Why Should I Be A Christian

WHY SHOULD I BE A CHRISTIAN?

Confirmation Service

March 2, 2003

Text:    “King Agrippa said to Paul: ‘You think it will not take much to win me over and make a Christian of me.’  ‘Much or little’ replied Paul, ‘I wish to God that not only you, but all those also who are listening to me today, might become what I am….’”          

Acts 26:28-29

Our confirmation class just completed a 14 week course, during which time (with the guidance of Nicki Gumbo, the author of the Alpha Programme), we’ve looked at what it means to be a Christian.

This morning, we’re going to ask::- ‘Why should these young people, or for that matter any of the rest of us, want to call ourselves Christians?’   What’s so attractive about being a Christian, that it should compel any of us to assume the name ‘Christian’?

To help us answer this compelling question, I’ve turned to a passage of Scripture that tells the story of the Apostle Paul on trial, in a Roman court.   Picture this scene.  Paul is being tried for heresy, because, as the leaders of the Jewish community in Jerusalem charge, he dared to accept Gentiles into the Christian faith, without first insisting that they be circumcised and subject to Jewish law.  There he is, standing before King Agrippa, who has been established as king of Palestine by Caesar in Roman.  The Jews thought that by bring Paul before the Roman authorities, they could have him condemned to death, thus ridding themselves of this radical.  But Paul has thrown them a curve.  He has revealed that he is a Roman citizen, by birth; and therefore has the right to a fair trial, can even appeal to Caesar in Roman.

So here, at this point in the story, he is standing before King Agrippa.  Now remember, - Paul is the one wearing the prisoner’s chains in this scene.  He’s the one on trial.  But in the atmosphere of the court, as Paul stands up to speak, he becomes the dominant personality.  With the eloquence of his words, and the strength of his conviction, Paul turns the situation totally around.  And it becomes King Agrippa who is on trial.  So convincing is Paul’s statement of faith, - that the King begins to realize that he is in danger of being won over by Paul to the Christian faith.

“You think it will not take much to win (even) me over (to the Christian faith),” he asks in bewilderment.

Listen to Paul’s reply:  “I wish to God that not only you, but all (all) those who are listening to me today, might become what I am ….”   What is this wonderful thing which Paul possesses, and which he is so eager to share?

It’s the Christian faith; a faith that Paul believes is greater than anything else in the world.

So what is it that Christian has to offer, which makes it so valuable, that someone like Paul should want to share it with everyone?

Why should any of us want to be a Christian?

Let’s spends some time this morning, thinking about what Christianity has to offer; to those who are here today to be confirmed in the faith, as well as those of us who were confirmed many years ago.  What’s so attractive about our faith?

            I           A Christian is Happier than Anyone Else

First of all, I think it is safe to say that the Christian life is a happier one, than any other.

Now that may sound a bit flippant.   What do you mean – happier?  I thought the Christian faith was about sacrifice and commitment, that doesn’t should much like ‘happiness’, more like ‘work’ and ‘effort’.   In fact, you might say that you know someone who claims to be a Christian, who is down right miserable.

But I would suggest to you, that the person who is truly surrenders his or her life to Jesus Christ,  and who desires to walk in His steps, is more at peace, is more optimistic, better adjusted, than anyone other person who does not know Christ.

Consider this.  What are the three greatest enemies of happiness?  Are they not – worry, boredom, and self-centeredness?

With respect to worry, Jesus promised peace to all who believe in Him, saying:  “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14: 27)   How could anyone be worried, when they are filled with the peace of the Lord.

As far boredom is concerned, I doubt that anyone who seriously takes up Jesus’ challenge to “pick up your cross and follow me” (Matthew 16: 24),   will ever have to worry about being bored.  Christ offers us plenty of excitement and challenge, to dispel boredom.

But what about self-centeredness?  Surely that’s addressed in John 15:12 where Jesus highlights the most important commandment, saying:  “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”   Any threat of self-centeredness is certainly dispelled by love so deep as to led us lay down our life for someone else.

