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CLC November 16, 2008 “Getting a grip on God through humble circumstance”
Take a moment to reflect on your world. Draw some circles around you. Begin with a small circle, your life, then your family, your community, your nation, then your international scene. Think backwards then on how your hopes balance on what governments can do to solve the deepening issues of your world, etc. Then ask God to help you think through what it would be like if your hopes would be balanced on what God can do beginning in these concentric circles, your life, your family, your community, your nation, then the international scene.
You are not the first to think through what it would be like if your hopes for the future would be balanced on what God can do. Luke 10:38-42 takes place in the home of Mary and Martha. Jesus has just arrived to be their special guest. He is welcomed at the door, bided and entrance and offered a seat. Immediately preparations are begun to have Jesus stay awhile, at least for a meal and time to relax later. Notice as I read the story that Jesus is never in a hurry.
A. Jesus the God of heaven came to visit a home like yours or mine to stay awhile. To do that would he not have to humble himself?
Philippians 2:5,6 1. Jesus existed always as God, having total equality with God. 2. Jesus made himself nothing (humility), emptied the insignia of his majesty and taking on by addition – servanthood. 3. Jesus chose servanthood knowing that in serving there was a high personal price to pay.
Are you willing to do something that will cost you something?
B. Mary is sitting at Jesus’ feet while Martha is distracted with necessary work.
1. To stop and listen to Jesus when there is so much to do and be concerned about requires great humility. 2. Humble circumstances is where God chooses most of the time to do his greatest work! - risking the attention and prayer we should be giving to everything around us (important stuff horizontally) to hearing totally from Jesus (vertical relationship) 3. What did Mary hear? “Things that cannot be taken away from her” 4. What did Martha miss? “The good part”
How are you distracted from our personal God? How are you de-godding God? The first sin is always to love God with all my heart and soul and mind?
C. What do you need to stop and hear in order to begin to balance your hopes on what God can do in your world?
1. Philippians 2:1-5 Humility rules in God’s world. 2. Philippians 4:8,9 Things that cannot be taken away and the good part are these things… 3. John 8:23 Jesus and all these things that he speaks and lives are from above. 4. 1 Corinthians 13:7 all these things that are from above give hope!
This is my Father’s World!
5. Hope fills the heavy soul in humble circumstances. 6. You are the hope of your world because you have the good part which cannot be taken away, when you balance your hopes on what God an do your only response is: “Here am I send me!”
Is your Christianity wide enough to include others in its scope?
CLC November 2nd, 2008 Isaiah 6:1-13 “I saw the Lord”
National elections are this coming Tuesday, I’m confused because the contrast between the candidates is no t near as great as I would like it to be. Too often I feel that I’m making the better choice between two evils. Today, we’re entering the biblical version of a voting booth. The contrast is indeed on. In fact the contrasts between what a heavenly King is in comparison to an earthly good King is so great that I’m warning you – your eyes will begin to quiver, your hands shake, and your knees buckle. What you will begin to experience is what Isaiah saw and experienced, a REVIVAL of the things of God. A. A contrast between a great human King (6:1) and God the King (6:5) was a powerful “revival” for Isaiah. Isaiah was already a believer and knew an element of God’s grace in his life. What Isaiah did not yet know was the evil, vicious, and offensive nature of sin before a holy and righteous God. The contrast! 1. The mighty and long good reign of King Uzziah had just tragically ended and Isaiah’s/Israel’s future together were uncertain. cp. 2 Chronicles 26:1-15 - King Uzziah began at age 16 with numerous accomplishments through God fearing obedience - His throne ended with insensitivity to sin and banished from the temple and his reign through leprosy and later death 2. The holy and glorious reign of God the King, the one true King of Israel cp. Isaiah 6:3. - God is alive after any King/Ruler rules for +- 50 years, God remains, He never vanishes from his throne - The people, even Isaiah, were wanting God to work on their behalf, i.e “God, do something.” Cp. Isaiah 5:18-23. - God chooses only to work among his people from a lofty position, a righteous King, not like men, yet making covenants with his people. 