WHY I SHOULD LIVE AS A CHRISTIAN
Introduction:
Tonight I want to focus on one question. I used to think it was simple, until could never find an answer. I eventually decided that when I became a wise and all knowing senior pastor, I would discover the answer. Now that I’m a senior pastor, I still haven’t discovered the answer yet. Please don’t tell me its because I’m not wise and all-knowing
Why won’t people live the christian life actually described in scripture? I mean we tell folks that it is wonderful – the abundant life. God spells out clearly for us how to live it. Why won’t actually people live it?
In grappling with this question, I’ve discovered 2 principles of ministry that help. 1) Developing spiritual habits develops spiritual character.
Read Hebrews 12:1 – 2 and see how the bible teaches this principle.
Well, then why not do this? Why don’t people do this in their lives? The second principle: 2) The effort must be motivated by the correct “why.” So many times folks know What to do but don’t do it. This means they are struggling over the why.
Why not set aside sin which entangles into such messes, destroys our families, get us into debt and then financial ruin, etc? Because people think
• well I’m ok right now
• what I’d have to give up is pleasing to me
• what if I fail
• why work that hard, I’m doing better than him/her over there
Tonight I want to give you three solid, Biblical reasons why you should truly live the Christian life. Not just talk about it or fake it, but live it and live it in earnest.
OUTLINE:
I. THE CROSS
II. THE CONSEQUENCES
III. THE CHARACTER
Read: Hebrews 12: 3 – 11
I. THE CROSS
“Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, …” verse 3.
The Bible is clearly telling us that in evaluating whether we will follow the command to “run the race” that we should consider what it cost Jesus to give us the privilege to “run the race.” If we used Jesus’ sacrifice as a determining factor in our decisions then we would live life much differently. This is why it specifically states “consider Him.”
In “church speak” we have created a cliché which I believe is unfortunate. Preachers often tell folks to “count the cost.” In that we mean, do an evaluation of what it will cost you to give up things you should give up, etc. That is a valid consideration and you do not become a Christian lightly but soberly and knowingly. However, there is a much greater question. It reveals our best Biblical motivation. The real question is not what it will cost me, but what my sin cost Jesus.
When was the last time you actually sat down and considered the cross? Even more important is the question being asked here – When was the last time you were obedient to “consider Him who endured such hostility”? In the midst of a choice, in the midst of struggling with a recurring temptation, in the midst of an invitation time when Pastor has preached and God has spoken to you and told you clearly to commit to join the church or a ministry – Did you think of what it cost Christ on the cross?
The word “consider” is a fascinating word. The root of the word is “to be in correct proportion.” We’d derive the word analogous. In the verb form used here it means to “estimate or consider if it is in correct proportion.” Consider.
What an incredible instruction. We are to evaluate and compare what Jesus went through with what we are or will go through.
TURN TO I PETER 2: 21 – 25
Jesus bore my stripes and yours – see the graphic imagery – so that “we having died to sins, might live for righteousness-by whose stripes you were healed.”
It isn’t an accident God calls us to review the graphic details of the cross. The pain Jesus suffered in our place. Only when we consider in a meditative way do we begin to fathom the truth of “greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friend.”
II. THE CONSEQUENCES
The Bible then says, “You have not yet resisted to bloodshed” “You have not yet been in the condition of striving against sin.” Why is that so for us? “you forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as sons, …” Again, God is telling us to consider something – consider the consequences of your actions.
YOU WILL RECEIVE DISCIPLINE WHEN YOU SIN. It is an incontrovertible fact of scripture. God disciplines His children.
Question: How does God discipline us?
3 general ways: in our effectiveness, in the end, and in eternity.
A. In Our Effectiveness:
See the words chastening and scourging. These are discipline words, meaning our relationship is in a condition or state of being disciplined. As a kid, my brother and sister and I used to say it this way, “Ooooohhhh, you’re in trouble!!!”
There is sin so we aren’t walking in blessing stages of our relationship. When we are being chastening, there are consequences to our sin. We aren’t receiving the blessings of the abundant life. We are in the pruning stages not in the bearing fruit stages. Our effective walk in greatly hindered. For example, in Psalm 66:18, we are reminded that “if we regard iniquity in our hearts, He will not hear our prayers.” I Peter 3: 7 tells husbands if we do not love our wives as we should it is sin and our prayers will be hindered.
B. In the End
The Bible also states this as a given fact. We can be certain there is chastening. Often we get discouraged when we see others who appear to be living in some way other than for Jesus and they don’t seem to be paying the price.
We also will make a choice and then when the sky doesn’t fall in we think we got away with it.
No my friends, God sees long term and He always disciplines in the end. Remember how Dr Adrian Rogers has always taught us and reminded us time and again of the spiritual principle of sowing/reaping. Gal 6 – God is not mocked. You will reap what you sow and God will see to it in the end.
C. In Eternity:
Finally, we need to understand that the real question is eternity. What are the eternal consequences of our choices? What will our reward be in heaven? Consider I Corinthians 3. It states clearly that there will be rewards and loss.
III. THE CHARACTER
The Bible finally says in this passage that God’s chastening and pruning yields “the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Verse 11. Again, He gives us another consideration. He says, “Look son, this isn’t fun but consider what it will create in you – a character of righteousness.”
One of the truly amazing things about being a minister today is that it is so hard to find people who have a true desire to be like Jesus. People want to either do the minimum to get by OR whatever they can get away with without being caught. But where are the people who want to be like Jesus? Who have a desire to live like Jesus?
We have people who want to be right all of the time, but never want to be righteous. We must face this in ourselves and ask ourselves – do I really want to be changed, grown, deepened, pruned to bear more fruit? Is my desire for being like Jesus great enough to motivate me to become like Him.
INVITATION
Let me ask you a question this evening: Why don’t you live the Christian life?
Unsaved Are you a Christian? Is there a time in your life where you can point back to and say I was “___” and realized “Oh man, I’m a sinner and I’m going to die a sinner and spend eternity in hell!” At that time did you in your heart place your life and trust in what Jesus did on the cross to save you?
If not, then I think you know that tonight you need to. Your struggle is actually “Is it worth it to give it up?” Listen, the question is not what you have to give up, but what did Jesus give up for you?
Saved, but not sold out Maybe tonight you’re sitting here knowing you are saved, but you haven’t laid aside certain encumbrances which are weighing you down. You have some specific sins you have been ensnared by and you have struggled with them but haven’t committed to do the spiritual work necessary to get free. Or you think “Hey Greg, I’m alright.” But you know you aren’t running anything that could be called “the race” of the Christian life.
Tonight I want you to consider the cross and Jesus who endured such hostility from sinners; consider that there are consequences to your actions – real discipline from your Heavenly Father; consider the last time in your journey you had a desire to look like Jesus.
Tonight I want you to consider why do I need to make the decision Jesus is calling to me make tonight. And then make it.
