Reverend Billy Graham, whom I admired greatly, died this week at the age of 99. Growing up just north of where Dr. Graham lived, I joined in the admiration of him and his ministry by very diverse Christians theologically. I even thought of him as a role model. You always felt he was doing the work of ministry for the right reason. I always believed He had taken the words of Jesus to heart “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me.” (Mark 8:34)
Years ago, a pretty famous televangelist was speaking in Portland, OR on a program when another role model of mine was also on the platform. The televangelist made statements like this: “Are you afraid to fly … well, come fly with me. Nothing will happen to the plane while I’m on it.” He said sarcastically to a woman in a wheel chair, “Why are you sitting there? Get up! … If you’re there, it’s because you want to be!”
My mentor got up and left the stage. The Program Coordinator caught her as she was leaving and ask where she was going. She replied, “I’m going home. What that man is saying is dangerous and is not the gospel. There is no cross in it and it damnable heresy.” Her answer may seem extreme by she was right.
Too often evangelical Christianity in America has become too much of “What’s in it for me?” It promises the fruits of the spirit without enduring the realities of life, nor does it reflect what Jesus said being followers of His would be like. During Lent, let’s allow our spiritual reflection to help us become disciples of Jesus who are committed to following Christ even during the cross-bearing moments of life that is surely to come.
Join us at Covenant for worship this Second Sunday of Lent for my sermon called “What’s in It for Me?” based on Romans 4:13, 18-24a and Mark 8:31-38
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