Good Morning beloved,
We welcome you to worship today in the name of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I praise God for each and every one of you who have been moved to join us today, whether it's your first time or you are a faithful member of our family in Christ. We're glad you're here. If you enjoy your time with us, please be sure invite others whom you believe would benefit.
Allow me begin by saying that every passage in the Bible, is God breathed, and is rich, filled with profound wisdom and offering timeless instruction for our daily lives. The Holy Scriptures are not merely ancient historical documents replete with information aiming to increase human knowledge while allowing for living an immoral lifestyle. It is a brilliant and captivating pearl of Truth, extremely rare and immense in value, for which we would gladly risk everything we have just to hold it. It isn't any wonder why countless individuals throughout history have devoted their entire lives and even faced persecution and death for the sake of preserving and sharing these divine timeless Truths, to ensure that the sacred texts are accessible to everyone who desires to read and study them. However, transformation begins when learn to apply what we've learned, allowing the Holy Spirit to work in and through our lives. Transformation is crucial, as it signifies a movement from mere understanding of the Bible to truly living out one’s faith.
The question then becomes what is the right response from a sinner who hears the Gospel and how do we know that response is genuine? And, of course, on top of that list is repentance that results in a transformed life. If anyone is to receive forgiveness of sin, if anyone is to be saved, there must be genuine repentance. If you repent and embrace Jesus Christ, God will forgive your sins and offer you salvation. Genuine repentance involves a deep acknowledgment of one's sin, wholeheartedly embrace Jesus Christ as the Lord of your life, turning away from sin and a turning toward Christ, with a sincere commitment to pursue a new path that aligns with the teachings of Christ. Christ died for us, while we were yet sinners. Therein lies the uniqueness of the message of the Gospel. Christ died for us while we were yet the enemies of God, nothing is more foreign to a sinful humanity. Nobody dies for their enemies, most people who scarcely die for those they love, much less those they despise. Yet, Christians are never more like God than when we love our enemies and do good to those who persecute us.
In contrast, salvation eludes those who fail to repent and do not embrace the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. If Christ is not your Lord, He is not you Savior. Unfortunately, many Christians today have mastered the art of shallow repentance, demonstrating outward signs of repentance without the inner transformation that genuine repentance requires. I am convinced there is much shallow repentance in church, much shallow repentance. I believe this is due to the insidious influence of the demons of darkness have cleverly disguised themselves as angels of light and then go about doing the work of shallow repentance and false conversion through emotionalism, lacking the depth of repentance necessary for genuine salvation according to Jesus Himself, deceiving countless of undiscerning believers who are content with merely going through the motions. That's like putting a band-aid on a deep wound without treating the underlying issue. Self-proclaimed teachers desiring to conform to cultural norms are failing to preach the Gospel with clarity to help sinners understand what is at stake when they hear the biblical Gospel.
The message the church is commanded to preach is not God wants to fix your finances, repair all your broken relationships and build up your self-esteem. The message the church is commanded to preach is that God is a God of mercy and grace, He will forgive the sinner who recognizes his wretched sinful condition, will come to Him with a broken and contrite heart and ask for that gift of forgiveness, and embraces His Son Jesus Christ. We make a lot out of demanding justice in our society today, focusing on fairness and accountability. However, when measured against standards, the verdict is all of mankind is guilty before God, and he is therefore burdened by a debt that is impossible to repay. We don't make nearly as much out of the penalty of sin and often overlook the severe consequences. Romans 6:23 teaches "For the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Forgiveness of that debt through Jesus Christ is God's greatest gift, and therefore is man's greatest need.
However, according to the modern theology, all you needed to do to be saved is just believe in Jesus, reciting a little prayer, often referred to as the "sinner's prayer," thereby inviting Jesus into your heart and then you’re saved. You don’t even worry about a thing, just add Jesus and it's business as usual, there is no further cause for concern, you're salvation is secure. However, a critical examination of biblical scripture reveals there's absolutely nothing to substantiate that type of salvation. The Bible depicts a much deeper understanding of salvation, a life marked by repentance, a commitment to discipleship and a transformative relationship with Jesus that goes well beyond mere belief, one that emphasizes the importance of living in obedience to Christ's teachings.