3. Isaiah was sensitive to sin (6:5) and now he is welcomed to the temple – to see inside! Isaiah stands outside the Temple: - doors open and the veil hiding the holy of holies is pulled back - the view of God is clear and simple represented like an eastern monarch seated on a throne, high and exalted, with a robe and flowing train (sign of exalted dignity) filling the temple – My bride/wife had and has made long beautiful trains that covered platform stairs and church isles. But what if a brides train filled not only the isles, but the seating area, the choir loft, and all the foyers, all out of one piece of fabric? God’s robe is displaying his incomparable splendor or majesty of all royal colors. God is lavish with splendor in all the fall colors of New England, spectacularly weird and beautiful in the colors of the fishes of the sea, astounding in bizarre beauty in the stars and galaxies of the universe, breath taking in the wonder of the hospital nursery. - God is sitting on His throne, not out cutting the grass, traveling on a business trip, shining shoes, loading a truck, or preparing a sumptuous meal. He sits at peace on His throne, never at wits end, always in control, He is always the Supreme Court, the Legislature, the Chief Executive, and Creator of the World everyday! - His throne is high and lifted up – no opposing authority can ever abolish the decrees of God. All his purposes are and will be accomplished. Daniel 4:35 - attended by ministers of state, seraphim (only mentioned here in Bible) “to burn” implying burning zeal, dazzling brightness, serpent like rapidity in God’s service, with wings folded in reverent waiting. Seraphim are like the Blue Angels diving in formation before the presidential entourage and cracking the sound barrier right in front of his eyes. There are no puny or silly creatures in heaven (dogs-cats-birds-church mice), only magnificent ones! - these magnificent seraphs of great number were calling to each other, 3x “holy” for greatest emphasis - of God’s glory filling this earth (Numbers 14:1-25). God is the absolute reality beyond which is only more God. Exodus 3:14, when asked, “who are you God?” He responds, “I am who I am!” God’s holiness means that his being and character are utterly undetermined by anything outside himself. God is not holy because He keeps the rules, He wrote the rules. The law is holy because God wrote them, the Bible reveals who God is. God is absolute, he is holy, everything else derives from him. - God is holy because he is not man, there is no comparison (1 Samuel 2:2; Isaiah 40:25; Hosea 11:9; Leviticus 19:2 and 20:7). “The Lord is in his holy Temple; let all the earth keep silence before Him” Habakkuk 2:20. B. God’s holiness and glory has also gone public. Every human vision of God which is truly a vision from God exalts the majesty of God. Leviticus 10:3 The glory of God is his revealed holiness. The whole earth is full of his glory. From down here the view of God is limited largely by our human visions of who God is that are not from God. But today you can know Jeremiah 29:11, 12-13; God is ever alive, authoritative, omnipotent, resplendent, revered, holy, and glorious. C. In every instance of God’s exaltation, everything radical happens in the human heart – a “Woe is me” revival experience of Isaiah 6:5 is had. 1. human pride, casual acceptance of evil, unconcern for accountability all evaporate when God is exalted! 2. only the exalted God has the right and qualification to be on the throne of my life! 3. every believer is subject to judgment because we are all a people of unclean lips, i.e. words from our lips symbolize your attitudes and actions. James 1:26 Hebrews 4:12 4. The greater the “woe” the greater the grace of God D. Welcome and seek often “woe is me” experiences for each one brings even greater grace into your life. Isaiah 6:6-8 1. Isaiah was cleansed by God from an altar that is always burning 2. Cleansing by fire is quite different from cleansing by water – fire leaves a scar and in this story – on Isaiah’s lips and heart! 3. Interestingly, Isaiah was rejoicing to carry the scar of God’s grace in his life and work. How do I know Isaiah was happy with the scar? When given the opportunity for God’s service, Isaiah said, “I’m going,” with both hands waving high to God’s call! “I’m ready to speak whatever God would have me to say – even if its difficult words which most people will reject (6:11-13). Conclusion: 27 centuries ago Isaiah lost a friend in a high place, but he gained HOPE through seeing the Lord, i.e. a revival in worship and life’s mission. 1. 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 says that angels are present at Christian worship. 2. The people of God have for centuries wanted to see God. Each time a true vision from God is seen there follows deep apprehension. 3. God’s holiness demands a clean instrument. I/you need a regular cleansing 1 John 1:9 4. Sinful people like you and I CAN join in the worship of the “holy ones” when purified by the fire of God (Isaiah 4:2-6; 33:13-24) 5. The word “holy” used of God’s transcendent being (6:3) is then used of His people in (6:13) = grace indeed, amazing grace.
