Jump Starts # 3651

Luke 9:23 “And He was saying  to them all, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.’”

I saw a report out of Harvard that said 1 in 6 families have someone within their family that they no longer talk to because of politics. Politics!!! The culture we are swimming in thrives on drama. Selfishness, unwilling to listen to other opinions, has closed ears and hearts to each other. If you do not agree with someone, they do not want to hear from you.

Faith in Jesus makes us small. That’s the way it is supposed to be. Faith in Jesus makes God large. That’s the way it is supposed to be. Preferring others. Loving others. Being a servant to others. Putting others before you. Faith will do that. Faith shows us the Christ who was a servant to others. Faith shows us that the universe doesn’t revolve around us. Faith shows us that we are not the most important being in the creation.

Here are some things to remember:

First, faith in the Lord is greater than who sits in the White House. Policies come and go. The economy is up and down. But through all of this, God is upon the throne. That faith keeps one from getting so worked up about politics. That faith realizes that through the oppression of the Egyptians, the battles of the Philistines, the conquering Babylon, and even the strong Romans, are no match for our God. God won’t forget His people. God’s purpose and God’s promises cannot be altered by any army or any government.

Second, faith in the Lord makes a person listen more and talk less. Especially, they talk less about themselves. Hearing one sing their own song over and over, gets old very quickly. And, the more we talk about ourselves, the less we are aware of opportunities to help and serve others.

Third, faith in the Lord makes a person realize that this ole’ world got along before us and it will get along after us. The same is true of the church. The long ago preacher, W.W. Otey, late in life, in his 90s, said that he realized that he was not nearly as important as he thought he was. It shouldn’t take a person getting to their 90s to realize that. We tend to think more of ourselves than others do.

Fourth, faith in the Lord helps a person see the big span of time and people. There are nearly 2,000 names in the Bible. That’s not all that many considering the large amount of time that the Bible covers. And, among those names, we know something about a handful of them, but most of them are just a name on a page. They lived, loved, worried, struggled, and had families just like you and I. And, today, most know nothing about those people. The ‘drama of me,’ that our culture is stuck on, is just a small speck in the whole picture of time.

We are just a moment in time. And, when we walk with the Lord through faith, we realize that we are just one tiny puzzle piece that fits into the big picture of God. Once all the pieces are in place, it’s the overall picture that people focus on. The one tiny piece is lost in the big picture. The big picture is God. We are just one tiny piece that helps the Lord become known and visible to others.

Denying self, found in our verse and the first aspect of discipleship. It’s not about me and it’s not about you. So, expressions such as, “Do I have to,” or, “Why should I,” or, “I don’t get anything out of it,” speaks too much of self. Self can become our biggest enemy and the biggest battle that we face. Deny self. Think about the Lord. Talk to the Lord. Follow the Lord. None of me and all of Thee, that’s the idea.

One in six families have someone that they are no longer talking to because of politics. That’s something…

Roger

Jump Start # 3614

Luke 9:23 “And He was saying to them all, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.’”

As our Lord defines discipleship in our verse today, we find it layered with major principles. First, there is the desire aspect. Jesus said, “If anyone wishes to come after Me.” That’s where it starts. A person wants to be with the Lord. Without that aspect, nothing else will happen.

From that comes denial of self, taking up one’s cross and following Jesus. All essential and all in a specific order. It’s that denying self that trips so many of us.

A.B. Simpson, a hymnwriter, penned in 1896, a hymn called, “Not I, but Christ.” There seems to be several variations of that hymn through the years. One in particular I like says, “Oh, to be saved from myself, dear Lord. Oh, to be lost in Thee. Oh, that it may be no more I, but Christ, that lives in me.” Taken from Paul’s words of Galatians 2, Simpson catches the essence of denying self. Save me from myself. That is our battle. Satan’s out there. Error persists. Temptation circles around us like an old buzzard. False brethren, evil companions,  and wicked people try to chip away at the faith that we hold dear.

