Fully Worth The Cost

Usually, when we think of “COST,” it’s moneya product “costs” us “Blank amount of dollars.” But there is a more profound COST What it takes to get the money in the first place Let’s look a place where Jesus explains the concept Luke 14:26-33 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, and even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 “For which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn’t first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, after he has laid the foundation and cannot finish it, all the onlookers will begin to ridicule him, 30 saying, ‘This man started to build and wasn’t able to finish.’ What is a way for us to understand this “COST” Cost = Time + Energy The greater the “COST,” the greater the investment of our TIME and our ENERGY <Example> Holding the door for a stranger vs. A first date First Date vs 50th wedding anniversary Other examples: Work – Get money What is the COST? Cost = time+energy Kids – Raise the next generation Cost = time+energy Friendships – not lonely Cost = Time + Energy The cost of following Jesus death to self   Let’s talk about 2 COSTS the Bible teaches are WORTH THE COST.   1: Cost of Character What is character? Character: The strength of moral fiber. “As the excellence of gold is its purity and the excellence of art is its beauty, so the excellence of man is his character” “What you do in the dark” When no one is watching When there is no consequence Character is the sum of our: disposition thoughts intentions desires actions It is good to remember general tendencies gauge character Not based on a few isolated actions We must look at the whole life Why is there a “COST” to character Because character is DEVELOPED it’s learned It’s through REDEEMED HEARTS Like the refining of metals God REFINES OUR HEARTS Proverbs 17:3 3 A crucible for silver, and a smelter for gold, and the Lord is the tester of hearts. How do we DEVELOP Character? Romans 5 5 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 We have also obtained access through him by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, 4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. 5 This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Cost of Character is this: Cost = Time + Energy Time: Suffering Affliction Hardships Energy: Boasting in God trusting in God Not trying to fix it ourselves   The cost of Godly Character is FAITH IN SUFFERING We trust God when things are hard We do what is righteous even when it’s incredibly hard We are morally obligated to God’s law even when no one is looking Paul is not the only one who teaches us this… 1 Peter 1:6-8 6 You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials 7 so that the proven character of your faith—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Why is this so IMPORTANT to the Christian believer? You cannot outrun your character Judas Saul Proverbs 10:9 The one who lives with integrity lives securely, but whoever perverts his ways will be found out. Proverbs 11:3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the treacherous destroys them.   2: Cost of Wisdom   What is Wisdom? Wisdom: Understanding and applying God’s moral law for the universe through right choices Where does wisdom come from? Proverbs 9:10-11 10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 11 For by me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. This is the SOURCE of wisdom Jesus, “I am the way, the TRUST, and the life…” Jesus is the source of wisdom Humanities wisdom is foolish compared to the wisdom of God Adam and Eve – Knowledge of “GOOD AND BAD” Cannot be gotten outside of God Proverbs 4:10-15,23-27 10 Listen, my son. Accept my words, and you will live many years. 11 I am teaching you the way of wisdom; I am guiding you on straight paths. 12 When you walk, your steps will not be hindered; when you run, you will not stumble. 13 Hold on to instruction; don’t let go. Guard it, for it is your life. 14 Keep off the path of the wicked; don’t proceed on the way of evil ones. 15 Avoid it; don’t travel on it. Turn away from it, and pass it by. 23 Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life. 24 Don’t let your mouth speak dishonestly, and don’t let your lips talk deviously. 25 Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead. 26 Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established. 27 Don’t turn to the right or to the left; keep your feet away from evil.   The Cost of wisdom is choosing to give… Time – Learning wisdom we are NOT born with wisdom; it is acquired Energy – Applying it regularly in your life Those who learn wisdom must guard it   How do we do this? By asking good questions   In light of my past, my current circumstances, and my future hopes and dreams, what is the wise thing for me to do?   <Examples> Should I go there? Should I date them? Should I spend money on this? Should I agree to this?   How do we get wisdom? James 1:5 5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.   Character consistently chooses the right thing, and wisdom is knowing what the right thing is Godly Character and Wisdom are FULLY WORTH THE COST