Draw the Line- Lent 2

The fifth book in the New Testament, the Acts of the Apostles, tell us stories of the original disciples.  The stories of their martyrdom and later years can be found in a variety of secular and church histories from those time periods.  Did you know that each of the original disciples was martyred except for one? John survived his own execution only to die of natural causes in prison. 

Stephen who replaced Judas Iscariot was stoned to death.  James the Greater was thrust with a sword under the command of King Herod.  Luke was hung in an olive tree in Greece.  Thomas who once doubted but later believed was pierced, tortured, and burned alive in India.  Phillip was tortured and crucified.  He continued to preach while hanging on his cross.  Matthew was stabbed in the back in Ethiopia.  Bartholomew was flogged to death in Armenia.  James the just was thrown off the pinnacle of the temple in Jerusalem.  After he survived the 100 foot fall, the mob clubbed him to death in their frustration.  Simon the Zealot was crucified. Judas Thaddaeus was beaten to death with sticks.  Matthias was stoned to death and then beheaded.  Peter was crucified upside at his request because he did not feel worthy enough to be just like Jesus was. 

For many centuries Foxe’s Book of Martyrs (which holds a collection of these stories and more) was inspirational bedtime reading for Christian families.  Perhaps you and I need to dust this old book off some shelves as well.  (I have two copies.) Martyrdom for Jesus is a reality check for those of us living in the first world of the 21^st century.  Their deaths put our first world problems into perspective.  These real life people who lived and died for Jesus redefine risk and set a different standard for sacrifice. 

Jesus threw down the gauntlet in Luke 9 when he said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.  For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.”  Clearly, when we learn what happened to the first disciples- they took this literally.  For you and me, we can at minimum take this figuratively.  Anything less than the complete surrender of our lives to the Lordship and leadership of Jesus Christ is robbing God of glory that God demands and deserves.  And it is also cheating you and me out of the eternal reward that God has in mind for each of us.

In the words of Pastor Mark, “Time to ante up.  Go all in.  If Jesus is not Lord of all, then Jesus is not Lord at all.”

See you at the ‘all in’ place,

Pastor Michelle

All In- this Lent

Lent have begun and so we journey with Christ to His Cross.  Together we will be sharing in Matt Batterson's book, All In, Zonderzan, 2013.  The following is Matt's opening to the book (with some adaptions) as this story also opened our Sunday message.

Centuries ago a group of daring folks became known as ‘one-way missionaries’.  These were folks who were deeply in love with Jesus and answered the call to serve others which they did by purchasing one way tickets to far off places.  Instead of suitcases, these missionaries often packed everything they needed – clothes, Bibles, etc- into coffins.  And then set sail- saying perhaps what might be a final farewell to family and friends. 

A.W. Milne was one of these brave souls. He set sail from his home within the British Isle to travel to the New Hebrides (what we know as China and Malaysia today).   As he sailed with his coffin packed, William knew that the headhunters there had martyred every missionary sent before him. Milne did not fear for himself because he had already died to himself. For thirty five years he lived among that tribe and loved them.  When he died, the tribe buried him in the middle of their village with this epitaph on his tombstone-

When he came there was no light.

When he left there was no darkness.

The question you and I need to ponder this first Sunday in Lent is this- when did we start believing that God in Jesus wants us to send us to safe places to do easy things?  That faithfulness equals holding fort?  That playing it safe is actually safe?  That there is not greater privilege than sacrifice?  That radical is anything but normal?
            Jesus did not die to keep us safe.  He died to make us dangerous.

Faithfulness is not holding the fort.  It’s storming the gate of hell.  The will of God is not an insurance plan.  It is a daring plan.

The complete surrender of your life to the cause of Jesus isn’t radical.  It’s normal.  It’s time for you and I to quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death.  It’s time to go all in and all out for the All in all who is the Creator of the Cosmos, Redeemer of the Broken, and Sustainer of the Heavy-laden!

In other words- time to pack your coffin and mine!

See you at the All In place,

Pastor Michelle