CLC October 26, 2008 Matthew 5:26 Getting a grip on God – Over Anxiety through Prayer I live in an anxious world just as much as anyone else does. I often wake up anxious and go to bed anxious. This sermon is just as much for me as it is for anyone else. There are some politicians who find it very effective to keep their subjects in constant anxiety. If the people are anxious about their life, and worry about where their next meal is coming from, then perhaps they will be more willing to do the government’s bidding in order to get the food they need from the big government bail out plans. Anxiety keeps all of us in our place, STUCK! Fear makes the control of others over our everyday lives, firm. Today you may be anxious over your retirement, your children, your marriage, your future, and even your physical life. Stomach acid reducers do not always work. Constant headaches, weight gain or loss, and irritability are just a few of the red flags your body produces to say, “I’m sick because I’m far too worried!” But one of the greatest things about Jesus is that he does not want his people to be anxious. The main point of today's sermon text is that God does not secure his Lordship in our lives by cultivating anxiety. On the contrary, the aim of God's kingship is to free us from anxiety. God doesn't need to keep us anxious in order to establish his power and superiority. Instead he exalts his power and superiority by working to take away our anxiety. If you are born again; if you have turned away from sin and are following Jesus as Lord in the obedience of faith, his will for you this morning is that you not be anxious about anything, but that you enjoy deep serenity and peace and security. Jesus spoke these words in Matthew 6:24–34 precisely for you and me—to help us overcome whatever is making you anxious this morning. To worry, lit., is to give extra attention to anything that pulls you apart in two or more directions! A. Jesus is most helpful in stating how his life was built around peace and joy and adventure with thankfulness. His effort for you to avoid anxiety is stated in both negative and ways. Verse 25: "Do not be anxious about your life." Verse 31: "Do not be anxious, saying , 'What shall we eat?'" Verse 34: "Do not be anxious about tomorrow." Verse 33: “Seek first God’s Kingdom.” In other words when you think about your life or your food or your clothes or your spouse or your job or your mission, don't fret about them. Instead make God the king in that affair and in that moment, and hand over the situation to his kingly power and do his righteous will with the confidence that he will work for you and meet all your needs. To seek the kingship of God first in every choice and every moment of life is a thrilling way to live. It's full of freedom and peace and joy and adventure—and hardship; and it's worth it all. If you believe in the kingship of your heavenly Father, you do not need to be anxious about anything. Let's look at some of the reasons why. B. When you add the many reasons Jesus gives why you don't need to be anxious, God’s word becomes tremendously powerful. You and I live in the illusion that this earth is our home. For the Christian, it is not, Jesus Christ is our home. (Cp. Colossians 3:1-3). 1. There is the illusion that life is just about Food and Clothing, verse 25. "Do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on." Why? "Because life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing." What does this mean? If you are gripped by anxiety over these things, you have lost sight of the greatness of life. Life was not given primarily for physical pleasures, but for something greater—the enjoyment of God. Life was not given primarily for the approval of man, but for something greater—the approval of God. Life was not even given primarily for extension on this earth, but for something greater—eternity with God in the age to come.
