Today's Passage - Luke 14:25-27

River of Life Christian Church ︳www.rolcc.net/english Luke 14:25-27   Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 'If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life - he cannot be my disciple.  And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.   Do we believe in a "budget gospel?"  It's a budget gospel if all we want is the blessing of god, but we don't what to pay any price to follow Christ.  In this passage, Jesus told us clearly that if anyone wants to follow Him, he must sacrifice himself and carry his cross to follow Jesus.  When Jesus calls someone, He calls the person to die for Him.  It may not be a physical death, but it's to put our old life to death and accept the new life of Christ.   Everyone likes to care for our own body.  We want all kind of grace from God, but we don't want to hear about the price we nee to pay.  It's most obvious when you open the Bible and look at what passages had red and blue underlines, and you'll see that most of them are promises and blessings of God.  Such behavior is like how a child eats jam sandwich - he will eat the part with the jam and give the crust of the bread back to you.  When we read God's word, we like to find the parts that please us; when we read Luke 12:32, "do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom," we give thanks loudly and say "Amen!  Praise the Lord!"  But when we reach the next sentence, "sell your possessions and give to the poor," we immediately think that's not what the Lord is telling us.   When we memorize scripture passages, we like to memorize "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest," but then we neglect the following sentence: "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me..."   Thus, some have said that the gospel we believe in is the "fifth gospel," one that only has grace and blessing, but nothing about the price that we have to pay.  This is a human-centered gospel, a gospel that is created to satisfy human needs, but it's not the gospel of Jesus Christ.   Christians today are living without power, churches don't have great testimonies, and God's kingdom is not expanding because too many people are believers of the fifth gospel.  They want grace and blessings, but they are not willing to offer themselves for God's work.  If we want to live a life on earth that glorifies God and edifies people, we must be true disciples for the sake of God, and we must carry our cross and follow our Lord.   Pray with Pastor Tong           Dear Lord, please help us to be determined in following you.  Let us depart from living in the fifth gospel; when we enjoy your grace, we will also pay the price to follow you daily.  May the Holy Spirit strengthen us, enable us to live a life that pleases you.  I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!