But our greatest enemy is self. It is our choices, our attitudes, our weaknesses, our indifferences that keeps Christ at a distance from our hearts. Save me from myself. What a great expression of truth.

Here are some thoughts:

First, save me from the thoughts that I shouldn’t have. We may never say the words, but we often have thoughts about others that we shouldn’t. Sometimes it shows on our faces. The rolled eyes. The quick turn away and ignoring someone. The loud sighs. The fallen countenance of our faces. Thoughts that lack kindness and grace. Thoughts that are judgmental. Thoughts that are hateful and mean. Thoughts that divide and hurt. Negative. Complaining. Save me from myself. The world and culture of today swims in such thoughts. We don’t have to. The world loves to judge. You don’t have to. The world promotes aggressive behavior that bullies and intimidates others. You don’t have to be like that. Be the oasis of kindness and gentleness.

Second, the trouble and struggles we get ourselves into are the result of our choices. We can blame Hollywood, TV, bad influences, but at the end of the day, we were the ones who made those choices. No one made us do those things. Light years ago, comedian Flip Wilson, had a line from his show when he said, “The devil made me do it.” It was cute, but not accurate. The devil doesn’t make you do anything. He can put on a great sale job, but it is you who puts your name on the bottom line and make the choices. They may seem right at the moment, but they are not. They may seem fun, for a moment, but they bring sorrow, guilt, shame and sin. What the devil offers seems great, but his promises never come through. He is a liar, the Lord tells us. He’s always been that way.

If our eyes could only be open to see beyond the moment. The consequences can be devastating. Poor choices can lead to time in jail. They can lead to a divorce. They can cause you to get expelled from school. They can lead you to losing your job. You might lose fellowship with the people of God. And, worst of all, you can be eternally banned from the presence of God. Save me from myself.

Third, self can be your best help or your worst enemy. It is that conscience that God has given you that can remind you that something that looks right isn’t. That conscience can put passages before your eyes that changes the choice you are about to make. Guilt can be a good thing. Guilt can make us see that what we tried didn’t work. Guilt can bring us back home to God where we belong. Deep within us, we know what is right. We’ve read the passages. We’ve heard sermons. We’ve sat through Bible classes. Often, the trouble with doing right is self. Save me from myself. We talk ourselves out of apologizing. We convince ourselves not to forgive. We remain on the outside with the prodigal’s unforgiving brother, missing the celebration and the feast that is taking place on the inside of the house. Stubborn and full of pride, we refuse to admit we need help. People are there who will help us. But we keep them at a distance. We only people to get so close to us.

Save me from myself. That is likely the greatest salvation ever.

Roger

Jump Start # 2886

Luke 9:23 “And He was saying to them all, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”

This is the last segment in this short series on lessons learned from the land where Jesus walked. Going to Israel was something I was always interested in visiting but I had a reluctance as well. I was fearful of how commercial some of the places would be and how much they would try to market what they thought were actual places where Jesus was. To my surprise it wasn’t as bad as I expected. Two places that draw a lot of attention are the “Garden Tomb” near Jerusalem where some claim Jesus was buried. It is worth seeing because of the age of the tomb and how people were buried. But historically, it is unlikely the tomb of Jesus because it dates many years before. And, then there is the Jordan River. There is a place where some claim Jesus was baptized. It is commercialized. One can buy water from the Jordan or, pay even more and get a baptismal gown and be baptized in the river. Many were doing that. It is very unlikely that Jesus was baptized at that location. It’s too far north and John likely would not have been there.

But other places, although maybe not the actual spot are very near to where events took place. The Byzantine era, which started in the 300’s is when many churches were being built to protect “sacred” spots. Word of mouth passed from one generation to the next could very likely be accurate just a few hundred years later. But what is most impressive, is looking beyond these various church buildings and seeing the area, still very natural like the days of Jesus. Cascading hillsides that would make a perfect setting for teaching. The beautiful sea of Galilee that He crisscrossed so many times. Hilltop fortresses from which one can see for miles and miles. So many places remained untouched and natural and very much like it was in Biblical times.

