Has Your Faith Cost You?

Last year, as is the case every year, the New York Times put out an article that informed us that raising a child for the average middle-income family in the United States costs $222,360 from birth to eighteen.  I don’t know about you but when I see this it can be a little disheartening, especially if you have four kids.  This figure is before they go off to college too.  Then they make the statement at the bottom of the article “Is it worth it?”  Absolutely it is.   Most of us would say any cost incurred in raising our kids is well worth it.  What about our faith though? 

            It seems like there is a prevailing belief that faith is free.  Our faith isn’t free though.  It costs us daily and so the question beckons, “How much has your faith cost you?”  Just last week we heard about what Jesus did for us.  Jesus made several statements throughout scripture, which remind us that our faith is not free.

Luke 9:23-25 “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. ²⁴ For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. ²⁵ What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?

These are hardly the words of something that is free.  And what about the Apostle Paul said?  He makes several references to the fact that we were purchased through the blood of Christ.  Even the word redemption means “bought back”.  We once belonged to God but went our own way.   Through Jesus Christ and his work on the cross and through the resurrection, we were bought back.  So again I ask, “What has our faith cost us?”

            In the eleventh chapter of the Book of Hebrews the author talks about faith.

             

Hebrews 11:1-2 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. ² This is what the ancients were commended for.

Because of their faith, they responded in belief and it often cost them; Noah was ridiculed by his neighbors for building an ark when there was no rain, Abraham lived with uncertainty as he went out in faith not knowing where he was going, and this is not to mention the physical pain and imprisonment that the Apostle Paul and so many others endured.

            It’s easy to get comfortable in our lives, even in our faith, and forget what it cost.  It is especially easy and comfortable to do this in our country and forget that faith still costs.  There are many of our brothers and sisters around the world who know first hand what their faith costs them.  They are in prison or have beaten or threatened with their very lives.  What about you?  What has your faith cost you?

            When we realize what it cost Jesus to redeem our life, it causes within us a response.  We pay him back, although it will never be enough, with our own life.  We give of ourselves so that others may have a chance to know this God who paid so much for us because he loved us that much.  The Apostle Paul said it this way….

Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

            How much does our faith cost us?  Everything.  The more we come to realize God’s immense love for us, the more it calls us out in faith.  The more we walk in faith, the more it costs us. Can we put a price tag on it?  No.  Is it worth it in the end?  Absolutely.  Have a great week!

Pastor Stan & Polly

Has Your Faith Cost You?

Last year, as is the case every year, the New York Times put out an article that informed us that raising a child for the average middle-income family in the United States costs $222,360 from birth to eighteen.  I don’t know about you but when I see this it can be a little disheartening, especially if you have four kids.  This figure is before they go off to college too.  Then they make the statement at the bottom of the article “Is it worth it?”  Absolutely it is.   Most of us would say any cost incurred in raising our kids is well worth it.  What about our faith though? 

            It seems like there is a prevailing belief that faith is free.  Our faith isn’t free though.  It costs us daily and so the question beckons, “How much has your faith cost you?”  Just last week we heard about what Jesus did for us.  Jesus made several statements throughout scripture, which remind us that our faith is not free.

Luke 9:23-25 “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. ²⁴ For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. ²⁵ What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?

These are hardly the words of something that is free.  And what about the Apostle Paul said?  He makes several references to the fact that we were purchased through the blood of Christ.  Even the word redemption means “bought back”.  We once belonged to God but went our own way.   Through Jesus Christ and his work on the cross and through the resurrection, we were bought back.  So again I ask, “What has our faith cost us?”

            In the eleventh chapter of the Book of Hebrews the author talks about faith.

             

Hebrews 11:1-2 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. ² This is what the ancients were commended for.

Because of their faith, they responded in belief and it often cost them; Noah was ridiculed by his neighbors for building an ark when there was no rain, Abraham lived with uncertainty as he went out in faith not knowing where he was going, and this is not to mention the physical pain and imprisonment that the Apostle Paul and so many others endured.

            It’s easy to get comfortable in our lives, even in our faith, and forget what it cost.  It is especially easy and comfortable to do this in our country and forget that faith still costs.  There are many of our brothers and sisters around the world who know first hand what their faith costs them.  They are in prison or have beaten or threatened with their very lives.  What about you?  What has your faith cost you?

            When we realize what it cost Jesus to redeem our life, it causes within us a response.  We pay him back, although it will never be enough, with our own life.  We give of ourselves so that others may have a chance to know this God who paid so much for us because he loved us that much.  The Apostle Paul said it this way….

Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.

            How much does our faith cost us?  Everything.  The more we come to realize God’s immense love for us, the more it calls us out in faith.  The more we walk in faith, the more it costs us. Can we put a price tag on it?  No.  Is it worth it in the end?  Absolutely.  Have a great week!

Pastor Stan & Polly

What Makes "Good Friday" Good?

