Cultural Christianity vs. Crucified Commitment

Intro

Polycarp, the bishop of Smyrna and a disciple of the Apostle John, was arrested during a time of intense persecution under the Roman Empire. At the age of 86, he was brought before the Roman proconsul and told to renounce Christ and swear loyalty to Caesar in order to save his life.

When given the choice to curse Christ or die, Polycarp famously responded:

“Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He has done me no wrong. How then can I blaspheme my King who saved me?”

Despite threats of wild beasts and fire, Polycarp refused to compromise. He was sentenced to be burned at the stake. As the flames surrounded him, witnesses recorded that his body did not immediately burn, and his face appeared peaceful, as if he were in prayer. Eventually, a Roman guard pierced him with a sword, ending his life.

The Foundation and Cost of Faith (v. 28-30)

First of all it is not a foundation you lay without consideration

What do you consider:

Where are you laying your foundation?

When choosing what you are building on is it sand or rock (Matthew 7:24-27)

The only foundation that holds is Jesus, the rock, anything else is sand

Often though we fall pray to building a foundation on sandstone (2 Corinthians 11:14)

A life built on what looks solid—tradition, religion, morality—but isn’t rooted in Christ may appear secure, yet erodes under pressure.

This is why so many people “fall away” from the faith they never truly had faith but had a faith on sandstone

A foundation of tradition:

Sometimes in the South, we get caught up in being a “good Southern Baptist,” a “good Pentecostal,” or a “good Catholic.”

And by that, we often mean someone who keeps up the appearances—someone who dresses right, votes right, shows up to church, avoids certain behaviors, and knows how to act in a worship service.

A “good Southern Baptist” might be known for moral standards and clean living.

A “good Pentecostal” may live by strict outward holiness and deep spiritual fervor.

A “good Catholic” might be devoted to tradition, sacraments, and family heritage.

But here's the question—is our foundation Christ, or is it culture?

You can go to every service, sing every song, follow every rule, and still build your life on sand if you’re not walking in obedience to Jesus Christ.

What matters is not what denomination you belong to, but whether your life is built on the solid rock of Christ and His Word.

A foundation of religion/morality:

This is really a good place to talk about holy vs. good

Scripture calls us in 1 Peter 1:16 to be holy as God is

The Clean Cup

Main Idea: Being good polishes the outside of the cup. Being holy purifies the inside.

Text: Matthew 23:25–26 ““Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean.”

Explanation: The Pharisees were some of the “good people” of their day. They had the appearance of righteousness, but Jesus rebuked them for ignoring the heart. Today, it’s easy to settle for being a good Southern Baptist, a moral citizen, or a church-attender with clean language and polite manners. But holiness isn’t about what people see—it’s about what God sees.

Illustration: The Clean Cup

You walk into a house and someone hands you a glass of tea. The outside sparkles, but when you take a sip, the inside is filthy. It doesn’t matter how good it looks—if the inside is unclean, it’s unfit. That’s what many lives look like to God: polished on the outside, corrupt on the inside.

Application: You can fool the world with goodness, but God isn’t impressed with a clean cup unless the inside has been washed by grace. Holiness is not perfection, but it’s a heart that’s surrendered and set apart.

Ask yourself: Have I let Jesus clean my heart, or am I just polishing my image?

What is the difference then between holy and good?

"Good" Is Often Defined by Human Standards

Goodness is about behavior, often judged by how others see us.

Its self centered rather than God centered

"Holy" Is Defined by God's Standards

And you are all the things a good person is but you start to think about those actions with a eternal perspective

Holiness is about being and becoming—it's about your heart, not just your habits.

What will be the cost to build on that foundation?

While salvation is free, it does come at a high cost...your life

When you come to Christ are you willing to surrender your whole life or do you wall off sections of it, do you come to a door way in your life with yellow tape that says no faith beyond this point

If there are parts of your life you are not willing to surrender to Christ, you need to question rather your faith is on rock or sandstone, especially if there is no conviction

Also going back to verse 27, “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.”

Picking up your cross is a call to martyrdom

Dying to your desires daily, so they may be replaces with the desires of the Lord

It is a call not to put limits on the limit of the price you are wiling to pay for your faith

If you can limit the price of your faith, without conviction, that is reason for concern

If tomorrow Christianity was made illegal and came with a minimum of year prison sentence if caught gathering, how many of you would i see at our next gathering?

Hebrews 10:25

Deacons, teachers, etc. how many of you would continue teaching if tomorrow along with that proclamation it is said if you are in a leadership/teaching role and are caught you may face the death sentence. Would you continue in your calling? Or would your own safety be more important than the souls God trusted you with?

Outro

Polycarp didn’t flinch before the fire because he had built his faith on the Rock—Christ Jesus. He didn’t follow tradition, religion, or reputation. He followed a Savior who had never failed him. Can you say the same?

We’re not called to be “good Baptists,” “clean Pentecostals,” or “faithful Catholics.” We’re called to be holy, not just good. Set apart. Surrendered. Steady on the Rock.

Examine Your Foundation

Are you building on Christ or on culture?

Count the Cost

Luke 14 doesn’t ask for partial surrender—it demands everything.

What areas of your life have "yellow tape" that says, “No faith beyond this point”?

Move from Good to Holy

Being “good” may impress others, but holiness pleases God.

Have you let Jesus clean the inside of the cup?

Be Ready to Carry Your Cross

If faith became dangerous tomorrow, would you still be found faithful?

Final Challenge

If your faith costs you nothing now, will it stand when it costs you everything later?