Today's Sermon

I've been quite remiss in doing this lately... I could blame it on my hectic schedule, but the plain fact is I've just been lazy about it.

Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

Today's sermon began with the intense tale of Russian soldiers who invaded a house church. The house church members had to be so careful to not arrive at the same time, to sing softly so the neighbors would not hear or complain and to leave at separate times so as not to call attention to the one hosting the service. One time, two soldiers burst into the meeting, and pointing their guns at those in the room intoned, "Those who would renounce Christ may leave without fear of retribution." Several left. Again, the soldiers gave the church members an opportunity to leave saying, "Are you willing to die for your faith? If not, you may leave without fear of retribution." Others left. A last time, the soldiers said, "If you leave now, you will not suffer the consequences of your faith." More left. There was silence for a while, and then the soldiers put down their guns, closed the doors and asked those who remained to join them in singing the songs of the faith as they were Christians, too. When asked why they didn't just join them upon entering the house, they replied, "Those who would so easily renounce or give up their faith cannot be trusted."

As Christians, our actions are judged by the world. The cost of discipleship is sometimes quite steep. Will the seeds that spring up and grow in the good soil wither under the hardships of life?

Our Pastor compared American Christianity to the thorns that choke out the seed. These thorns lack pure or good doctrine and the consequences of that, such as works righteousness and error can lead to death.

Since so many are lost and apathetic, our Pastor compared that to the hard soil. Indifference is deadly, too. (When he was saying this I was thinking of the church in Revelation where the lukewarm were spat out.)

Since Christ accomplished it all for us upon the cross, we should not fear His charge to us to take up His cross and follow Him. Although we may not be perfect, there will be fruit that is borne of this through the help, love and grace of our steadfast and immovable God who works through us to accomplish His purposes.

So, if you were given the choice as those in the house church were, what would you do? Would you run? Or stay? Pray that the Holy Spirit will give you the courage and conviction to stay.