Sermon Tone Analysis
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We Christians in America we have a pretty nice and easy life, compared to other Christians around the world.
From November 1, 2017 to October 31, 2018
Over 245 million Christians experience high levels of persecution
4,305 Christians killed for their faith
1,847 churches and other Christian buildings attacked.
3,150 believers detained without trial, arrested, sentenced or imprisoned
We have a much beloved hymn here in America entitled “In the Garden.”
It describes a wonderful and comforting image of a pleasant day in a garden, conversing with Jesus, a good friend, while walking along quite casually and with no apparent destination or schedule.
However, I am positive those who are suffering for the faith today — bearing the cross — would paint a much different image, as does today’s Gospel reading.
Jesus is not a sweet friend but a teacher making clear the demands of being his disciple.
Nor is the image that of a pleasant stroll.
We are to walk not merely with Jesus but behind him; “follow me,” He says.
And that demands a cost.
Being a Christian demands a cost that many believers in our society do not understand.
So, this is what we are going to talk about this morning by unpacking three realities: (1).
We have our own way to walk; (2).
Jesus walked the way of the perfect disciple of God; and (3).
We have been united with Christ to walk the way of his death, so that we can walk in newness of life.
Jesus Walked the Way of the Cross for Us;
Now We Are to Walk that Way for Him.
I.
The Problems is, We Have Our Own Way to Walk.
A. Man was created to live.
Immortality in communion with God was to be the destination of man’s way ().
1. Man knew God and trusted him from the bounty and beauty of creation ().
2. God was there to supply ().
B. But now man loves created things more: money, success, family, health, we love our recreation ().
1.
Such love is the source of many evils ().
a. Evils such seeking our own pleasures at any cost ().
b.
Evils such as a variety of insensitivities ().
c.
Evils such as idolatry ().
Note especially idolatry’s baneful effects on trust, hope, love.
2. Such love compromises our love of Christ and his kingdom (–49; ; ).
Such love brings death: “Whoever keeps the commandment keeps his life; he who despises his ways will die” ().
II.
Jesus Walked the Way of the Perfect Disciple of God.
A. He was sent to do the will and works of the Father (, ).
B. He was the obedient Son, even to death (, , ; ; ).
C. Christ’s obedience was a love for God wholly and completely.
1.
He emptied himself of all majesty to become the obedient Son ().
2.
He was the Son of Man who had no place or home ().
3.
He “hated” his mother and brothers ().
Christ’s willing death was the ultimate “leaving” the world behind to follow after his Master, his heavenly Father; and this is what He calls us to.
For you see,
III.
In Baptism, we are united with Christ to walk the way of his death, that we may walk in the newness of his life ().
A. We “put on” Christ () and so share his nature and example.
1.
We share his mind ().
2. We share his humility ().
3. We share his way (; ).
B. But let us recognize what it means to “count the cost” (): this is the way of the cross.
1.
The way of the cross is the way of death to self.
a. Freedom from lusts and passions ().
b.
Freedom from bondage to temporal goods ().
2. The way of the cross is the way of love and sacrifice.
a. Freedom for human commitments rooted in love and service.
b.
Marriage, children, co-workers, friends, society.
3. The way of the cross is the way of life that leads to God ().
a. Jesus would go to the Father via the cross.
b.
Jesus’ cross gives us life with the Father.
C. “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” ().
Every way we walk has a destination and every path has an end.
The way Jesus has called us to walk leads to the cross.
For, He is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
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