What Are You Living For?

Well.... It’s a New Year.... I pray that your holidays have been blessed with the love of God, your families, and your church family. As I look at the coming year, I want you to know how much of a blessing you are to our family. We are overwhelmed with Joy and thankfulness that God has called us to serve here with you all. You are our family, and we want you to know how much we love you all!

As we look forward…with anticipation…to what this next year has in store for us, it is natural to look back at the previous year.....

It has been an indescribable year! We have laughed together, we have cried together.... We’ve seen good things happen. We’ve seen not so good things happen. We have watched as this church has grown in numbers, lost a few, and been blessed with a growing, loving fellowship. I hope you have come to see this little community as your family, just as Melinda and I have.

We have truly been blessed by God.

We have watched the finances struggle.... We’ve watched our brothers and sisters struggle.... We have stood beside each other in times of plenty, and times of little.... We’ve seen people leave this church for various reasons, and wondered “Why?” But through it all, we have remained faithful to God.... Trusting Him to see us through, and “Knowing” that He has a plan.

God has blessed us by never allowing us to be without, and giving us the means to minister to this community. We reached out at Christmas and Thanksgiving, and various other times providing aid to 10 different families in need. We were blessed to receive 6 brand new believers into our family, watch 2 others recommit themselves to God, and celebrate the baptisms of all 8! It has been an awesome year!

Looking back at the year, I can say that we focused pretty much on one question, “Who do you say I am?” That is a question that has helped us to define ourselves, and to focus on God for the answers.

Today, as we enter a New Year, we have a new question ahead of us....

What are you living for?

It’s not an easy question, is it? (What are you living for?)

How would you answer that question?

— Some people live for money.

— Some people live for fame.

— Some people live for approval.

What are you living for?

(That is) Christ’s Question today.

Are you willing to live for me?

If we are going to understand and answer this question, then we need to take a trip back in time… to Caesarea Phillippi.... a Roman City located North of the Sea of Galilee. A huge rock cliff dominates the landscape. At its base is a small stream that winds its way through the countryside, flowing to the Jordan river..... It is a critical moment in Jesus’s ministry.... All Israel buzzes with word of this man from Galilee… Who is He? By what power does He do the things He is doing? Where do these miracles come from? What is it that He wants?

Who is He?

Who is Jesus? Who do you say He is?

Some are saying He is a prophet, but not like any we’ve seen.... Some say He’s the Messiah.... Some say He’s a fake…a charlatan.... Still, others.... have put their faith in Him.

The early wave of popularity has left the nation divided. True, he has a wide following of common people. It is also true that among the rich and powerful, opinion is slowly crystallizing against Him. In the distance, the angry drums of opposition have begun to beat. It won’t be long before their sound will become a deafening roar.

Knowing all this…Knowing that it would end in His death, Jesus gathers His disciples in this quiet place…this place of solitude… to ask them a question: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” ()

“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” ()

The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989. Print. ()

The New Revised Standard Version Peter’s Declaration about Jesus

“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

We know how the conversation goes.... Peter answers…which leads Jesus to ask, “But who do you say I am?” () Peter confesses: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” ()

We know how the conversation goes.... Peter answers…which leads Jesus to ask, “But who do you say I am?” (16:15) Peter confesses: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” (16:16)

Peter’s confession of Christ leads to one of the most profound statements in Christ’s ministry. Look at verses 17-18....

“You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

The New Revised Standard Version Peter’s Declaration about Jesus

“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989. Print.

What is this “rock” upon which the church will be built and Hades will not prevail against?

— Some say it is “Peter”.....

— Some say it is “Peter’s confession”....

— Some say it is the fact that “Jesus is the ‘Son of God’”....

The truth is that it is each of those things and more.....

Jesus “renamed” Simon, previewing the new life He intended for him in His service.... (and He does the same with us.... He has a plan for us....we are not who we once were.) Peter’s confession is a foundational truth..... Christ is the Messiah, the Son of God.....

But, you see…Christ wants more…. Not just a confession of who He is – He already knows that!

Christ’s desire is our heart....

He is asking: “Are we willing to live for Him?”

“Are you ready to commit your life completely to Jesus?”

— Not just to receive Him, but to give Him EVERYTHING..... It’s not about the Cross right now..... not yet!

Notice that the conversation did not end with Peter’s confession, and Jesus’s recognition of it. Jesus is seeking more than a confession....

He is seeking commitment!

He is saying to them: “Now that you know who I am, are you willing to commit your life to me?”

Look at how Jesus puts the issue in :

The New Revised Standard Version Chapter 9

“If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. 36 For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? 37 Indeed, what can they give in return for their life?

The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989. Print.

