Why Follow Christ? Introduction. By Mark Mayberry 4/8/2012 THE SECOND COMING. By William Butler Yeats ( )

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1 Why Follow Christ? By Mark Mayberry 4/8/2012 Introduction THE SECOND COMING By William Butler Yeats ( ) TURNING and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity. Surely some revelation is at hand; Surely the Second Coming is at hand. The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi Troubles my sight: somewhere in sands of the desert A shape with lion body and the head of a man, A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun, Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it Reel shadows of the indignant desert birds. The darkness drops again; but now I know That twenty centuries of stony sleep Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle, And what rough beast, its hour come round at last, Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born? The poet Yeats once wrote, Things fall apart; the center cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world... In his apocalyptic novel, Love In The Ruins, Walker Percy depicts America some years in the future, after it has fallen into decay. Weeds and vines cover the highways. Cars and trucks are deserted for lack of fuel. Buildings sit empty and vacant. Cities and suburbs crumble. People have separated into suspicious, frightened clans. They are warlike and savage. Fear and cynicism rule the day. If this apocalyptic vision ever becomes reality, what would be the cause? The answer is simple: The center did not hold.

2 I love my country, but fear for its future. Unless society is based upon truth and justice, it is doomed to decay and ultimate destruction. Without a knowledge of God, without respect for one s neighbor, without concern for the helpless, our future is dark. No culture that has lost its moral footing can long prosper (Psa. 107:33-34; Prov. 14:34). Psalm 107:33-34 (NASB95) 33 He changes rivers into a wilderness And springs of water into a thirsty ground; 34 A fruitful land into a salt waste, Because of the wickedness of those who dwell in it. Proverbs 14:34 (NASB95) 34 Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a disgrace to any people. What is true for society is also true for the individual. Both require a firm foundation. Does your faith have a solid footing? Is your hope grounded upon a rock? Will your anchor hold in the storms of life? Faulty Reasons For Discipleship Health I have seen no evidence that fewer Christians die of cancer than non-believers. I have lost family to this dreaded disease. I have seen brothers and sisters in Christ, whom I loved and respected, suffer with this mysterious affliction. The fact that they belonged to Christ did not protect them from sickness and disease. Needless to say, I firmly believe in God s providence. I will not deny or dispute any evidence of restored health. I will rejoice at every recovery from what seems to be hopeless, threatened death. I will continue to pray for those who are sick (2 Tim. 4:19-21; James 5:13-16). I will set no limits on what God may do. Yet, I understand that the people of God are not immune to illness and disease. Therefore, I will not follow Christ for promised healing. 2 Timothy 4:19-21 (NASB95) 19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus remained at Corinth, but Trophimus I left sick at Miletus. 21 Make every effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, also Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brethren. James 5:13-16 (NASB95) 13 Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; 15 and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. 2

3 Long Life I am not convinced that Christians live any longer than other persons. Obviously, following God s word helps us avoid life-shortening acts of folly. A fruit of wisdom is long life (Prov. 3:13-16). However, the angel of death is no respector of persons. He comes for both the young and the aged. He takes, not only the feeble, but also those in the prime of life. No one is assured of tomorrow (James 4:13-15). Although I will be grateful for every day of grace, I will not follow Christ for the promise of long years. Proverbs 3:13-16 (NASB95) 13 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding. 14 For her profit is better than the profit of silver And her gain better than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than jewels; And nothing you desire compares with her. 16 Long life is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor. James 4:13-15 (NASB95) 13 Come now, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit. 14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. 15 Instead, you ought to say, If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that. Protection I see no indication that Christians escape disaster more often than others. Misfortune befalls the faithful and the unfaithful. Calamity does not discriminate between the righteous and the wicked (Luke 13:1-5). Therefore I will not follow Christ for any promised protection from disaster, either man-made or natural. I will not scoff at stories of deliverance. I affirm the providence of God, and will continue to pray for His protection (Psa. 23:1-6). Yet, I recognize that tragedy can befall us all. Therefore, I will not follow Christ to guarantee my physical safety. Luke 13:1-5 (NASB95) 1 Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus said to them, Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans because they suffered this fate? 3 I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Psalm 23:1-6 (NASB95) 1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 3

