No Price, Too High!

Part 2

 

Sermon Notes

August 16, 2009

Rev. Jim O’Neal, Senior Pastor

Sun Lakes United Methodist Church

9248 E. Riggs Road, Sun Lakes, Arizona 85248

(480) 895-8766

 

Matthew 10:37-39 NRSV

37Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me.  39Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.

 

Matthew 13:44-46 NRSV

44“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 

45“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; 46on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

 

A.  Introduction

 

    1.  Lou Marshall

        a.  The Christian Century Magazine several years back covered a story about a man named Lou Marshall.  Lou was a dedicated Christian, attending Yale Divinity School, and serving in one of New York City’s most impoverished neighborhoods.  His ministry led him to work with some of the areas teenage gang members.  In fact Lou was instrumental in diffusing and stopping a potentially bloody rumble between two rival gangs, the Young Untouchables and the Playboys.  Walking home from the meeting, in which he got the rival gang leaders to agree to postpone their fight, he was attacked by four gang members who resented his interference in gang affairs.  Lou Marshall was beaten savagely and even after he was unconscious on the sidewalk they continued to kick and stomp on him.  There on the streets on New York he was left dying in a pool of his own blood by four of the young men he was trying to help.  Two days later Lou died.

        b.  At his funeral service there were members of both gangs and some hardened lives were changed that day.  Several of the young men left the gang to seek a more positive life style.  The Pastor who led the service, the Reverend Howard Moody of the Judson Memorial Church in Greenwich Village said:  “Lou’s death is a testimony to our failure as human beings and as a city of people to build a place where people can dwell together in peace.  Some people will say that the crumbling pavement on which he died wasn’t worth his life, so full of promise and hope.  Others might say he was foolish to become involved in a way that was so dangerous.  Still I believe that the street has become more holy, because a man’s blood was shed, a man who had the courage to stand there for what he believed was right.”

        c.  The early Christians believed that.  Because of the shedding of the blood of Jesus Christ, the world would be a different, better and more holy place.  Peter would write:  “You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish.” (1 Peter 1:18-19 NRSV)

 

    2.  Sermon Series Scripture:  Matthew 10:37-39, Matthew 13:44-46 & John 3:16-21

        a.  Last Sunday, we talked about what the cross means for us:  Jesus’ loving sacrifice shouts the truth that you are a person of vital worth and infinite potential! 

        b.  Today’s Scripture lessons from Matthew remind us of the cost of our commitment to Christ, and also the deep joy that you can only find by being a follower of Jesus.

 

B.  The cross reminds you that dedication is costly.

    1.  Michelangelo

        a.  Bertoldo di Giovanni knew the cost of commitment.  You may not be familiar with his name, but in his time he was a famous sculptor.  Today, he is often overlooked except that he had a pupil by the name of Michelangelo!  Michelangelo was only fourteen when he came to learn from Bertoldo.  It was apparent that this young man was enormously gifted.  Bertoldo understood that gifted people are often tempted to coast along rather than exert themselves and grow.  Therefore he was persistent in seeking to instill in young Michelangelo a desire to give himself completely to his work.

        b.  One day Bertoldo found Michelangelo toying with a piece of sculpture far beneath his abilities.  Bertoldo grabbed a hammer, stomped across the room, and smashed the work into tiny pieces, shouting as he did this:  “Michelangelo, talent is cheep; dedication is costly!”

    2.  The Disciples of Jesus

        a.  Dedication is costly.  Think of the early followers of Christ.  It cost Matthew his life by the sword in Ethiopia.  It cost Mark his life at the hands of a mob in Alexandria.  Luke was hanged on an olive tree in Greece.  It cost the Apostle John banishment on the Isle of Patmos.  The once doubting, but now believing Thomas as killed with a lance.  Big James was decapitated in Jerusalem.  Little James was thrown from the pinnacle of the Temple and then clubbed to death.  Bartholomew was flayed alive.  Peter was crucified in Rome hung there upside down.  Paul was executed by the State.  Andrew witnessed to the Lord Jesus to the moment of his own death on a cross.  Jude was shot with arrows.

        b.  Make no mistake about it.  The Gospel we treasure was paid for in blood.  That is a part of its greatness.  Talent is cheep.  Dedication is costly.  You and I need this message of the cross, because we are tempted to think that there is some other way.  Husbands and wives want to have lasting marriages, but some want to do it without it costing them their fidelity and freedom.  Parents want to raise Christian children, but too many do not want to pay the price of setting the kind of example necessary to help children know and want to serve the Lord.  Church members want a Church that is vital and alive in their community, one ministering in a powerful way and attracting new followers of Jesus, but too many want someone else to bear the burden of discipleship, service and witness.  People want meaningful, worthwhile, truly joy filled lives, but far too many are not willing to walk the path of discipleship with Jesus, which IS the only way to truly have the “life abundant” (see John 10:10) that Jesus spoke of.

    3.  Today’s Scripture:  Matthew 10:37-39

        a.  Jesus’ words in today’s Scripture lesson seem harsh to many people:  “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me.  Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:37-39 NRSV)

        b.  Clearly the Lord Jesus is trying to remind us of several things.  To begin with, the truth that God is either first in your life or He is not.  And secondly, Jesus gives us a reminder that there is always a cost in following Him.  Today, at least in our country, such commitment may not cost you your life, but it might cost you some friends, bring to you ridicule, loss of business, and even persecution.  And finally, God is telling us that it is only in picking up the cross of Jesus that you find the most meaningful life.

 

C.  In picking up the cross of Jesus, you find the most meaningful life!

    1.  Parable of the Birds

        a.  There is a children’s parable about the creation of the world and the birds receiving their wings from God.  As the birds looked at the other animals on earth, most of them with four limbs for climbing and holding things, the birds felt cheated.  What good were these worthless limbs that God called wings?  These wings had no fingers, claws or toes.  They were not any good for walking on or grabbing and holding food.  Why had God burdened them with these seemingly worthless weights to carry around?  Then the Almighty told them to unfold their wings, open them fully, and flap them up and down.  And the birds joyously learned that these wings were for flying!  A gift that God had given to few other animals!

        b.  The cross might be looked at in a similar way.  As a believer, you do have to carry it.  There is a cost to bearing the cross:  In doing so you will never look at your own life the same way again.  It could even mean losing your life.  But it is the cross that gives your life wings!  It is only through our service and commitment to God that we give our best to the Being and cause greater than our own.

    2.  Today’s Scripture:  Matthew 13:44-46

        a.  Jesus said:  “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.  Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. ” (Matthew 13:44-46 NRSV)

        b.  Jesus compared the Kingdom of God to a pearl of great price.  What He is saying is that God’s Kingdom is worth the price!  Indeed, no price is too high!

 

D.  Conclusion:  Recap… Friends, this is what the cross of Jesus Christ means:

    1.  The cross means that you are a person of vital worth.

    2.  The cross means that you are a person of infinite potential!

    3.  The cross reminds you that dedication is costly.

    4.  In picking up the cross of Jesus, you find the most meaningful life!

 

No Price, Too High!

 

1.  The cross means that you are a person of vital worth.

 

2.  The cross means that you are a person of infinite potential!

 

3.  The cross reminds you that dedication is costly.

 

4.  In picking up the cross of Jesus, you find the most meaningful life!

 

Matthew 10:37-39 NRSV

37“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me.  39Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.”

 

Matthew 13:44-46 NRSV

44“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. 

45Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; 46on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.”