What Do I have to Do? – Gospels
During the four years that I was in Bible College I had
several opportunities to have Dr. Bill Burbury as my Professor, and in some of
his classes Dr. Burbury offered what he called “Mark by Contract.” When you went to your first class Dr. Burbury
would give you a list of requirements for the course. If you wanted to pass the course then you did
certain things and you would be guaranteed to make a certain mark. And if all you wanted to do was to pass the
course then you could plan your semester from there and at the end of the
semester you would have a “D”.
several opportunities to have Dr. Bill Burbury as my Professor, and in some of
his classes Dr. Burbury offered what he called “Mark by Contract.” When you went to your first class Dr. Burbury
would give you a list of requirements for the course. If you wanted to pass the course then you did
certain things and you would be guaranteed to make a certain mark. And if all you wanted to do was to pass the
course then you could plan your semester from there and at the end of the
semester you would have a “D”.
You would have passed the course, just. Of course that only
worked if you were planning on graduating with a degree than that was pretty
much worthless because in order for your course to count toward ordination you
were required to have at least a “C”.
worked if you were planning on graduating with a degree than that was pretty
much worthless because in order for your course to count toward ordination you
were required to have at least a “C”.
So if you wanted to do more then simply pass the class then
you started adding more requirements. If
you wanted a C then you did all that was required of you to get a D and you
added some more work and if you did all those things then you got a C. If you were even more industrious then you
could add to the C requirements and get a B and add to the B requirements and
get an A.
you started adding more requirements. If
you wanted a C then you did all that was required of you to get a D and you
added some more work and if you did all those things then you got a C. If you were even more industrious then you
could add to the C requirements and get a B and add to the B requirements and
get an A.
You understand the concept of “Mark by Contract” now? And so during the first week of each term
ever student was able to choose the mark which they wanted to earn.
ever student was able to choose the mark which they wanted to earn.
Most of those students choose an A or a B, however by term
end many had only done the work required for a D or a C. Interestingly enough most students marks
didn’t change, there wasn’t a dramatic change in mark percentages.
end many had only done the work required for a D or a C. Interestingly enough most students marks
didn’t change, there wasn’t a dramatic change in mark percentages.
The A students continued to be A students, the B students B
students. Etc, etc. Nothing really dramatic happened. In the vast majority of cases nobody took the
opportunity to move up to the next level.
I will confess that I remained a B student. My mark really didn’t change, I did enough
work to get the mark I had always gotten and that was it.
students. Etc, etc. Nothing really dramatic happened. In the vast majority of cases nobody took the
opportunity to move up to the next level.
I will confess that I remained a B student. My mark really didn’t change, I did enough
work to get the mark I had always gotten and that was it.
Dr. Burbury once confronted me as my faculty advisor and
asked me why I was content with a B or a 3.0 average when I was capable of A of
4.0 work. You know I thought about if
for a minute or so and then I answered saying “You know Dr. Burbury, “As” and “4s”
are sharp and harsh while “Bs” and “3s” are soft and rounded.” Bill just shook his head. Which meant my strategy had worked, if you
can’t dazzle them then baffle them.
asked me why I was content with a B or a 3.0 average when I was capable of A of
4.0 work. You know I thought about if
for a minute or so and then I answered saying “You know Dr. Burbury, “As” and “4s”
are sharp and harsh while “Bs” and “3s” are soft and rounded.” Bill just shook his head. Which meant my strategy had worked, if you
can’t dazzle them then baffle them.
You see often what we achieve in life is determined not
nearly as much by our smarts as it is by as it is by our dedication and
devotion.
nearly as much by our smarts as it is by as it is by our dedication and
devotion.
Whatever the advantages or disadvantages of the contract
method of marking were the main thing is you always knew what was expected of
you. When you started the class you
could ask “What do I have to do to pass this course or ace this course?” and
you would receive an answer.
method of marking were the main thing is you always knew what was expected of
you. When you started the class you
could ask “What do I have to do to pass this course or ace this course?” and
you would receive an answer.