In Deuteronomy 13:4, it is commanded that "You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him." Doesn’t sound like easy believism to me. Don't you think it’s time to get serious about obeying Him?
Tragically, the normalization of sin and sexual immorality has infiltrated the church, leading to a disturbing complacency among many of its members, and even more disturbing to me, is those who are bothered by what they see are too intimidated to speak out against it is alarming. Convincing those who ought to be deeply ashamed of their own wickedness and preoccupation of sexual sin or those who are complicit by refusing to speak up, demanding the church address this crisis with urgency has significantly increased. Behaviors such as pornography, fornication, adultery and homosexuality or the horrendous crime of pedophilia
that once invoked widespread condemnation are now met with indifference or worse, acceptance. Every pastor in every church everywhere needs to understand we are responsible for Christ's flock entrusted to us, we are all going to be held accountable before the Righteous Judge, which is why I am compelled to speak out against these issues every day, reinforcing God's moral compass that unequivocally distinguishes right from wrong. Even if these unspeakable acts are being tolerated in the church, they will never be tolerated in the Kingdom of God.
Let's pray
Heavenly Father,
Father, we are so thankful for Your Word. There are no words to describe the profound gratitude that we feel for this precious, invaluable gift of forgiveness. Yet, it is with heavy hearts we pray for every sinner who has not made a true assessment of their desperate condition and the impending judgment that awaits them. We know that no one can come to Christ unless the Father Who sent Him draws them, O Father, we ask that You would have mercy on every sinner and grant them the gift of conviction and help them understand there is no hope under Your judgment, grant them repentance through the Holy Spirit, may they respond by crying out begging for mercy, trusting in Christ Who was crucified and rose on the third day for them, so they too might have the assurance of eternal life in Your kingdom. Lord, may this ministry make no disciples who walk away from Christ because of personal comfort, personal possessions, personal relationships. We ask and pray this in accordance to Your will, in Christ's Name, for Your glory.
Amen.
Today's Message: The Cost of Discipleship
The cross is a universal symbol of suffering and hardship, instated by the Romans. Crucifixion was not just a means of execution but it was considered the cruelest and most unrelenting form of capital punishment known to man. The process of crucifixion involved nailing or binding the condemned to a large wooden cross and leaving them to hang until death ensued, often taking several days. This prolonged suffering was intended to serve as a public spectacle, reinforcing the power and authority of the Roman Empire, intended to deliberately deter rebellion among the populace.
Historical records suggest that at the time of Jesus, there were thousands that were executed in this manner, with the most famous being Jesus Christ, whose crucifixion has become a central theme deeply ingrained in Christianity, a reminder of His profound sacrifice for the promise of redemption, making the cross not merely a symbol of agonizing suffering but also a beacon of hope and salvation.
I want to speak for a moment about the cross, which is the heart of this passage, as well as the very heart of the Gospel, found here in verse 23, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me." We all have our crosses to bear to in this life, and I'm certain that we can all the name of those who have carried a cross that appears to be much heavier than our own, yet remained steadfast in their faith. Our cross can take on many forms, for some it is cruel memories of physical or sexual abuse from their childhood, creating the feeling of being unloved or unwanted. For others, maybe it's caring for an elderly parent or a mentally or physically disabled child or the difficulty of providing the basic needs for our families, like food and shelter.
However, this profound statement by Jesus is commanding each of us who follow Him to something much more substantial than just heavy burdens, He calls us to a life of self-denial and a commitment to Him even unto death. I believe that over time the Truth of what Jesus is saying has become so obscured in many pulpits and theological institutions all across America that the concept of self-denial and the bearing of one's cross are no longer even connected to salvation. This dilution of Jesus' original message has become more than evident in many sermons where modern interpretations often prioritize individual comfort and personal convenience.
In Luke 14:27-28, Jesus's powerful words make the depth of discipleship and the true cost of following Him very, very clear, "Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it?" As you can imagine, these words are not well received in today's society, however, it doesn't change the fact, that the call to discipleship is not merely a superficial commitment based on emotionalism; it requires a deep and thoughtful consideration of what it truly means to follow Him. Despite the plethora of evidence that there a significantly increasing lack of willingness to truly submit to His reign and obey His commands by church members who claim to be followers of Jesus, many pastors deny lowering the standards of salvation and discipleship plays any part in this deficiency. Self-centered worship music from heretical bands that shifts the focus from God towards feelings and personal experience to make it more appealing to congregants seeking a more palatable version of Christianity, overshadowing spiritual growth and the foundational Christian principle taught Christ Himself, like unity in the Body of Christ and putting others first, loving others as we love ourselves, and worshiping God.
