REVIVAL AND THE COST OF DISCIPLESHIP

Matthew 16: 24-26: “Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his

life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?”

I. HIS ARMY

Acts 5:40-42: “His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.

The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and

from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.”

In order to join this army we must crucify our flesh.

COSTS OF DYING TO SELF: 1) There is the cost of giving up of our material possessions. 2) There is the cost of change.

3) There is the cost of missions and evangelism being first priority. 4) There is the cost of God calling out our members.

5) There is the cost of giving up your comfort zone to live WWW and WJW!

II. THE CONSTANT PREPARATION FOR BATTLE

►This includes a constant repentance of our sins. ►This includes prayer. ►This includes Bible study.

III. THE BATTLE

Ephesians 3:20-21: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!”

IV. THE VICTORY

Ephesians 3:8-10: “Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to

make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. His intent was that

now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,”

We should count the cost of discipleship not by how much it costs us on earth to accomplish it, but how much it costs us when we don’t!