The Unpleasant Truth about Christianity

Introduction

Birthday Celebrations:

Sis. Linda Rudy - Feb 4th

Sis. Parker - Feb 7th

Any other birthdays I’m missing?

· If you plan on attending Ladies Retreat this year (Wis. Dells Apr 22-24) you need to let Sis. DeMuth know so she can get a head count. If you are staying down there and are getting a room, please have your room payments into Sis. Becker by March 1.

Pray: For the city of Lacrosse, Against the spirit of fear, for our service tonight.

Body

Luke 14:26–33 KJV 1900

26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

Talk about the idea of ‘Cost vs. Benefit’ / ‘Risk vs. Reward’ (Perceived Value)

Talk about getting my first Trans-Am (wanted more, but that’s all I could afford)

Ferrari vs. Geo Metro

Large spacious mansion on the lake vs. small starter home

We want the larger & more expensive, the nicer, but we can’t (or won’t) afford it!

Our Christian walk is the same way! (expound)

Talk about the incident that occured between Jesus and the rich young ruler

Matthew 19:16–22 KJV 1900

16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. 18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? 21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

This young man had a very important question. A serious question.

Jesus spoke very lovingly, very compassionately, yet very directly and was able to cut to the heart of the matter.

Jesus answered the question. “Sir, because you have a problem with money and possessions, I need you to let that go. I need you to give that to me and in return, I’ll give you eternal life!”

The man counted the cost (cost vs. benefit), and came to the conclusion he loved his possessions more than eternal life.

He counted the cost and found it was too high a price to pay for what he wanted.

Jesus let him walk away.

So What’s the Unpleasant Truth about Christianity?

Ephesians 2:8–9 KJV 1900

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Salvation is the free gift of God, but it will cost us EVERYTHING!!!

Many people coming into our churches are being lied to, and this lie has taken two forms:

“Everything will be okay once you give your life over to Jesus.”

Salvation doesn’t cost you anything! It’s completely free!”

Talk about Christians in times past

Talk about our Brothers and Sisters worldwide

Acts 14:22 KJV 1900

22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.

John 15:18–21 KJV 1900

18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. 20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me.

What Price am I Called to Pay?

Hebrews 12:1 KJV 1900

1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

We must discipline ourselves to grow in grace, and to move ever farther from the world. We must become a Disciple of Jesus Christ

We are called to give our time to Jesus Christ.

Philippians 3:7–8 KJV 1900

7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

Like the rich young ruler, we are invited to lay all our possessions on the altar, giving them back to Jesus Christ

Revelation 12:11 KJV 1900

11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

We are called to lay down our very lives on the altar of sacrifice.

We’re still talking about Apostolic Ministry!

Why Should I Pay This Price?

We’re commanded to

You’ll never fulfil God’s call on your life, not completely, until you do

God created you for more. This is the gate to more.

Jesus is coming back soon and the mission is not yet complete.

The enemy today has become so bold and so arrogant. He MUST be answered!

How Can I Pay This Price?

2 Corinthians 4:18 KJV 1900

18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

We need to switch our focus off of the temporal and onto the eternal.

Conclusion

God is looking for nothing less than our total and absolute surrender to Him.

He wants to be God in our lives and that means we cannot be.

Hebrews 12:1–4 KJV 1900

1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. 4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

Understand we will NEVER be called to give to God more than He gave for us.

John 16:33 KJV 1900

33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

When we allow Jesus to be God in our lives and we follow where He leads us, He gives us victory over everything happening in this present world.

When we give our all to God, He gives His all to us.

Stand and Pray