Venue: St. Thomas’ Church, Bintulu
Occasion: One Voice Conference (organized by Anglican Diocesan Youth Council)
Date: Sunday, 5 September 2010
Text: Luke 14: 25-33
As I begin my sermon this morning I want to ask you to think back about those old days when you first decided to become Christians, or when you decided to do
something for the Church. I am sure that
you made those decisions after some serious thoughts. Of course it is possible
that some of us were not quite sure why, but we made it anyway. For example, some of you could have been baptized or confirmed because you were persuaded or forced into it. Or somebody put your name in a nomination
paper and you ended up elected as member of a church committee.
something for the Church. I am sure that
you made those decisions after some serious thoughts. Of course it is possible
that some of us were not quite sure why, but we made it anyway. For example, some of you could have been baptized or confirmed because you were persuaded or forced into it. Or somebody put your name in a nomination
paper and you ended up elected as member of a church committee.
Now, whatever it was that brought you here, I want to tell you that one way or the other God has a hand in it; or rather, he can turn it into something with a
purpose. Some weeks ago, you didn’t know
that you would be here. But here you are this morning. I didn’t know I would be
preaching either. I was hoping to sit among you people, listening to someone
else preaching. But last Monday when I
was having a nap, Fr. Jose Jol phoned me up.
He asked me to preach and I simply answered “Ok” with my mind still
asleep.
purpose. Some weeks ago, you didn’t know
that you would be here. But here you are this morning. I didn’t know I would be
preaching either. I was hoping to sit among you people, listening to someone
else preaching. But last Monday when I
was having a nap, Fr. Jose Jol phoned me up.
He asked me to preach and I simply answered “Ok” with my mind still
asleep.
Whatever reason that brings us here – whether we come on purpose or not, I believe God can use our presence to fulfil his purpose.
It is possible that God wants you to be here so that he can do something
for you. Or that he wants you to be here
because he wants to use you to do something for someone else. I remember six years ago on this date, I
stood at this pulpit preaching exactly on the same Gospel reading we have just
heard. I also remember challenging the congregation with that question: “Am I a
disciple?” And I am going to ask you
again this morning, “Do you consider yourself a disciple of Jesus?” If you
assume that if you are a disciple of Jesus because you have been baptised and
confirmed as church member, think again.
Our gospel reading tells us this morning that it takes more than water,
or the Bishop’s hand, or church attendance, to make a disciple.
It is possible that God wants you to be here so that he can do something
for you. Or that he wants you to be here
because he wants to use you to do something for someone else. I remember six years ago on this date, I
stood at this pulpit preaching exactly on the same Gospel reading we have just
heard. I also remember challenging the congregation with that question: “Am I a
disciple?” And I am going to ask you
again this morning, “Do you consider yourself a disciple of Jesus?” If you
assume that if you are a disciple of Jesus because you have been baptised and
confirmed as church member, think again.
Our gospel reading tells us this morning that it takes more than water,
or the Bishop’s hand, or church attendance, to make a disciple.
Let us go back to our Gospel reading again. Luke tells us that Jesus travelling with a large crowd of people following him. Verses
25 & 26 say, “Large crowds were
travelling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: "If anyone comes to me
and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers
and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be my disciple”. Luke says that Jesus specifically "turned
to them". It means that Jesus was
not addressing the 12 Disciples: he was talking to the people about
"anyone who comes to me".
Today, those words apply to you and I.
25 & 26 say, “Large crowds were
travelling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: "If anyone comes to me
and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers
and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be my disciple”. Luke says that Jesus specifically "turned
to them". It means that Jesus was
not addressing the 12 Disciples: he was talking to the people about
"anyone who comes to me".
Today, those words apply to you and I.
Let us study this further: The first image Jesus uses is a family. It seems that that these verses are in conflict with Jesus’ command for us to love everyone. The word "hate" here is a hyperbole.
It is just a Semitic way of saying “to express
lesser love”. Jesus is saying that we
must love him much more than we love our closest family members or even our own
lives. Jesus is also not talking about
love as “emotional feeling” toward him or our families. He is talking about our level of commitment
to him. He clearly says that to be a
disciple, we must love him more than we love anyone else – even family
members. Anything less will mean that we
are not true disciples of Jesus.
It is just a Semitic way of saying “to express
lesser love”. Jesus is saying that we
must love him much more than we love our closest family members or even our own
lives. Jesus is also not talking about
love as “emotional feeling” toward him or our families. He is talking about our level of commitment
to him. He clearly says that to be a
disciple, we must love him more than we love anyone else – even family
members. Anything less will mean that we
are not true disciples of Jesus.
