Count the Cost • Luke 14:25-35 • Sunday, September 7, 2025

The Weight of the Cross: A Test of Faith and Discipleship

In our journey of faith, we often encounter challenges that test our commitment to Christ. These challenges, or "crosses" as Jesus refers to them, are not mere obstacles but opportunities for spiritual growth and a deepening of our relationship with God. But what exactly is this cross we're called to bear, and why is it so crucial to our discipleship?

The concept of bearing our cross stems from Jesus' own words: "Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple." This statement, both profound and challenging, invites us to reflect on our personal crosses. Is it an illness that plagues us or a loved one? Perhaps it's a persistent temptation or an emotional burden that weighs heavily on our hearts. Whatever form it takes, our cross is uniquely ours to bear.

But why are we given these crosses? The answer is simple yet profound: it's a test. Our crosses test our willingness to put Christ first, to obey Him, to serve Him, and to love Him above all else. They challenge us to examine our priorities and the depth of our commitment to our faith.

Jesus goes even further, stating, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, even his own life, he cannot be my disciple." At first glance, this seems harsh and contrary to the love we're called to show. However, the essence of this teaching is about prioritizing our relationship with God above all others.

It's a stark reminder that no human relationship, no matter how precious, should take precedence over our relationship with Christ. Only Jesus can forgive our sins, save us from eternal separation from God, and grant us eternal life. No other person, regardless of how much we love them, can fulfill these roles. This teaching challenges us to examine our hearts: Have we inadvertently made idols out of our relationships? Do we place our trust and find our identity in others rather than in Christ?

The message continues with a powerful analogy about building a tower. "For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?" This tower represents our faith. The question posed is whether we have the resources to build this tower of faith on our own. The honest answer is a resounding no. We simply don't have the spiritual capital to construct a faith that stands firm against the storms of life.

This realization leads us to a crucial understanding: we need to rely on the One who has all the resources. Only Jesus can supply what we need to build a strong, enduring faith. He provides His Word, the sacraments, and His very body and blood to fortify our spiritual foundation.

Pastor Pett's sermon then shifts to another analogy: a king going to war. "What king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not first sit down and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?" This represents our ongoing battle against sin, Satan, and death. On our own, we're outmatched and ill-equipped for this spiritual warfare. But when we turn to Christ, we find we have more than enough to face these battles – because it's not us fighting, but Christ Himself who wages war on our behalf.

These analogies underscore a fundamental truth of our faith: we cannot build our spiritual lives or fight our spiritual battles on our own. We are entirely dependent on Christ's resources, His supply chain, and His strength. It's only through Him that we can construct a tower of faith that reaches the heavens or emerge victorious in our spiritual conflicts.

The sermon concludes with a powerful reimagining of Jesus' words about salt: "Faith is good, but if faith has lost its faithfulness, how shall its faithfulness be restored?" The answer, once again, points us back to Christ. It's His grace, mercy, love, and salvation that continually restore and reinvigorate our faith. When we feel our faith wavering or losing its "saltiness," we need only turn back to the abundant supply of spiritual nourishment that Christ offers.

Pastor Pett's message challenges us to examine our lives and our faith. Are we truly putting Christ first? Are we relying on His resources to build our faith and fight our spiritual battles? Or are we trying to do it all on our own strength?

The cross we bear is not just a burden; it's an invitation to draw closer to Christ, to rely more fully on Him, and to experience the depth of His love and provision for us. It's a reminder that in our weakness, He is strong, and that His grace is sufficient for all our needs.

As we navigate the challenges of life and faith, let's remember that we're not alone in bearing our crosses. Christ Himself bore the ultimate cross for us, taking on the weight of our sin, guilt, and shame. His selfless act of love on the cross demonstrates the lengths He was willing to go to secure our salvation and provide for our every spiritual need.

In response to this overwhelming love, we're called to trust in Him above all else. When we do, we find that we have everything we need to live as His disciples, to build a strong faith, and to overcome the spiritual battles we face.

So, as you reflect on your own cross and the challenges you face, remember that Christ is your ultimate resource, your unfailing supply chain, and your perfect love. Trust in Him, rely on His strength, and let His love be the foundation upon which you build your life of faith.

In Christ,

Pastor Paul Pett

(Content generated by PulpitAI from sermon transcript)