We are all born with a desire to be at one with our Creator,
our God and we try throughout our lives to come to the place that we are
supposed to be at.
our God and we try throughout our lives to come to the place that we are
supposed to be at.
And while we may never actually verbalize the question in
our hearts we are all asking the same question that was asked of Jesus in Mark 10:17 As Jesus was starting out on his way to
Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher,
what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
our hearts we are all asking the same question that was asked of Jesus in Mark 10:17 As Jesus was starting out on his way to
Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher,
what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
He was asking: How do I get to heaven? What do I have to do to get a passing grade?
Well, we’ve
made it through the Old Testament and here we are in the New Testament. Over the past six weeks I’ve had the
opportunity to guide you through the Pentateuch, the Historical Books and the
books of Poetry and Wisdom.
made it through the Old Testament and here we are in the New Testament. Over the past six weeks I’ve had the
opportunity to guide you through the Pentateuch, the Historical Books and the
books of Poetry and Wisdom.
While I was
away on vacation Stefan preached on the story of Daniel from the Major Prophets
and then Deborah preached on Jonah from the Minor Prophets. And so here we are, in the New Testament.
away on vacation Stefan preached on the story of Daniel from the Major Prophets
and then Deborah preached on Jonah from the Minor Prophets. And so here we are, in the New Testament.
This week
we are looking at the first four books of the New Testament, books which most
folks refer to as the Gospels. The
Gospels contain four books, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. And the authors are named, traditionally it
has been held that Mark was recording Peter’s account of the life of Christ. The scholars tell us that these books were
written between 50 and 70 AD with the earliest account being the Gospel of
Mark.
we are looking at the first four books of the New Testament, books which most
folks refer to as the Gospels. The
Gospels contain four books, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. And the authors are named, traditionally it
has been held that Mark was recording Peter’s account of the life of Christ. The scholars tell us that these books were
written between 50 and 70 AD with the earliest account being the Gospel of
Mark.
Sometimes
you will hear people talk about the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Phillip or the Gospel of
Mary. The book and movie The Da Vinci
Code made a big deal out of these Gospels and how they were supposedly
suppressed by the Vatican. The reality
is that they were written between two and three hundred years after the death
of Christ and are not historical accounts.
you will hear people talk about the Gospel of Thomas, the Gospel of Phillip or the Gospel of
Mary. The book and movie The Da Vinci
Code made a big deal out of these Gospels and how they were supposedly
suppressed by the Vatican. The reality
is that they were written between two and three hundred years after the death
of Christ and are not historical accounts.
But there
have been times that I’ve met Christians who are all excited about this gospel
or that gospel that reveals more about Jesus.
Here is a warning from 2,000 years ago that Paul gave in 2 Corinthians 11:3-4 But
I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be
corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent.
You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a
different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one
you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed.
have been times that I’ve met Christians who are all excited about this gospel
or that gospel that reveals more about Jesus.
Here is a warning from 2,000 years ago that Paul gave in 2 Corinthians 11:3-4 But
I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be
corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent.
You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a
different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one
you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed.
And so here
was the question I had to answer, out of all the Jesus stories in the four
gospels where would I land? And if I had
of asked two dozen people which one of the stories I should preach on from the
Gospels I would have had two dozen answers.
was the question I had to answer, out of all the Jesus stories in the four
gospels where would I land? And if I had
of asked two dozen people which one of the stories I should preach on from the
Gospels I would have had two dozen answers.
So we have landed in the Gospel of Mark because those in the
know tell us that this was the earliest Gospel that we have, and that it is
actually Peter’s account of the life of Christ, and Peter would seem to be a
pretty good source, seeing he was there from the beginning. And so we begin with these words. Mark 1:1 This
is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.
know tell us that this was the earliest Gospel that we have, and that it is
actually Peter’s account of the life of Christ, and Peter would seem to be a
pretty good source, seeing he was there from the beginning. And so we begin with these words. Mark 1:1 This
is the Good News about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God.