At a glance it looks like it is a very tough demand. But as you look deeper, you will understand why Jesus makes this demand
upon us. Some of us are quite familiar
with the two greatest commandments in Matthew 22: 37-39: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and
with all your mind. 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And
the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.”
upon us. Some of us are quite familiar
with the two greatest commandments in Matthew 22: 37-39: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and
with all your mind. 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And
the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.”
The two commandments are labeled as “the first and the greatest” and the “second”. If we love people more than we love God, we are putting the Commandments in the wrong
order. It spells trouble because we are
going to think that our love for our family is sufficient. When you think that your love and your wisdom
are sufficient to help your children grow, you don’t see any need for the love
and wisdom of God. It is a noble thing
to ensure our children get their basic needs, have proper education and grow to
become successful people. But if God is
taken out of the equation, then you are not going to have children who know and
fear God. We keep hearing about apparently
successful people who are making mess of their lives. Why? It is because the lives they live are
never rooted in God – it is rooted in people and material things.
order. It spells trouble because we are
going to think that our love for our family is sufficient. When you think that your love and your wisdom
are sufficient to help your children grow, you don’t see any need for the love
and wisdom of God. It is a noble thing
to ensure our children get their basic needs, have proper education and grow to
become successful people. But if God is
taken out of the equation, then you are not going to have children who know and
fear God. We keep hearing about apparently
successful people who are making mess of their lives. Why? It is because the lives they live are
never rooted in God – it is rooted in people and material things.
If you are Christians you need to ensure that your children have a relationship with God. Don’t be just concerned about trying to convert these children into money-makers and power-holders. We also have to do our best to ensure that
they will become honest, God-fearing adults.
We can’t leave this to our children to decide when they have become
grown-ups. Doing things in the name of
love is deceptive. I know many Christian
parents are taking their children to shopping malls, fast-food restaurants or
picnic spots, or allowing them to stay longer in bed this morning; instead of
bring them to Church. They do that in
the name of love, but it is that love that takes the children away from Jesus
and his church. If you love your
families more than you love Jesus that is what you will do – you will eventually
lead your family away from God!
they will become honest, God-fearing adults.
We can’t leave this to our children to decide when they have become
grown-ups. Doing things in the name of
love is deceptive. I know many Christian
parents are taking their children to shopping malls, fast-food restaurants or
picnic spots, or allowing them to stay longer in bed this morning; instead of
bring them to Church. They do that in
the name of love, but it is that love that takes the children away from Jesus
and his church. If you love your
families more than you love Jesus that is what you will do – you will eventually
lead your family away from God!
Second, when love is in the wrong order, it can lead us to pride. It means that you will think that the success and the happiness of your family is the result of your hard work and achievement.
Success is a good thing, but when God is
taken out of the equation, it creates pride and selfishness in our hearts.
Success is a good thing, but when God is
taken out of the equation, it creates pride and selfishness in our hearts.
I can tell you how this love can penetrate the church in a subtle manner. Let say you initiate a project or fellowship in the church; and it becomes successful.
If God is taken out of the equation, you will want to take credit for
it. You may even start thinking that
without you, it is sure to fail. Success, without God leads to pride. I can
give you some examples that I have seen. In church, we have set up many groups or
fellowships. When leaders become proud of their achievement, they may become
possessive of their members. I have heard about group leaders not wanting to
release their members to serve elsewhere in the ministry of the church because
they fear that it will disrupt what they are doing.
If God is taken out of the equation, you will want to take credit for
it. You may even start thinking that
without you, it is sure to fail. Success, without God leads to pride. I can
give you some examples that I have seen. In church, we have set up many groups or
fellowships. When leaders become proud of their achievement, they may become
possessive of their members. I have heard about group leaders not wanting to
release their members to serve elsewhere in the ministry of the church because
they fear that it will disrupt what they are doing.
So leaders I have a question for you: if you have a group of people in your church under your leadership, may I know what are they for?
Is it not for the higher ministry? Is it not for the purpose and the
glory of God? If you are truly the
disciples of Jesus as you think you are, you need to play as a team. You release those you have mentored so that
they can take up higher ministry in the church: the older ones can be released
to serve in the church committees, to be lay-readers or even to be sub-deacons;
the younger ones can be released to become servers, to be choir members, or
musicians, or dancers. Let them go, even
if it means that your group has to be disbanded. You allow it because you understand that your
particular ministry in the Youth Fellowship is to service the needs of the
whole church. And when that is done you
restart with fresh faces.
