed all because of the life they chose to live in service to God

III. They did not suffer for naught. Their actions did not go unrewarded. They knew and the scriptures teach that God bestows blessings on those that serve him faithfully. There are benefits received from being a Christian.

A. All Spiritual blessing for those in Christ Eph 1:3

(Eph 1:3 KJV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

B. In 1 John 4, the love and presence of God are promised to those that keep his commandments

C. Not only spiritual blessing but also physical necessities (not wants) are provided for those that serve God Matt. 6:31-33

D. Greatest blessing is eternal life as promised in passages like Rev 2:10

IV. What can it cost us to receive these blessings? What might the life of a Christian cost us?

A. It may cost us our station in life (occupation)

1. Maybe you are a young executive with “potential” and “are on your way to the top”

a) Or maybe a business owner

b) Are you willing to give it all up for Christ?

(1) Because you realize that you can not faithfully be obedient to the word of God and pursue this career

(2) You may be tempted to miss worship services to fulfill your job obligations

(3) Do you neglect your family because you are busy at with deadlines and projects?

2. Moses gives us an example of a price that may be paid to become a Christian – Heb 11:24-27

3. Reminds me of the verse of the song Follow Me

a) “I gave up fame and fortune, I’m worth a lot to Thee

b) Jesus replies, “I left the throne of glory and counted it but loss, My hands were nailed in anger upon a cruel cross”

B. It may cost us our family relationship

1. What would we do if our family decides to turn away from the teaching of the Bible?

a) Or maybe we learn the truth and realize we are in error because of what our parents have taught?

2. What will we turn to?

a) Jesus and the word of God

b) Or what our family says and believes

3. Consider what Job must of felt when he literally lost his family.

4. In Matt 10:37-38 Jesus spoke of the price one must pay in order to be found worthy.

a) Must love Jesus more than our fathers

b) Must love Jesus more than our mothers

c) Must love Jesus more than ourselves

C. It may cost us Pain, both emotional and physical

1. We all know there are places in this world where Christians are being physically persecuted for their faith is God.

a) It is not as true in this country, but is not impossible

2. A sometimes-greater pain is the emotional that we suffer because we are children of God.

a) I know of a preacher who was scolded by someone for his seemingly lack of compassion simply because he would not be associated with obvious error.

b) Whether at work

(1) You are made fun of because you go home and spend time with you family

(2) Because you arrange you schedule to be able to attend the gospel meeting in instead of working extra hours

c) Whether at school

(1) You are put down because you don’t wear the latest fashions because they are immodest

(2) Or you take part in activities that allow you the time to attend services as you should

(3) Or because you do not participate in irreverent activities at school

(4) Or you do participate in things like prayer and reading of your Bible

d) Whether are Home

(1) You are treated as lower class because you stay at home and tend to your household instead of running from house to house with the latest news of the neighborhood

3. Remember what Christ said in Matt 5:10-12

a) Blessed who are persecuted for Righteousness sake

b) Blessed are those who are reviled, and spoken evil of

c) Remember they persecuted the prophets before.

4. 1 Peter 2:23-24

V. These are just a sample of what we may pay while living as a faithful child of God.

A. But remember that part of the “cost analysis” is considering the price paid to not be a Christian

1. What if we decide to construct our house with fewer supports so we can save a few dollars, we have to think about the long term effects of such

2. The foolish mans house stood until the rain, floods, and the wind came. Matt. 7:26-27

B. This is the greatest price to be paid

1. The price of not being a Christian is far greater than the price of living a life in service to God.

2. No matter what we may encounter while here on earth as a Christian, It will not come close to the suffering that will take place to those who are not obedient or unfaithful

3. Romans 6:23 the wages of sin is death.

a) Wages reminds me of paycheck we receive for service rendered

b) God will pay those who do not obey him

C. May not pay a price while on this earth, May life a very prosperous life, but what is that in exchange for your soul

(Mat 16:26 KJV) For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

D. Eternal punishment to those that do not obey 2 Thess. 1:8-9

1. Punished

2. Everlasting destruction

E. The eternal destruction of Hell as pictured in book of Revelation

1. Rev. 20:1-3

a) Bottomless Pit

b) Presence of Satan

2. Rev 20:10, 21:8

a) Lake of fire and brimstone

b) Place of those whose names are not in the book of Life

VI. Conclusion

A. We have seen and know that there is a cost of Christianity

1. God provide the sacrifice

2. Jesus offered himself

3. The apostles and early Christians paid to spread the gospel

B. What are we willing to give up to serve God?

C. Weight the cost and benefits

1. The cost involved in becoming a child of God verses Not

2. Pain and suffering that we may endure in this life to have eternal bliss and joy as well as blessing now

3. Versus, limited feelings of happiness and physical pleasure for an everlasting torment

D. As the song says, “Have you counted the cost?”(266)