Just as students would come to Dr. Burbury and say “what do
I have to do to pass this course?” the man that we read about this morning comes
to Jesus and says “what do I have to do to pass the course, what do I have to
do in order to get into heaven?”
I have to do to pass this course?” the man that we read about this morning comes
to Jesus and says “what do I have to do to pass the course, what do I have to
do in order to get into heaven?”
Christianity is very much a contract class, where the
requirements are spelled out for us.
requirements are spelled out for us.
Have you ever worked for someone who had unverbalized
expectations of what they expected of you?
They knew what they expected but they had never actually conveyed it to
you, until they asked why you hadn’t done what they thought you should have
done but had never actually mentioned that they wanted you to do it.
expectations of what they expected of you?
They knew what they expected but they had never actually conveyed it to
you, until they asked why you hadn’t done what they thought you should have
done but had never actually mentioned that they wanted you to do it.
Maybe it wasn’t an employer, maybe it was a spouse or a
child or a friend. That happens at
times, people assume that we should know certain things.
child or a friend. That happens at
times, people assume that we should know certain things.
And yet God lays out what is expected of each of us in this
book. On judgement day Jesus won’t be
saying “Oh, I thought you knew that?”
book. On judgement day Jesus won’t be
saying “Oh, I thought you knew that?”
The first thing that we need to discuss are the entrance
requirement. Different courses at
College had different entrance requirement.
For example I needed to have Intro to Psychology before I could take
Pastoral Counselling, and Pastoral Counselling before I could take Family and
Marital Counselling.
requirement. Different courses at
College had different entrance requirement.
For example I needed to have Intro to Psychology before I could take
Pastoral Counselling, and Pastoral Counselling before I could take Family and
Marital Counselling.
You couldn’t enter into a contract in a course of study
until you were first in the course. It
wouldn’t matter if you did all the work perfectly and on time if you weren’t
actually registered in the class, it would be a waste of time.
until you were first in the course. It
wouldn’t matter if you did all the work perfectly and on time if you weren’t
actually registered in the class, it would be a waste of time.
In the same way it’ really silly to live an A+ Christian
life if you aren’t actually a Christian.
life if you aren’t actually a Christian.
So how do you get into Christianity? Well it’s sort of like preaching to the
choir, but in case there’s someone who’s not sure the Apostle Peter does a great
job of summing it up in Acts 3:19 Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your
sins may be wiped away. It’s
that simple, turn away from your sins, that’s called repentance, ask for
forgiveness and turn to God. That’s the
entrance requirements, you are now a Christian. Simple enough?
choir, but in case there’s someone who’s not sure the Apostle Peter does a great
job of summing it up in Acts 3:19 Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your
sins may be wiped away. It’s
that simple, turn away from your sins, that’s called repentance, ask for
forgiveness and turn to God. That’s the
entrance requirements, you are now a Christian. Simple enough?
Well got this far and I was stumped, I mean I should now
talk about how we can be an “A”, “B” “C”, “D” or “F” Christian. And we all know the “A” Christians and we
could name the “B” Christians. Most of
us know the “D” Christians, they are the people who have pretty well dropped
out of the race but not quite. They are
still registered in the course but they are skipping class.
talk about how we can be an “A”, “B” “C”, “D” or “F” Christian. And we all know the “A” Christians and we
could name the “B” Christians. Most of
us know the “D” Christians, they are the people who have pretty well dropped
out of the race but not quite. They are
still registered in the course but they are skipping class.
Kind of what happened in the spring of the year when I was in
high school, not that I was personally acquainted with skipping, I read about
it in a book. And if we are feeling
really carnal we can even name the F Christians, they’ve just given up all
together.
high school, not that I was personally acquainted with skipping, I read about
it in a book. And if we are feeling
really carnal we can even name the F Christians, they’ve just given up all
together.