Frankly, nothing has become more evident to me than the modern believer's diminishing lack of zeal in following Christ, worshiping God and giving Him the praise and adoration that He rightfully deserves. Bible study and prayer have been reduced to mere formalities, becoming superficial and meaningless, but checking all the boxes at best, dare I say if it even occurs at all. What was once the greatest desire of our hearts has taken a backseat to other priorities, such socialization and activities that emphasize superficial connections rather than fostering authentic fellowship among believers, entertainment rather than genuine worship, creating a group of people identify as Christians without truly grasping the true essence of what it means to be a follower of Jesus.
I believe all of this has led to a superficial faith that is shallow, lacking sincerity, depth, conviction, and a genuine surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ, with a reluctance to be held accountable, bringing the Truth to bear on their affections. According to recent studies, less than half of Christians engage in personal daily Bible reading and prayer, being overshadowed by worldly distractions, prioritizing superficial relationships with fellow believers, compromising the transformative power of the Gospel and a personal relationship with Jesus, the One Who purchased you with His own life. In Luke 14:26, Jesus raises the bar on discipleship, challenging us as believers to reassess our priorities in saying that "If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple." Then, in Philippians 4:8, Paul reminds us, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is dignified, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, consider these things." Have we forgotten the immense privilege of worshipping the One True Living God and the blessing of knowing His Word? O' how thankful I am for a faithful and loving God Who loves His faithless people
Open our Bibles with me please and turn them to the Gospel of Luke, chapter 9, verses twenty-three through twenty-seven. I would like to encourage you to follow along with me as I read these verses to set the text in our minds, as we prepare our hearts for the Spirit of God is saying to each of us. Luke 9:23-27.
"And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it. For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. But I say to you truthfully, there are some of those standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God."
Let's look at verse 23, "And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me." What does it mean to deny oneself? Let me start with saying it is not simply about giving up our personal comforts or our material possessions; it is about relinquishing our own desires, ambitions, and ego in order to place Christ at the center of our lives.
Every day, we are all presented with opportunities to choose compassion over convenience, or generosity over greed. It is in these moments that might require us to make sacrifices, we can either decide to prioritize our own serve our ego, indulging in what makes us "feel good" even at the detriment of others, an act of self-interest or we can alternately choose to deny our sense of self-importance, surrendering our personal gratification, rising to challenge God's divine will to prioritize the greater good and service to others. I believe it is through one’s actions that a true testament of our relationship with Christ emerges, despite what we publicly profess. Peace will come not from chasing our own ambitions and desires, but from living a transformed purpose-driven life that reflects the teachings and love of Christ.
True believers are those who have thoroughly counted the costs associated with following Christ and have consciously decided to follow Him, despite being fully aware of the risks involved, understanding the potential challenges to make significant personal sacrifices which may include enduring hardships, facing societal rejection which can lead to isolation or even encountering persecution in various forms to embrace walking a path of humility, and compassion and forgiveness, committing themselves to actively living out Christian principles. Following Christ is not merely just a passive one-time acknowledgment, it is ongoing life-long commitment, dedicated to a path of righteousness and moral integrity, regardless of the obstacles we might encounter or the discrimination we may face.
I am convinced that every potential follower of Jesus Christ needs to understand this very basic foundational truth; The call to follow Christ is not about satisfaction, it is about sacrifice. The call to follow Christ is not about getting what you want, fulfilling all of your wants, needs, and desires, it is about a radical reorientation of our hearts toward sacrifice, completely resisting the temptation to pursue our own desires and self-interests, whether physical, mental or spiritual in nature.
The Greek verb, "arneomai," carries a pretty strong connotation, it literally means to reject or disown, to refuse to associate with yourself. It's a public declaration, a bold statement that translates into saying, "I am utterly fed up with me, I'm disgusted by my sinful conduct. I no longer want anything to do with my former self anymore." And there are no exceptions or exemptions. It is a decisive action to break free from one's previous identity.