Is it not for the higher ministry? Is it not for the purpose and the
glory of God? If you are truly the
disciples of Jesus as you think you are, you need to play as a team. You release those you have mentored so that
they can take up higher ministry in the church: the older ones can be released
to serve in the church committees, to be lay-readers or even to be sub-deacons;
the younger ones can be released to become servers, to be choir members, or
musicians, or dancers. Let them go, even
if it means that your group has to be disbanded. You allow it because you understand that your
particular ministry in the Youth Fellowship is to service the needs of the
whole church. And when that is done you
restart with fresh faces.
Sometimes God may not call you to let go people or things, but your mindsets. Our problem is that we can love our traditions, our ideas or our ways of doing things too much, that we become narrow-minded
and feel threaten by any suggestion for change.
From personal experience, I can say that people who serve in church
committees are often the worst offenders, especially if they have been there
for a very long time. While we value
experiences, it is their inability to accept change that causes them to become
a liability.
and feel threaten by any suggestion for change.
From personal experience, I can say that people who serve in church
committees are often the worst offenders, especially if they have been there
for a very long time. While we value
experiences, it is their inability to accept change that causes them to become
a liability.
That leads us to the next point in verse 27: “And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” Today, the image of the cross has lost its
horror. It has become a piece of
jewellery that we wear around our necks or hang onto the mirrors our cars or
some handiwork that is stuck on the wall of the church. But the original cross was nothing like
these: it was probably the worst form of punishment used by the Romans. The criminal was to be crucified he would be forced
to "carry his cross" to the place of execution. There would be no coming back for him. That is the picture that Jesus wants us to
see. Following him is saying
"goodbye" to our own will and desires and not going back to our old
lifestyles. It is surrendering our
physical lives (our personal desires, goals, interests, and even needs) for the
sake of Jesus.
horror. It has become a piece of
jewellery that we wear around our necks or hang onto the mirrors our cars or
some handiwork that is stuck on the wall of the church. But the original cross was nothing like
these: it was probably the worst form of punishment used by the Romans. The criminal was to be crucified he would be forced
to "carry his cross" to the place of execution. There would be no coming back for him. That is the picture that Jesus wants us to
see. Following him is saying
"goodbye" to our own will and desires and not going back to our old
lifestyles. It is surrendering our
physical lives (our personal desires, goals, interests, and even needs) for the
sake of Jesus.
Some of you know that God needs you, but there is something in your lives which stop you from giving yourselves to him. It may be
something that you are supposed to give up, but you can’t let go. Perhaps you are caught in a bad relationship;
or you find yourself in a wrong company; but you don’t know how to get out of
it. I encourage you to use this
gathering to seek counseling and prayers from the more matured members.
something that you are supposed to give up, but you can’t let go. Perhaps you are caught in a bad relationship;
or you find yourself in a wrong company; but you don’t know how to get out of
it. I encourage you to use this
gathering to seek counseling and prayers from the more matured members.
Let us move on to verses 28-30: Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see
if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not
able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow
began to build and was not able to finish.’
if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not
able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow
began to build and was not able to finish.’
Jesus presents the image of a man who plans on building a tower. Before he begins the construction, he must “count the cost” to see if he has enough resources to
finish the job. We need to take into
account the cost of discipleship, which is our commitment. When you say “yes” to the call of God, it is making
a decision to obey. Jesus warns us about
this because there are many people who start well, but they cannot finish what
they have started. These include men of the
Bible. Noah and his family were saved
from the flood, but poor Noah ended as a drunken man who cursed his son. King Saul started well as a ruler, but lost
his mind and became jealous of David.
Solomon was the wisest man in all of history, but he turned his heart
from God because he had too many wives.
Judas Iscariot was a chosen disciple, but he betrayed Jesus and hanged
himself.
finish the job. We need to take into
account the cost of discipleship, which is our commitment. When you say “yes” to the call of God, it is making
a decision to obey. Jesus warns us about
this because there are many people who start well, but they cannot finish what
they have started. These include men of the
Bible. Noah and his family were saved
from the flood, but poor Noah ended as a drunken man who cursed his son. King Saul started well as a ruler, but lost
his mind and became jealous of David.
Solomon was the wisest man in all of history, but he turned his heart
from God because he had too many wives.
Judas Iscariot was a chosen disciple, but he betrayed Jesus and hanged
himself.