So you see, if the three greatest enemies of happiness - worry, boredom and self-centeredness,  are slain by Christianity, surely that leaves the Christian as one who is happier and more content than anyone else!

            II          The Christian Life is Harder than any other

But now we turn to a characteristic of Christianity that’s totally different.  The Christian life is harder than any other.

For those of us living in the relative peace of Canada, the thought of Christianity being hard, is something that some of us may find hard to comprehend.   We’re rarely put to the test because of our faith.  But those who swear allegiance to Christ have to be prepared for difficulty, even life-threatening difficulty.

But if you lived in some parts of the world, you’d understand  the hardship of our faith.  I think, for example, of four young Sudanese boys who were enduring the punches and kicks of soldiers who were demanding that they say:  “Allah is God, and Mohammed is his prophet.”

The youngsters screamed for their mothers, but they refused to deny their allegiance to Christ.  They were part of a group of 14 boys and 13 girls who had been abducted in a raid of their home town.  The boys were tortured, but none relented.  The next day the older boys escaped, still bearing their scars.  The girls have never been located and were likely sold as slaves in Northern Sudan.

Those children know what it means, when we say that Christianity is hard.  But is it worth it to be a Christian?  Not one of them would say – ‘No’!

Christ doesn’t promise us an easy life if we follow Him, but He does promise us ‘eternal life’.

            III         The Christian Life is Holier than any other

So, the Christian life is happier than any other, and it’s also harder.  But take this third factor into consideration.  The life in Christ is ‘holier’ than any other.

Ask the average teenager if he or she would like to be known as ‘holy’, and you will probably get one of two reactions.  Either the teen will laugh at you, or else he will be horrified at the thought.

But let’s take a closer look at what ‘holiness’ means.  Holiness implies – inner health.  It means healthy instincts, healthy emotions.  It means a life that is disciplined , balanced, fulfilled.

Is this not what most of us would like to achieve?  Something that pulls life together, that allows us to cope with the tumult of this world, without being destroyed by it.  Holiness is what helps us  to develop our talents and skills, using them for the greatest good.

Did you ever wonder why Jesus was called – ‘The Great Physician’?  It’s because He alone can produce vital inner health, and give our lives  purpose and meaning.  But even more than that  Christ fills us with a new power, so that nothing is to hard for us to achieve.

That’s the kind of holiness we get from our faith.  A holiness that helps us to become Christ-like.

            IV        The Christian Life is more Hopeful than any other

So let’s look at what we have.   Christianity is a faith that is happier yet harder than any other, but it leads to true holiness.  But there’s one more attribute of our faith, it’s also more hopeful than any other.

We’re living in difficult times.  It’s hard being a teenager in the 21st century.  We’re surrounded by all kinds of forces that seem to crush in on us, making it hard to believe in the future.  It’s hard to have hope when our world is faced with war, and terrorism, and crime, and all kinds of violence. 

You just have to watch the evening news, or read the morning paper to have the last ounce of optimism and hope drained from your body.  But Christianity sweeps the horrors of this dark world away, and replaces it with the vision of eternity. 

Christianity assures us that no matter what the world would tell us, God is the One who is ultimately in control.  Good will triumph over evil!  There is hope!

With the assurance of Jesus Christ to uplift us, there is nothing that can defeat us.  No evil so great that it will overwhelm us.  No fear so terrifying that we are destroyed.  In Jesus Christ we have a hope that can not be destroyed.

            Conclusion

Why be a Christian? Is anyone who really understands what Christ offers hesitating?  What else is there that could be any better?

Christ offers us a life that is – happier, harder, holier and more hopeful that any other.  This is what Christ offers you when He says:  “Follow me”.

And what a day tomorrow will be for all those who say – “Yes!   I’ll follow you Lord.”

For to all those who accept the call, He offers ‘Eternal Life’.