April 14, 2013

  You Must Be Spice For Life

Luke 14: 25 - 35

Luke

Great crowds were following Jesus.  He turned around and said to them, "If you want to be my follower you must love me more than your own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters - yes, more than your own life.  Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.  And you cannot be my disciple if you do not carry your own cross and follow me.

But don't begin until you count the cost.  For who would begin construction of a building without first getting estimates and then checking to see if there is enough money to pay the bills?  Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of funds.  And then how everyone would laugh at you!  They would say, 'There's the person who started that building and ran out of money before it was finished!'

"Or what king would ever dream of going to war without first sitting down with his counselors and discussing whether his army of ten thousand is strong enough to defeat the twenty thousand soldiers who are marching against him?  If he is not able, then while the enemy is still far away, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace.  So no one can become my disciple without giving up everything for me.

"Salt is good for seasoning.  But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again?  Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for fertilizer.  It is thrown away.  Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand!"

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Thoughts.....

Upon reading this, you may be reminded of Revelations wherein Jesus said to John numerous times 'anyone who is willing to hear should listen to the Spirit and understand....'.  Indeed, let's 'listen' to what is being said today and take heed.

The first paragraph might be considered a 'double whammy' to most.  Leave family?  Leave kindred?  In Genesis 12:1, God told Abram to "Leave thy country, leave thy kindred, and I will shew you a blessing."  The NLT reads, "Then the LORD told Abram, "Leave your country, your relatives, and your father's house, and go to the land that I will show you.  I will cause you to become the father of a great nation.  I will bless you and make you famous, and I will make you a blessing to others.  I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you.  All the families of the earth will be blessed through you."  Genesis 12:1-3 

Just as God directed Abram to do, Jesus directs his followers to do the same.  God and Jesus were saying in essence, 'Show me that you REALLY love me'.  Does he expect us to do the same today?  Pretty much yes.  "Is this literal or figurative?", you might ask.  It's both.  He's asking us to turn to him, rely on him, believe in him regardless of what all others may say or think.  Even to the extent of walking away, letting them go.  He wants us to love him and trust in him more than those around us.  To look to....at....him, not others.  This can be important when inside a church, or seeking a church, too.  Focus on God....not humans. 

Often times when we have a new idea, family members are the first to 'shut us down'.  They are closest to us and know us best....well....most of the time.  Jesus is saying, it doesn't matter what anyone else says or thinks, or who they are to us, if we are to follow him, we must lay aside all others' thoughts and directives to follow him.  His ideas, his life, his plans are greater for us than those placed upon us by our family.  Not without foundational merit, for God did place us with the families we have, Jesus is available and stands at the ready to take us to the next level, if you will, to a higher realm of understanding and growth.  He will provide, if we allow him into our lives, a new foundation, a more sound structure, for a greater tomorrow and a future that is eternal, when the trumpet sounds at our earthly end. 

Although we learn and receive love through and from our parents and family members, Jesus will show us and give us a greater love, if we put our trust in him.  He is calling us to love him more than everyone else.

Jesus tells us we cannot be his disciple unless we carry our own cross and follow him.  What does it mean to carry our own cross?  Bear our burdens.  Be responsible in and for our actions.  The cross Jesus bore was that of the Savior, the 'Messiah come'.  As he walked a lonely journey, though not always alone, he was singled out and attacked, chastised, pointed at, called names, beaten, spit upon, had his credibility and integrity questioned, and more.  Some invited him into their lives and believed what he said, others drove him away. With pain and suffering, a heart filled with love, but aching, he carried on.  He was determined to do his Father's will on earth.  He was one in Spirit with his Father, God.  It is what we are to do as well:  Be determined to do the will of the Father and Jesus and be one in Spirit with them.  And carry our cross as Jesus carried his.  Nothing less, as we follow him.

