(Easter Sunday Sermon) They had been with him from the beginning, witnessing countless miracles and listening to the amazing teachings and preachings of this most unconventional rabbi. It all came to such a quick end. The crucifixion was so anticlimactic.
You want to be on the right side of history on this issue, or how do you think history will judge you on this fifty years from now? Two phrases you may have heard from time to time when somebody is about to make a very important decision.
We must trust God to make us the church we need to be to serve his people here in our midst and then allow us to expand our reach as we grow into our new self and seek to expand our reach.
Coming to the crucified and risen Christ to receive eternal life and the joy of a personal relationship with Jesus, the Savior of the world, just didn't make sense. It couldn't possibly be that easy. There had to be a catch.
All who want to come after me must say no to themselves, take up their cross, and follow me. All who want to save their lives will lose them. But all who lose their lives because of me and because of the good news will save them.
To me, our scripture for today is that crossroads for Jesus. He knew what lied ahead and he knew that if he took that step there would be no turning back. He knew the weight of the world would be placed upon his shoulders and that, one day, people like you and me would look to him for guidance and comfort.
Jesus never said serving others would be easy. There will be let-downs and failures. The supremely valuable message of salvation in Jesus Christ has been entrusted by God to frail and fallible human beings like us.
Instead, If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. By doing this, you will pile burning coals of fire upon his head. Don't be defeated by evil, but defeat evil with good.
People watch how we Christians live our daily lives and from those observations they decide if they want to be one of us. Because we are Christians, because we have come to God in faith, we are free, but our Christian freedom doesn't mean anything goes.
Therefore, we recognize the right of individuals to dissent when acting under the constraint of conscience and, after having exhausted all legal recourse, to resist or disobey laws that they deem to be unjust or that are discriminately enforced.