You ought not to be anxious about food and clothing because food and clothing can not provide the great things of life—the enjoyment of God, the pursuit of his gracious favor, the hope of eternity in his presence. You get anxious about food and clothing to the same degree that we lose sight of the great purposes of a God-centered life. 2. There is the illusion that the birds of the air do not work, and do not need to count on God, verse 26. "Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?" What we see when we look at the birds is not a lesson in laziness. They dig their worms and snatch their bugs and pad their nests with strings and leaves. But Jesus says it is God that feeds them.
What you see when you look at the birds is a creature who does not act as though God is only a merciful provider for today but won't be tomorrow. Birds don't anxiously horde things for the day of God's demise. They go about their work as though when the sun comes up tomorrow, God will still be God, He can always be counted on. 3. There is the illusion that anxiety gets you somewhere, fast, verse 27. "And which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his span of life?" The argument is very pragmatic: anxiety doesn't get you anywhere. It doesn't do you any good. Whatever problem is causing you to feel anxious, you can be sure your anxiety will not lessen the problem. It will only make you miserable while you try to deal with it. So don't be anxious. It's useless. 4. There is the illusion that man is responsible for ALL of God’s creation, verses 28-30—this time from the lilies. "And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?"
When you look at a lily, which has no will of its own to labor and spin, yet adorned with beautiful form and color, if you believe in God, you must draw at least this one conclusion: God delights to adorn things. But if his delight finds expression in adorning grass, that's here today and gone tomorrow, then surely his delight in adornment will express itself in how he clothes his children!
But someone may protest: God has not adorned me! He has not adorned the poor Christians of our land or overseas. Are you sure? Very few of us are dressed like Solomon. True. But we couldn't do our work if we were. I would only ask this question: Where have you ever seen a disciple of Jesus who did not have the adornment he needed to do what God had called him to do? 5. The is that sanctified illusion that unbelievers are never anxious about food and clothing, verse 32. We shouldn't be anxious about what we eat or drink or wear because "the Gentiles seek all these things; and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all." Anxiety about the things of this world puts us on the same level with the world of unbelievers. It shows that we are really very much like the world in what makes us happy. And that ought not to be.
6. There is that illusion that God, our Heavenly Father some days will not know about our needs – that he does not have the heart of a loving, caring father. Anxiety shows that we are too close to the world and too far from God. So don't be anxious—the world has nothing eternal to offer, and your loving heavenly Father knows your needs now and forever. 7. The illusion that God will NOT carry your burdens if you seek first his honor – “why would Almighty God pay any attention to ME?” verse 33. The best reason to stop being anxious is that when you do, God starts being anxious for you. It's such a foolish thing to insist on carrying anxious burdens which God has promised to carry for us when we put his kingly honor first in everything we do.
8. The illusion that I must worry about tomorrow - today, verse 34. "Do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Let the day's own trouble be sufficient for the day." In other words, God has appointed to each day its portion of pleasure and trouble. And as your days so shall your strength be. So don't misappropriate God's allotted troubles for tomorrow. Don't bring them forward into today in the form of anxiety. Believe that God will be God tomorrow, that when you wake up tomorrow, Monday morning, God will have already been there!
HOWEVER, WORRYING IS NORMAL FOR EVERY CHRISTIAN, IS IT NOT? JESUS, IN TELLING US NOT TO BE ANXIOUS, IS NOT SAYING, “WORRY LESS OR NOT AT ALL,” HE IS SAYING, MAKE A DAILY EFFORT TO ATTACK A DEEPER ISSUE…
C. Jesus says that your deeper struggle is not with anxiety, but with God himself. He says in this context, do not allow any UNBELIEF in God get the upper hand in your life, ever, at all! Verse 30, “O men of little faith.” I may not have as much of a battle with anxiety (food, clothing, career, family, health) as I thought I had. My struggle indeed may be more with God himself.
