Acts 21:1–16 | Costly Obedience

First Irving Sermons

Main Idea. Following and obeying Jesus Christ is costly. The cost of following Jesus. Luke 14: 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and 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, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ Driving Question. What are costly challenges in being obedient to Jesus Christ? Three challenges we face. 1. Persuasion of Friends (1–6) 2. Warnings of Suffering (7–12) The Prophetic Word tells us the same. Acts 14:22: “through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God” 2 Tim 3:12: “All that live a godly life in Jesus Christ will suffer persecution” Jn 16:33: I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” 3. Submission of Our Wills (13–14) Matt 16:24–26 If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? Responses. The name of Jesus Christ is worth giving your life for. The Church is to spur obedience, not squash it.