Eric
V. Snow Sermonette 05-10-03 Ann Arbor, MI UCG
About
20 years ago, I was reading the novel “The Fountainhead” by Ayn Rand. I came across a Biblical quote (on p. 300),
which was put in the mouth of the leading villain of the novel, Ellsworth
Toohey. Skeptical was in Bible. Later on, when reading the Bible through,
RSV first time, I found it. Checked KJV
to make sure it was the exact same quote found in the novel. Since Ayn Rand made it a central point of
her philosophy to deny the need for self-sacrifice, this particular Scripture
made a point she heatedly objected to.
But this text’s main point is central to Christian ethics, so we’re
going to pay it some close attention today.
For
are we willing to give up things in this life to have things in the next? Do we have the faith to deny ourselves
pleasure now in order to have pleasure in the next life? What do we really value the most?
S.P.S. We need to be willing to give up happiness
in this life in order to have eternal life if God requires it of us.
John
12:23-25
V.
24: Self-sacrifice in Christianity has
a transformative, ultimate goal.
Self-destruction isn’t for the sake of self-destruction. God wants something positive accomplished by
our self-sacrifice as an outcome. Here,
Jesus’ own sacrifice makes our salvation possible, the “fruit” in question.
V.
25: Ellsworth Toohey quoted from. We pledged ourselves at baptism to be
willing to die rather than deny Jesus as our Savior.
Martyrdom
examples: Ignatius, bishop of Antioch,
Sunday-keeper, the Roman emperor Trajan had him condemned to be eaten by the
lions, c. 110. He said: “I am God’s wheat, ground by the teeth of
beasts, that I may be found pure bread.”
Polycarp,
bishop of Smyrna, upholder of Nisan 14 & Passover, the Roman governor
said: “Swear, and I will set you
free: execrate Christ.” “For eighty-six years, I have been His
servant, and He has never done me wrong:
How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?”
Roman
persecution campaign in Gaul (modern France), time of Marcus Aurelius
(161-180): Some who had denied Jesus
later affirmed him when questioned again, thus ensuring their own deaths (Roman
citizens beheaded, rest handed over to beasts). Eusebius: “These were
individually examined with the intention that they should be released, but they
confessed Him and so joined the ranks of martyrs.”
Beast
power reborn: Not just theoretical
stuff in end times for us.
Tests
not necessarily spectacular like this.
Some would do well at this, but would fail at long, slow, nagging issues
that deny pleasure in this life as we obey God’s law. Use gun to head example, “boom!”
Hedonistic
calculus argument for obeying God’s law not always good. Used on youth often. Examples of consequences of doing drugs,
drunkenness, sex outside marriage.
Conclude get more happiness from obeying God’s law now than if don’t.
Suppose
this isn’t the case? Sabbath-keeping
vs. old, better-paying career example.
One example: Man from GM to MSU,
maint. Another: Single or divorced person who can’t marry or
get remarried lawfully.
Are
we willing to still obey then, despite it doesn’t help us in this life, but
hurts us? Do we have the faith to
believe the next life really exists then?
Those considering baptism should keep in the mind the deadly serious
issues of the faith required for obeying God’s law out of self-sacrifice.
Heb.
12:5-11
vs.
6-8: If never punished, not
Christians! Radical stuff!
vs.
10- 11: No pleasure in being punished,
yet has good ultimate outcome. Are we
willing to accept this?
If
we’re punished by God for sin, would we be bitter about it?
Backup
example: Near sacrifice of Isaac by
Abraham, greatest earthly desire God tested him on, passed since was willing to
give Isaac up. Gen. 22:2, 12, 16.
Conclusion: We as Christians have to be willing to
sacrifice ourselves as Jesus did. We
must be willing give up pleasure in this life while obeying God’s law when God
requires this of us. It could be in a
spectacular test in the years to come:
God may require us to die at the hands of the government if it demands
that we deny Jesus as our Savior. Or
the trial could be a long, nagging, life-long test in which some earthly goal
that would give us happiness can’t be had by us lawfully if we wish to obey
God. True, He might not require such a
sacrifice of us. But we had better be
ready if He does!