So what makes “Good Friday” so good?  Isn’t it the day that Jesus was arrested and given a mock trial and subsequently put to death?  Yes, that is true, and if that is where the events would have stopped then there really would be nothing good about “Good Friday”. 

            But the story doesn’t end there.  Jesus does not stay on the cross.  He is not contained to the tomb.  He rises from the dead on the third day.  Death is defeated!   On Friday Jesus followers were despondent, they were scattered.  They did not know what to do, they left Jesus all alone.  But it was all part of God’s grand plan to redeem us all.  Friday is dark....it is the day that Jesus pays the price for our sin, all of mankind’s sin.  If we take a moment to think about the darkest of sin we realize why Jesus suffering was so great.  He bore that sin upon himself. 

            So why is Friday good?  Because it is where our redemption starts to unfold.  Jesus takes our sin upon himself and pays the penalty for us.  We are no longer judged because of our sin.  But Friday is good only because Sunday happened.  On Sunday Jesus rose from the dead, defeating death once and for all time.  Now, rather than being held under the judgement of our sin, we are forgiven by the sacrifice of Jesus.  Now, rather than being held by death, we are raised to a new life.  So even though Friday may appear to be dark and somber, don’t worry because Sunday’s on the way.  We awaken Sunday to an empty tomb.  Jesus is no longer on the cross, it is finished.  Jesus is no longer in the grave, He has risen.  For these reasons we celebrate.  I hope your worship experience on “Good Friday” is a meaningful one and I look forward to seeing you on “Resurrection Sunday”!

Pastor Stan & Polly

The Fleetness of Fame

As we enter into the Passion Week this Sunday, it never ceases to amaze me.  We have been looking over the past several weeks at the controversial life of Jesus and nothing sums it up more than the Passion Week.  Jesus rides into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey at the height of his popularity.  Jesus is a full-fledged celebrity!  Everybody is crowding the streets to get a glimpse of Jesus.  They are shouting accolades of praise “Save us!  Save us”!

Matthew 21:8-11 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. ⁹ The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!” ¹⁰ When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” ¹¹ The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

This was an unbelievable scene!  The people are literally worshipping Jesus.  They are recognizing him as the Savior.  The religious leaders are mortified and at one point ask Jesus to rebuke his disciples.  They are encouraging this kind of behavior, which they considered to be blasphemous. 

Luke 19:39-40 Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” ⁴⁰ “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

Don’t you just love this response?  I could stop them….but if they stop, then the rocks will cry out.  Are you ready for that?  This is driving the religious leaders nuts because there is no way for them to contain the disruption that Jesus brings.  You either have to believe he is who he says he is or you have to turn against him.  They decided on the latter.

This all took place on the first day of the week, a Sunday.  These same crowds, by Friday, are shouting, “Crucify him!  Crucify Him”!  The religious leader had effectively turned the crowds against Jesus.  They took full advantage of what Jesus controversial nature caused.  The people really did believe Jesus was their hope and salvation but he was acting in a way that made them very uncomfortable.  It even caused confusion and doubt for some.  Jesus did things that seemed contrary to what they expected. 

Perhaps they expected a Warrior King who would start a revolution.  Jesus had the passion of a Warrior King but instead was more interested in cleaning his Father’s house by kicking out the merchants and turning tables.  Perhaps they were expecting a resistance from Jesus and instead the saw humility and what seemed like passivity.  They didn’t understand what was happening because they expected it to look different.  They thought their salvation was in a glorious Israel that would return to it’s former glory under King David.  Instead Jesus was restoring a glorious kingdom that is eternal and extends far beyond Israel.

There are many things that Jesus did that may be hard for us to understand.  He was a very controversial figure.  I’m glad we are still talking about him 2,000 years later.  And why are we still talking?  Because the mission that Jesus set out on 2,000 years ago is not complete.  During his time on earth….he redeemed us….he purchased us with his blood.  He redeemed religion….it is no longer about our ability to keep the law perfectly.  He knows we fall short and that is why he went to the cross.  Sometimes I marvel at how quickly the crowds turned.  Were the religious leaders that convincing?  No….it had to happen, all part of the plan to redeem mankind.  That is what we celebrate in the coming week.  Thank God for this week to celebrate what he did for us. 

Coup, Courage or Foolishness

Jesus life was unmistakably controversial.  Jesus, in His brief time here on earth, touched many lives and arguably had more of an impact than anyone in the history of our world.  It’s been over 2,000 years since his time here and we are still talking about Him.  And not only are we talking about Him but we are doing it passionately, much the way it was discussed in His day.  Because of His controversial was of being, the conspiracies that surrounded Him, His defiance against religious leaders and their way of being, Jesus made many enemies.  Many of Jesus enemies were in positions of power and authority as well.  Because of this reality, Jesus was betrayed by his people and sentenced to death.