And so we all know the “A”, “B”, “D”, and “F”. They are easy to spot and we lift them up or
run them down depending on their grade and the degree of our carnality.
run them down depending on their grade and the degree of our carnality.
Neither of which we should be doing by the way. Now I had no problem with those people, they
had all made their choices. They were either
very dedicated to the Lord, dedicated or they were just looking for a fire
escape from Hell.
had all made their choices. They were either
very dedicated to the Lord, dedicated or they were just looking for a fire
escape from Hell.
They had decided exactly what type of Christian they were
going to be and that’s what they were doing, and they were willing to live with
their choice. I said before that I was a
“B” student through high school and College, with a little more work and a
little more effort I could have been an “A” student but I would have had to
give up some things that I wasn’t willing to give up. Not bad things just
things.
going to be and that’s what they were doing, and they were willing to live with
their choice. I said before that I was a
“B” student through high school and College, with a little more work and a
little more effort I could have been an “A” student but I would have had to
give up some things that I wasn’t willing to give up. Not bad things just
things.
I’ve had two assistant Pastors through the years who
graduated from College with 4.0 averages and were both admitted to honour
societies. Angela has always claimed
that I lived my academic life vicariously through those two, and I won’t name
names, just pick your favourite assistant pastor and assume that is who I was
talking about.
graduated from College with 4.0 averages and were both admitted to honour
societies. Angela has always claimed
that I lived my academic life vicariously through those two, and I won’t name
names, just pick your favourite assistant pastor and assume that is who I was
talking about.
Now most of the “D” and “F” students (you ever wonder what
happened to “E”? Inquiring minds want to know, what type of education system
goes A, B, C, D, F? Like 1, 2, 3, 4, 6.) That was what was technically known as
an aside.
happened to “E”? Inquiring minds want to know, what type of education system
goes A, B, C, D, F? Like 1, 2, 3, 4, 6.) That was what was technically known as
an aside.
So, where was I, oh yeah, most of the “D” and “F” students
that I knew in High School and College were there by their own choice.
that I knew in High School and College were there by their own choice.
And I know that is a generalization, and I know that all
generalizations are wrong. I understand
that there are people out there with genuine learning disabilities but not this
bunch. Their marks bothered their
teachers, their parents, the educational system, as a matter of fact it bothered
everybody except the person it should have bothered. The student.
generalizations are wrong. I understand
that there are people out there with genuine learning disabilities but not this
bunch. Their marks bothered their
teachers, their parents, the educational system, as a matter of fact it bothered
everybody except the person it should have bothered. The student.
I’ve said all of that to say this, The “A”, “B”, “D” and “F”
Christians are content to be where they are, and besides it wasn’t them I have
problems with. It was the “C” Christian,
you know the average Christian. Out of
necessity there will be more average Christians after all in school the “C’s”
should outnumber the “As”, “Bs”, “Ds” and “Fs”.
Isn’t that what average means?
Christians are content to be where they are, and besides it wasn’t them I have
problems with. It was the “C” Christian,
you know the average Christian. Out of
necessity there will be more average Christians after all in school the “C’s”
should outnumber the “As”, “Bs”, “Ds” and “Fs”.
Isn’t that what average means?
We all want to be normal but none of us wants to be average,
interesting. But in some areas of life
we have to be average, think about it if we were all above average then that
would be average.
interesting. But in some areas of life
we have to be average, think about it if we were all above average then that
would be average.
And most times being average doesn’t hurt. Collins
dictionary defines average as “The mean
value or quantity of a number of values or quantities.” However I prefer John Maxwell’s definition he said that “Average is the best of the worst and the worst of the
best.”
dictionary defines average as “The mean
value or quantity of a number of values or quantities.” However I prefer John Maxwell’s definition he said that “Average is the best of the worst and the worst of the
best.”