- Do you have any assurance in God at all in your life today? - Do you believe that He who called you is faithful, and that He who set out to do a good work in you will complete it, He will do it? (1 Thessalonians 5:23) - Are you a man or woman of little faith or of great confidence in a living God? - As your faith is attacked ever day by uncertainties, are you taking the warfare seriously by thinking its too hard to be a Christian, so you quickly surrender to fate? - Are you fighting the good fight of faith to be free from anxiety attacks?
Matthew 24:6 “wars and rumors of wars” Luke 10:3 “lambs among wolves” John 16:2 “those who kill you will think that they are doing God’s will”
Conclusion: Do not live with the illusion that this earth is your home. Christ Jesus is your home. Colossians 3:1-3; Philippians 4:4-7 is your home in Christ Jesus. Believers are raised from the illusions of this earth – NO LONGER STUCK, there is a release from the illusions of this earth – when you pray…. - In everything by prayer, talking to Jesus as a significant therapy, telling God everything, transferring your burdens, pressures, sin, pain, and anxiety for you to be calm and quiet. - Then listen to God’s Word, listen to Jesus speak. Listen in prayer is even more important than talking. God has as many scriptures to calm you as you have anxieties to give Him:
Psalm 56:3 "When I am afraid, I put my trust in thee." 1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you." Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” Isaiah 41:10 "Fear not for I am with you, be not dismayed for I am your God; I will help you, I will strengthen you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand." Isaiah 55:11 "So shall my word that goes forth from my mouth; it will not come back to me empty but accomplish that which I purpose, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” 2 Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness." Deuteronomy 33:25 "As your days so shall your strength be." Psalm 32:8 "I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you." Romans 8:31 "If God is for us who can be against us!" Romans 5:3–5 When I am anxious about being sick, I battle unbelief with the promise that "tribulation works patience, and patience approvedness, and approvedness hope, and hope does not make us ashamed." Isaiah 46:4 When I am anxious about getting old, I battle unbelief with the promise, "Even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save." Romans 14:9–11 When I am anxious about dying, I battle unbelief with the promise that "none of us lives to himself and none of us dies to himself; if we live we live to the Lord and if we die we die to the Lord. So whether we live or die we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and rose again: that he might be Lord both of the dead and the living." Philippians 1:6 When I am anxious that I may make shipwreck of faith and fall away from God, I battle unbelief with the promise, "He who began a good work in you will complete it unto the day of Christ." 1 Thessalonians 5:23 "He who calls you is faithful. He will do it." Hebrews 7:25 "He is able for all time to save those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them." Deuteronomy 31:8 "And the Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; he will be with you. He will not fail your or forsake you. Do not fear, or be dismayed." Proverbs 21:31 "The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord."
Psalm 56:3 "When I am afraid, I put my trust in thee."
1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxieties on him, for he cares about you."
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plns for your welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.”
Isaiah 41:10 "Fear not for I am with you, be not dismayed for I am your God; I will help you, I will strengthen you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand."
Isaiah 55:11 "So shall my word that goes forth from my mouth; it will not come back to me empty but accomplish that which I purpose, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness."
Deuteronomy 33:25 "As your days so shall your strength be."
Psalm 32:8 "I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you."
Romans 8:31 "If God is for us who can be against us!"
Romans 5:3–5 When I am anxious about being sick, I battle unbelief with the promise that "tribulation works patience, and patience approvedness, and approvedness hope, and hope does not make us ashamed."
Isaiah 46:4 When I am anxious about getting old, I battle unbelief with the promise, "Even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save."
Romans 14:9–11 When I am anxious about dying, I battle unbelief with the promise that "none of us lives to himself and none of us dies to himself; if we live we live to the Lord and if we die we die to the Lord. So whether we live or die we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and rose again: that he might be Lord both of the dead and the living."
Philippians 1:6 When I am anxious that I may make shipwreck of faith and fall away from God, I battle unbelief with the promise, "He who began a good work in you will complete it unto the day of Christ."