The NIV and the NKJV twice uses the word “Life,” and twice uses the word “Soul” in this verse. The Greek word is the same — “psyche.” (where we get psychology)

Psyche means the “real you”— the part that lives, breathes, and makes decisions. You see....”life” is more than simply physical existence.

Life—Psyche—is everything that makes us who we are…our words, our actions, our abilities, our purpose....

What Christ is saying to the disciples…and to us... is this:

“Now that you know who I am, are you ready to take up your cross and follow me? Before you answer, let me warn you.... following me will seem like a waste of your life in the eyes of the world. It will seem like pure foolishness....

The people of the world will never understand what you are doing. To them, following me will seem like you are throwing your life away.

You always have another option. You can try to save your life by following your own desires. Lots of people do that. They live as if their career is all that matters. But the people who live only for this life…in the end…will find that they wasted it on things that didn’t really matter.

They try to save their lives by living for themselves, but in the end they will lose it. They have wasted their lives on trivial pursuits.

But…if you follow me—though the way will not be easy, and you will often be misunderstood—in the end you will save your life. And the people who laugh at you now, will not laugh at you then. They will see you were right and they were wrong.

After all, what good will it do you if you become the richest man (or woman) in the world…or climb to the top of the corporate ladder…or rise to the highest salary level in your company…or win the applause of the world…if you find out it was all wasted? What good will that shiny new Lexus....or Ford…or Harley do for you then? Will you be able to trade it for another life?

No, you won’t.

But, if you want to live that way go ahead....Millions of people do. In the end they will be sorry, but by then it will be too late....

So, what will it be? The Way of the Cross, or the way of the world?

You’ve got to invest your life somewhere. What’s the best deal you can make?”

Bob Dylan once said: “You’re gonna have to serve somebody. Well, it may be the devil or it may be the Lord, But you’re gonna have to serve somebody.”

Who will you serve?

We are all going to serve somebody....

What are you living your life for?

It can be a difficult decision.... to let go of the things of the world, the things that make us comfortable, that bring us peace of mind, that allow us to “feel good.” It’s not easy to leave those things behind.

Let me ask you this:

Was Jesus a failure?

Let’s look at the facts:

He was born in an obscure, out-of-the-way village....

He never went to college....

never had a bank account....

never owned property....

never held a public office....

never wrote a book, sermon, movie, or tv show.....

never got married....or had children....

His closest friends were “blue collar” workers....

He hung out, and felt most at home with outcasts, and “dirty old bikers”.....

His ministry consisted of “open air preaching, teaching in the churches, answering difficult questions, healing the sick, and casting out demons....

His opponents accused Him of devil worship.....

Along the way, he made many powerful enemies in high offices.....

finally, his adversaries captured, tried, and killed him.....

Was Jesus a failure?

By all worldly standards..... Yes!

He never made it to the top. His entire life seems to have been wasted..... according to the world. But consider this..... After more than 2,000 years (Do you realize? ...nearly 2,000 since His death)..... And yet....

His words are remembered and repeated around the world....

Christians number in the billions, and are found in every country on earth.

His personal integrity stands unsullied by cynics and other religions..... (Islam)

His death, reconciled the World with God.....

His mission on earth....while it seemed a failure....is histories greatest success story!

How can this be?

God’s standards are not the world’s standards!

Through His death, God exalted Christ to the highest position in the universe....

The New Revised Standard Version Imitating Christ’s Humility

so that at the name of Jesus

every knee should bend,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

11 and every tongue should confess

that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

Jesus made it clear why He did what He did. Look at .

The New Revised Standard Version Some Greeks Wish to See Jesus

Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

The same is true for us..... Unless we die to our own lives, we cannot bear fruit for the Kingdom.

Life comes from death.

Out of one seed comes an abundant harvest, but a seed must die in order to bring forth life. As long as a seed “saves” its life, it remains alone. But when it “loses” its life, it brings forth a harvest.

You cannot “save” your own life...... But…you can “lose” it.

The New Revised Standard Version Life in the Spirit

So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13 for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

What are you living for?

Here’s another way we can look at this: “Is your life a career or a mission?”

There is a vast difference between these two concepts.

The dictionary tells us that.....

— A career is something you choose for yourself.

— A mission is something that is chosen for you by someone else.

There is a HUUUGGGEE difference between living for your career and being sent on a mission.... Amen?

Let me tell you something..... the Bible never talks about having a career....its not in there....having a career is not a Biblical issue. But.... having a mission is.

Don’t hear me wrong here.....There is nothing wrong with having a career. Pretty much all of us have one. Some of us are cyber men (ahem…tech people).....some are teachers…some are business owners…carpenters....writers....nurses....Believers have careers.

But here is the difference:

The people of the world live for their careers; the people of God don’t.

