In this sermon preached on May 9, 1976, at the Shelbyville Road Church of Christ, A.C. Blackwell asks a challenging question: Will it cost too much to be a Christian?

Beginning with Jesus' teaching in Luke 14, Blackwell considers the cost of discipleship and the sacrifices that may accompany a life devoted to Christ. He asks his listeners to consider what has already been paid for them and whether we could ever truly repay the price that was paid on our behalf.

Following Christ may sometimes require difficult choices. Blackwell speaks of the responsibility to tell the truth even to those we love, recognizing that they may not always appreciate or accept what they hear. He also recalls Jesus' words that He came “not to send peace, but a sword,” emphasizing the divisions that commitment to truth can sometimes bring.

Blackwell illustrates his message with the story of a man who owned a liquor store but, after becoming a Christian, gave up the business and eventually turned the property into a church building. Through stories such as this, he challenges the listener to consider what he or she is willing to sacrifice in order to follow Christ.

Can We Pay The Cost? is a lesson about commitment, sacrifice, conviction, and the true cost of discipleship.

From the Word and Works archives.

A Note to Our Listeners: As we make these older sermons available, it is ultimately the responsibility of each listener to determine whether what is taught is in accordance with the truth. We encourage every listener to carefully examine what is heard and to study the Scriptures with due diligence.

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God…” — 2 Timothy 2:15