LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1981, Page 88

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88 ESSAYS ON STEWARDSHIP

Delegate training for 1998

These are not crosses. Sickness and misfortune come
to all people whether they are sons of Satan or sons of
God. To bear the cross means to undergo something or
to forego something because you are a Christian, be-
cause of your connection with Jesus Christ. It is some-
thing you take upon yourself altogether voluntarily and
which you have the power to reject or refuse at any time.

I know of a very talented man who was offered
membership in his city’s planning council. It meant
admission to the inner circle of the city’s leaders. It
would very definitely be helpful to his reputation and to
his business. The problem was that the council met from
9 to 12 on Sunday morning. During this time he
regularly taught a young people’s Bible class and
attended divine worship at his church. He knew his
answer would have to be “no.” And that is what he told
them. This is bearing the cross.

When you witness to your faith and are called a queer
or a square or a fanatic, and you take it and continue in
your witnessing, this is bearing the cross.

We need a cross-eyed perspective on life. We need to
look to the cross for salvation. We need to bear the cross
for Christ’s sake.

* * *

Acts 24:25: ““But as Paul went on discussing about
goodness, self-control, and the coming Day of Judg-
ment, Felix was afraid and said, ‘You may leave now. I
will call you again when I get the chance.’”’

One of the best-known proverbs of our day is, “Don’t
put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” Thisisa
proverb which nature habitually follows. Everything
in nature is on time. The stars are regular in their
appointments. The sun is never a minute late. The birds
know just when to migrate.

There is only one creature who wastes time ;
procrastinates. That is man—you and I. We are especigh
ly adept at this in the spiritual area of life. We know: i,
ought to pray, we know we ought to read the Bible.
know we ought to worship. But like Felix we of
procrastinate.

According to verse 22 Felix had a pretty gz
knowledge of Christianity, often called at that time
Way.” His knowledge, however, did not reach do
his heart and out through his life, for though h
Paul to speak to him about the Way, itis doubtful th
ever engaged in Christian service or attended a
tian worship service.

There are many people like this today. I remem!
the manager of the Florsheim Shoe Store here:
Louis, at Seventh and Olive. I worked for him durin
seminary days. He had a good knowledge of th
He knew his Scriptures quite well. And from time to
we would discuss them together. But as for followisi
Way, as for giving time to Christ and His church, h
too much interested in the world. He was interes
religion but not in too much of it.

Note what Paul preached. Despite the aristocra
his audience, he did not mince words. As we see i
verse, he preached the Law—goodness, self-contro
Day of Judgment. And as we see in verse 24, he preat
the Gospel. He told Felix where his sins would lead‘ hi
He told him, however, that forgiveness was availabl i
him through Jesus Christ. As a result Felix tremb
and yet he was not humble enough to accept Chris
His forgiveness. He still depended upon himself.
hoped for the best. He makes the fatal turn:
smoothly he muffles the preacher’s voice, telling
leave. The hour of grace has struck, but Felix
spurned it.

Whether another opportunity came, whether he
sequently accepted Christ, we don’t really know?!
is rather doubtful.

Opportunities are not to be neglected. They r.
visit twice. “Now is the accepted time! Now is thed
salvation!” (2 Cor. 6:2 KJV). Today is for the wise!
Tomorrow is for the fool. Bs

2 Corinthians 5:15: “He died for all, so that:
who live should no longer live for themselves, but
for Him who died and was raised to life for their 88

Christ did not die just for you and me, just ff
Americans, just for the whites, just for the men
competent. He died for all—also for the Russians
Chinese, for the black and yellow and brown; -fo!
mentally retarded and handicapped.

Because He gave Himself for us, we should
ourself to Him. It is not to be “me first,” but Christ
others second, and myself a poor third. By the ways!
is the way to happiness, real happiness, whethe
know it or not.

Note why Christ died. It was not because He hé
In the first place, He did not have to come dow”:
earth. Secondly, He could easily have duped and del