Jesus tells us to not begin until we count the cost.  We should not commit to him or anything without first understanding and counting the cost.  We must not start and then stop midstream in our devotion, our following him.  Why?  What would it do to his name, his credibility, integrity, or ours, were we to start our journey and then falter, walk away, or run from, for that matter.  We, and Jesus, would be scoffed at, questioned, found to be a fool, and more.  And what would that do to the Kingdom of God?  Your family would say, 'See, we knew you couldn't....wouldn't....'.   That would look very bad to the world....make folks wonder who 'this Jesus' really is....and God....'who is he that he couldn't keep his disciples?'  

I would not want to be on the receiving end after those thoughts.  From earth or from heaven.  Think how much pain and suffering it would cause God and Jesus.  Even more than before.  I don't know about you, but I do not intentionally choose to hurt people.  God's retaliation is far worse than anything I could think of or mete out.  And what is God's retaliation?  Beyond losing forgiveness of sins and eternal life, does it really matter?  That's the ultimate. 

So be sure that if you are in, you are in for life, when you choose to ask Jesus into your life and follow him. 

And what must we give up to be his disciple?  Jesus says 'everything'.  Here are a few examples:  sexual immorality, impure thoughts, eagerness for lustful pleasure, idolatry, participation in demonic activities, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, divisions, the feeling that everyone is wrong except those in your own little group, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other kinds of sin.  Paul tells the Galatians....and us....that 'anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God'.  See Galatians 5:19-23.  He goes on to say in verses 24-26, 'Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.  If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit's leading in every part of our lives.  Let us not become conceited, or irritate one another, or be jealous of one another.' 

But praise the Lord!  He has given us greater things to receive and exhibit.  'But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us:  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."  Galatians 5:22-23.

I hear you asking, "Who is Holy Spirit?"  He was given to us after Jesus went to heaven to comfort, teach, and guide us.  In Luke 24:49 we learn that Jesus said, "And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised.  But stay here in the city until Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven."  A couple things of note:  Jesus used the terms 'disciple(s)' and 'follower(s)' rather interchangeably it might seem.  In todays reference, only those who love him more than family, and their own life, cannot be his follower/disciple, and then, he adds yet another qualifier stating, you must be willing to carry your own cross to be his disciple.

In the reference in Luke 24:49, John made reference to the eleven disciples, and the other followers who were there when Jesus told them to wait upon Holy Spirit.  It seems that the 11/12 disciples, commonly referred to as the Apostles, as well as a multitude of Christian denominations in todays world, believed them to be a head above the rest and worthy to receive more than the rest of the world by nature of them having been 'chosen'.  However, God calls all of us, Jesus died for and calls all of us, and no one is greater than another, or more worthy of any special distinction or grace, gift, anointing, etc., if one has chosen to accept God as Father and Jesus as Savior, Lord.  All the fruits and gifts of the Holy Spirit are available to ALL of us and are ready to be imparted upon us, gifted to us, by the grace and love of the Trinity to further grow the Kingdom of God on earth.  Mouthful, sorry.

You will perhaps recall the reference 'many are called but few are chosen'.  This refers to ALL those who stay on the path versus those who choose to walk off the path.  Those who firmly stay versus those who Jesus says, will be 'thrown away.'  Some Ministers, Pastors, Priests will tell you that they are 'chosen' and the rest of the world are just followers.  Eh....wrong answer.  EVERYONE is called, EVERYONE should step up, and by that nature, are 'chosen' to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It's what we are ALL supposed to do.  In that distinction, no one is CHOSEN over another, however, you'd better have your ducks in a row, if you go into leadership ministry.  You will fast learn about carrying your own cross in following Jesus on that path.

And this is a good opening for speaking of salt as Jesus did in the last paragraph of todays lesson.  As a leader, one must be mighty salty, and not in a military vernacular or in speech.  Jesus says, "Salt is good for seasoning.  But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again?"  He has not changed the topic from previous paragraphs.  Salt flavors, cures, keeps fresh, fertilizes.  Isn't that what Jesus did?  Isn't that what we are called to do in the Kingdom?  Flavors - shares bits about Jesus and the salvation message.  Cures - prays for others' healing.  Keeps fresh - keeps going back through the door with more of the message.  Fertilizes - goes down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love to grow followers/disciples.  So to be salt is good....one is seasoning the crops.  But if salt loses its flavor, loses credibility, integrity, walks away, then attempts to return....well....it is no longer good for the soil or the fertilizer.  It can no longer be, or give, the depth of God's love, nor can it grow followers / disciples.  "It is thrown away.", says Jesus.

