INSUFFICIENT FUNDS

Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it? -Luke 14:28

This past Sunday, at Poetry Baptist Church, I preached on Acts 2:42-47, which paints a vivid portrait of authentic Gospel community. Following His resurrection, Jesus appeared and commanded His small band of disciples (followers), referred to as apostles (sent ones) in Luke/Acts, to remain in Jerusalem and wait. Jesus told them He would be sending the Father’s Promise, i.e. the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4).

The apostles complied. They complied because three years of walking with Jesus finally made sense. They complied because they were first-hand witnesses of His scourging, His crucifixion, His death, His burial, and for a period of 40 days they experienced “convincing proofs” of His resurrection. Therefore, when Jesus said, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about,” they waited.

Unlike our superficial, consumer-minded, convenient, discipline free, entertainment and production focused, doctrineless, lukewarm, fickle, and idle churches of today… they waited. They waited in obedience, prayer, fellowship, encouragement, and hope. Then, shortly after Christ’s ascension, God blessed their fidelity.

The apostles were gathered together when it happened. The Holy Spirit descended with a sound something akin to a tornado and tongues of flame descended upon each of the apostles. The reality of their faithfulness and fellowship was the seedbed of divine activity. Jesus’ prophecy, “you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth,” was coming to fruition.

Thousands of Jews, converts to Judaism, and God-fearers were gathered in Jerusalem for the Feast of Firstfruits. The thunderous commotion compelled them to investigate. They encountered the apostles ecstatically and emphatically “declaring the wonders of God” (2:11). This encounter caused some to scoff and ridicule, but, more importantly, it led Peter to testify (2:14-40) about Scripture pointing to Jesus, His rejection by the Jews, His necessary and atoning death at the Cross, and the absolute necessity for everyone to repent and be baptized by the Spirit for the forgiveness of sin in order to be reconciled by, and redeemed in, Christ.

The response was overwhelming. Acts 2:41 tells us, “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” But unlike our superficial, consumer-minded, convenient, lukewarm, fickle, and idle churches of today… they (v.42) “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”

Counting the cost of discipleship is essential. Jesus was emphatic about this fact. Unlike many multi-campus megachurch models of today, numerical growth wasn’t on Jesus’ radar. Jesus wasn’t “seeker-friendly” (whatever that means), yet that’s the predominant strategy of the impotent American Evangelical church. Truth and power were, and will continue to be, Jesus’ strategy. The truth of the Gospel, and the power of the Holy Spirit. That truth and power produce obedience, repentance, redemption, reconciliation, transformation and eternal life.

Jesus warns people to “count the cost” of authentic discipleship. The crux is the cost is infinitely greater than we are willing or able to pay. Preachers, pastors, and churches often fail to mention that tidbit of essential truth. Rather than producing disciples who are empowered and commissioned to produce disciples, churches and ministries around the globe produce entitled consumers and spin their wheels with productions and feel-good ministries.

We’re quick to herald “Sola Fide!” from the mountain tops, but fail to live out faith in any tangible or practical way on a daily basis. Submission and ongoing yieldedness to the Holy Spirit are essential prerequisites. Recognition of sin is an essential prerequisite. Death to self, picking up our cross daily, and following Jesus is the cost. It’s more than we can handle, and that’s by design. It’s more than we can pay, and that’s by design. If the breakers of life aren’t crashing down upon you relentlessly you’re either not following or you’re in the eye of the storm.

The truth is wisdom, the God-given desire and skill to be a follower of Christ, can only come from God. As Proverbs 4:7 implores us, “...Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.”

We all tend to wake up daily consumed. Subsequently, our efforts default to building our own towers to our own heavens based on our own private agendas, plans, and subjective criteria. Our world is a tragic landscape of incomplete, broken, and desolate towers.

Jesus poses a profound question: “Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it?” Jesus asked the question to expose the truth of our proclivity toward the superficial and subjective rather than steadfast and willful DEVOTION to authentic Gospel community: 1) apostolic teaching, 2) fellowship, 3) breaking of bread, and 4) unselfish corporate intercessory prayer.

Is your relationship with Christ costing you EVERYTHING? Does it drive you deeper and deeper into desperate dependence upon Him within the context of authentic Gospel community? Is your church challenging you to grow daily in Christ? Have you counted the cost of your pointless endeavour? Are you ready to get in on His?

Blessings,

Pastor Kevin M. Kelley

aMostUnlikelyDisciple.com