Everywhere we look today, someone is offended. They are seeking safety from the offense, or the offender. They hurl accusations at the one who theoretically caused the offense. Or cry. There are the criers as well.
I heard a wonderful sermon recently. The topic was extraordinary ministry. Since I have come to the place in my life where I consider writing as a ministry, it was very uplifting and encouraging to apply the points to my different platforms of writing.
What connection, if any, do these two paragraphs have you may ask. Hang around, I'm going to get there. If I don't offend you in the process. And if I do, try to make it through to the end. Grab your blankie, or color book and markers, if that helps. (See, there I go already)
After this message, my husband and I were talking with the man who delivered the sermon. John was telling him how much he enjoyed the service and loved the call to action that was given. Drawing near the end of his outline, the pastor had mentioned how only about 17% of the membership was currently making up the volunteer workforce of the ministry. For a church with an attendance on our campus of over 1500, that's stretched very thin. He gave his personal testimony then of how he and his wife threw themselves into ministry as a young married couple, and it became a way of life for nearly forty years. Everything from tithing, nursery work, to eventually coming on staff as a pastor.
He stood there and told us how he knew that this subject would cause many of the listeners to feel uncomfortable. In fact, he had even led with an apology of sorts as he broached the subject from the platform. He recognized that he was about to 'step on some toes', but felt it was important enough to call this need to everyone's attention. The call to step up, to step in, to pour one's life into ministry for Christ was put out before us. Hands went up, knees were bent, and hearts were surrendered.
Were some offended? I'm sure. Was there some uncomfortable fidgeting? No doubt. Were there some emails received that week, as we were told would be expected? I would not be surprised. I would expect it, I suppose. After all, there is precedence.
Let me regress a bit. We have been so influenced by the voices of society, by culture, that we believe tolerance is the same as grace and truth. It's not. Tolerance is just a step away from acceptance, which is a hop away from celebration. Put any attitude, behavior, sin if you will, in that progression and see if it is not so.
Jesus did not confuse them. He exercised grace towards all, but didn't tolerate sin. He called out half-hearted service even if it offended, or made someone uncomfortable. Some could handle it, while others could not. A few examples? Sure.
Matthew chapter 19. The rich young ruler comes to Jesus, I believe sincerely, wanting to know how to be His disciple. When Jesus tells him that he needs to sell his goods and give them all away, "When the young man heard this, he went away sad because he had great wealth". He was uncomfortable sacrificing everything.
John chapter four tells of when Jesus encounters the Samaritan woman at the well, He calls her out on an uncomfortable truth in her life. "Jesus said to her, 'You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband.'" Rather than be offended, this woman believes that He is the Christ, and runs and begins to tell others.
There are multiple sayings of Jesus that caused the religious leaders, the crowds and even His disciples to feel uncomfortable, and offended. Things that today are very counter-culture.
Haven't you read...that at the beginning, the Creator made them male and female. Matt. 19:4
For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife..Mark 10:7
Sell everything you have and give to the poor Luke 18:22
If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Luke 17:3
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell...the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched. Matt 10:28
I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6
All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Matthew 28:18
If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. John 15:18
If Jesus were to walk our streets today, if He were to preach to crowds on college campuses, in sports arenas, stream live on social media platforms, He would cause people to feel uncomfortable, to say the least. Safe places would be overrun. Cancel culture would have its work cut out. Because He did not come with a spirit of tolerance, nor to make people feel comfortable.
The Gospel is uncomfortable. To be told that we are living in a sinful state that we are unable to free ourselves from; a grip from which we are powerless to save ourselves from can make us feel uncomfortable. To hear the message that our good works cannot redeem us, that our religion is not effective enough and that our only hope is through One Man: the God Man Jesus Christ, can be and is offensive to many.
"For the preaching of the cross is to those who perish foolishness, but to us who are saved, it is the power of God. I Cor. 1:18
Yes, it is an uncomfortable Gospel, and is not comfortable to hear, to receive, nor all that comfortable to deliver. But nor was Christ's position on the cross comfortable. And our position in life without Him is way beyond uncomfortable.
I suppose what I am seeing is that we are going to feel discomfort at some point. It is in our power to choose where and when.
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