"It IS thrown away."

You can lose your salvation. 

"Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand."    

This should be SCARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Whether you are 'classified as' a leader or a follower, you are a disciple, if...IF....you've given your heart to the Lord by forsaking all others, including your own will and ways, chosen to carry your own cross, and given up everything else (Galatians 5) for Jesus.  If you are a disciple and you choose to not count the cost, thereby causing building of the Kingdom to be incomplete or not be stable, or fall, and you lose your salty flavor, you will be thrown away.  Thrown away.  I cannot emphasize that enough. 

If there is heaven, there is, and if there is hell, there is....if you don't go to heaven, where are you going to go?  Is anybody getting this?  Do I hear "YES?!"

Love the Lord with all your heart, your mind, your strength!  Carry your own cross!  Follow Jesus!  Make sure....count the cost before you set out!  Give up everything for him.  Continue in flavor and favor!

Problem?  Go to the Lord!  Ask for a delegation to discuss terms of peace to defeat the evil soldiers and be strengthened!  Put on the whole armor of God....see Ephesians 6:10-18.  Pray! 

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Let Us Pray

God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, please forgive me for all my sins, for anything and everything I might have done that did not bode well for myself or the Kingdom of God.  Thank you.  I do NOT want to lose my salvation.  I do not want to go to hell.  I want to go to heaven to be with all my loved ones, when you decide, when the last trumpet blows.  I may not have counted the cost in my youth to the fullest extent I could have.  The journey has been tough....rough....nearly unbearable at times.  But I've known all along that you are there with me.  And as I count the cost now, I choose to continue to stay on the path, to love you, God, Jesus, Holy Spirit.  You know I've loved you more than anyone else, and you certainly have seen me carrying my cross.  I've most assuredly given up everything for you, however, I'd like you to send a delegation of peace to pray for me when I stub my toe....so to speak.  Please see that I have not lost my flavor.  I have tried earnestly to see you, hear you, know you, but I could spend more time reading Scriptures to know you even better.  I want to 'follow you more nearly, love you more dearly'.  I want to be able to always help others realize their purpose is to share your Gospel, Jesus.  For them to know who you are, that you are, and how wonderful you are....and accept you into their heart and life with everything you have to give them.  I believe it is also my purpose to teach others to praise God, worship God, give thanks to God.  And to teach about Holy Spirit, so they may receive all he has to give them.  I am sincerely grateful that you have not thrown me away.....and I will continue to pray that I am doing everything I can to insure that you don't have reason to do so.  I know I am far from perfect, please forgive me.  And thank you for the opportunity to be forgiven.  But please continue to help me, so I won't lose my flavor, or favor with you.  Thank you God, Jesus, Holy Spirit for your love, your gifts, my life, our future together.  I praise you!  Alleluia.  Amen.

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NOTE:  I said it long ago, but let me say it again.  If you are wanting to lead a group, start a church, or are confined in an institution, or live in a country where the Gospel is not preached, and you don't know what to say or how to say it, and yet feel led to share, teach, or preach, please feel free to share what I've written, as long as you include where it comes from, due to copyright laws.  Jesus gave God's love and healing freely, as well as his message.  Our responsibility is to get the Word out to those who need to hear it.  If what I've written....by the power and direction of the Holy Spirit....or what he has said through me....has helped you, it may help others that you know, and you are welcome to share it.  God calls all of us to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.  Please share it with the fullness of love that God, Jesus, Holy Spirit....and I....have given it.  Amen! 

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Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT         

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'.

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    One last thing....

 Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rhythms of Grace'

"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

   Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

And the people said,

"Amen."

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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided.  I encourage you to pray your own prayers as well.

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  Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

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