NOTHING GREAT HAPPENS WITHOUT IT (4 OF 4)
Scripture: LUKE 14:25-35
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Nothing Great Happens Without It (4 Of 4)
Dr. James Merritt
Luke 14: 25-35 10-24-99
INTRODUCTION
1. There's is an old fable about an Emperor who many years ago gathered together the wisest people in his kingdom and said, ''I want you to assemble all of the great knowledge of our civilizations so that it will be available for future generations.''
2. They worked many years before returning with ten bound volumes. The Emperor glanced at the stack of books frowned and said, ''Too long.'' The sages scurried back to work and did not return until they had edited the ten volumes down to one. However, when they handed it to the Emperor he refused to open it. He said, ''It is still too lengthy.'' Over the next two years, the sages condensed the book into one paragraph. The emperor still wasn't satisfied.
3. Finally, these wise people came back with a single sentence inscribed on an index card. The Emperor read it, smiled, and said, ''This is perfect. Now future generations will understand why we have been so successful. All the genius we possess is contained in this brilliant solitary phrase.'' The sentence read: ''There is no free lunch.'' The truth is whether you eat dog food or filet mignon depends on how high price you're willing to pay for the meal. In other words, greatness depends upon sacrifice. Sacrifice is what Jesus is speaking of in the passage we are going to study today. In fact, in classic sermonic form, Jesus, first of all, gives an explanation of sacrifice. Then He gives an illustration of sacrifice. Then He makes an application of sacrifice.
4. Verse 25 says that Jesus was speaking to ''great multitudes.'' He was not speaking to just his core followers. He was talking to everybody. We would call this crowd today ''groupies.'' Three different times, in this passage, (vv. 26, 27, 33) Jesus said unless you meet certain conditions you ''Cannot be my disciples.'' Quite frankly, Jesus was trying to thin out the ran ...
Dr. James Merritt
Luke 14: 25-35 10-24-99
INTRODUCTION
1. There's is an old fable about an Emperor who many years ago gathered together the wisest people in his kingdom and said, ''I want you to assemble all of the great knowledge of our civilizations so that it will be available for future generations.''
2. They worked many years before returning with ten bound volumes. The Emperor glanced at the stack of books frowned and said, ''Too long.'' The sages scurried back to work and did not return until they had edited the ten volumes down to one. However, when they handed it to the Emperor he refused to open it. He said, ''It is still too lengthy.'' Over the next two years, the sages condensed the book into one paragraph. The emperor still wasn't satisfied.
3. Finally, these wise people came back with a single sentence inscribed on an index card. The Emperor read it, smiled, and said, ''This is perfect. Now future generations will understand why we have been so successful. All the genius we possess is contained in this brilliant solitary phrase.'' The sentence read: ''There is no free lunch.'' The truth is whether you eat dog food or filet mignon depends on how high price you're willing to pay for the meal. In other words, greatness depends upon sacrifice. Sacrifice is what Jesus is speaking of in the passage we are going to study today. In fact, in classic sermonic form, Jesus, first of all, gives an explanation of sacrifice. Then He gives an illustration of sacrifice. Then He makes an application of sacrifice.
4. Verse 25 says that Jesus was speaking to ''great multitudes.'' He was not speaking to just his core followers. He was talking to everybody. We would call this crowd today ''groupies.'' Three different times, in this passage, (vv. 26, 27, 33) Jesus said unless you meet certain conditions you ''Cannot be my disciples.'' Quite frankly, Jesus was trying to thin out the ran ...
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