Calvary-The Lost message

Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ, and I live; yet no longer I, but Christ lives in me. And that life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith toward the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself on my behalf.


Modern day Christianity has lost its way, has lost its focus. The central truths upon which we have stood for two thousand years has been lost in a fog of noise and distraction and in the rise of humanism and the flesh. Never before, in the history of the Western world have we seen such an indulgent , entitlement-minded people. And since a great majority of the Church is just like the world, then we see a indulgent, entitlement-minded Church.

These people have produced preachers and teachers that will tell them what they want to hear. It is often hard to tell the difference between a motivational speaker and a preacher. Instead of teaching and preaching based upon the central truths of Christianity, which we will discuss later, there is preaching and teaching on how to get the most out of life. They teach that God would never call you to something that you do not like. Can you imagine your kids telling you that they are not going to do their chores that you have set for them because it does not bring them pleasure? They do not get any joy from them and they were not called to them. Would you indulge your kids in this behavior? Would you take the time to explain to them about building character, about sacrifice and about servant hood? Are these three elements some of the things that are missing from the church? Its strange that the Church would condemn the "If it feels good, do it," generation yet at the same time teach this from their own pulpits.

This is the message from the cross less preachers. This is really the only message they can preach to the many who are living for the flesh, for the moment , for themselves. This message answers the cry of the flesh which is always seeking its own and yet never produces satisfaction. And the more the Christians pander to their own flesh and desires the more worldly they become. The irony is that the few who find the narrow path which is death to self, picking up one's cross, denying the flesh, these few become more Christ like and know what it is to be content in every situation. True preachers of the Word will show you how to die to this world and live for the next. The hirelings will show you , by example, how to live for this world and not for the next. They will show you by their $2000 suits and their $700 shoes. They will boast of these things from the pulpit. They will proudly tell you that they drive a BMW and so should you. They say that this is God's will for you, that you should live your best life now. Apparently living your best life now includes looking worldly and indulging and fulfilling that which brings you pleasure and living out what you believe you are entitled to.

This is not the message of the Cross and the Gospel. This crass message will only continue to alienate the Church from reaching out to the unchurched. As the Western world slips into a recession and perhaps a depression, there is a great opportunity to reach out to the world with a message of hope in Christ. Will your message be , "Hey, come to Christ and you can regain the mansion that you just had foreclosed?" Or, as God deals with an indulgent and entitlement generation , will your message be the message of the Cross and how the Lord suffered and died and rose again so that they could find life, despite their circumstances?

So what should our focus be as Christians? What is the central truth upon which we stand? The three pillars of foundational truth are 1. He came. 2. He died. 3. He rose again. We celebrate these truths as Christians. We know that He is no longer a baby in a manger and we also know that He is no longer hanging upon the Cross. He is sitting at the right hand of the Father. He dwells within us. That is the Kingdom of God, it dwells within us. These are the central truths of Christianity. If Jesus is no longer on the cross, if He is resurrected in power and by His life gives life, then why should our focus be on a cross that Jesus no longer hangs from?
Why should the cross be lifted up? If the resurrection is our present reality and the power of our lives, what does it empower us to do? The living Jesus empowers us to die. The cross is the symbol of sacrifice and death. To live for Him is to die to ourselves and the world. In the Spiritual we came, we died and we rose again as a new creature in Christ. As we move towards and become like Jesus, we die to ourselves.

The proof of our new life , our resurrection from the dead, our authentic faith is not a large house or a $2000 suit or a prosperous life in this world, these prove nothing in the Spiritual. The proof of our faith is how we react to carrying our cross. In the midst of death to ourselves does the love of Jesus pour forth? Do we minister to others when we ourselves are in the midst of trial and testing's? Have we found the secret of being content in every situation? The cross does not lie. There is no hypocrisy on the cross. Ravenhill said that you knew one thing about a man carrying a cross, he was not coming back. The cross signifies death to self and death to the world. Its only by taking up our cross that we can crucify the flesh. The flesh wars against the Spirit. The flesh must die, it dies only upon the cross, it thrives on indulgence.

The walk of the cross is a lonely walk. Yet in every generation, across denominational lines, brothers and sisters will be called out. They will know each other when they meet. They will be people who have rejected the "norm." They will be a people who are seeking a deeper walk with Jesus. While the crowd run after the latest craze and those that tickle their ears, these people will find themselves on an ancient narrow path. This path begins at Calvary and ends at the throne. It is a very difficult and lonely path but all the saints who have come before you have walked this very path. Listen to one such saint, speaking form a dungeon, an imprisonment that will lead, after years, to being burned at the stake.............

"I will tell to the world an incredible thing, namely, that I have found infinite sweetness in the bowels of the lion. And who will in any wise believe what I am going to relate here? Who can believe it?In a dark hole I have found pleasure; in a place of bitterness and death, rest and hope of salvation; in the abyss or depths of hell, joy; where others weep, I have laughed; where others fear, I have found strength; who will believe this? In a state of misery I have had very great delight; in a lonely corner I have had most glorious company, and in the severest bond, great rest. All these things, my fellow brethren in Jesus Christ, the gracious hand of God has given me. Behold, He that at first was far from me, is now with me, and Him whom I knew but a little, I now see clearly; to whom I once looked from afar, Him I now behold as present; He for whom I longed, now offers me His hand; He comforts me; He fills me with joy; He drives from me bitterness, and renews within me strength and sweetness; He makes me well; He sustains me; He helps me up; He strengthens me. Oh, how good is the Lord, who does not suffer His servants to be tempted above that they are able I Oh, how easy, pleasant and sweet is His yoke I Is there any like God the Most High, who sustains and refreshes those that are tempted? He heals them that are bruised and wounded, and restores them altogether. Isa. 41; 43:20. None is like Him. Learn, most beloved brethren, how sweet the Lord is, how faithful and merciful; who visits His servants in trial (Isa. 43:2); who humbles Himself and condescends to be with us in our huts and humble abodes. He gives us a cheerful mind and peaceful heart."

God bless brother Algerius, one day, those who follow the narrow path will meet him and all the other saints.
Here are some of the signs that will mark the saints that are on the narrow path. They will have an acute awareness of the presence of God. They will have awe filled worship. Separation from the world and peace and contentment in the midst of trial. They will find pleasure only in the things of God. They will never deviate from His Word. Are you on the path? Is the cross the central focus of your life? Seek Him now brothers and sisters while He can yet be found because the day is far gone and the night approaches, perhaps it is even at the door.