            Without understanding God’s own conspiracy to redeem us, you might look at this and say it is craziness.  Our redemption is not the only thing I believe God is after though.  If you remember, God ends the Old Testament with 400 years of silence.  God was frustrated with his people.  Much of His frustration is what we looked at in Jesus defiance of the way of being that the religious leaders had.

Malachi 2:7-9 “For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, and from his mouth men should seek instruction—because he is the messenger of the Lord Almighty. ⁸ But you have turned from the way and by your teaching have caused many to stumble; you have violated the covenant with Levi,” says the Lord Almighty. ⁹ “So I have caused you to be despised and humiliated before all the people, because you have not followed my ways but have shown partiality in matters of the law.”

After these words from God at the end of the Old Testament, there are 400 years of silence from God.  When we hear him again in the New Testament, here is what we hear coming from John the Baptist.

Matthew 3:7-9 “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? ⁸ Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. ⁹ And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.

It’s as if God has picked up right where he left off.  He is frustrated with what Israel had made of the religious pursuit of Him.  The religious leaders had somehow come to believe that they had merited favor with God and all who followed them had this same favor. 

            What was God up to in all of this?  What else was Jesus doing?  Was he attempting a coup with the people of power in Israel?  Was He showing courage in questioning their motives?  Or was He just being foolish and making many enemies along the way because of their unquestioned authority in Israel?

            It is apparent that with the arrival of Jesus everything was changing.  It is also apparent that we have a hard time with change.  The religious leaders were not unique in this.  Any time we are in a pace of comfort, it is hard to move.  Jesus came with a “subversive intention” but not in the way we would expect.  He wasn’t coming to overthrow governments and topple kings.  He was coming to reconnect us with God.  He did through His death, burial and resurrection and He did it by helping us see and understand the heart of God.

            It’s easy to get lost in our religion.  We like structure and systems and they aren’t all bad.  Where they become bad is when they become bigger than the God we proclaim to worship and they forget the very ones He is after.  That is what happened in Israel.  They forgot their mission and became an elitist society among the religious leaders.  We are always at risk of doing the same.  That is why we must always remember and put Jesus first in everything we do and love the ones he is after.

  

Have a great week!

Pastor Stan and Polly

Defiance and Betrayal

When I mention the word defiance, who is the first person that comes to your mind?  Maybe it’s today’s teenager, perhaps it’s a protester either of today or times past.  Maybe it’s Martin Luther King, Jr., Nelson Mandella, Ghandi, or even Muhamad Ali.  I’m fairly confident to say that Jesus is not someone that came to your mind.  Yet as we look at the controversial life of Jesus, there was a defiance that we see.  Certainly that is the way the religious leaders of the day saw it.  Certainly Jesus said things and did things in such a way that it was defying the religious practices of the day. 

            Can we even mention the word defiance in the same sentence as Jesus though?  Defiance has such a negative connotation and certainly is thought of in terms of rebellion and disobedience.  Yet defiance is also a word used when we take a stand against something that needs to change.  Nelson Mandella took a defiant stand against Apartheid.  Martin Luther King, Jr. took a defiant stand against racial inequality and for civil rights in our own country.  What about Jesus?  Was he defiant against the religious practices of the day?  Can we think of him in these terms?  What had happened to the religious makeup of Israel?  They had completely lost their heart for God in their pursuit of religious practices.  When Jesus healed on the Sabbath, rather than be amazed at what had happened, anger burned in them at the violation of a Sabbath law.  They considered healing work.  They were indignant when the disciples did not go through the ceremonial washing of hands before they ate.  Jesus, at that time had strong words for them…

Matthew 15:7-9 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: ⁸“ ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. ⁹They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.’”

Jesus intentionally healed on the Sabbath, it happened on several occasions.  In this instance, he was aware of what his disciples were doing and with intention allowed them to do it.  These are acts of defiance against the religious practices of the day.  Jesus also, with intentionality, turned the tables and drove out all of those who had turned the temple into a market place.  All of these were acts of defiance against religion that had become nothing more than hypocrisy. 

God is not interested in this kind of religion.  He desires a sincere religion that flows from a heart that genuinely loves God.  When these same teachers of the law asked Jesus what was the most important command, he responded with this statement…

Matthew 22:35-39 One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: ³⁶ “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” ³⁷ Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ³⁸ This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

Jesus defied the acts of men who had defined religion as a set of rules and had forgotten what God cared about most which were the people.  He did these acts as an opportunity for the religious leaders to see and respond.  Instead they became enemies.  Jesus was betrayed and handed over to be crucified by his own people, not by the Romans.  Jesus own people did not recognize him.  That’s kind of scary, don’t you think?  They were so consumed with their own understanding of what mattered to God that they lost sight of what really mattered.  The Messiah was in their midst.  God had redeemed his people!  Their forefathers looked forward to this day and they missed it.  I hope we never get so lost in our religious practices that we miss what matters most to God; the redemption of His people. 

           

Have a great week!

Pastor Stan and Polly