Cost and Value + This Sunday!
Following Christ may cost everything, but the value of knowing Him surpasses it all.
"Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:8).
When we’re children, we learn how to count, how to add, and how currency works. Eventually, we learn how to determine the cost of things. But it’s only when we’re older and a bit more mature that we realize cost doesn’t always equate to value—what something is truly worth. Sometimes things are worth far more—or, frustratingly, far less—than what we pay for them.
When it comes to following Christ, many of us have been taught well about the cost. We know that we are to lay down our lives and take up our cross. We know, at least cognitively, that it costs everything. But have we learned the value? If all we know of following Christ is the cost, then it is daunting and even undesirable. It feels like an expensive obligation with little reward. But once we begin to discover the value of following Christ, we find that it is worth everything we have, everything we are, and more.
When we think only of the cost, all we consider is what we’re losing. When we consider the value, we begin to see all that we are gaining. And there is no comparison. This is why Paul writes of the "surpassing worth of knowing Christ." What is it surpassing? The worth of everything else.
There will be times when following Christ seems too costly to bear. In those moments, we need to remember the cost that Jesus himself was willing to pay in order to make available to us "an eternal weight of glory" (2 Cor. 4:17). It is infinitely, eternally, immeasurably worth it to follow Jesus.
THIS SUNDAY AT IMMANUEL
MORNING SERVICES: Join us this Sunday at 9 a.m. or 10:45 a.m. as we continue our sermon series, The Gospel According to Genesis! Catch up on previous sermons on our YouTube Channel.
SUNDAY SEMINARS
Sadler Hall
9 AM: Studying the Bible Together, led by Dr. Tom Cox, studying the book of Romans in the blue room
10:45 AM: The Bible’s Big Story, led by David McLemore, helps you read and apply the Bible by showing how the entire storyline points to Jesus, His grace, and His gospel. All are welcome!
Sadler Chapel
9 AM: Last Word: The Gospel of Christ in the Book of Revelation, led by Dr. Russell Moore in Sadler Chapel
Student Ministry
9 AM: Student Seminar (grades 5-12) in the gymnasium
Women’s Cohort Interest Lunch - Are you looking for women to walk with you as you follow Jesus together? Women’s Cohorts are a place where women, by the Spirit’s power, seek maturity in their daily practice of following Jesus through accountability and deep relationships, under the example of a mature, Godly woman. Groups will begin in September and space is limited. Join us for an interest lunch on Sunday, May 4 in Sadler chapel immediately following the second service. Sign up here. You can Abby Norris at abby.norris04@gmail.com with any questions.