rec0421-112809<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n David Platt<\/strong><\/p>\n To everyone wanting a safe, untroubled, comfortable life free from danger, stay away from Jesus.<\/p>\n Is it REALLY that risky to follow Jesus?\u00a0 <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n And, if it is, is it REALLY worth it?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n In the late 1940s, the United States government commissioned William Francis Gibbs to work with Unites States Lines and the U.S. Navy to construct an approximately $80 million troop carrier\/ocean liner.\u00a0 The purpose was to design a ship that could speedily carry fifteen thousand troops during time of war.\u00a0 By 1952, construction on the SS Unites States<\/em> was complete.\u00a0 The ship could travel at roughly 44 mph, or 38 knots, and could steam 10,000 miles without stopping for fuel or supplies.<\/p>\n She could outrun any other ship and travel nonstop anywhere in the world in less than ten days.\u00a0 The SS United States<\/em> was the fastest and most reliable troop carrier in the world.<\/p>\n The only catch is, she never carried troops<\/span>.\u00a0 At least not in any official capacity.\u00a0 The ship was put on standby once during the Cuban missile crisis in 1962, but otherwise she was never used in all her capacity by the U.S. Navy.\u00a0<\/p>\n Instead the SS United States<\/em> became a luxury liner for presidents, heads of state, and a variety of other celebrities who traveled on her during her seventeen years of service.\u00a0 As a luxury liner, she couldn\u201d\u2122t carry fifteen<\/span> thousand people.\u00a0 Instead she could house just under two<\/span> thousand passengers.\u00a0 Those passengers could enjoy the luxuries of 695 staterooms, 4 dining salons, 3 bars, 2 theaters, 5 acres of open deck with a heated pool, 19 elevators, and the comfort of the world\u201d\u2122s first fully air-conditioned passenger ship.\u00a0 Instead of a vessel used for battle during wartime, the SS United States<\/em> became a means of indulgence for wealthy patrons who desired to coast peacefully across the Atlantic.<\/p>\n David Platt<\/strong><\/p>\n Things look radically different on a luxury liner than they do on a troop carrier.\u00a0 The faces of soldiers preparing for battle and those of patrons enjoying their bonbons are radically different.\u00a0 The conservation of resources on a troop carrier contrasts sharply with the opulence that characterizes the luxury liner.\u00a0 And the pace at which the troop carrier moves is by necessity much faster than that of the luxury liner.\u00a0 After all, the troop carrier has an urgent task to accomplish; the luxury liner, on the other hand, is free to casually enjoy the trip.<\/p>\n When I think of the history of the SS United States<\/em>, I wonder if she has something to teach us about the history of the church.\u00a0 The church, like the SS United States<\/em>, has been designed for battle.\u00a0 The purpose of the church is to mobilize a people to accomplish a mission.\u00a0 Yet we seem to have turned the church as troop carrier into the church as luxury liner<\/span>.\u00a0 We seem to have organized ourselves, not to engage in battle for the souls of people around the world, but to indulge ourselves in the peaceful comforts of the world.\u201d (Radical<\/span>, 169-171)<\/p>\n Today in America, it is difficult to distinguish between the lifestyle of the average church attender and the average unchurched citizen.<\/p>\n I\u201d\u2122m convinced that the reason is that we have, in our minds and hearts and worship and churches, recreated Jesus to be the model U.S. citizen and proponent of \u201cThe American Dream\u201d.\u00a0 And such attempted reshaping of\u00a0 Who Jesus really is, is no less than idolatry\u201d\u201dand results in just another invention of human religion\u201d\u00a6NOT the worship of the Son of God.<\/p>\n David Platt<\/strong><\/p>\n As long as Christianity looks like the American dream, we will have few problems in this world.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n HOW is it possible that we\u201d\u2122ve arrived at this place?<\/p>\n It seems to me that when the radical calls of Jesus are ignored or explained away, it is then easy to box Him up in a way that suits our desires.<\/p>\n However, if we face Jesus as He\u201d\u2122s revealed Himself, we begin to realize that following Him is risky!\u00a0 But, if we\u201d\u2122ll listen\u201d\u201dand keep following\u201d\u201dwe\u201d\u2122ll discover that He\u201d\u2122s worth it all.<\/p>\n The rest found in following Jesus is worth all of the risks required<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Matthew 10:5-42 (MSG)<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a05-8<\/sup>Jesus sent his twelve harvest hands out with this charge:<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>\u00a0RISK Loving the Needy<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0“Don’t begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don’t try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously.<\/p>\n Notice that Jesus isn\u201d\u2122t just talking about the poor\u201d\u201dHe\u201d\u2122s talking about all of those in our community who are most needy.<\/p>\n That is happening here at Cross Road!\u00a0 From the Food Pantry to your openness to love whoever comes through the door!<\/p>\n Never let up, never back down from intentionally reaching out to those who need help the most!\u00a0 That is the heartbeat of Jesus!<\/p>\n RISK Loving the Needy<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a02.<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0RISK Contentment <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a09-10<\/sup>“Don’t think you have to put on a fund-raising campaign before you start. You don’t need a lot of equipment. You are the equipment, and all you need to keep that going is three meals a day. Travel light.