No Excuses For Not Carrying the Cross-Based upon Matthew 16:21-28

This week, I started a new task with my students that I have never done before. We started studying what it means to establish goals and maintain those goals in order to succeed in life. We are all familiar with short-term goals and long-term goals, but what about everything that happens in the middle? Where do our goals remain personal and professional, yet stray into the spiritual realm? How should we establish goals with relation to Christ in our hearts and minds? Well, there are a couple steps to do this, but there are a couple things to remember about establishing goals. They should be challenging, yet able to be accomplished. They should also be enjoyable, and if you are not happy with the progress, the goals should be changed. All of this is well and good, especially when establishing a personal statement about your future, but for many of us, we lack any goals for Christ.

For many people in this church and in the world today, we don’t make the effort to establish goals for our faith and carry them forward. For any people, the effort of carrying the cross is something they are unwilling to do, because it doesn’t fit into the daily grind of the schedule at hand. Far too many people enter into the world searching for a cross of their own to carry, however the only cross we need to concern ourselves with is the cross that Christ died on 2000 years ago. A cross that was able to bear the weight of the worlds sins and shame. A cross that allowed our Savior to die and rise again for the salvation of the people who followed him. A cross that was carrying the sins of every man, woman, and child hung there with the lifeless body of our Savior on it, and yet many of the disciples did not carry the cross that day of decision. Many of the disciples stayed out of sight and at home on the day of the ultimate decision. If you were one of the twelve, would you stand at the Lord’s side and face death, or would you stay at home?

For many people throughout the ages, waiting on the sidelines looking at the cross was not even an option. There have been numerous men and women throughout the history of the religion that have for one reason or another taken an active role of bearing the cross. Martin Luther became so frustrated with the sale of indulgences and other abuses of power that he started the Protestant Reformation. Some women enter the priesthood to help further the lives of those who are poor and underprivileged. Some folks go into the field of education for the exact same reason, but people don’t view that as carrying a cross. To simplify the matter a little further, carrying the cross does not mean giving up all your earthy possessions and leading a life of poverty. All you have to do is take up the role of activity and leadership in advancing the cause of Christ.

Within this church, the cross can be carried in many different ways and is already being carried in some form or another. Within this church we need people who are willing to lead programs assisting our youth and older adults. There is room to carry the cross on committees dedicated to missions, worship, and evangelization. Even within this ministry there is room for people to lead worship and assist in reaching out to potential worshippers. Carrying the cross can come in the form of helping our neighbors achieve their goal of becoming a crime free neighborhood. There are so many easy ways to carry the cross of Christ without giving up an arm and a leg…you’ll need to save those in order to pay for gas!

One of the things that I want to emphasize this evening is something the disciples didn’t do at first, but later realized the importance of doing it…it is the ability to carry the cross as a team. Just as the Romans had Simon the Cyrene carry the cross alone; many of us try to do the same thing. For some people involved in the church, they view this cross carrying as a job that would never get done unless they were there to do it. This is tempting to say, however the door merely opens for someone else to step in and carry the cross. For many of our older members, they kid themselves into believing that there is nothing left for them to do, and there is no way their frail bodies can carry the cross. Again, I say to you, when we work together…there is room for everyone to share in the weight of the cross.

I am always excited to see Wes Wideman at a BBQ, because he is able to minister through fellowship and his joy of the event. I am excited to see our youth ready to get dirty for the betterment of the church, or for the betterment of a friend. I am excited to see Barb Jarman at events, because she is such a gracious hostess and wonderful person to spin a story with. I am excited to see Ann Pelech come to events, because she has a sense of humor that is appreciated and it warms the heart. I am excited to see James and Julian Cobb on Wednesday nights, because even though they may drive their parents crazy, these are two young men seeking out Christ in their own way. I am excited every time I see Pastor Bill and Lisa, because they are a team committed to building a worship experience and future for our church. I am excited to see the Bode family in our worship environment, because they are willing to step up to the plate and help out with things as needed, and they will tell you how God has moved through their lives. I am even excited to see mom and Bert, because they recognize their gifts and use them to the best of their abilities.

There is by no means a slight, if I didn’t mention your name or your family, but there is always room for growth and always room to carry the cross. Something to remember is that even the most faithful sometimes walk away from the cross. Peter, who we discussed as the right hand of Christ, denied Christ three times on the night he was betrayed. He walked away from Christ and regretted the decision for the remainder of his time on earth. I have walked away from the cross before, and never felt quite right. There is something to be said about walking away from the cross, finding disappointment, and then returning home to bear a burden for someone else.
My message to you this evening is simple. If you are not involved in carrying the cross, there is still room for you. You don’t have to give up every part of your life, but be aware of how much time you dedicate to furthering the message of Christ. Attending service is always a nice start, however there is room for your participation. Determine your spiritual gifts and make good use of them. Look around for the opportunity and be sure to join in the cross walk.

