Hard Truths Pt 2.

Hard Truth

Intro - When you avoid hard or uncomfortable truths you cheapen the Gospel. When you don’t talk about Hell then Jesus didn’t really save us from anything…

Pray

Title - Hard Truths Pt 2

Your Life belongs to Jesus not this culture.

This seems to get worse as time goes on. Christians who are more invested in the culture of this world than the culture of Heaven. Whether Politics, entertainment, wealth… We get so wrapped up in our own culture we forget this isn’t our true home.

Hebrews 11.13-16 “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.”

I understand caring about our country and passing on a great place to live and work to our children. But sometimes we forget that this earth will be rolled up like a filthy rag and only our Heavenly investments will last!

Before I am an American I am a son of God! Before I am a browns fan I am a Jesus Fan! Before I find security in my bank account, I rejoice in the wealth I have stored up in heaven where moths and rust can not destroy it!

The Hard truth is we are just passing through here and the things going on around us are temporary. He has prepared and eternal Home for us!!

Compromise does not make you relevant.

John 17.14-16 “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.”

Romans 12.2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind”

There is a part of christianity that thinks they need to toe the line or look like the world in order to reach the world. You do not need to bow to the powers and principalities of this world in order to be relevant to people

The power of the Gospel is change (I was bound in sin and now I am free!) When you look like the people who are lost you misrepresent the power of the Gospel!

“Oh I just do these things to help my witness” - taking in garbage and saying you need it to help you witness is silly! You don’t need to know the lates cultural tends to love people!

The Hard truth is, compromise is sin and sin is still wrong!

God is still a God of sacrifice

Story of ry having trouble letting me help her make a fort. She wanted to do it her way so much so that I Just sat down and watched.

How often do we get so caught up in doing things our own way that God just takes his hands off and sits and watches!?

There is this implication in our faith that Jesus died so that we don’t have to. Yes Jesus died for our sin (something we couldn’t atone for) but He died to SHOW us how to die. He is our example in all things even sacrifice!

Although our sacrifice looks different today it is still an essential part of a christians life. Not a day should go by where you and I don’t make a sacrifice for the Lord. Jesus says to pick up your cross daily!

What do our sacrifices look like today?

Giving our plans over to Him

Giving our rights up to Him (Forgive)

Giving our Sin

Jesus said if you will give up your life you will find it! but if you try to keep it, you will lose it. The Hard Truth is God still requires sacrifice!