Maxwell once preached a message on being a success and after
the message a lady came up and demanded to know what was being wrong with being
average. Maxwell responded with this
statement. “If
you’re not a Christian, nothing is wrong with being average. If you are a Christian then you must not be
content until you develop the potential which God has given you to its fullest
extent. In so doing you will bring glory to God and be lifted above average.”
the message a lady came up and demanded to know what was being wrong with being
average. Maxwell responded with this
statement. “If
you’re not a Christian, nothing is wrong with being average. If you are a Christian then you must not be
content until you develop the potential which God has given you to its fullest
extent. In so doing you will bring glory to God and be lifted above average.”
You won’t be better looking or more intelligent because you
have become a Christian, I mean look around, look at me. But when you become a Christian your attitude
toward life should change, and your consecration in service, your love for
others and your love and service to God should all become above average.
have become a Christian, I mean look around, look at me. But when you become a Christian your attitude
toward life should change, and your consecration in service, your love for
others and your love and service to God should all become above average.
The question remains then, what does an average Christian
do? Well to be truthful, not much. They don’t pray much, they don’t give much,
they don’t study God’s word much, they don’t love much and they really aren’t
all that dedicated.
do? Well to be truthful, not much. They don’t pray much, they don’t give much,
they don’t study God’s word much, they don’t love much and they really aren’t
all that dedicated.
The average Christian has the entrance requirements down
pat, but they haven’t gone much beyond that, they are like the people being
written to in Hebrews
6:1 So let us stop going
over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and
become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with
the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith
in God.
pat, but they haven’t gone much beyond that, they are like the people being
written to in Hebrews
6:1 So let us stop going
over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and
become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with
the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith
in God.
Most of us have the basics down pat, but have we gone
on to become mature in our understanding?
God is not a God of mediocrity. God demands the very best of us. Was the sacrifice an average lamb? Was the temple an average building? Is Heaven just an average place? No, so how do we rise above being
average?
1) To be Above Average
Will Require More Effort.
When those around you quit, then it’s time for you to
grit your teeth and try harder. Success
in any endeavour but particularly in the spiritual realm is achieved and
maintained by those who keep trying.
Today you may not be what you want to be, hope to be,
dream of being but the one key to achieving your dream is a determination to
not quit.
Eleven years ago when we started talking about the
building there were a number of people who were really excited about being a
part of the dream, until they realized what it would cost, and they walked
away.
Your mother ever give you poems when you were growing
up? My mom was forever giving me poems that
she thought might help me at some point.
And those were the days before the Facebook and email,
you had to type stuff out and then and photocopy it and deliver it. It took
some effort back then to share things.
One she gave me is probably familiar to some of
you:
Two frogs fell into a can of cream.
or so I’ve heard it told;
The sides of the can were shiny and steep,
The cream was deep and cold.
“O, what’s the use?” croaked No. 1.
“Tis fate; no help’s around.
Goodbye, my friends! Goodbye sad world!”
And weeping still, he drowned.
But Number 2, of sterner stuff,
Dog paddled in surprise,
The while he wiped his creamy face,
And dried his creamy eyes.
“I’ll swim awhile at least,” he said –
Or so I’ve heard he said;
“It really wouldn’t help the world,
If one more frog were dead.”
An hour or two he kicked and swam.
Not once he stopped to mutter.
But kicked and swam and swam and kicked.
Then hopped out via butter.
It
was Emerson who said “A
Man is a hero not because he is braver then anyone else, but because he is
brave ten minutes longer.” And it
is that type of commitment that makes us more then average.
You see being a Christian isn’t a destination it is a
journey. We begin our Christian walk and
sometimes we want immediate results.
journey. We begin our Christian walk and
sometimes we want immediate results.