1 Thessalonians 5:23 "He who calls you is faithful. He will do it."
Hebrews 7:25 "He is able for all time to save those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them."
Deuteronomy 31:8 "And the Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; he will be with you. He will not fail your or forsake you. Do not fear, or be dismayed."
Proverbs 21:31 "The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord."
CLC 10/19/08 Getting a grip on God through discipleship…..Luke 14:25-35
Anthony used to live a vibrant, attractive life of faith, i.e. spiritually alive! The way that Anthony lived and made decisions demonstrated that Anthony had a personal God. He always considered God ways in all his dealings. He would to and about God as if God was seated right there or walking alongside – almost like holding Anthony’s hand! Anthony served faithfully in his church and was well known to give of the first fruits of his income, generously. Today, Anthony has no connection with other Christians or even a church. Anthony has adopted the common view that all religions are equally true, though he cannot tell you a thing about what kind of God emerges from this spiritual stew. Melanie says that she holds strongly to the importance of faith in God and tells her 3 children often that when they grow up they must find their own faith in God. But Melanie cannot quote more than two of the Ten Commandments, and remembers three OT stories, Noah and the Ark, Jonah and whale, and David committing adultery. Even though Melanie has faith in God, she makes all her personal decisions about money, marriage, and raising kids on pure practicality – making sure that some of the old traditional ways that she was raised are not repeated in the next generation. To bring God into her life would certainly depict her as a religious fanatic which Melanie religiously avoids. Melanie worship God only in her heart when she has a quiet moment and is inspired by a child’s laughter or a beautiful sunset. People who believe in God but do not get around to relating to a personal God, say one thing with their lips, but their heart another. God is often dismissed as an encumbrance – to much to do on Sundays to give a few moments to God. Actually, to not have a personal God may be good for them, lose God they say and enjoy that sense that you are free…free as a ship without an anchor, without a compass, without a harbor – tossed by the wind and waves with no horizon, no ultimate destination, no precious cargo, no purpose for sailing! You may know many people who do not live as though they believe in a personal God. All week long God never enters their mind, God never influences a decision, never shapes a value, never prompts them to bow down and worship their Creator. What are the signs that you may be inching closer to not believing in a personal God? Not living as if there is a God who could be consulted or obeyed even in the smaller details of life; - Are you quick to tell others you believe in God but do not know really anything about him? - You think that anyone who is really enthused about God when talking about God is trying to impose his/her beliefs on you. - Maybe you have made a big immoral choice this week and, as a result, the warmth in your heart about God has grown cold. - You get angry at the thought that God the Creator has a right to define for you what is right and wrong. - You bristle at the idea that there is one true God and only Christianity has a living Savior. - You feel tremendous tension when entering a church or even thinking about attending a church. - Lastly, you hit a crisis in your life, you want to reach out to God but feel as though he moved far from you, now it’s too late to pray and cry out to God.
THERE IS A MOMENTOUS DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THOSE PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE IN GOD AND THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN A PERSONAL GOD.
A. Jesus approached certain people who believed in God and invited them to cross the line into following a personal God.
1. Mark 3:13-18 cp. Mark 1:14-20 12 disciples were chosen out of the invitation to “Come and Follow Me, a very personal God.” 2. Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus final words: “make disciples.” Are you a disciple or are you making disciples? Disciples walk, talk, eat and sleep, with a living intimately involved personal God.
