Happy "Crowing" Saturday, Everyone!
There is a rooster that lives across the road into the valley below on my neighbors farm. That crazy bird will cock-a-doodle-do anytime of the day. What a crazy bird! He reminds me of the lesson this week.
This week's Sunday School lesson is from Mark 14. The Lord's Supper was over, Judas had left the others, and Jesus makes a prediction to the 11 disciples as he uses Old Testament scripture to make the claim that His friends will "be offended" and "scatter" because of Him that very night.
Friends, do you know how easy it is to claim to be a Christian when you never really have to follow through with it, especially in these small towns that aren't as affected by the mass evil of the world? We can stay huddled up with our life long friends who know that we are "nice" and coast through life. Well, hang on. I've got some news this morning. You don't have to be a city dweller to be among trials or tribulation. Small towns may not see rioting, or corporate deception or money laundering, but sin comes in all degrees. And the last time I checked my Bible...Sin is Sin. Many of us are still offended and scatter.
This morning may I point to just one tiny sin that most are guilty of as of late? And it's just an itty-bitty sin. Hmmmm, oh yes...how many are on a church membership role but are not regularly attending church? WHAT? That's no sin! Really? Look around your congregation. Who "don't" you see? Who haven't you seen in church since last Easter, or for years?
When you join membership with something or someone you are making a promise to be faithful to that cause and to that particular entity. To be and not to be isnt the question. It's denial. It's breaking a promise to belong. It's like saying "I'm a Christian" but not following through. Kinda like being employeed but never going to work. Or, being a student but never going to class. When you aren't attending, you are missed and you miss the blessings of God's people and the blessings of His Word. Entire families suffer.
Jesus told Peter that before the rooster crowed two times, he would deny that he even ever knew him, not once but three times. Remember, Peter said he would die for Jesus. Kinda like we all say when we repent and turn to Christ, then join the church. Let me let you in on something...the rooster was going to crow no matter what. That's what roosters do. It was the morning of an all night illegal trial. Sooooooooooo, here's the lesson this morning. For all of us, the rooster is going to crow, no matter what. Why are you joining the church and not coming to church? Sooner or later the cock is going to crow, and if it's like the rooster across the way from my house, it could be...at any time! Like Peter, we are sinners in need of a Savior. But, like Peter, we have a hint that the rooster is going to crow, eventually, no matter what. The Bible tells us that "it is appointed unto man, to die once, after that, the judgement." When that happens, who's wing would you rather be under,...a fickle rooster, or a loving God's. God Bless You. See You at Sunday School.
