http://www.biblestudytools.com/esv/luke/passage/?q=luke+14:25-35 (Luke 14:25-35) Okay. So, what’s the bottom line? We ask that question when we want to know what something is going to cost. We just watched the Olympics. The bottom line for the Olympic athletes requires absolute commitment to rigorous training, taking extra special care of their body and having a competitive, never-give-up attitude. They must commit to being a team player and a person of character as they represent our nation. That is their bottom line. An employee might ask his boss what the bottom line is for him to get a promotion in the company. The boss, then, would have a list of things. That is his bottom line. When a bill comes, I open it and look immediately at the bottom line to find out what I am to pay. I want to consider another bottom-line question with you today. What is the bottom line for being a follower, a disciple of Jesus Christ? Jesus answers this question for us today in our text from Luke. He was accompanied by great crowds who were enthusiastic, passionate admirers of Him. They liked this “miracle man,” this charismatic teacher. Perhaps they thought of Him as their hope for the future. Perhaps they thought they could benefit from being connected to Him. He provided great entertainment with His miracles and storytelling, and people loved it when He took on the religious leaders and stumped them. Some may have even referred to themselves as disciples of Jesus as they sought to be identified with this popular celebrity. But talk is cheap. In reality, they were fans, not followers. A fan, you see, is someone who is an enthusiastic admirer. Jesus was not interested in having fans. What He wanted were followers. Sometimes those of us in the church can fall prey to the danger of creating more of a fan approach to our faith then being a follower. People become spectators with a consumeristic attitude – entertain me, feed me, inspire me, take care of me, wow me! Sure, I believe in Jesus! I’m here, aren’t I? This attitude becomes prevalent in the church when we have been too focused on promoting the benefits of Jesus by selling Him like a product to the masses and not talking about what it means to follow Him. Why do we do that? For the sake of attracting and keeping the crowds. Say the prayer, let Him into your heart, and keep showing up. But Jesus seems to have other ideas. He lays out the bottom line for the crowds. What does it take to be My disciple? (What’s the bottom line to follow Me?) To be My follower means a willingness to risk losing everything for Me – like your family. “He who does not hate his family cannot be My disciple.” How shocking this must’ve been to hear! By the way, when Jesus says I must hate my family, He’s using an Aramaic way of saying I must love them less than I love Him. I must choose Jesus over my family. I’m reminded of James and John who dropped their nets and left their father to follow Jesus. In the early days of Christianity, following Jesus could be a major sacrifice. It might mean you would be considered dead by your family members. I recently read about a woman in India who was poisoned by her family and died for converting to Christianity. In America, a commitment to follow Jesus Christ can cause disruption and tension in homes. Are you going down to that church again? Why are you giving them our money? I am opposed to this. It must stop!  Jesus goes on to say that to follow Him also means a willingness to risk losing your life, to suffer and even die for Him. Jesus doesn’t tell us to pick up our Cadillac and follow Him. No, He says, “Pick up your cross and follow me.” Be willing to sacrifice your reputation and suffer rejection by those who don’t understand why you stand up for Him. Speak up for Him in this world. Jesus goes on. To follow Him means a willingness to lose your possessions. Choose Him over things like a car, house, job and...