What Are You Willing To Sacrifice?

The Holy Spirit | 6/11/14 | Chuck Ness

[OneVike]

Are you living a safe and comfortable life? Then maybe you are not doing enough, because carrying your cross should be a difficult thing to do. It was for Him, and he did anyway.

Tertullian said that The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church. Yet today I see the church in America dieing a slow death due to the fact that the Saints in America like their blood too much to offer it as a sacrifice for Christ and His church today.

That's because too many Christians in America are so connected to the world that they refuse to face the danger Christ told us we must face for Him. Jesus said to the disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. (Matthew 16:24-25) At the time the disciples did not understand that Jesus was going to die on the cross.

Imagine if Paul was more worried about his flesh than his soul? Paul, and the rest of the Apostles picked up their cross and followed Christ to their death. Like Paul, they faced many dangers and I am convinced they all came close to death many times before they paid the ultimate price of following Christ.

Remember, if your doing the Lords work, He does not promise that you will succeed at your task unmarked or even alive. What he promises, is eternal existence in a place He has prepared for you in one of the Fathers mansions. If you die in the process of carrying that cross, then the Lord is saying your work in the world is complete and it's time to take up residence in your new home in Heaven.

I do know one thing. Christ is watching Christians in America who are so comfortable in their life that they will never even consider risking it all for Him. Is that you?

I pray that those who have ears to hear, will hear His
voice and call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen

[OneVike]

I am amazed at the number of people who will sacrifice all they have for their country. While I thank God for those who stepped up to fight and defend our rights and to secure our freedom, it is quite telling that when it comes time to give all for the Word, the soldiers are few and far between.

[OneVike]

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[Alamo-Girl]

Sad but true, dear brother in Christ!

[Kackikat]

Everyone’s cross is different, for one person it might be a spouse who is dying, for another it may be loss of a job, and although we must all witness for Christ....you act like everyone is to run out in the street and die in some dramatic display.

The Church’s falling away was predicted prior to Christ’s return...Apostasy.

Being in God’s perfect will isn’t always easy and we lead people to Christ where we are, or where we are sent by the Holy Spirit. We are not ‘cookie cutter Christians’ so what may be perceived as ‘not giving all’ may be an Intercessor praying for the World’s problems in their prayer closet. Exactly where they are supposed to be. God knows and he rewards.

I prefer to believe that those ‘who are called’ are doing what they are called to do. ‘The rain falls on the just and the unjust’ but if we are faithful to our own calling, ‘in due season we will reap if we faint not’. And eventually the seeds will bare obvious fruit.

[OneVike]

I am sure you believe that most Christians are doing what the Holy Spirit is leading them to do. I would disagree.

There are way too many Christians in America, that are living lives which are totally indistinguishable from the world around them.

Next time you go to church, ask your fellow brother and sister what they have been doing all week. Or just stand near some brothers and sisters talking about their week, or what they plan on doing. No need to eavesdrop, they will be loud enough to hear.

I promise you will get many of the same responses you would get if you asked a bunch of good old boys shooting pool at the local bar.

I understand we are not all cookie cutter Christians, and yes some have extenuating circumstances they have no control over or need to stay near home to help loved ones, but your excuse rings hallow my friend. Those you mention are the exceptions to the rule, they are not the rule.

[ifinnegan]

7 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. 3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

6 “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.

—

18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.”[c]

20 Then He began to rebuke the cities in which most of His mighty works had been done, because they did not repent: 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be[d] brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I say to you that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment than for you.”

_____

What’s the deal with the Hollywood image idolatry?

_____

25 At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. 26 Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight. 27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

[Patriot Babe]

Exactly I recall someone on TV stating that Christians here in the US are SPOIL. Yes he said SPOIL. Not all Christians, of course. He stated because their brother and sister in Christ around the world like China and the Middle East are being PHYSICALLY PERSECUTED we do not have there here ...YET. Christians here are living in a comfort zone. However, like he said how long will that comfort zone last?

[.45 Long Colt]

For your consideration:

Idolatry in the Evangelical Camp
Pictures of “Christ” or the Glory of God?
By J. Virgil Dunbar & Richard Bennett

http://www.bereanbeacon.org/article/sorted/04_Idolatry_and_the_Gospel/Idolatry_in_the_Evangelical_Camp.pdf

[SoConPubbie]

Yet today I see the church in America dieing a slow death due to the fact that the Saints in America like their blood too much to offer it as a sacrifice for Christ and His church today.

The author of this article seems to be confused.

Those aren't Saints, they aren't even Christians, and they certainly are not Born Again.

[sauropod]

I am amazed at the accusatory tone of the article.

While I am prepared to give, and will give all, if called upon by God to do so, it does not follow that one has to give up everything just to exhibit some sort of outward holiness to satisfy someone else.

My understanding is that one must be prepared to give no matter what state one finds oneself in.

So this "article" is hogwash.

[OneVike]

Jesus tells us to give all, not me. I just shared His words.

“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. (Matthew 16:24-25)

[OneVike]

Many of them are not, but quite a few are. On the day of atonement many will call on His name, and he will deny them as not of Him.

So many will be sadly mistaken, when they thought they were Christians.

However, to deny that true Christians in America are not sitting on their laurels is to deny the facts.

There are seven churches that describe the different types of a Christian’s walk. You chose which you want to be. Christ already knows which you are, and will be.

[sauropod]

My comments still stand, and I also know Jesus.

Peace.

[boatbums]

Jesus tells us to give all, not me. I just shared His words.

“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. (Matthew 16:24-25)

He also said:

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matt. 11:29,30)

[Kackikat]

The Falling Away of the Church has happened or is happening...that’s a fact. However, you are preaching to the choir here. And condemnation never moves people to action.

Yes, sacrifice is good but the Bible says in Vs 22 ‘to obey is better than sacrifice.” I Samuel 15 22-23 And in Vs 23 the prophet explains how arrogance caused Saul to commit idolatry (self in front of God). In the first part of Chapter 15 God told Saul what to do and what he did may have appeared good to him, but it was disobedience to God.

Saul decided in his heart to sacrifice the sheep he left alive to God...that is not what God wanted or told him to do. God wanted total obedience.

Many Christians want to do for God what they think is best and have others do the same thing, when in fact it is NOT what God asked for in the first place. That is why we are in this mess already.

So my answer to you is “Why would I ask my fellow brother and sister what they have been doing all week? It’s none of my business, because I am not their God. They have been told by God what to do, and it may not be what you or I were told to do....so our criticizing them may be criticizing God’s will for their life.

I Thessalonians 4:11 Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life,to mind your own business and to work with your hands just as we told you....

In conclusion, Jesus ate with sinners, prostitutes, and murderous theives...so judging what some other Christian does is not what God wants me to do. That person may be where they are in order to help lead someone to Christ.

I know where I have found those who would listen and accept Christ...and it wasn’t in the Church building. I have a lot of souls to my credit, how many have you led to Christ?

My excuse is not lame, my actions have had results....so take you self-rightousness and learn what God really wants, and I will let God judge between you and me.

[fr_freak]

I think a few of these replies demonstrate your point exactly. Some defensiveness here.

[OneVike]

Yes, I was thinking the same thing. Why be so defensive, unless they feel convicted.

[Salvation]

We only need to satisfy God. Think eternally — not next door.