It was a blessing to visit Israel. I would recommend the trip to anyone, but go with brethren, it makes all the difference. Go with someone who has been before. But for many, many brethren, they will not be able to make such a trip. The costs. The time. The journey there and back. Not everyone can do that. Our group was tested and tested multiple times for Covid, including blood tests. It was a bother, but it was worth it. Through modern technology, there are many videos taken at the Bible lands and one can get a good impression just from watching those.

Our faith does not rely upon standing on the same hillside that Jesus did or sitting in a boat on the sea of Galilee. Our faith comes from the word of God. That’s how the Lord designed it. Going to Israel does not make one a better Christian. Our walk with the Lord does that. Being in Israel adds color and insight to so many passages that we read, but it is not necessary to go to Heaven.

As I watched a long line of people in white baptismal robes waiting to be baptized, I wonder what was running through their minds? Did they think that this would make them more dedicated or purer? Did they think that this would assure their salvation? The Jordan River isn’t a pretty river. It’s muddy. There are places where it’s pretty polluted. What the Lord wants from us is not to sit where He sat and stand where He stood, but to walk by faith and imitate His character. Through the Scriptures, not the land of Israel, we learn to be kind, patient, forgiving, and helpful to one another. It is through the Scriptures that we learn to worship as God designed. It is through the Scriptures that we learn the promises and hope that is in the Lord.

Seeing the land is fascinating. There are places, especially around Qumran and the Dead Sea that are desert. It’s rocks and dirt. There are not very many trees. It’s hot. It’s dusty. It’s not very pretty. And, had special events in the Bible not taken place there, most would never visit there. But what is beautiful is to see a life that has been marred by sin and living day to day in misery come alive in Jesus Christ. It is wonderful to see faith springing forth and the changes it produces as one comes to know the Lord.

One should never feel that he is better than others because he got to go to Israel. Our faith isn’t measured by the places we visit. It is a blessing. And, as with all blessings, one needs to be thankful and share with others what he can.

But one thing is sure, as wonderful as our trip was to Israel, our entrance into Heaven will be even greater. And, unlike Israel, you can be in Heaven. There won’t be a cost factor that keeps some out. You may not be able to afford Israel, but you can go to Heaven. I’ve talked to some since I have returned from Israel, and they have said, “We sure wish we could have gone, but it’s too late in life for us to go now.” Heaven is not that way. The only thing that will keep you out of Heaven is YOU. Your faith. Your walk. Your belief. Your hope. Your journey. It’s all there in Jesus Christ.

And, unlike our trip to Israel, Heaven won’t end after ten days. We won’t go back home after a visit to Heaven. Heaven will be our home. And, all the photos I took, just to remember and share with others, won’t be necessary in Heaven. We’ll be there. We’ll be there forever.

So, if you don’t get to make the trip to Israel, don’t be sad. There’s a greater place you are going to. It’s far better than Israel. It’s beautiful. It’s forever. And, it’s with God.

Heaven Bound…that’s us!

Roger

Jump Start # 2287

Luke 9:23 “And He was saying to them all, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”

I’ve been preaching a series entitled, “Ten Things.” And, as the title suggests, each lesson has ten practical, put on your kitchen table type of points. We’ve talked about ‘Ten things you need to know before you get married.’ That was followed by, ‘Ten Things Parents Need to Tell Their Teens.’ This past Sunday, it was, ‘Ten Things That Can Help Your Marriage.’ It was in that last one, about helping your marriage, that one of the points was marriage is lived one day at a time. How do folks stay married 50 or more years? It was one day at a time. There are good days and bad days. There are days you want to forget and days you never want to forget. There are plain ole’ every day days and there are special days. Happy days and sad days. Days you did well and days you did not do so well.

