This past Sunday’s sermon included the words of Jesus which he spoke several times concerning the high cost of discipleship and following Him. Jesus says in Matthew 10:39: Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.

Henri Nouwen shared these words about courage and taking risks. They express the challenge of following Jesus and the joy of gaining the gift of eternal life.

Courage is connected with taking risks. Jumping the Grand Canyon on a motorbike, coming over Niagara Falls in a barrel, or crossing the ocean in a rowboat are called courageous acts because people risk their lives by doing these things. But none of these daredevil acts comes from the centre of our being. They all come from the desire to test our physical limits and to become famous and popular.

Spiritual courage is something completely different. It is following the deepest desires of our hearts at the risk of losing fame and popularity. It asks of us the willingness to lose our temporal lives in order to gain eternal life.

May we have the courage….Amen.

CHURCH NEWS:

·        VBS sign-up is now! July 10-14 is going to be a GREAT week!

·        July 5 is our Wednesday Covered Dish Dinner and C.S. Lewis night. Join us! 5:30pm dinner, 6:00pm C.S. Lewis film.