To give you a brief illustration of this unparalleled spiritual discovery, just look at Matthew 13:44-46, where the man who found a treasure hidden in the field, and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Christ is that hidden treasure. And the merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. Christ is the pearl of great value. That's what people do who really come to a genuine understanding of their desperate spiritual condition, they discern that there is nothing in their lives worth jeopardizing the relationship they've found in Christ and so they are willing to forfeit anything and everything that doesn't contribute to entering the kingdom of heaven through the narrow gate. Isn't that what Paul did after his conversion on the Damascus Road, he counted all he possessed, everything he had achieved in his life as dung. Didn't Matthew and the other Apostles essentially do the same leaving everything behind to follow Jesus? I believe I can safely say that because most pastors rarely proclaim self-denial, cross bearing, and obedience to sinners today, you'd be hard pressed to find a message like that in the church today. Oh beloved, it's crucial to recognize that Jesus Himself demanded much more from His followers than just saying a simple prayer, He didn't lower the standards for salvation, He set the bar even higher.
Verse 24, "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it." In one profound statement, Jesus encapsulates the essence of true discipleship in not many words, "You take Me on My terms, not yours, and there's no room for negotiation or compromise. But out of that loss of anything you give up, there comes immeasurable gain that is beyond anything you can imagine." The longer I live, the easier it becomes to spot a true Christian. The proud sinner still wants to keep enough of his sin to maintain his pleasure, but that won't bring the salvation Jesus offers. A true Christian doesn't attempt cling to sinful habits for fleeting pleasure, he willingly releases his grip on personal desires. If you think that self-denial and self-sacrifice is optional, you're only fooling yourself. If there is no willingness to suffer, if there is no willingness to go to the cross, there will be no kingdom! That doesn't sound like the attractive invitation to follow Jesus heard in thousands of churches all across America on any given Sunday, does it? Repent or perish. That's how one become a Christian, authentic salvation is free but understand it's not easy. And the path of discipleship is paved with many trials and tribulations.
Is it any wonder why the disciples were astonished, asking the question, in Luke 13:23-25, "And someone said to Him, "Lord, are there just a few who are being saved?" And He said to them, "Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. Once the head of the house gets up and shuts the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open up to us!’ then He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from.’"
If you're still confused, grappling to understand Jesus' offer of salvation, just look at verse 25, where He poses the critical question; "For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?" We live in an age of distraction, a superficial society where the allure of money, fame and power can be enticing however, I've never found anywhere in Scripture where Jesus promises to shower me with material blessings and comfort on this side of heaven. Salvation is not for those seeking an easy life, and while you might catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. I believe that's the issue with the modern church, they have invested far too much time and energy in a vain attempt to collect flies for the Kingdom of God. Jesus isn't interested in collecting flies, He wants faithful disciples, who will honor Him by living righteously. Anything less is a perversion of the Gospel, a corrupt misrepresentation of Jesus' offer of salvation.
Obviously, nobody could actually gain the whole world, this is the ultimate hyperbole to reinforce His point. Jesus is saying following Me is going to cost you everything. No sacrifice is too much, even your own life, should it come to that. In the United States of America, we have been exposed to the sin of self-indulgence, many pastors have a myriad of houses, and expensive cars, and boats, and furs, and jewelry, and secret bank accounts, and fraud, and sexual sins. The whole world has witnessed our love of riches and the wickedness it has produced on a far-reaching scale. We enjoy the freedom of being able to practice our faith without fear of persecution, while we might encounter social challenges or differing opinions, I don't believe most American Christians really understand what it means to endure persecution, unlike many believers who face imprisonment, violence, or even death due to their faith in Christ. However, I believe we'll get the chance to prove exactly how valuable Jesus is in this country before long, when the godliness of heaven confronts ungodliness of this world, there's going to be rejection, hatred and hostility, that's where the rubber will meet the road.
You need to understand He's not talking about dying for a noble cause, there are many great humanitarians acts for which people willingly sacrifice their lives every day, however, none of them will get you into heaven. He's talking about being willing to lose your life for the sake of the Gospel and the Lord we love. As I look at the church today, I cannot help but notice just how far the modern church has strayed from the commitment of the early church. Have we forgotten His words "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master."? Is your relationship with Christ precious enough to give up the natural inclination for self-preservation? It's easy just to quickly say yes, but time will tell...
