Churches sometimes go to great lengths to get people to come to their church.  Not long ago on a church called the Positive Impact Christian Church offered a door prize of $1,000.  All the local newspapers reported this unusual approach to evangelism.  However, the preacher was deeply disappointed when only thirty people showed up when he was anticipating hundreds.  After all, he thought, who could resist the appeal of a $1,000 door prize for a lucky worshiper.

Contrast that experience with a newspaper ad that appeared in London in the 1800's which said, "Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful." The ad was signed by Sir Ernest Shackleton, Antarctic explorer. Amazingly, the ad drew thousands of respondents, eager to sacrifice everything for the prospect of meaningful adventure.

Which approach do we take in the church today?  Do we make discipleship easy or challenging?  Well, our text today leaves no doubt about the method Jesus took.  Instead of giving something away, he demanded that his followers give everything up.