That thought actually is the same for living the Christian life. Ours is a journey. It’s not one big thing. It’s not the going overseas and spending a few weeks with third world people. It’s living for Jesus everyday. That thought is born from our verse today. Discipleship as defined by Jesus is composed of three elements. First, denying self. That must come first. If it’s not first, the other two won’t follow. Denying self is hard. We like self. We like to do what we like to do. We like to make ourselves happy. We don’t like to do what is uncomfortable to us. This is why Jesus starts here. It’s kingdom first. It’s Jesus first. It’s ‘Thy will be done.’ Self must be shoved to the back and kept there. It keeps wanting to pop up. It keeps wanting to move to the front. I don’t feel like going to church services, is what self sometimes says. Probably not some days. But if I have denied self, I will get down to the church house. There are days when you don’t feel like doing good deeds. Yep. We’ve all been there. Love to stay home, lay on the couch, watch a ballgame and forget about the world. But others need us. Deny self. Take care of others first. Be the servant.

Next comes our day to day. Take up your cross daily. Several things here. First, crosses were instruments of death, sacrifice. When one went to the cross, they weren’t coming back home. Even Jesus went to the tomb after the cross. The grave couldn’t hold him, but it was to the grave He went. To the first century pagan, the cross simply meant that the State was executing someone. To the disciple, the cross took his mind to Jesus. The cross of Jesus was more than death, it was a sacrifice. Jesus gave up His life. So, to be a disciple, I must take up my cross daily. Notice, it’s not Jesus’ cross. That has already been carried. Every year around Easter, someone is pictured carrying a large wooden cross down the road. He’s not Jesus, and that’s not what Jesus meant in this passage. We don’t carry Jesus’ cross. We carry our cross.

Now, what did Jesus sacrifice? Like the O.T. lamb, He was pure, innocent, holy and good. We can’t be like Jesus in those ways completely, but our sacrifice is given to God. Our sacrifice isn’t bad stuff, but good things. Our sacrifice are things that we are able to offer. Some will say having a handicapped child is the cross that they bear. It may be a burden, but not a cross. You didn’t choose that. You had no say in that. Others will say living with a drunk is the cross they bear. No. drunkenness is a sin that needs to be repented of, not a sacrifice.

Unlike Jesus, our sacrifice is daily. Jesus carried His cross once. We carry ours daily. Every day. Every day carrying that cross. Every day making a sacrifice for the Lord. Christianity is much, much more that being saved. It’s more than accepting Christ and believing. That’s the starting point. Now, it’s what do I do everyday. Not just Sundays, but Friday nights. Not just Wednesday evening Bible study, but Saturday afternoon at the ballgame.

Daily. That’s one of the best word descriptions of what our journey to Heaven is like. It’s following Jesus daily. It’s thinking about the Lord, daily. It’s reading God’s word, daily. It’s praying daily. It’s being busy in the kingdom, daily. It’s making sacrifices, daily. It’s more than giving up a few Sundays to teach the kids Bible class. That’s great. But what happens after the quarter ends? What happens between those Sundays?

Marriage is lived every day. Our walk with Jesus is following Him every day. Like I said above regarding marriage, the same fits with our discipleship with Jesus. There are some great days. There are some days that are not so great. There are some moments that I never want to forget. There are others that I want to never remember. There are many average, every day plain days. There are sad days. There are joyful days. It’s a journey of a lifetime.

You think about how long you have been a Christian. How many hymns do you imagine you have sung so far? A thousand? Ten Thousand? How many sermons have you listened to? How many times have you taken the Lord’s Supper? If you could add up every contribution that you have given, how much would that amount to? A thousand dollars? A hundred thousand dollars? How many prayers have you personally prayed since you were a Christian? How many verses have you read?

I expect if we could see on a piece of paper those numbers we would be shocked at the large amount. It’s living for Jesus each day. Sundays are special because we get to be with each other, remember the Lord’s death and hear powerful sermons. But Tuesdays are also important. Every day is part of our journey. Every day is a time to take up our cross. Every day we follow Jesus.

One day at a time…

That includes TODAY.

Roger

Jump Start # 1152

Luke 9:23 “And He was saying to them all, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.’”

