Counting The Cost
gtcotr/ws012203
Before we get started tonight:
Point #194. No one of us can do everything, but each one of us can do something and every one of us can do one thing.
The One Thing -- Treat others the way we would like to be treated
In the every day ordinary issues of life and in the extra-ordinary monumental decisions of life.
It has been said that every person gets their 15 minutes of fame. It may well be that in those few minutes of lime light, people get A Chance To Make A Difference, to make some decisions, monumental decisions, decisions which affect the broad stream of life that surrounds them … A Chance To Do Something For Others
Perhaps maturity and the big picture is being able to put ourselves not just in another person’s shoes, (Put Yourself In Every Person’s Shoes), but in every other person’s shoes, before making those monumental decisions in life.
Romans 13:10 Love works no ill to his neighbor.
Some issues leave no opportunity to satisfy every party, however, this does not alleviate us of the responsibility to safeguard the trust we, as Christians, hold toward our God first and then to our fellow man and not just to our own interest.
Philippians 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Part of being Christ-like is denying ourselves and taking up our cross to be a follower of Him. Matthew 16:24
Would you turn to Luke 10
25 ¶ And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
What does this mean to you?
How do you make best decisions when your moment comes?
Before you answer, I ask you to do this:
* Re-read this passage
* Mentally survey every other person or party involved
* Attempt to place yourself in their shoes for a moment
> don’t be afraid
> truth will not ill serve you
> seeing life from another perspective may not change your mind, but it may give you a greater understanding and compassion which will serve you if you disagree or decide against them. This will keep you from appearing petty, ill willed, unreasonable or reactionary. It will provide you with substance.
* Pray about it
* Sleep on it
* Don’t allow others to incite or inflame you
* Make the best decision you can
* Pray for the ill affected
* Answer to God
Counting The Cost
Point #191 The test of life is what we do with what God has given us.
Key Scripture: Luke 14
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.
So often I hear people remark that, if they could, they would be glad to get rid of something they have, or everything they have, if they could only find someone to pay it off.
I. Hard Sayings
A. John 6
59 These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.
60 ¶ Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?
66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?
68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
B. A hard saying is a word from God which you are not currently living
1. Forgive
2. Submit
3. Honor
4. Tithe
5. Witness
6. Owe no man anything but love Romans 13:8
II. 5 Points To Ponder
#1. God wants you to have money but He will not tolerate money having you.
#2. One reason you cannot buy what you want is because you bought what you wanted.
#3. The problem with a dollar is that it can only be spent one time. Saying ‘yes’ to one thing may mean saying ‘no’ to another.
#4. The quickest way to get a raise is to cut a bill.
#5. You have heard the joke, “I am so poor I can’t even pay attention.” Well, perhaps that’s why some people seem poor, Perhaps some aren’t paying attention.
III. Three Steps To Getting Out Of Debt
A. First -- Stop Digging
B. Next -- Take Inventory
C. Then -- Get A Plan
IV. Get A Plan
A. Take On A Managing Partner - Jesus!
B. Adopt A Reference Guide - The Bible!
1. Isaiah 55:10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
2. Learn to distinguish between bread and seed (seed won’t meet the need unless and until after it is sown)
3. Genesis 26:12 Isaac sowed in the land of famine
4. Genesis 28:20 Jacob’s vow to tithe on his increase
5. Proverbs 3 Pay your bills on time - early if possible
27 ¶ Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
6. Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
C. Attack The Weakest
D. Have A Plan For Extra, Unexpected Money
1. Put it into your account for at least a week
2. Stick to the plan