<\/p>\n \u00a011<\/sup>“When you enter<\/a> a town or village, don’t insist on staying in a luxury inn. Get a modest place with some modest people, and be content there until you leave.<\/p>\n THAT is risky stuff!<\/p>\n In our country\u201d\u201dand in our own hearts\u201d\u201dto be content with just our daily needs is risky, isn\u201d\u2122t it?\u00a0 Contentment is living on the edge\u201d\u00a6because what if it\u201d\u2122s not enough?<\/p>\n 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19 (MSG)<\/strong><\/p>\n 6-8<\/sup>A devout life does bring wealth, but it’s the rich simplicity of being yourself before God. Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that’s enough.<\/p>\n \u00a09-10<\/sup>But if it’s only money these leaders are after, they’ll self-destruct in no time. Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble. Going down that path, some lose their footing in the faith completely and live to regret it bitterly ever after.<\/p>\n 17-19<\/sup>Tell those rich in this world’s wealth to quit being so full of themselves and so obsessed with money, which is here today and gone tomorrow. Tell them to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage\u201d\u201dto do good, to be rich<\/a> in helping others, to be extravagantly generous. If they do that, they’ll build a treasury that will last, gaining life that is truly life.<\/p>\n Do we REALLY want people around us to know our Jesus?\u00a0 I believe this\u201d\u201dif we would even begin to try to learn contentment, if we would scale down our lives in order to channel more time, energy and even money into loving others in Jesus\u201d\u2122 name, you can bet that the folks you know that have no interest in Jesus would soon sit up and take notice\u201d\u00a6and start asking what\u201d\u2122s wrong with us!\u00a0 And we\u201d\u2122d be able to tell them about our wonderfully crazy Savior!<\/p>\n In fact, I see and hear and feel the rumblings of this kind of contentment growing right here at Cross Road!<\/p>\n RISK Contentment <\/span><\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0RISK Rejection<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a012-15<\/sup>“When you knock on a door, be courteous in your greeting. If they welcome you, be gentle in your conversation. If they don’t welcome you, quietly withdraw. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way. You can be sure that on Judgment Day they’ll be mighty sorry\u201d\u201dbut it’s no concern of yours now.<\/p>\n Trust God with how folks receive you!\u00a0 Prove that you trust Him by being gracious to those who reject you\u201d\u00a6and move on!<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Romans 12:14-19 (NLT)<\/strong><\/p>\n 14<\/sup> Bless those who persecute you. Don\u201d\u2122t curse them; pray that God will bless them. 15<\/sup> Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. 16<\/sup> Live in harmony with each other. Don\u201d\u2122t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don\u201d\u2122t think you know it all!<\/p>\n \u00a017<\/sup> Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18<\/sup> Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.<\/p>\n \u00a019<\/sup> Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God.<\/p>\n RISK Rejection<\/span><\/em>\u201d\u00a6and respond with enemy-love!<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 4.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>\u00a0RISK Danger<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a016<\/sup>“Stay alert. This is hazardous work I’m assigning you. You’re going to be like sheep running through a wolf pack<\/span><\/em>, so don’t call attention to yourselves. Be as cunning as a snake, inoffensive as a dove.<\/p>\n \u00a017-20<\/sup>“Don’t be naive. Some people will impugn your motives, others will smear your reputation\u201d\u201djust because you believe in me. Don’t be upset when they haul you before the civil authorities. Without knowing it, they’ve done you\u201d\u201dand me\u201d\u201da favor, given you a platform for preaching the kingdom news! And don’t worry about what you’ll say or how you’ll say it. The right words will be there; the Spirit of your Father will supply the words.<\/p>\n \u00a021-23<\/sup>“When people realize it is the living God you are presenting and not some idol that makes them feel good, they are going to turn on you<\/span><\/em>, even people in your own family<\/span><\/em>. There is a great irony here: proclaiming so much love, experiencing so much hate! But don’t quit. Don’t cave in. It is all well worth it in the end. It is not success you are after in such times but survival. Be survivors! Before you’ve run out of options, the Son of Man will have arrived.<\/p>\n \u00a026-27<\/sup>“Don’t be intimidated. Eventually everything is going to be out in the open, and everyone will know how things really are. So don’t hesitate to go public now.<\/p>\n \u00a028<\/sup>“Don’t be bluffed into silence by the threats of bullies. There’s nothing they can do to your soul, your core being. Save your fear for God, who holds your entire life\u201d\u201dbody and soul\u201d\u201din his hands<\/span><\/em>.<\/p>\n How crazy is all that?\u00a0 Is following Jesus risky?\u00a0 If we obey Him\u201d\u201dwhich is the only way to truly follow Him\u201d\u201dit will be!<\/p>\n RISK Danger<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>\u00a0REALIZE This is What it Means to Follow Jesus<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a024-25<\/sup>“A student doesn’t get a better desk than her teacher. A laborer doesn’t make more money than his boss. Be content\u201d\u201dpleased, even\u201d\u201dwhen you, my students, my harvest hands, get the same treatment I get. If they call me, the Master, ‘Dungface,’ what can the workers expect<\/span><\/em>?<\/p>\n By the way\u201d\u201d\u201cDungface\u201d is a good translation.\u00a0 Beelzebub literally means \u201clord of the flies\u201d\u201d\u00a6and where to flies love to swarm??\u00a0 You got it!