  I watched a documentary the other day about a castle in England. I love castles. It was built by Henry VIII and used as one of his palaces. It was within that castle that Henry decided to break free from the Roman Catholic church and start his own church, the church of England. Henry wanted a son. His wife of more than twenty years could not give him that. He wanted to divorce her and marry someone else. The Catholic faith would not allow that. Henry refused to go along with that, broke free, started a new church and appointed himself as the head. Interesting show. Great castle.

There are two thoughts that I want to share.

First, it is generally a personal dispute that leads to someone looking deeply into what they believe. This isn’t bad. Many doctrines and teachings seem more like theory to us until it they land on our front porch. Then, we become personally involved, motivated and curious. One of the sparks of the American Restoration Movement was a result of this. The doctrine of infant baptism wasn’t a hot topic until Alexander Campbell’s baby was born. Then the question came would the child be baptized? That prompted a study of infant baptism, which led to a further study of baptism itself. The conclusion found in Scriptures is that penitent believers were the ones baptized, not babies. A personal matter took them to the Scriptures.

The same happens today. Folks do not think much about what the Bible teaches about divorce, until someone in the immediate family announces that their marriage is over. Now, possibly for the first time, people start looking and seeing what the Bible teaches. People do not think too much about life after death, until someone in the family passes away, then they want to know where they are and what happens at death.

Personal involvement is a driving force to examining what we believe and what the Scriptures truly teach. It is not uncommon for a person to look in the Scriptures and discover that what they had always been told and what they “thought” the Bible taught, wasn’t there at all. It is here that our second point comes up.

Second, Henry VIII, wanted a divorce. The Catholic faith would not allow it, so he founded his own church so he could have what he wanted. The king always gets what he wants. This too, is the way most operate. They put their feelings above Scriptures. I have seen people read a verse from their own Bibles and then declare, “Oh, I don’t believe that.” This is why modern churches cater to the whims of the audience. They are interested in pleasing the people. Timothy was warned long ago, that some would not endure sound doctrine. They would find teachers that tickled their ears. Tell us what we want to hear. We want nice things. We don’t want much doctrine and definitely easy on the commitment part. Make it fun. Make it enjoyable. Make it the way we want. If it’s not, we’ll just go down the road to another church that’s more suited to the way we think. Really?

Our verse tells us that those who wanted to follow Jesus, first, had to deny self. That means you don’t “have it your way.” You do things God’s way. This is called submission. It means to bend your will for the will of others, and in this case, God’s way. So in this equation, saying, “Well, I think…” doesn’t enter the conversation. It’s what God wants. What Henry did along ago in England is done all the time in America. People “church shop.” They look and look and try out a church, like they are in a fitting room of a store, trying on outfits. If this church fits my needs, I’ll give it a try, is how many are thinking these days. Little thought is given to how serious and closely that church is following the Bible. Are they “denying self,” or making the rules as they go along? Are they following Christ or mimicking Henry VIII? Don’t say anything about homosexuality. God did. Don’t talk about personal holiness. God did. Don’t talk about divorce. God did. Don’t talk about daily living for Christ. God did. Don’t talk about reading the Bible. God did.

Henry’s way or Jesus’ way? When I don’t like something, don’t agree with it, it ought to drive me to the Bible. If I find it taught by God, then I need to change my thinking and my ways. Pleasing God ought to be the basis of what we believe and what we do.

Is it in the Bible? Paul said, “The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (Phil 4:9). If Paul did it, then we ought to. If he didn’t, we need to ask, why are we doing it then?

Starting a church is not a bad idea if the purpose is to be more Biblical, God-pleasing and Christ centered. To start a church to justify what I want to do is shallow and vain. To start a church because I don’t like hearing all that Bible, is wrong.

Henry got his divorce. In time, he married several others. A couple of them he accused of unfaithfulness and had their heads lopped off. Henry did what Henry wanted. It’s easy to see his spirit alive and well today. God is seeking those who are willing to do what Christ says, even if it means changing to do that.

Change the teachings or change yourself? Denying self is hard, but it’s a must if we are going to follow Christ. Without denying self, there will come a time when we part with Jesus and walk our own way.

Roger