Core Value #2 – SACRIFICE

Matthew 16:21-26 (p. 17)

Last week – Integrity

Today we go from motivation and substance to Methodology.

How will God work in us – what will He direct us to do?

Until we are ready to sacrifice, we will be ORDINARY and NORMAL

God consistently calls for sacrifice

It is the path to supernatural power – extraordinary results

It shows that God is the author of our call and the Lord of our lives

From Adam and Eve, to Abraham and Isaac, to the martyrs of the 1^st century, to God's own Son, Jesus – Sacrifice is a foundational theme of Scripture.

As we celebrate the Lord's Supper today, and see the power of Sacrifice, let's look at God's call for US

1. The Certainty of Sacrifice (v. 21)

"must go" – there was no doubt about the sacrifice to come.

If we hope for a path without sacrifice – we will be frustrated and disappointed

On the other hand – seeing God's working through sacrifice can be exciting and exhilarating

Look at the types of sacrifice Jesus would experience

1. Loss of Control of His life (suffer at the hands of . . .)

2. No support from those who should support (chief priests, elders, teachers of the law)

3. Loss of EVERYTHING

True sacrifice comes from a heart that holds NOTHING back – even when not everything is required

See God's provision in sacrifice – the third day be raised to life

God will not leave you barren from sacrifice – there comes a time of renewal and provision that FULFILLS sacrifice

2. The Distastefulness of Sacrifice (v. 22)

"Never Lord – this shall never happen to you" Why not?

Peter saw sacrifice as something to be avoided.

An unfair consequence of doing right!!!

When we look through eyes of flesh, sacrifice is horrible and distasteful

But looking through eyes of FAITH lets us see sacrifice as an opportunity for God to do wonderful and miraculous things.

3. The Deception that Stops us from Sacrifice (v. 23)

Attributes to "Satan" who Jesus calls "the father of Lies" in John 8.

Satan's main attack is deception

Tries to derail the willingness to sacrifice

Stumbling Block – a word that is the name for the part of the trap that holds the BAIT – the deception of a trap!!!

Sounds good and beneficial but brings death and enslavement

How? Concerned about "the things of men" instead of "the things of God"

4. The Call to Sacrifice (v. 24)

If anyone wants to come after me

This is a statement of clarity – there is no following Jesus without this!

MUST – it is not optional or "sometimes"

3 things

1. Deny himself – to utterly disown, deny, and abstain

INTENSE – same word used for Peter's denial

2. Take up his cross – to choose to pick up the sacrifice

Cross – speaks of a place of suffering and shame

3. Follow me – speaks of identifying with Christ

Be in the same way as.

All of these things speak to a decisive choice to sacrifice. There is a DEDICATION in sacrifice – a COMMITMENT that goes beyond words to actions and devotion

Are you ready to embrace a purpose for your life that is not you?

Sacrifice is not give and take – it is GIVE and GIVE

OT sacrifices – burnt offerings – ALL gone

Cortez in 1519 – explorer of Mexico – burn the ships – no going back

Romans 13:14 – do not make any provision for your flesh

Time to stop playing games – Being a believer is not a hobby or a part of who you are – it is an all consuming calling

1 Cor 10:31 – whatever you do – do to the glory of God

Have you wondered why your spiritual life is empty and weak – are you dabbling or "trying" instead of putting it all on the line

Christianity doesn't work half hearted or part time – it just frustrates

5. The Promise of Sacrifice (v. 25-26)

See the Paradox

Lose life – find it

Save life – lose it

The more you try to make life work on your terms, the more it slips through your fingers.

Gain world – Lose everything

Jesus says the path to life and gain is selflessness EXPRESSED through sacrifice.

So what does this mean to Hope?

We can only succeed in God's call as each of us submit to the call to sacrifice

WHAT is God calling you to sacrifice?

Money – All that we have is HIS – Are we faithfully using what He has given for His kingdom?

My financial philosophy on giving is SACRIFICE

My Desires – what do I want – people's opinions, roles, preferences

Time, Energy, Talents, Attention, Focus – Are we ready to make our lives REVOLVE around the cause of Christ? Matt 6:33 – seek first!!

Enemy – make you focus on what you will LOSE instead of what you will GAIN

Next week – Teamwork

Communion – 1 Peter 2:21