We say we are going to study the bible and we turn to Matthew 1:1 and we begin to read Matthew 1:1-2 This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a
descendant of David and of Abraham: Abraham was
the father of Isaac. Isaac was the father of Jacob. Jacob was the father of
Judah and his brothers. . . And
on it goes, name after name for 16 verses.
descendant of David and of Abraham: Abraham was
the father of Isaac. Isaac was the father of Jacob. Jacob was the father of
Judah and his brothers. . . And
on it goes, name after name for 16 verses.
And
we throw up our hands and say I don’t understand this and walk away.
When we pray we walk away disappointed if God doesn’t
immediately drop our wishes in our laps.
You don’t walk out of marriage at your first fight, you don’t quit
school the first time you can’t solve a problem, and you don’t leave university
simply because you don’t like studying.
immediately drop our wishes in our laps.
You don’t walk out of marriage at your first fight, you don’t quit
school the first time you can’t solve a problem, and you don’t leave university
simply because you don’t like studying.
Well you don’t do those things if you want to succeed. And
if you are going to succeed in your Christian life it will require effort.
if you are going to succeed in your Christian life it will require effort.
Which is why Jesus told the man in the story Mark 10:21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told
him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the
money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” It wasn’t about money, it was about
sacrifice. What do you love more than
God and are you willing to give it up?
him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the
money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” It wasn’t about money, it was about
sacrifice. What do you love more than
God and are you willing to give it up?
2) To be Above
Average Will Require More Faith . The
average Christian has just enough faith to die with but not enough to live
with. Oh that was good, I think I’ll say
it again, “The average Christian has just enough faith to die with, but not
enough to live with.”
Average Will Require More Faith . The
average Christian has just enough faith to die with but not enough to live
with. Oh that was good, I think I’ll say
it again, “The average Christian has just enough faith to die with, but not
enough to live with.”
What I mean is that we believe that God can have an effect
on our eternal life but we’re not really sure that he can do anything about the
life we are living today.
on our eternal life but we’re not really sure that he can do anything about the
life we are living today.
But listen up, if your prayer life is going to be above
average then your faith is going to have to be above average. If you are going to get more out of the bible
study your faith will have to be above average.
If you are going to give more than the average Christian then you will
need above average faith. Not just a
little bit, but more than most.
average then your faith is going to have to be above average. If you are going to get more out of the bible
study your faith will have to be above average.
If you are going to give more than the average Christian then you will
need above average faith. Not just a
little bit, but more than most.
And bottom line is that if you want to please God, then you
are going to have to have a little more faith, because Hebrews 11:6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants
to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who
sincerely seek him.
are going to have to have a little more faith, because Hebrews 11:6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants
to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who
sincerely seek him.
It doesn’t say it’s tough to please God without faith or
that it’s difficult to please God without faith, it says it’s impossible to
please God without faith. Faith is being
able to see what isn’t there yet. Back
in the day when Cornerstone was just a dream, I could see the church we would
become.
that it’s difficult to please God without faith, it says it’s impossible to
please God without faith. Faith is being
able to see what isn’t there yet. Back
in the day when Cornerstone was just a dream, I could see the church we would
become.
Eleven years ago when the building was just a dream there
were people who when they drove by this property didn’t see 5 acres of scrub
and brush, they saw a facility where lives would be touched and eternities would
be shaped. But that was yesterday, how about today? Do you not only believe that God could
perform miracles for this church do you believe that God will perform miracles
for this church.
were people who when they drove by this property didn’t see 5 acres of scrub
and brush, they saw a facility where lives would be touched and eternities would
be shaped. But that was yesterday, how about today? Do you not only believe that God could
perform miracles for this church do you believe that God will perform miracles
for this church.
You are a Christian, by your decision to ask Christ for
forgiveness and accepting Him as your saviour you have already demonstrated
that you have enough faith to die a Christian, the question is do you have
enough faith to live as a Christian?
forgiveness and accepting Him as your saviour you have already demonstrated
that you have enough faith to die a Christian, the question is do you have
enough faith to live as a Christian?
