This album was released in 2009 and several friends recommended it, but I’m just recently taking some time to listen to it. The chorus echoes in my head and heart and I think about where God is calling me next. Have a listen and I hope it blesses you as it is blessing me.
Photo By B. Clark ©2010
Luke 14:25-33 – The Cost of Discipleship
Yesterday I had this passage reintroduced to me in a way that has challenged me to the core. The backdrop of this message is Jesus speaking to the crowds about what it really costs to follow him. He gives several examples of people who wisely count the cost of an effort (a builder building a tower or a king going to war) to be sure that they can see it through to completion.
In the season of life I’m in right now, I’ve often questioned if many of the things that I hope for are worth the effort under my current circumstances. I love my church, family, and friends but I’ve been overwhelmed with what it takes to support and participate in these relationships for various reasons that I won’t dig too deeply into right now. The point is that I’d grown weary – and didn’t know if I had the strength to go on to completion.
Then the reminder comes: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day.” –John 6:44 and the verse from Luke shines in a new light. The preacher shared with us that some scholars have interpreted that passage to also say that God has counted the cost of making us disciples of Christ and determined that we had what it takes to see that calling to completion – not by our own efforts, but by faith through grace. For me, what was beginning to seem like an option that was too costly to pursue suddenly becomes the only option worth living for. While it doesn’t make the effort easier, I realize that someone greater than me is believing in me and cheering me on.
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. - Hebrews 12:1-3
Lord, thank you for believing in me… for standing by and cheering me on… and for giving me a community of believers who are pursuing your high calling as well. — Amen
Photo: Jon Klinepeter - by S. Bailey © 2010
On Sunday, August 15, 2010 – my church, Willow Chicago welcomed our new Campus Pastor, Jon Klinepeter and his family. Below are bits of the message he shared with our congregation on Sunday.
The Kingdom of God is not just a future certainty but a present reality.When we align ourselves with the love of Jesus – we are aligning ourselves with the Kingdom of God.
Every time there was a societal or religious margin that told someone they didn’t belong, Jesus went beyond it. Jesus’ love knew no margin based on background, ethnicity, sin choices… Jesus never met anyone who was beyond his love. There wasn’t a margin that Jesus wouldn’t crash through to show his love for someone.
Love breaks the rules and is somewhat unapologetic about it. It says to religious and social rules “I don’t care!” Choosing the Kingdom of God makes us appear foolish, child-like, dangerous, and unwise. How naïve and crazy Jesus must have looked and felt on the cross.
I want other churches to think we are crazy… because I don’t care what other churches think of us.
If the lost in this city think that we are amazing at loving -then we are living out what God has for us. If the poor and broken in this city know that our love is not just theoretical in prayer, but is tangible in action, then we are arriving at what God has for us. If the gay community in this city feels first our Love, then we are arriving at the kind of community that God has for us.
To the outcasts, the single moms, the people who are told they don’t matter, the people who live in neighborhoods where they are told that the color of their skin defines what they will ever be, we’re not going to just reach a hand. We will step beyond the margins and embrace them in our Kingdom of Love.
We break all the rules… especially the religious ones. We will infuse the sacrificial love of Jesus into our city.
–Jon Klinepeter
I’m excited about the possibilities of how God will continue to use Willow Chicago. I’ve only had a few brief conversations with him, but already I see he has a great heart for compassion and reconciliation that is bold and authentic. If you would like to check out the audio of the full message it can be downloaded or streamed here: The Kingdom of God
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