Family Tradition

SUMMER SERMON SERIES: SCHOOL OF COUNTRY

Text for this week's sermon/conversation at The River:  Luke 14:25-35 (NLT)

Hank Williams Jr:  "I am very proud of my daddy's name, although his kinda music and mine ain't exactly the same. Stop and think it over, put yourself in my position. If I get stoned and sing all night long, it's a family tradition."

Jesus of Nazareth:  “If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple."

Hmmmm... so here's a question: What does it mean to be a "Christian" anyway? Is it merely a matter of coming to a place of emotional meltdown... whereas you want to give your life to Jesus, so you fall on your knees and ask for forgiveness - and subsequently ask him to take residence in your heart?  Or does it mean that your life radically changes forever... whereas your priorities are turned upside down, and all of your presuppositions are challenged in light of what the Bible has to say?

Yes... exactly.

Becoming a Christian is an event which can often happen in a specific moment... when a person becomes acutely aware of the totality and heaviness of his or her sins - and desperately seeks to live in alignment with the teachings and promises of Jesus Christ.  In a terrifyingly beautiful intersection of human despair and divine peace that passes all human understanding, a person becomes simultaneously emptied and filled in a profound way that defies accurate description. And yet...

Becoming a Christian is a process that lasts an entire lifetime. On this side of heaven, authentic followers of Christ have the awesome (and divine) empowerment of the Spirit of God to develop and grow in our spiritual depth and maturity (holiness). As we read the Word, serve others, and participate in the fullness of the community of Christ, we have the awesome potential to become more and more like Jesus of Nazareth. Over and over we are challenged to forsake our old lives and submit ourselves more completely to the will of God. So, as we learn to trust in His character, therefore continuing on a journey of faith in the path of holiness - He firmly but lovingly molds us and shapes us more and more into the very image of Yahweh, our Creator.

Confused yet?

Let me put this all in a different way. If your old network of relationships (including your family) does not somehow develop and nurture your faith in God and His kingdom - then frankly, you need to establish a new network.

Actually, I don't think it's about your relationships per se... but about the priorities (and influences) in your life. Are your eyes firmly fixed on the kingdom of God... or on things (and people) of this earth? If your ties to your family or friends suck you downward and encourages godless behavior... then perhaps you need to cut your ties completely. Either that, or you need to tell them the good news (even if it means persecution). Ya, it's harsh, I know. But God does not sugar coat this issue whatsoever. In this passage, Jesus in a very in-your-face manner challenges us to ask ourselves: are we really willing to do whatever it takes to demonstrate God is the center of our life, rather than people or things? Would you be willing to abandon anything and everything if He asked you to do so? Or would you rather follow a long-held family tradition of embracing the hollowness of this world... and consequently rejecting the holiness of God?

"So don't ask me Hank, why do you drink? Hank, why do you roll smoke? Why must you live out the songs you wrote? Stop and think it over. Try and put yourself in my unique position. If I get stoned and sing all night long, it's a family tradition!"

So, Christian... which do you love more... (family) tradition or true discipleship?