B. Disciples are quite the opposite of those whose faith talk is just to believe in a God. Those who believe in God but have no spiritual life or growth are:
Luke 14: 25-35 1. (v 34)Tasteless, like salt that has been compromised with other minerals. Once saltiness is lost, it cannot be restored, useless! In ancient times as in Colonial Days salt was a most valued item. A soldiers pay, a slaves pay, or even a common workers pay was often given in salt. Receiving one’s pay in salt is where the word “salary” comes from, synonymous terms. Thus, “He/She is worth, or not worth, his salt.” Are you worth your salt as a Christian? Matthew 5:13, “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt looses its saltiness, how can it be made salti again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men, i.e. used as gravel on the road…” 2. (v 33) Things have you and not God. For the disciple, the one who follows a personal God, possessions are held with an open hand, loosely. I give up my right to ownership. All that I do have after working hard for is actually given to me in trust as a steward. The same attitude is to carry over in our relationships. Wives/husbands/children are not property but disciples become good stewards of whatever privileges they have been given in this life – especially relationships. Why? They follow a very personal God! 3. (v 27) A cross in this context was absolutely a symbol of death. Jesus said, “to be a disciple, you must be willing to die for something, the right something.” Those who believe in a God but not a personal God have no real spiritual life or growth because they are not willing to bring to death their own selfish goals. In reality, by not believing in a personal God you put God at your disposal over personal goals why – just to be free to do what you want to do. A ship set free without an anchor, or sail, or harbor, or compass. Free to destroy themselves, by putting God to death rather than their own selfish desires. 4. (v 26) Relationships matter but not more than Jesus Christ. The word “hate” is not used here in an absolute term rather as a relative term. Jesus is addressing the matter of “loyalty” not trying to be malicious, ugly, or hateful. Linda and I practiced as parents what we both learned as children…on Sundays we go to church even if someone didn’t want to, didn’t like it, or, was invited or even asked to do something else. Our “Loyalty” was and is to Jesus Christ. (The one Sunday we spent in stuck in traffic in NH when not missing church, children from the back seat, “is this what happens when you don’t go to church?”). Loyalties for those who just believe in God but do not believe in a personal God – go everywhere, all over the map. Linda has a sister who used to say about family gatherings, “I’ll be there if nothing else turns up.” So for those who are not loyal, you call minutes before the family event and say, “Something just turned up, we’re having a family picnic, I’m stopping by to pick you up.” Not all believers in God are automatically disciples. Some choose by their very actions what could rightfully be called a “practical atheism.” I believe in God but not a personal God that I walk and serve and think about every day (vv 34, 35). Others, choose to stop and think through their involvement everyday with Christ. They believe in a personal God. How?
C. Believers who practice their faith in a personal God as a disciple of Christ everyday make a conscious advanced commitment to be a disciple by actively making disciples, etc. How? There is never any compulsion to be a disciple but if you do so choose, here’s exactly what you’re getting yourself into.
1. There is that hard reality of a personal cost that WILL hinder what you want as the American Dream!
Luke 14:28-32 - A disciple cannot operate at arms length from God! - A disciple cannot operate at arms length from one another, those who are disciples - Operating at an arms length from God is as a book without pages, a song without notes, an actor without a script. Don’t let faith become only an idea that resides just in your mind, and in your heart, and in your world.
2. God wants His house filled by disciples reaching out to lost souls…but in the house He wants only those who are willing to pay the price…
Luke 14:23 cp. Luke 14:27 - A disciple lives each day with a personal God and gains Christ! - Jesus Christ is the ONE who truly counted the cost to see whether or not you/I are the kind of material He can use to build the church - answer is YES!
Conclusion: Matthew 5:13 “you are the salt of the earth” A disciple who practices his/her faith in a personal God after counting the cost, experiences first hand how God turns clay into salt everyday. The lives trampled by men become salt – disciples becoming disciple makers. A disciple who believes in a personal God cannot loose because God never looses. Go be worth your salt today! How? 1. Talk about your spiritual doubts with another believer you trust who has a strong faith that is matched by a strong love for others. 2. If you’ve been burned or hurt by the church or another believer you used to look up to, don’t give up asking God to provide for you the Christian friend to help you. Remember, Christians are at their best when they are forgiving, and at their worst when holding grudges. Keep your life focused on a personal God who is perfect, not on Christians who are not. 3. Give God a chance. Other people cannot decide for you whether you become a disciple or not. It is a solemn decision.
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