Gareth De Kock:- A House That Counts The Cost

Gareth De Kock:- A House That Counts The Cost https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LxPua6Z3VGc9obCEpuyNUMdIQGnbNMee/view?usp=sharing "This message explores the concept of becoming a dwelling place for God by emphasizing the importance of counting the cost in one's commitment to the Lord. The Biblical Narrative The central teaching is derived from 1 Chronicles 21, which details King David’s encounter at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite: After David sinned by counting the people, he sought to build an altar to the Lord to avert a plague. Ornan offered to give David the site, oxen, and materials for free, but David refused. David insisted on paying the full price, declaring, "I will not take for the LORD what is yours nor offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing". After David paid six hundred shekels of gold and offered sacrifices, the Lord answered with fire from heaven, and the plague was stopped. Key Themes and Practical Application The text highlights several key concepts related to this narrative: Essential Elements: The threshing floor, offerings, and the price or cost involved are presented as foundational keys. Counting the Cost: To effectively "count the cost" in their own lives, believers are encouraged to practice the following: Practice repentance: Acknowledge wrongdoing and turn back to God. Choose differently: Make intentional decisions that align with God's will. Worship: Engage in dedicated, sacrificial worship. Ultimately, the document underscores the necessity of sacrificial devotion, maintaining that true offerings to the Lord must involve a personal cost.