What It Costs Not To Be A Christian Text: 1 Cor. 3:21-23

It will cost you in business, in society, and in government.

In what areas will it cost?

I. It Will Cost the Sacrifice of Peace of Conscience-

1. Peace in living.

Ro 5:1,2 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Westley Allan Dodd was executed by hanging at the Washington State Penitentiary.

Moments before the sentence was carried out, the convicted serial killer was given the customary opportunity for last words. He was a man who said he would do it again, who said there was no hope he would ever be released from the hideous darkness within his soul.

His final words came as a shock: "I was wrong when I said there was no hope, no peace. There is hope. There is peace. "I have found both in the Lord Jesus Christ."

Joh 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

2. Peace in Death.

2Co 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

II. It Will Cost the Sacrifice of A Sense of Security-

God even gives it in the time of need and sickness.

1. In our Salvation.

1Jo 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.

1Jo 3:24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

Isa 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Ro 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

III. It Will Cost the Sacrifice of Joy-

1Pe 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

The Christian joy is joy unspeakable and full of glory.

The Order that we should always keep things in perspective are:

J-Jesus

O-Others

Y-Yourself

 

IV. It Will Cost the Sacrifice of Hope-

By that I speak of eternal life and hope for the future.

Eph 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

No hope means -- Not a chance!

VI. It Will Cost the Sacrifice of God's Favor and Blessings

The only way back to God is Christ- Jn.3:16.

Joh 21:5,6 Then Jesus saith unto them, Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No.

And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the ship, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.

Back in the 13th century St. Richard of Chichester prayed,

"Thanks be to Thee, my Lord Jesus Christ, for all the benefits and blessings which Thou has borne for me. O most merciful Friend, Brother, and Redeemer: may I know Thee more clearly, love Thee more dearly, and follow Thee more nearly."

VII. It Will Cost the Sacrifice of God's Home
In the World To Come-

Mt 10:32,33 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

Joh 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Re 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.