The Keys to the Kingdom-Based on Matthew 16:13-20

I have to tell you that this week, I was a little disturbed by the fact that Maplewood Christian Church had closed its doors and moved to another location. The main reason for this happening is the dwindling population of the congregation. A congregation, similar to Dover in that it is a pillar of the community and anchor through change, but not long enough to stay a vital force in the community. This is by no means a put down of Maplewood Christian, but it is the simple reality for many churches in the United States and even churches here in St. Louis. Churches that were once built on bedrock foundations are now crumbling down to the final stones.

This scripture is an interesting insight into the relationship between Peter and Jesus. A relationship that is tried and tested , but remains firm in its resolve to minister to others. Paul may have been the greatest evangelist of the New Testament, but it was Peter who built the church upon bedrock in its earliest stages. It was Peter who set the standard and example for the way churches were to be run. It was Peter who had the trust and faith of Christ to be the leader of the movement here on earth, while Christ reigned in heaven. Peter is the foundation for the Christian Church, inasmuch as he is also the gatekeeper of heaven. Peter is the right hand man of Jesus, some might even refer to him as the “muscle” of the operation. He is the one charged to guide the disciples while Jesus was absent. What a tremendous task to behold!

Here is where the scripture and Peter become awesome for this church and our solid foundation. This scripture isn’t so much for the glorification of Peter, as much as it is a call for us to heed. The first thing we need to understand about this scripture is that Peter isn’t our rock, he is the one that established the church in bedrock. He was the one who went all the way down into the ground and made sure the church was able to survive for thousands of years. Sometimes that takes organization, leadership, and a massive amount of faith. Peter exhibited these characteristics. The second thing we need to understand about this scripture is that just like Peter is a “rock” to Christ, we need to view those who came before us, the saints, as stones who built and improved the living church we are in.

I have told you stories of the saints who came before all of us in this church and helped establish Dover Place as a church with a firm foundation. We were absolutely blessed to have saints with knowledge of financial affairs, civic functions, and political action to a certain extent. Dover Place is self-sufficient, but we draw upon our reserves that were built up over the years in order to maintain what we currently have. Should there be a moment where the stock market goes south and we have bad planning, then Dover Place may have a hard time existing as we know it. That is certainly picture none of us even want to picture.

To go along with this point, the third thing we need to take away from this scripture is the importance of the house of worship. Church in its purest form does not take place in a building or in a sanctuary. Church happens throughout the other days you are living and breathing away from the house of worship. Church is to built upon a solid rock of knowledge and practice. We are to take the scriptures and the messages given to us and put them into practice. Sometimes that is not the easiest thing to do, but the road less traveled is not an easy one either. Church is wide open for interpretation and description, but no church survives without a solid foundation of teaching, preaching, and practice. Faith that is spoken from the lips and confessed from the heart is a foundation that cannot be destroyed.

Finally, we need to look at who the door-keeper for the church is, and it is Peter. No evil will ever infiltrate the house of the Lord, as Peter stands guard as the gatekeeper. As hard as it is to believe, the gates of heaven are open to everyone who confesses that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. For many folks, that confession isn’t made until death approaches their final moments of life. Christ didn’t die for those of us who have known Christ for a long time, but for everyone who confesses to know Christ. We cannot, nor should we judge the salvation of anyone on this earth. As much as I hoped that a person like Adolph Hitler went to hell, I cannot be so sure of his judgment, because I am not the one finalizing the decision. By casting stones at others, we are weakening our foundation.

Friends, there are no easy answers to maintain Dover Place Christian Church and help it grow and prosper for another 110 years. We can only be the foundation for the church and continue to build upon that foundation, instead of crumbling down to a shell of our former selves. As much as I believe that we will survive for my grandchildren to see Dover in 100 years is yet to be seen, but my grandfather must have said the same thing 75 years ago as he started attending Dover Place Christian at the age of 27. Dover was once an isolated little church in the wilderness of undeveloped St. Louis City. Now we are an isolated little church in this metropolis with a pulse still kicking like that of a young man. It seems hard to believe how the times have changed and the people have come and gone, but the message is still fundamentally the same.

Christ came here to build his church upon a firm foundation where believers would know eternal life and peace here on earth. Christ came with the message of love and peace, a message that is sometimes lost in the shuffle of board meetings, general assemblies, and even in worship services. The foundation has been laid before us, whether or not we contribute to the architecture is upon our hearts. However, I encourage each one of you to look deep into your heart and find what you are able to contribute to keep this church upon a firm foundation. Go out into the world and minister to those lost souls dying to know Christ. Give them peace, but also build up their spirit and lead them to build upon solid ground, because nothing can tear down the church, as long as Christ is in our hearts.

