1+2+3=Christian

Remember that time in your life where you decided to finally walk out what you’re preaching? That time where you decided to set the hypocrisy aside and walk in what the Lord had for you. Today when I was praying I felt God lead me back to that time in my life. In doing so, he placed this burden on my heart. Before I go into this burden into detail, let me take you to the passage that God brought me to today.

“31"Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace.” LUKE 14:31-32

Jesus asked the crowds there that day if they were really ready to walk the walk. He first gives them two very hard truths about being his disciples, and then right before he gives the last requirement, he asks them to count the cost of calling themselves his disciples. Why, you ask? He does this because he knows there are people out there that call themselves by his name, and never really counted the cost. They never really sat down and thought about how hard it was going to be. I think he also places it here for people who have counted the cost. He says it to remind you of the decision you made, and how you understand the weight of that calling!

One more time look at the order of his presentation. He said you must hate this life, carry your cross, count the cost of these decisions and lastly renounce all things to him. We count the cost to know what you renouncing to him… There’s a thought! “Bryan, you mean to tell me I don’t know what I’m renouncing?” certainly not, but let me remind you what is included! That means that we are called to renounce JUDGEMENT, GOSSIP, JEALOUSY, FEELINGS OF INADEQUACY, AND FEARS to him! I fall into a category of people that are reading this that will say one of these five things listed is hard for me to renounce to him at all times.

How many times do we find ourselves gossiping about someone? Maybe it’s about how they worship. Maybe it’s about how you find it best to give full hugs, and they find it best to give side hugs. Maybe it’s even about how you eat meat and somebody else doesn’t. Whatever the situation is, we need to STOP IT RIGHT NOW. Romans 2:1-2 says,

“ 1You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such things is based on truth.”

Paul shows how only God’s judgment is true, not ours. He says further in the chapter,

“7To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.” ROMANS 2:7-8

Remember, if you counted the cost and call yourself by his name, those verses apply to you. Jesus said that the two greatest commandments were #1 “Love the Lord with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength” and #2 “Love your neighbor as yourself.” You see I come as humbly as I can and say that I’ve chosen to do things that are against these too. This road is hard, but we need to understand that unless we renounce it to Jesus we can’t be called by his name. Unless we carry that cross we can’t be called his disciple. “Okay Bryan, I’ll admit that I need to work in this area, but what can I do?”

Well Paul said in Romans 12:10, “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Paul kicks it into high gear! He says, “Honor one another ABOVE yourselves.” That’s a tough road to walk! He continues in Ephesians 4:1-3, “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Do you see what Paul is getting at? There is a cost in order to be called a Christian. That cost is your life! Not your physical life, but your spiritual life.

“But Bryan, it’s hard for me to love someone who prays different. It’s hard for me to love someone who worships God different!” Paul would be furious with these comments! 1 Cor. 12:4-6 states, “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.” Wow, that was a revelation to me!

Lastly, we need to understand that we are preaching a sermon every moment of the day! Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.” Jesus is saying that we are already shining when we call ourselves Christians! Do I want to give off the sermon of Bryan Allard’s flesh?

Or do I want to give off Jesus’ sermon?

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) That’s the sermon I want to preach!

I guess the thing I ask is that you realize the cost! We are the Body of Christ here on earth. It’s time the hands of Christ stop covering the mouth of Christ! It’s time the feet start standing firm and support and balance the rest of the body, instead of thinking they are the neck of God! I love every one of you soo much! We need to be humble and transparent before God and let His story be told!

For those of you reading this that has never counted the cost, here is your chance!