1. THE COST OF BEING A DISCIPLE Introduction - Jesus is calling everyone to be his disciple - Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is costly - It could cost you, your loved ones and even your life - Do you want to be his disciple? - Are you ready to pay the price? What is the price? Related Bible verses: Mathew 16:24 (More verses are given later) Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Therefore if you want to be a disciple of Jesus Christ you must,

2. THE COST OF BEING A DISCIPLE… 1.Deny yourself - You can not give priority to materials (Luke 18:22-23) - You have adopt to a non-luxurious life (Matthew 8:20) - The top priority should be given to Jesus (Matthew 8:21-22)

3. THE COST OF BEING A DISCIPLE… 2. Take up your cross - We are called to suffer (1 Peter 2:21, 1 Peter 4:13) - We have to suffer shame (Hebrews 12:2) - We will be ridiculed (Matthew 27:39) - We will be rejected (1 Peter 2:4) - We have to suffer death (Acts 10:39) Consider the following report from “Orissa burning” blog,“Orissa burning” “Mrs. Kamalini Naik’s husband was forced to become a Hindu for which the fanatics threatened to kill his mother. Seeing his mother under their grip Mr. Naik denounced his faith. Then they called his wife Kamalini Naik who was 7 months pregnant. She strongly stood for her faith in Christ and immediately the fanatics cut her into pieces and her one and half year son in front of her husband and other Christians.”

4. THE COST OF BEING A DISCIPLE… 3. Follow Jesus Christ everyday - Be a new person (2 Corinthians 5:17) - Battle against sin by crucifying flesh (Romans 6:1-7, 1 Peter 4:1-2) - Abide in him (John 15:1-17)

5. THE COST OF BEING A DISCIPLE… Conclusion - If you want to be a disciple of Christ you must deny your own comfort, priorities and even your life. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you the strength to stand up to the pressure. - Expect to be embarrassed, ridiculed and rejected. - Abide in Jesus Christ. Deny to give into your sinful nature. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you grace to resist the temptations.