Why We Need to Count the Cost
Sermon Series on Teamwork 3 of 5
August 8, 2004
2 Samuel 24:24
10th Sunday after Pentecost
Galena-Warwick United Methodist Charge
Warwick & Galena, Maryland
Rev. Dr. Lawrence D. Jameson
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But the king replied to Araunah,
"No, I insist on paying you for it.
I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings
that cost me nothing." 2 Samuel 24:24
Jesus Christ wants our congregation to have
success.
He wants this church,
and every member of our family,
to thrive, flourish, and grow.
Do you believe that? (Wait for a response).
God’s plan
for our growth is tied to this principle:
COUNTING THE COST.
Jesus told a story
about a man who wanted to build a tower.
That man was ambitious!
A tower is a pretty nifty thing to build.
It’s the kind of thing that stands out
where EVERYONE can see it.
The Lord described the first step in the building process.
And do you know what?
This principle, given to us by Jesus,
applies to everything we do as Christians.
No matter what you want to build,
a tower, or a house, a Scout Shed,
a flower bed, a multi-purpose building,
a Sunday School, a Women’s group:
the first thing we do is
sit down, sharpen our pencils,
and try to figure out
if we have the resources
to do what we want to do.
Do we have enough time in our calendar?
Do we have enough money?
Are the materials available?
Are there people with skill to help us build?
Do we have the physical space necessary?
Is this project worth doing?
Do we really, really want to do this?
Jesus said,
"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower.
Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money
to complete it?
For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it,
everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying,
'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'
Sometimes,
the Lord Jesus Christ
requires us
to sort out what we really, really want.
Then, when it becomes clear
what we need to do,
we are able to sacrifice less important things
in order to gain success.
We are not called to be comfortable.
We are called to greatness.
We are not called to follow an easy path.
We are called to make disciples for Jesus Christ.
What is our tower?
What has God in heaven asked us to build?
DAVID’S PROJECT
In 2nd Samuel chapter 24
the Bible tells us
that God went to King David
and said:
"Go up and build an altar to the LORD
on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite."
Wow! That was specific!
God told David exactly and precisely what to do.
Let me tell you what the context was.
There was a terrible plague in Israel.
70,000 people died.
That’s a horrible tragedy.
King David was begging God for mercy.
You can see how
this was important for David.
In answer to King David’s prayer,
the Lord asked him to do one thing:
"Go up and build an altar to the LORD
on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite."
So King David went down there right away.
Who do you think he saw when he got there?
OK, One more time.
He went to the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.
Who was there?
It was Araunah the Jebusite!
19 So David went up, as the LORD had commanded through Gad.
20 When Araunah looked and saw the king and his men coming toward him, he went
out and bowed down before the king with his face to the ground.
21 Araunah said, "Why has my lord the king come to his servant?"
"To buy your threshing floor," David answered, "so I can build an altar to the
LORD , that the plague on the people may be stopped."
22 Araunah said to David, "Let my lord the king take whatever pleases him and
offer it up. Here are oxen for the burnt offering, and here are threshing
sledges and ox yokes for the wood.
23 O king, Araunah gives all this to the king." Araunah also said to him, "May
the LORD your God accept you."
That was pretty easy.
God told David what to do.
David went to do it.
There was a man who was willing to make it all happen, FOR FREE.
I wonder if the little hairs
stood up on the back of David’s neck?
What was he missing?
Suddenly, it came to King David!
24 But the king replied to Araunah,
"No, I insist on paying you for it.
I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God
burnt offerings that cost me nothing."
I love this verse.
2 Samuel 24:24
I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God
burnt offerings that cost me nothing.
God doesn’t want cheap grace,
fair weather Christians,
wimpy, wet noodle faith.
God wants our best.
God wants us to love him
with ALL our heart
ALL our soul
ALL our strength.
There is no success without sacrifice
and there is no sacrifice without cost.
Jesus Christ wants our congregation to have
success.
He wants this church,
and every member of our family,
to thrive, flourish, and grow.
Dear ones, what is our tower?
What has God in heaven asked us to build?