\u00a0 This was the Hebrew way of insulting someone\u201d\u00a6and things really haven\u201d\u2122t changed too much, have they?<\/p>\n \u00a032-33<\/sup>“Stand up for me against world opinion and I’ll stand up for you before my Father in heaven. If you turn tail and run, do you think I’ll cover for you?<\/p>\n \u00a034-37<\/sup>“Don’t think I’ve come to make life cozy<\/span><\/em>.<\/p>\n WHAT?\u00a0 You mean Jesus isn\u201d\u2122t here to make my life comfortable and happy\u201d\u00a6you mean He didn\u201d\u2122t come in order to be my Enabler in my pursuit of the American dream?\u00a0 GASP!<\/p>\n I’ve come to cut\u201d\u201dmake a sharp knife-cut between son and father, daughter and mother, bride and mother-in-law\u201d\u201dcut through these cozy domestic arrangements and free you for God. Well-meaning family members can be your worst enemies. If you prefer father or mother over me, you don’t deserve me. If you prefer son or daughter over me, you don’t deserve me.<\/p>\n \u00a038-39<\/sup>“If you don’t go all the way with me, through thick and thin, you don’t deserve me. If your first concern is to look after yourself, you’ll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you’ll find both yourself and me<\/span><\/em>.<\/p>\n REALIZE This is What it Means to Follow Jesus<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 6.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>\u00a0REST in Your Father\u201d\u2122s Love<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a029-31<\/sup>“What’s the price of a pet canary? Some loose change, right? And God cares what happens to it even more than you do. He pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail\u201d\u201deven numbering the hairs on your head! So don’t be intimidated by all this bully talk. You’re worth more than a million canaries.<\/p>\n \u00a010-14<\/sup> He found him out in the wilderness, No matter what risk God calls us to take, His LOVE is greater and stronger and wider and deeper and more valuable than anything we stand to lose!\u00a0<\/p>\n REST in Your Father\u201d\u2122s Love<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n The rest found in following Jesus is worth all of the risks required<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Conclusion<\/em><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n All that we have considered from Jesus\u201d\u2122 commissioning of His disciples flies in the face of the American dream.\u00a0<\/p>\n Will we listen and let Jesus steer our hearts and lives?<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n David Platt<\/strong><\/p>\n Ultimate satisfaction is found not in making much of ourselves but in making much of God.\u00a0 The purpose of our lives transcends the country and culture in which we live.\u00a0 Meaning is found in community, not individualism; joy is found in generosity, not materialism; and truth is found in Christ, not universalism.\u00a0 Ultimately, Jesus is a reward worth risking everything to know, experience, and enjoy<\/em>\u201d\u00a6When we risk our lives to run after Christ, we discover the safety that is found only in his sovereignty, the security that is found only in his love, and the satisfaction that is found only in his presence<\/em><\/strong>.\u00a0 This is the eternally great reward, and we would be foolish to settle for anything less.<\/p>\n Jim Elliot<\/strong><\/p>\n He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.<\/p>\n So\u201d\u00a6<\/p>\n How can YOU risk<\/span><\/strong>\u201d\u00a6<\/p>\n 1)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em>\u00a0Loving the Needy<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n 2)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em>\u00a0Rejection<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n 3)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em>\u00a0Contentment<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n 4)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/em>\u00a0Danger<\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n The rest found in following Jesus is worth all of the risks required<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Message by Chad Kelly rec0421-112809 \u00a0 \u00a0 David Platt To everyone wanting a safe, untroubled, comfortable life free from danger, stay away from Jesus. Is it REALLY that risky to follow Jesus?\u00a0 And, if it is, is it REALLY worth … Continue reading The Risks and Rest of Following Jesus<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n
Deuteronomy 32:10 (MSG)<\/h3>\n
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0in an empty, windswept wasteland.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0He threw his arms around him, lavished attention on him,
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0guarding him as the apple of his eye.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0He was like an eagle hovering over its nest,
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0overshadowing its young,
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Then spreading its wings, lifting them into the air,
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0teaching them to fly.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0God alone led him;
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0there was not a foreign god in sight.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0God lifted him onto the hilltops,
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0so he could feast on the crops in the fields.
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0He fed him honey from the rock,
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0oil from granite crags,
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Curds of cattle and the milk of sheep,
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0the choice cuts of lambs and goats,
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Fine Bashan rams, high-quality wheat,
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0and the blood of grapes: you drank good wine!<\/p>\n