4 Prosperity I have not observed that Christians are especially favored with material prosperity. Some brethren are quite wealthy, but most are of modest means. Many disciples struggle to make ends meet. Therefore, I will not follow Christ in hope of silver and gold. I fully recognize that God has promised to care for His own (Matt. 6:31-33). Like the Psalmist David, we can be assured that God will never forsake the righteous (Psa. 37:25). Yet, He never promised earthly mansions. In fact, our earthly existence may be difficult and demanding. Thus, I will not follow Christ for material blessings. Matthew 6:31-33 (NASB95) 31 Do not worry then, saying, What will we eat? or What will we drink? or What will we wear for clothing? 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Psalm 37:25 (NASB95) 25 I have been young and now I am old, Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken Or his descendants begging bread. Valid Reasons For Discipleship Why then follow Jesus? Why obey His word when faithfulness often complicates our lives? Why follow Him when discipleship demands diligent service, continual watchfulness and zealous devotion? Why submit to Christ when it means heartache, trials and persecution? Revelation & Radiance Why follow Christ? Because in Jesus we behold the face of God. He is God manifested in the flesh (John 1:1-5, 14). To see the Son is to see the Father (John 14:6-9). He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation (Col. 1:15-18). He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, upholding all things by the word of His power (Heb. 1:1-4). John 1:1-5 (NASB95) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. John 1:14 (NASB95) 14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 14:6-9 (NASB95) 6 Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. 7 If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; from now on you know Him, and have seen Him. 8 Philip said to Him, Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us. 9 Jesus said to him, Have I 4

5 been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, Show us the Father? Colossians 1:15-18 (NASB95) 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. 18 He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. Hebrews 1:1-4 (NASB95) 1 God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, 2 in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. 3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much better than the angels, as He has inherited a more excellent name than they. Reconciliation & Redemption Why follow Christ? Because through His life, death and resurrection, I am reconciled (Col. 1:19-22) and redeemed (1 Pet. 1:17-19). Accordingly, I present my body as a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:1-2). As a living stone, I am made a part of His spiritual house (1 Pet. 2:4 5). Colossians 1:19-22 (NASB95) 19 For it was the Father s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. 21 And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, 22 yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach 1 Peter 1:17-19 (NASB95) 17 If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. Romans 12:1-2 (NASB95) 1 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. 1 Peter 2:4 5 (NASB95) 4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5 you also, as living 5

6 stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Reason & Reality Why follow Christ? Because He is the one certain thing in this uncertain world. He is the bright and morning star (Rev. 22:16). He provides reason for living (Phil. 1:21-26), and offers hope in the face of death (2 Cor. 5:1-9). Whether my life is damaged or whole, brief or full of years, it matters not. Jesus is all that matters. He is the center that holds. Revelation 22:16 (NASB95) 16 I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star. Philippians 1:21-26 (NASB95) 21 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 22 But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. 23 But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; 24 yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again. 2 Corinthians 5:1-9 (NASB95) 1 For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, 3 inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked. 4 For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge. 6 Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight 8 we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. 9 Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. Conclusion Why follow Christ? Because His love compels and controls us (2 Cor. 5:10-15). Therefore, will you not be like Him, both in time and eternity (1 John 3:1-3)? 2 Corinthians 5:10-15 (NASB95) 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men, but we are made manifest to God; and I hope that we are made manifest also in your consciences. 12 We are not again commending ourselves to you but are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you will have an answer for those who 6

7 take pride in appearance and not in heart. 13 For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; 15 and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. 1 John 3:1-3 (NASB95) 1 See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. 2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. Source: Adapted and revised from a sermon that my uncle John Hutcheson, Jr. preached at the Granny White Church of Christ in Nashville, TN ca