Many of you are young and you have many bright and noble ideas. But I also know many young people have problems with commitment. You may have
problem keeping your focus because you are excited over too many things. Sometimes you get too excited that you don’t
consult others and overlook protocol, and in the end you get yourselves into
trouble. Sometimes you accept
responsibility without thinking. When things get too hard or too uncomfortable you
simply abandon your responsibility. I
say that because I have been young and I have stumbled and made mistakes -
sometimes very stupid mistakes.
problem keeping your focus because you are excited over too many things. Sometimes you get too excited that you don’t
consult others and overlook protocol, and in the end you get yourselves into
trouble. Sometimes you accept
responsibility without thinking. When things get too hard or too uncomfortable you
simply abandon your responsibility. I
say that because I have been young and I have stumbled and made mistakes -
sometimes very stupid mistakes.
I encourage you to take this gospel passage as your personal message this morning. I want you to feel as if Jesus himself is talking to you. If you are on the cross-road right now, and
you don’t know what to do, we can help you to pray about it. If you have neglected your responsibilities
either as leaders or members, make a resolution today to begin anew. The good news is none of us is finished
yet. It doesn’t matter what has happened
in the past, we still have the opportunity to finish well. The finish line is
still ahead.
you don’t know what to do, we can help you to pray about it. If you have neglected your responsibilities
either as leaders or members, make a resolution today to begin anew. The good news is none of us is finished
yet. It doesn’t matter what has happened
in the past, we still have the opportunity to finish well. The finish line is
still ahead.
Our final point for reflection this morning is found in verses 31-33: Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is
able with then thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty
thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still
a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, any of you who
does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.
able with then thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty
thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still
a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, any of you who
does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.
In this image, Jesus describes two kings. One is outnumbered, so he wisely approaches the stronger king and makes peace before the battle ever begins. It is a picture of God who is the stronger
king, and we are the weaker king. There
is no way we can win against God, and therefore it is wise that we surrender
ourselves to him. But it takes humility
to surrender to Jesus. Some people will
not easily give themselves to God: they will fight and resist him. And when that resistance is taking place
within the church, it can create a lot of conflicts and unhappiness between
members.
king, and we are the weaker king. There
is no way we can win against God, and therefore it is wise that we surrender
ourselves to him. But it takes humility
to surrender to Jesus. Some people will
not easily give themselves to God: they will fight and resist him. And when that resistance is taking place
within the church, it can create a lot of conflicts and unhappiness between
members.
Our resistance to God may take place in a number of ways. There are people who do not want to give up control. I have mentioned some during
the earlier part of my sermon. Some people hold on to their grudge, and they
use it as an excuse to bombard or scold people they don’t like. Some are holding on to their false ideas,
because if they accept the truth, they will have to change. Some live in denial: they deny the Bible is
the Word of God and so they have reason not to study the Bible. Others deny the power of the Holy Spirit: for
them the work of the church is merely the exercise of human efforts and wisdom.
Why do we allow ourselves to believe
these lies and deceptions? It is because
they are convenient excuses so that we can retain control over our own lives,
to do what we want, and live without commitment to God.
the earlier part of my sermon. Some people hold on to their grudge, and they
use it as an excuse to bombard or scold people they don’t like. Some are holding on to their false ideas,
because if they accept the truth, they will have to change. Some live in denial: they deny the Bible is
the Word of God and so they have reason not to study the Bible. Others deny the power of the Holy Spirit: for
them the work of the church is merely the exercise of human efforts and wisdom.
Why do we allow ourselves to believe
these lies and deceptions? It is because
they are convenient excuses so that we can retain control over our own lives,
to do what we want, and live without commitment to God.
Let me remind you that while our strength may be an asset, but it can also be a barrier that stops us from surrendering ourselves to Jesus. Our strength can lead us to believe that we can do God’s work using our own strength; so we forgo prayers. It can lead us to think that we are always
right; so we ignore what other people say.
I want to invite all of us to let go of our stubbornness, admit our weaknesses
and mistakes, and realize that without Jesus we are hopelessly lost. The next time we encounter him, he may not
sound so kind. Jesus has given that
warning in Matthew 7: 21-23. He said, "Not everyone who
says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who
does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me
on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name
drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them
plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
right; so we ignore what other people say.
I want to invite all of us to let go of our stubbornness, admit our weaknesses
and mistakes, and realize that without Jesus we are hopelessly lost. The next time we encounter him, he may not
sound so kind. Jesus has given that
warning in Matthew 7: 21-23. He said, "Not everyone who
says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who
does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me
on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name
drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them
plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
But by the time we hear those words said to us, it will be too late.
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