Of Willingness...

Of Willingness…
by Earlie Pasion

I. from God
         Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you… Today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.

         Willing. Are you?
         To go anywhere and preach the Word of God
         To converse with others with different languages
         To speak to the tribes and lost people
         To go beyond your comfort zone
         “You mean, no car, no cellphone, no Internet?”
         “Yes! This is your ministry, your mission.”
         Are you still going?

II. from Jesus
         If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.

         Willing. Are you?
         “Are you willing to give all your belongings to me?” Jesus asked.
         “If only to follow you, Jesus, yes I will,” you willfully answered.
         “Are you willing to leave your family for me?” Jesus asked.
         “If only to serve you, Jesus, yes I will,” you willfully answered.
         “Are you willing to give up your life and die for me?” Jesus asked.
         Shocked… “To die for you? Let me think…”
         Are you ready?

III. from Paul
         I honestly expect and hope that I will not do anything to be ashamed of. Whether I live or die, I always want to be as brave as I am now and bring honor to Christ. For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.

         Willing. Are you?
         “All who believe in Christ must die!”
         Held at gun point…
         “Are you a Christian,” he asked.
         Trembling, he answers, “Y…E…S…”
         Then again he asked, but now confidently, “Yes, I am!”
         Bang! Then he fell on the ground.
         Are you still a Christian?

IV. from Patrick Henry
         Is so life so dear or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!

         Willing. Are you?
         “Let’s give rise to a spiritual revolution!”
         To be like the revolutionary Christ
         But expect to be condemned, and persecuted,
         And worse than anything,
         To shed your own blood,
         Fighting for your God.
         Will you still join?

V. from us
         Lord, teach us to be willing…
         To hand you over our possessions and follow you
         To give up ourselves and serve you and your people
         To go beyond our comfort zones and continue your ministry
         To speak to people and preach your Word
         To pray for needs of others and share
         To love our neighbors as we love ourselves
         To worship you above all

         Willing. Are you?
         To say that to God:
         “I am a Christian and I believe in Christ.”
         “I am ready to serve you.”
         “I am going, here I am send me.”
         “I will speak and preach your Word.”
         “I will join and fight for you.”
         And “if I die let me die for you.”