In verse 26, Jesus informs us "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels." There is certainly no shortage of people who have no shame when it comes to their own conduct, their own behavior. Many apparently having their consciences seared, publicly live without shame some the most wicked lives I've ever seen in my lifetime. These individuals appear devoid of guilt and remorse, acting with impunity in a world that often rewards rather than reprimands such egregious behavior. We don't have to look too far to find an example of public figures and celebrities who flaunt lifestyles that defy conventional moral standards before we encounter the recent story of Seam "Diddy" Combs, known for his extravagant lifestyle and influence in the music industry, however, recent headlines seem to have focused on his conduct where moral and ethical boundaries have been crossed, if not disregarded entirely, violating nearly every law. Yet, the bigger concern is the massive numbers of God’s laws they have broken, unaware of their true spiritual condition. Many Christians today, who faithfully attend church, and participation in selfless acts, trusting in their own self-righteousness believe that based on human standards, they are living a life that is acceptable to God. Like the scribes and Pharisees who outwardly lived a righteous life, unashamed of their hypocrisy, were deceiving themselves. They were not ashamed, they conditioned themselves against it, instead they confidently boasted in their hypocrisy. A behavior Jesus publicly condemned in Matthew 23, calling the "white washed tombs, which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness."
We all have plenty to be ashamed of, and I do mean plenty, whether it’s the hypocritical sin of self righteousness, or the sin of open immorality, or ignoring the needs of someone we could have helped, or someone we've hurt but chose to look the other way in order to maintain our personal comfort.
I can recall my parents telling me as a young boy, "You ought to be ashamed of yourself," when I had done something they didn't approve of. Quite frankly, as I look at the world today, I’m grateful for my parents who loved me enough to tell me the truth, it served me much better than telling me "It's no your fault," we see a lot of that today, don't we? As a result, those who had ought to be ashamed of the behavior, have little or no shame. There are a lot of people that are blaming everyone else for what they are doing wrong, but that's going to change when they are standing before God, the Holy and Righteous Judge, who could have forgiven the sin. When Christ returns, and believe me, He is going return, He’s going to deal with those blissfully impenitent sinners, there is no grace, no mercy and no forgiveness for the unrepentant sinner who is not ashamed of his sin. Where you spend eternity is a choice you know, Christ will either welcome you into His kingdom, or He will permanently confirm you in your shame, honoring your choice to spend eternity in Hell, tortured and tormented, forever.
Make no mistake, Christ will be ashamed of all those who are not ashamed on themselves, including those sitting in the church. I realize that's not a popular message today, it wasn't when Jesus preached it in the synagogue where He spent 30 years of His life either. In fact, they hated Him for it, enough to try to kill Him by throwing Him off a cliff. There are many in the church today, in both the pulpit and the pews, who are so convinced, at least in their own minds, their shameful lives are pleasing to God. Who eagerly confess Jesus as their Savior, yet, despite their public confession, they've made themselves the lord of their own lives, ultimately ashamed of the One Who purchased our salvation by going to the cross. The self-confidence of false assurance is deceptive, it blinds us to the inconsistencies between our beliefs and our actions. Soon, Christ will put to shame those who are ashamed of Him.
That brings us to verse 27, "But I say to you truthfully, there are some of those standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God." Obviously, none of those present were going to see the Second Coming, He's talking about the Transfiguration, He's about to give some a glimpse of what is going to happen when they're gone, so that they will know what everything He has told them is trustworthy. But the preview is not for everybody, they've already seen His power, but only Peter, James and John are going to see this magnificent preview of the glory of His Second Coming.
I have seen the power of God, as the work of the Holy Spirit transforms the lives of wretched sinners, of which I one of the worst. While I am far from perfection, there's very little that still remains of my former self. I am confident that He, Who began a good work in me, will see it through to completion, just as He has promised. Have you counted the cost of discipleship? If so, have you experienced the power of God through the work of the Holy Spirit, in your own life?
I pray that you have...
One of the most profound statements I've ever heard about the Cost of Discipleship comes from Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who rightly said, "Judging others makes us blind, whereas love is illuminating. By judging others we blind ourselves to our own evil and to the grace which others are just as entitled to as we are."
May it be so..
And now may the Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.
Now and forever, in Jesus' name
Amen
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