When Jesus asked the rich man to give up all that he had he
was asking was whether or not the man believed that Jesus would take care of
him.
was asking was whether or not the man believed that Jesus would take care of
him.
3) To be Above Average
Will Require More Love. Most of us
can love. We love our mom, our dad, our
brothers and sisters, we love our spouse and that special friend.
Will Require More Love. Most of us
can love. We love our mom, our dad, our
brothers and sisters, we love our spouse and that special friend.
But what about the shrew that’s always saying nasty things
about you? What about the Pastor when
he’s a little bit critical or says something you don’t agree with. What about the guy that cuts you off in
traffic or the drunk on the corner. How
about Stephen Harper, Justin Trudeau or Thomas Mulclair?
about you? What about the Pastor when
he’s a little bit critical or says something you don’t agree with. What about the guy that cuts you off in
traffic or the drunk on the corner. How
about Stephen Harper, Justin Trudeau or Thomas Mulclair?
Do you love enough to make a difference in somebodies life?
More importantly do you love enough to make a difference in your life? Do you love enough to sacrifice and give
things up for the sake of others?
More importantly do you love enough to make a difference in your life? Do you love enough to sacrifice and give
things up for the sake of others?
When we ask you to help drill wells in Africa or a help with
RMH or Souls Harbour we are asking you to give up things for the here and now
in order to make a difference in the there and then.
RMH or Souls Harbour we are asking you to give up things for the here and now
in order to make a difference in the there and then.
Jim Elliot was a missionary
who was martyred for his faith almost sixty years ago, shortly before he died
he wrote in his journal “A man is no fool who gives up
what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”
who was martyred for his faith almost sixty years ago, shortly before he died
he wrote in his journal “A man is no fool who gives up
what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”
That all that Jesus was asking of the rich man, that he give
up what he couldn’t keep to gain that which he couldn’t lose. Jesus was asking the rich man to love others,
to make John 13:35 a reality. John 13:35 Jesus said “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are
my disciples.”
up what he couldn’t keep to gain that which he couldn’t lose. Jesus was asking the rich man to love others,
to make John 13:35 a reality. John 13:35 Jesus said “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are
my disciples.”
When the 19th century turned into the 20th
century a sailing ship was discovered drifting in the Arctic Ocean amongst the
icebergs, her crew had been dead for 13 years.
She was described by one writer as “A
drifting sepulchre manned by a frozen crew.”
Without love that is all the church will become, a drifting
sepulchre manned by a frozen crew.
century a sailing ship was discovered drifting in the Arctic Ocean amongst the
icebergs, her crew had been dead for 13 years.
She was described by one writer as “A
drifting sepulchre manned by a frozen crew.”
Without love that is all the church will become, a drifting
sepulchre manned by a frozen crew.
If you were to compare hot and cold would the average be
lukewarm? So if your spiritual state is
neither hot nor cold, just average it would be lukewarm? I sure hope it’s not because listen to what
Jesus said in Revelation
3:16 But since you
are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!
lukewarm? So if your spiritual state is
neither hot nor cold, just average it would be lukewarm? I sure hope it’s not because listen to what
Jesus said in Revelation
3:16 But since you
are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!
Ouch, let me close with two epitaphs for you to think about,
the first was for a guide in the Swiss Alps who died in a fall, it simply read “He
died climbing.” And the second was for an eighty five year old scientist that
simply read “He died Learning” What will they put on your stone?
the first was for a guide in the Swiss Alps who died in a fall, it simply read “He
died climbing.” And the second was for an eighty five year old scientist that
simply read “He died Learning” What will they put on your stone?
I love what the old lady said, “I
ain’t what I oughta be, and I aint’ what I’m gonna be, but thank God I ain’t
what I was.”
ain’t what I oughta be, and I aint’ what I’m gonna be, but thank God I ain’t
what I was.”
Will you be average or are you willing to be all that God
wants you to be? The choice is yours.
wants you to be? The choice is yours.