mySundaySermons

Now large crowds were travelling with him; and he turned and said to them, 26‘Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. 27Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. 28For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? 29Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, 30saying, “This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.” 31Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace. 33So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions. -NRSV

Labor Day, The Cost of Not Working…

It’s changed over the years, but according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2009), here’s a breakdown of some of the professions we’re celebrating Monday:
Firefighters: 258,000
Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists: 718,000
Chefs and head cooks: 281,000
Musicians, singers and related workers 179,000
Bakers 183,000
Taxi drivers and chauffeurs 286,000
Service station attendants 96,000
Farmers and ranchers 825,000
Pharmacists 232,000

Teachers 6.5 million

Federal Employees 3 million

State Employees 3.6 million

Local government employees 11 million

United Methodist Clergy? 28,000

Imagine we didn’t have these folks doing their work… What would life be like?

Labor Day, children’s home invitation to take one day of wage or one day of household expenses and give as a gift to support the ministry to children.

Jesus takes the examples of building a tower or fighting a battle. Big projects that it would be foolish to undertake without careful calculation before starting the work.

What is the cost of working as a disciples?

Cost more than you have.  Cost more than your total family income and resources. It costs more than your vour life. So who wants that job?

Jesus has gone to work for us, he has labored and earned a penion plan that you and I are the beneficiaries. He has us to keep his work in progress, keep the ball in play. Keep the cross on the move until everyone has seen and heard.

WHAT WOULD YOU CARRY for YOUR FAMILY?

Carry furniture.

Carry a debt

Carry an education or medical expenses

Carry a member with disease or disability

Why? Because you are family.

Jesus counts the cost of entrusting the work of the Kingdom to you and me.

How many hours does a fairth worker work in the office? On the line? On the road? In the air? In the class room?  Are you paid for all the hours you work in preparation?

Police officer sued for an extra 2.5 hours a week to be paid for the 30 of additional time it took him to get dressed as he was expected to clock in ready to patrol… is that fair..

How many hours have you logged this week for Christ?  How much time in study and prayer? In service and witness? In worship and Christian fellowship?

Oh, preacher, it’s a holiday weekend.. don’t fuse too much.

Then, what of a regular week.

45% of us population is Christian

59% of those who profess to be Christian attend less often than one in six weeks

Barna Group

23% of US folks consider themselves religious but don’t participate in a church

15% attend once in six months

3% worship at home

3% worship at work or some other than home or church

Bottom Line: Living as a disciples of Jesus Christ is a life of work..

Count the cost of being a disciples.. effects your family, work and politics

Count the cost of not being a disciple.. alone, afraid, uncertain, and seeking hope.

SO WHAT: Work, even on Sunday… if that is what it takes to grow in Christ, but don’t work so hard at everything else that you, your family, and your battles leave Christ out.