When your career is the central part of your life, then you will become career-driven and career-minded....focused on “climbing the career ladder”. Career-driven people will not hesitate to break chains, relationships, and ties in order to “advance” their career.

When you are career-driven, you will break all the significant relationships in your life in order to move across the country because your career demands it..... That’s not a bad thing right?!

But let me ask you this:

“When was the last time you broke those significant relationships to move across the country for God?!”

We are often quick to move, make changes, and turn our lives upside down for worldly ideas of success, but we hesitate to do the same for God when He calls us to.

This is exactly what Jesus meant by “He who would save his life will lose it.”

Now hear this —

“Your career will never save your life, but it can keep you from fulfilling your mission.”

Your career is the answer to the question— “What do you do for a living?”

Your mission is the answer to the question — “What are you living for?”

It’s good to have a career, but it’s far better to have a mission for God.

Your mission is a journey you take.

During the years of Communist Russia, many people were put in prison camps and psychiatric hospitals because of their faith in God. While many who came out wrote books, many did not. Their attitude was this: “If God can use me more effectively in prison, then that is where I will serve Him.”

Your career takes you to the top.

It kind of reminds me a Paul and Silas in prison. , tells us that after healing a demon possessed girl, Paul and Silas were arrested, beaten, and thrown into prison. And what did they do?

Your mission leads you to the cross.

They prayed, sang songs, and worshipped the Lord. At midnight, an earthquake hit, their cell doors flew open, and the chains came off their wrists, but they did not leave.....Why?

Your career makes you a professional

Because they knew God had a mission for their lives, and that He would use them where they were. What was the result? The Jailer and his family were saved!

What would have been the result if Paul and Silas had not had the attitude: “If God can use me more effectively in prison, then that is where I will serve Him”?

Jesus calls His followers to be completely sold out to Him.

Let me tell you....

Your career is your mission.

Do you want to know God’s job description for you?

You are a missionary disguised as a school teacher.

you are a missionary disguised as an equipment operator.

You are a missionary disguised as a business owner.

a waitress

a cook

a bus driver

a homemaker

a nurse

a biker

a ....... (you fill in the blank!)

It is not wrong to have a career and do well..... But....it is wrong to focus solely on your career. Motivation is everything.

Ask yourself, did Jesus have a career?

No! He had a mission from God. Nothing He did makes sense from a career point of view.... Being crucified is a really bad career choice!

If Jesus had a career, He failed miserably.... But, if He had a mission He succeeded with flying colors!

A mission from God will never fail if we commit to it.

So much wasted time.

We have a lot of wasted time in our lives, don’t we?

David Cassidy, Keith Partridge of “The Partridge Family,” died at age 67. His daughter said that his last words were: “So much wasted time.”

I think that is a fear many people have.... that they will come to the end of their lives and look back with regret......

Church....Don’t waste your one and only life!

Sooner or later, we will all die, what will our life show for it?

Benjamin E. Mays wrote:

I have just one minute

Only sixty seconds in it,

Forced upon me — can’t refuse it

Didn’t seek it, didn’t choose it,

But it’s up to me to use it.

I must suffer if I lose it,

Give account if I abuse it.

Just a tiny little minute —

But eternity is in it.

Brothers and sisters, Life is not a dress rehearsal. We do not get to practice until we get it right. We only get one try…so let’s get it right.

Ravi Zacharias tells the story of Robert Jaffray of Canada. He came from a wealthy family and in fact was heir to a large newspaper fortune in Toronto. When he was a young man, he learned the Chinese language and was offered a large salary by Standard Oil of New York if he would forgo his missionary career and work for them.

He refused, so they doubled their offer.

He refused again. responding:

Only one life, ‘twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last.

They cabled him with this message: “Robert Jaffray. At any cost.”

He cabled back: “Your salary is big. Your job is too small.”

He spent 35 years as a missionary to China and helped translate the Bible into Cantonese. When WWII broke out, he and other missionaries were placed in an interment camp. He died two weeks before the end of the war.

Did he waste his life?

It depends on your perspective.

“Only one life, ‘twill soon be past,

“Only one

Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

One day all of us will pass from this life into the presence of God. What will we say on that day?

More importantly, What will God say about us?

I do not know about you, but my goal is to hear these words:

The New International Version Chapter 25

Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

Missionary Jim Elliot once said:

“He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”

If you try to save your life, you will lose.

If you lose your life for Christ’s sake, you will save it.

We only get one chance to do whatever we’re going to do on this earth. Before we know it, our “moment in the sun” will be over. How will we be remembered?

Ask yourself: “Do you have a career, or are you on a mission for God?”

What are you living for?

This is the question that should define your life..... this is the question that matters.....