Costly Christianity

As we gather today, we are confronted by one of the most challenging teachings of Jesus—a call to costly discipleship. In Luke 14:25-28, Jesus turns to the crowds following Him and lays out the terms of what it truly means to be His disciple. His words are not easy to hear; they demand supreme affection and total allegiance, even above the closest relationships in our lives. This is not a call to casual association with Christ but to a life marked by sacrifice and surrender. As we unpack this passage, we must wrestle with a profound question: Is Jesus truly first in our lives? Have we counted the cost of following Him, and are we ready to live with Him at the center, no matter the price? Let’s explore what it means to embrace the cross and commit fully to the One who gave everything for us.