February 26, 2006

Christianity and World Religions

Jesus!

John 3:16-21

Opening Words: This is sermon number six in a six-part sermon series I have called Christianity and World Religions. When this sermon is complete we will have looked at the five major religions in the world today. What we are really doing is looking at some basic Christian theology. Our core beliefs are far different from any other religion. I have called this message Jesus! This is my question for you today-- why are you a Christian?

Could you answer that question without revealing to the world one of your prejudices? Can you answer that question without mentioning your heritage? Could you give me one theological reason why you are a Christian? Let me give you a little help. You are a Christian because of what Jesus has done for you! It all begins and ends with Jesus. With this in mind let us look at this morning’s scripture lesson together. It contains the most famous piece of scripture in the Bible. You will recognize it.

Introduction

During World War II, Winston Churchill was forced to make a painful choice. The British secret service had broken the Nazi code and informed Churchill that the Germans were going to bomb Coventry. He had two alternatives: (1) evacuate the citizens and save hundreds of lives at the expense of indicating to the Germans that the code was broken; or (2) take no action, which would kill hundreds but keep the information flowing and possibly save many more lives. Churchill had to choose and followed the second course. Life is full of difficult decisions. Why are you a Christian?

Have you ever stopped to consider how many decisions you are forced to make in your life? Should you go to college or not go to college? If you go to college what will you study? If you don’t go to college what skills do you have or need to master that make you employable? You have to decide if you will marry or remain single. You must decide where you will live. Will you rent or buy? Will you buy a car or lease a car? How many children do you want? How many children can you afford? How much money should you lay aside for college tuition? How much money should you save toward your retirement? Life is filled with some difficult decisions. Have you ever wished you didn’t have so many options? Have you ever wished someone would make some decisions for you? Perhaps, that is why you are a Christian?

In America, seventy-seven per cent of our population says Christianity is their faith of choice. America is a Christian dominated nation. America was settled with religious freedom in mind and the religion of our founding father’s choice was Christianity. Our past has influenced our present. With this in mind let me ask you a sensitive question. Are you a Christian only because your family has always been Christian or are you a Christian for other reasons? In America we have freedom of religion. You could have chosen Buddhism, Hinduism or Islam. In America we have freedom of religion. You can worship your shoes or nothing at all. By your presence here today I am assuming you have chosen Christianity as your faith of choice. Can you answer me that question. Why are you a Christian?

Body

Can I be honest with you? I can not give you a single reason why I am a Christian. This is my reason. I can not distill it down to a single point. However, I could give you ten reasons why I am a Christian. Each one begins and ends with Jesus. I will not unpack all my reasons. I have limited time. I will only give you three reasons why I am a Christian. Each one of my stated reasons begins with the letter E. So if you are ready for my three reasons say, “Amen!”

The Christian Ethic

This is reason number one. I am a Christian because of the Christian ethic. Christianity offers the most complete and authentically human way to live. Christianity challenges me to love my neighbor and my enemies. It challenges me to sacrifice for someone else. Christianity has changed this world for the better.

There is a wonderful old preaching story about King Xerxes. He came back to life and wanted to see how the world had changed. His guide took him to dark places in the world. He saw the race track, the gin mills and the brothels. The king was not impressed. He said, “We had these things in my time. So his guide took him to hospitals, schools and orphanages. He took him to every place where people were helping people. The king was impressed! He said, “How is this possible?” The guide simple responded, “The church!”

In the past two thousand years no organization has ever had such a positive impact on the world as the church. Anybody can recognize a problem. Anyone can criticize and most do. The church both recognizes the problem and finds a solution. I am a Christian because of Christian ethics. And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”

The Christian Experience

This is reason number two. I am a Christian because of the Christian experience. I have felt God’s presence in my life. The most significant moments in my life (getting married, having children, graduations, ordination, making friends and burying loved ones) are all related to Jesus. I believe God has led me all the way! God will lead me to the very end. Christianity isn’t part of life, something that I do on Sunday morning. Christianity is my life! I wouldn’t miss the Christian experience for anything. If you can relate to those words say, “Amen!”

The Christian Promise of Eternity

This is reason number three. I am a Christian because of the Christian promise of eternity. John 3:16 summarizes the entire New Testament. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him may not parish but have eternal life. That is the Good News for you and Me. Over the past twenty years I have officiated at hundreds of funerals. Sometimes I knew the person. Sometimes I did not know the person. It did not matter. The separation was difficult. It is at that moment that I remind those present of the Gospel message. You have heard me say it before.

Jesus was born in the ordinary way but he lived the extraordinary life. He never committed a single sin yet he was executed as a common criminal. Jesus was dead. They put him in the tomb. For hours his body was lifeless. Then it happened on that wonderful Easter morning Jesus walked out of that tomb alive and well. I can not tell you how that happened. I can not explain a miracle. However, I can tell what the scriptures say so clearly. All of us of faith walked out of that tomb with Jesus. Death has no hold on us! We are going to live for eternity. And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”

Conclusion

Back in 1860 there was a performer named Jean Francois Gravelot. He was known as "The Great Blondin." This man was a stunt performer or "daredevil." He was a tightrope walker, and he would perform amazing death-defying tightrope stunts. Well, the story is told that at one particularly spectacular stunt, where Blondin would attempt to cross the Niagra River on a tightrope, he yelled a question to the crowd. He asked, "Do you believe that I, the Great Blondin, can successfully cross high above this river on a tightrope?" And the crowd yelled back, "We believe! We believe!" Then Blondin began his crossing, and to the thrill of the crowd, he made it safely. The crowd went wild. They clapped and cheered and yelled all the more. Then Blondin asked the people, "Do you believe that I, The Great Blondin, can again successfully cross over the Niagra River on this tightrope -- this time while pushing a wheelbarrow?" The crowd enthusiastically yelled back, "We believe! We believe! We believe!" So seeing their enthusiasm, Blondin yelled to the crowd: "Who among you is willing to ride inside of the wheelbarrow and allow me to push you as I cross on this tightrope?" The crowd went silent. No one said a word. All that could be heard was the sound of the wind blowing....

There are six billion people in the world today. Two billion, one-third of the world’s population, have decided to go for a ride with Jesus. There are many reasons to be a Christian but let me remind you of just three! If you are going to travel with Jesus then you are going to be part of the group that is making a positive impact on our world. If you travel with Jesus then you are going to benefit from the Christian experience. If you travel with Jesus then you are going to live for eternity. It all begins and ends with Jesus! And all of God’s people said, “Amen!”