2nd Sunday in Lent – Sermon 97

13th February 2011 Off By Derek Buckthorpe

Prayer to start

May the words of my lips and the thoughts of our hearts be graciously received for the Glory and Honour of our Lord Jesus Christ

AMEN

Introduction

Congratulations – you’ve won a free holiday in our prize draw competition – isn’t it wonderful!

We’ve all had them haven’t we – salesmen ringing up at all hours – trying to convince us to join their scheme or buy their product –telling us – their giving us something for nothing –

Its so easy to get swept along with wonderfully sounding promises – without – stopping to think about the commitment that’s required –

As far as the Christian faith’s concerned – however – there’s no danger – of that –

“No one who does not carry his cross and come with me – can be a disciple of mine”

with Jesus – there’s no sales hype – no dressing up with fantastic offers – what you hear – is what you get – but the irony is its well worth paying –

In our NT lesson – we are reminded of three important qualities of discipleship – cross bearing – being a good finisher – and having total commitment to one we’re following-

We’re going to look again at what Jesus said – to see if it helps us understand the price we are asked to pay to follow Him

 


First Point     Taking up the cross 

 

The word disciple occurs 269 times in the NT –
The Greek translation – means learner or student –

A disciple imitates his master – listens and learns from Him – and responds to whatever He asks – immediately –
Many of us claim to follow Jesus – but on our own terms – not His

Everything we receive from God is free – but its not cheap – Jesus tells us there’s still a price to pay – and we have to count the cost – before committing ourselves to Him

Discipleship is for life – He doesn’t want someone who is here today – and gone tomorrow –

A housewife saw her husband standing on the bathroom scales – taking deep breaths – trying to suck his stomach – in –

That won’t help you – lose weight she said –

‘Sure it will’ said her husband, “how else can I see the numbers”

Losing weight is one of those things that is easy to talk about but hard to do – there’s 100’s of books on the subject – TV programs – fitness clubs – all promising to turn us into supermodels – but the truth is – unless we’re prepared to make a positive commitment – and are willing to stick at it – we will never be successful

It’s the same with discipleship – it won’t happen – unless we’re prepared to take it seriously – and make it our number one ambition –

Many people think Jesus’ command to take up the cross – is the same as bearing the sufferings – and burdens of this world – not true – its not the way we put up with that dodgy back – or those migrane headaches – that measures our commitment to Jesus

Its the way we show – our love – our compassion – forgiveness and reconciliation – to others – in difficult circumstances –

It’s the way we reach out to others – in His name – knowing that Jesus has come – died and risen – for us – and for every friend and stranger we meet –

Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem – He knew would soon be facing His own cross – To be a cross bearer – like Jesus – we too must sacrifice the dearest things we have in this life –

Paul knew what carrying the cross meant – in Gal 2: 20 – he says –
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live – but Christ lives in me”

And as David Watson once wrote:

The cross is a picture of violence
Yet the key to peace

A picture of suffering
Yet the key to healing

A picture of punishment
Yet the key to mercy and forgiveness

A picture of weakness
Yet the key to power

A picture of death
Yet the key to life

As disciples we are called to live a life of daily sacrifice – by serving God through service to others

There will be times when we think our cross its too much to bear – but God – we will never be burdened us with anything we can’’t carry –

we have His assurance that as long as we stay close to Him – and let the Holy Spirit lead – He will always be there to help us through – 

 

Point 2    A good finisher

 

Our second quality is about being a good finisher –

Jesus tells the story of a man who started – but didn’t finish – who began building his tower – without first – calculating what it would cost him – and when he found out he couldn’t complete it – it turned out to be – a disaster – in more ways than one –

The unfinished tower not only failed to fulfill its function – it also stood out like a sore thumb-

Whatever money he put into his building he lost – since an unfinished building – was no use to anyone –

There’s a price to pay in order to finish –
And there’s a price to pay if we don’t finish –

Hopefully – we will soon be starting – our own tower – here at St. Mary’s – phase 1 & 2 of our re-ordering programme –

As a church we have to make sure we start and finish well – nothing less than total commitment will do – if we are turned back – then its not only our faith that will suffer – a poor witness will turn others away from Jesus – as well –

Jesus came into the world – to build a kingdom – not with wood and stone – but – with love – here in our hearts – the difference between Jesus and the man in His story – is that Jesus paid the price – on the cross – and finished – the job

Jesus is inviting us to come with Him and be part of His kingdom – to join His banquet of salvation – but saying yes to God – will be no picnic – as Jesus reminds us in our next story – its nothing less than an invitation to spiritual warfare

  

Point 3     

 

What king would march into battle against another king – without first sitting down – and considering whether with 10000 men – he can face up to an enemy of 20,000 – If he cannot – then he sends an envoy – and asks for terms –

Like the king – we can’t fight the Christian battle – unless we have the right resources to fight with – we have to be realistic about the task ahead –

We can’t fight a spiritual battle – without a spiritual ally – without Jesus on our side –

A lifeguard – standing on the beach – looked out to sea – and saw a man in difficulty –splashing around in the water –

he walked up to the edge of the surf – but didn’t go any further – people came and started shouting and screaming – at the lifeguard – to go in and rescue him – but he stayed where he was –

and then just as it seemed that the man was going under for the last time – the life guard swam out – and caught him – and brought him coughing and spluttering – to safety –

but rather than hailing the lifeguard as a hero – the onlookers were angry – you coward -they shouted – why did you let him suffer – why didn’t you go out sooner –

You can see – said the lifeguard – he’s much bigger and stronger than I am – If I’d have gone out sooner – when he was thrashing around violently – he’d have probably drowned us both – As long as He was still trying to save himself – I couldn’t save him –
Only when he got tired – and gave up – was I able to help –

As long as we think we think we are strong enough to save ourselves – we won’t surrender to Jesus – Its – only when we accept that we are completely lost – will we be finally rescued-

Jesus needs people who are prepared to surrender to Him fully – and unconditionally – willing to give Him love – loyalty – their whole lives – He needs people who realize that without Him – all their efforts – will come to nothing –

The rich young man of Mark 10: 17-22 was asked to sell all he owned and give to the poor – but he couldn’t be separated from his possessions –

Being a disciple means imitating Jesus and living His way of life – as a disciple of Jesus – we must be prepared to give up the things that are in the way of our discipleship –

A famous concert violinist was asked how she became so skilled in playing – by “planned neglect” – she said – she planned to neglect everything that was not related to her goal – we have to do the same —

 

Ending

 

Lent is a time to re-examine our commitment to Jesus – a time for us to look again at what our relationship with Him is costing us –

God is making something new from us – and to realize – and respond to it – takes great effort on our part –

are we ready to follow Jesus’ lead – if the answer’s yes –that really would be something to celebrate  

 
Prayer to Finish

 In the name of the Father Son and Holy Spirit

AMEN