Wrestling At The Chase-Based Upon Genesis 32:22-31

This Wednesday, we are continuing with the message that God has outlined for us in Genesis about the life and times of Jacob. As a further reminder of where we have been in the journey with Jacob, we have observed him in many different points in his life. A life filled with treachery and deceit, as he used these things to deny his brother Esau the birthright that he deserved. We have witnessed Jacob being sent out into the wilderness to start life anew when God starts getting into his life. We have seen how his best laid plans to find love and happiness where thwarted through his father-in-law. Now we encounter Jacob at his most vulnerable point in life. He is a man with two wives, eleven children and some concubines. If that were not enough stress, remember that his being hunted down by his brother for all the wrongs that have happened in the past. What better position in life can you possibly be to find God?

Starting this section of scripture, we have the image of a protective man looking out for the best interests of his family. Jacob wants to keep them safe and away from the harm that can come from desert travel, but also the problems that seem to follow him. When Jacob is assured of his families safety, it is time to sleep through a rather uneasy evening. Jacob is probably wrestling with his past, his present and his future. However, we know that Jacob becomes involved in one of the greatest wrestling matches of all times. Jacob takes on God face to face and wins. A mere mortal wins the match, but not by pinning the aggressor, but by changing his way of life. Jacob suffered a damaged hip in the process, but he was forever changed by seeing the grace of God face to face. He came to a sudden realization that God came into his life for a purpose and that was to be a leader for many. He was a leader willing to change his ways of living and honor God through being an example to others.

As a kid growing up, I was immersed into the world of professional wrestling and had my favorites and no so favorites. I remember staying up late on Friday and Saturday nights with my mom and dad watching the old National Wrestling Alliance. Stars such as Ric Flair, Arn and Ole Anderson, The Road Warriors and others came into my home and made me love them or hate them. One group in particular stood out for me and have a way of relating to this story. The Four Horsemen were comprised of Ric Flair, Ole Anderson, Arn Anderson, and Tully Blanchard. These were the dirtiest players in the game and dominated the sport for several years. They were wrapped up the high roller lifestyle and tried to maintain it anyway they could. I personally hated them, because they beat up the guys I always watched. However, when I discovered that wrestling decisions were predetermined, I wanted to know more about these guys.

Tully Blanchard really stands out in my mind as a guy who can probably relate best to the story of Jacob. He grew up in a home where going to church was optional, but there was a perverted sense of faith. His father was a former professional wrestler and began a small promotion out of southern Texas. His father applied all kinds of pressure on him to be the best and bring good attention to the family. Tully was the best athlete in high school for football, baseball, and basketball. He won a scholarship to Southern Methodist University for football, but couldn’t make the commitment to play due to injury, so he attended West Texas State. Even in this smaller environment, Tully could not move on to the professional glory. So he and a couple teammates moved on to the world of professional wrestling. Those teammates who joined him in the wrestling business turned out to be Ted DiBiase and Merced Solis, better known as Tito Santana.

The world of professional wrestling offered Blanchard everything he desired. Money, fame, expensive clothes, and cars were among some of his trophies in the world of professional wrestling. However, what Blanchard was not ready for was the isolation of being in a business where your every move is noted in the papers. He soon took his loneliness and resorted to drugs and womanizing. Blanchard was snorting cocaine on a daily basis and going through woman like they were nothing. He hit rock bottom in the late 1980s when he was cut from the roster of the WWF. His career and life were slowly ebbing away…that is, until God found him in a hotel room alone.

God came to this professional wrestler and engaged him in his final match. As Tully Blanchard tells it, “God pinned me to the bed and told me there was a greater purpose in my life and that purpose is to use your fame for the glory of God.” Blanchard changed his life around and helped others in his family change the purpose of their lives. He is currently the president of Exodus Ministries which helps churches and organizations meet the needs of people who are pretty much down and out in life. It encourages these organizations and members of the church to be candles in the community when there are people trying to snuff out the life from others.

Renita J. Weems has this to say about faith, “Faith is what you do between the last time you experienced God and the next time you experience God.” In the examples of faith were Jacob has been encountered by God, it is the second time where Jacob understands his purpose. We are very much the same way. Sometimes we have to find ourselves at the bottom, even though there have been people in our lives trying to help us through difficult situations. Our encounters with God can be life changing.

If there is anyone willing to share their struggles with faith, please do so. Or, if you have a moment where you wrestled with God over something and feel compelled to share it, I encourage you to lend a voice to this community and share openly.
Last night (National Night Out), I saw an amazing amount of people come into this community for the very first time, or in the case of some people, it was the first time in decades. Some people already know Christ and have a home for their spiritual lives, but many in this community are crying out for help. How amazing would it be if we were able to wrestle with God as a church and find out our purpose for those lost souls? How awesome would it be to open our doors to the community more often than just for special events and for selling food? How cool would it be to have all of those young families attending regularly, and helping them find the purpose driven life? How neat would it be to return to a multiple service Sunday and have an overflowing fellowship hall for Wednesday evenings? Maybe I am dreaming, or maybe I am wrestling alone. I would like you to join me in this match, as I cannot do it alone.