1. What Does Your Religion Cost You? 3/14/2016 1

2. 2 Samuel 24 In violation of God’s will David numbers the children of Israel. God gave David a choice of punishments: Three years of famine Three months of fleeing from enemies Three days of pestilence David chooses three days of pestilence. God strikes down 70,000 in Israel. David takes responsibility for the sin and pleads for the lives of his people. God instructs David to erect an altar on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite. Araunah offers to provide David with all the necessities to sacrifice. 3/14/2016 2

3. 2 Samuel 24:24--However, the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price, for I will not offer burnt offerings to the L ORD my God which cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. 3/14/2016 3

4. Four Attitudes Today I WILL OFFER NOTHING I WILL OFFER NOTHING TO THE LORD I WILL OFFER NOTHING TO THE LORD THAT COST I WILL OFFER NOTHING TO THE LORD THAT COST ME NOTHING. 3/14/2016 4

5. Sacrifice to the Lord Is Motivated by the Greatness and Goodness of God 3/14/2016 5

6. David Sought to Build a House for the Lord Why should David dwell in a house for the Lord? (2 Samuel 7:2) Nathan encouraged David to build the house of God. (2 Samuel 7:3) God never said anything about building a house for His glory. (2 Samuel 7:7) God revealed that David’s son Solomon would build the temple. (1 Chron. 22:7-10) David wanted to stockpile materials for Solomon to construct the temple. (1 Chron. 29:2) 3/14/2016 6

7. Sacrifice to the Lord Is Motivated by the Greatness and Goodness of God 1 Chron. 29:11-14—“Yours, O L ORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O L ORD, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. 12 “Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone. 13 “Now therefore, our God, we thank You, and praise Your glorious name. 14 “But who am I and who are my people that we should be able to offer as generously as this? For all things come from You, and from Your hand we have given You. 3/14/2016 7

8. 2 Samuel 24:24--However, the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price, for I will not offer burnt offerings to the L ORD my God which cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. 3/14/2016 8

9. What Do We Offer to the Lord? We are to offer sacrifices. (Romans 12:1-2; 1 Peter 2:5) Are we a living sacrifice? Desire costly things for self while giving leftovers to God? Time? Energy? Money? Do we strive? (Luke 13:24) 3/14/2016 9

10. Two Principles Essential to Pleasing Sacrifices It must be the BEST Ex. 12:5; Mal. 1:8-10; Lev. 22:19-22; It must be our FIRST FRUITS Ex. 13:2; Deut. 26:2; 3/14/2016 10

11. Examples of Those Willing to Pay the Price Daniel (Dan. 6:4-16) Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego (Dan. 3:3-6) John (Mark 6:17-18) Matthew (Luke 5:27-28) Peter (Matthew 19:27-28) Paul (Phil. 3:4-6) Jesus (Phil. 2:5-11) 3/14/2016 11

12. What Is Your Religion Costing You? It may cost family and friends It may cost you marital stress It may cost you a relationship that you want to keep It may cost suffering and pain It will cost you self-denial and cross bearing 3/14/2016 12

13. What If Christians Would All Say, “I Will Offer Nothing to the Lord that Cost Me Nothing.” There would be a transformation in the pulpit. There would be a transformation in the classroom. There would be a transformation in worship. There would be a transformation in the entire church. 3/14/2016 13

14. Conclusion True religion cost God. (John 3:16) True religion cost God’s Son. (2 Cor. 8:9) True religion will cost us as well. (Matt. 19:16-22) 3/14/2016 14