Cost

What It Takes to Follow Jesus

By: Steven J. Lawson

Narrated by: Lyle Blaker

Nestled in a few verses in Luke's Gospel is a Jesus who would not have been tolerated today: He was not politically correct and He certainly did not try to save people's feelings. Steven Lawson unpacks these few verses, looking at the unashamed honesty, passion, and urgency with which Jesus explains the life-long cost involved in choosing to follow Him. True Christianity is the biggest sacrifice any person ever makes...but it is in pursuit of the most precious prize ever glimpsed.

©2017 eChristian (P)2017 eChristian

A clear presentation of discipleship

I love the clear no holds-bar teaching of discipleship. Read this book if want to know about true discipleship.

The honest truth of following Jesus.

I am appreciating books that do not gloss over the hard truths of Jesus's message more and more. As a fairly new follower of Christ who grew up in a "Christian" household, books like this have become very important to my understanding of God's word. I would highly recommend this book to anyone searching for spiritual truth.

The High Cost of Following Jesus

The author, a respected preacher, tells us that to follow Jesus is the greatest adventure in all of life. There is no journey that can compare to this one. On this journey you will find the real purpose for which you were created.
This short book, which reads like it may have originally been a sermon or sermon series, focuses on one encounter Jesus had with a large and diverse crowd that was walking with him. The author analyzes and applies Luke 14:26 – 35.
He tells us about the different people that were in the crowd. Most in the crowd were only curious, uncommitted and unconverted. But Jesus stopped and spoke to them. What he said was shocking and provocative. It was a hard saying. He called for a full-scale commitment to him.
His words were spoken on his final journey to Jerusalem, toward the end of his earthly ministry. He didn’t sugar-coat his message. His words were direct and demanding. They were intended to awaken the spiritually dead among them. The author tells us that what Jesus said to them, he says to us today. No matter where we are in life these words from Jesus are for us as well.
The journey begins when we commit our lives to him, when we become one of Jesus’ disciples. To begin the journey will cost us nothing. We enter into this relationship by faith. We cannot earn this through our works. But there is a high cost to actually live as one of Jesus’ disciples. It takes commitment. To follow Jesus, you must do a complete turnaround. Your whole life will belong to Jesus.
Following Jesus gives us the greatest of blessings, the forgiveness of our sins. We are then clothed with his perfect righteousness. We have true contentment, happiness, peace and joy.
But following Jesus is a journey that comes at a high cost. This journey will take priority over every pursuit in life. It will cost us old habits and perhaps some associations. It will cost us our time and treasure. It will result in suffering, opposition and perhaps even our very lives. We will need to believe, repent and turn to Jesus alone. In the end however, we will gain much more than it costs, as the journey leads to Heaven.
Like all of the author’s books, this book is soaked in scripture. This would be an excellent book to read and discuss with someone who is not yet on the journey. Highly recommended.

Powerful Biblical Logic

It is a wonderful read. Insightful fast moving with short chapters to keep you interested. The poem at the end is phenomenal. If you love the Lord, you will treasure this.

Every Christian should read this.

Every Christian should read this. From the new believer in Christ to the most mature, Steve Lawson reminds us what Jesus tells us in the cost of following Him. I highly recommend this book.

Sincerely, Pastor Paul Trimble