Lu 15:1 ¶ Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him .

1. Counting the Cost Lu 15:1 ¶ Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. Lu 14:25 ¶ And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26 "If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 "And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 28 "For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it 29 "lest, after he has laid the 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.’ 31 "Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and

2. consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32"Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. 33 "So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that • he has cannot be My disciple. 34 "Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? 35 "It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” It is Jesus' way to put barriers upfront. If you can get over them you will do fine. Mt 10:34 "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 "For I have come to 'set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law'; 36 "and 'a man's enemies will be those of his own household.'

3. Three points & Two Illustrations 1. Following Christ necessitates the separating of intimate relationships. From them morally, spiritually and at times totally. 2. Following Christ requires bearing humiliation, disgrace, persecution and even death if need be. Yet there is a tendency with us to expect to be appreciated as Christians. 3. Following Christ means letting go of everything this world holds dear. Ph 3:7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Two Illustrations A Builder and A King 4 Teachings 1. No person should enter lightly a profession of faith.

4. 2. If in the things of this life men act with caution and forethought, how much more those who enter into eternal things. • 3. Christianity requires serious thought and the resolve, by God’s grace, to make it the business of ones life. • 4. Proper preparation for victory is necessary or out of fear of defeat one will compromise with the enemy. "Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. Conclusion Prepare to stay salty or get thrown out. 34 "Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? 35 "It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

5. Rm 6:3Do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.

6. Mt 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, 1stbaptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 2nd"teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” • Mr 16:15 And he said unto them, Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned.

7. Ac 2:37 ¶ Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.

8. Ac 8:26 ¶ Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is desert. 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. 36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And Gaza • the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?” 37 Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”

9. Ac 16:26And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken and immediately all the doors were opened… 27 And the jailer woke out of his sleep, and seeing the • prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself… 28But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here… 30 And he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.

10. Valley Baptist Retreat In Mission ½ mi. on left after Glascock 3-6