Introduction:

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy gave his inaugural address to the nation. In that speech he spoke some very famous words. "And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country." On the Fourth of July, those words speak to hearts as patriots. As we look back on the sacrifices that men and women have made for our nation, we are compelled to reevaluate our lives in order to examine the role we play as citizens of this great land. We thank God for all the sacrifices made by those who went before us so that we can live in this nation of freedom. But if you were to put all those sacrifices together, the sum total would not even come close the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made on our behalf. He has set us free from the tyranny of Satan, sin, and hell. And so, we might better say on this day: "Ask not what your God can done for you - ask what you can do for your God." As we examine our lives today in view of the lesson from the gospel of Luke, may our hearts be moved to sacrifice ourselves. Jesus did it for you. You can do it for Jesus.

1. Jesus did it for you

Verses 18-21 of the gospel lesson set the stage for the main message of what Jesus wanted to relay to his disciples. Many of Jesus' followers had just left him because they would not believe. At this point Jesus turned to his disciples asked them, "Who do the crowds say I am?"

The disciples responded that some thought he was John the Baptist, and still others Elijah, and others thought that Jesus was one of the prophets returned. This reminds us of the fact that many people hold Jesus in very high regard, but completely miss the point of who Jesus is. They fail to understand the purpose for which he came. Back then many people thought Jesus would be a great political leader, one who would lead the Jewish people to freedom from the heavy hand of the Roman Empire. Others thought that he was sent to be a great moral example, teaching the people how to lead better lives.

When Jesus asked the disciples who they thought he was, Peter replied as the spokesman for the 12 disciples. He said confidently, "The Christ of God." That confession of faith hit the mark dead on. Jesus is the Christ, the anointed one. In the Old Testament lesson from Zechariah prophet foretold of the one who come, the one chosen by God. Zechariah also clearly explained what the Christ would be chosen to do. The disciples knew those Old Testament Scriptures, but so there was no misunderstanding, Jesus put in plain words what his mission on earth was.

Listen closely to Jesus' words, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life." Christ did want the disciples to miss it.

First of all Jesus had to suffer and be rejected for us. God makes it clear in the words of Holy Scripture that we must be perfect, completely without sin. All people have failed miserably. We break God's law daily and without Christ we would be shackled to Satan for all eternity. Our sin would drag us down into the depths of hell, where we would drown in eternal misery. But Christ came to this earth live a perfect life in our place. He suffered temptation after temptation from the devil. He suffered rejection from his human enemies, and sometimes he suffered rejection from his human friends. He suffered pain and agony on the cross. He was punished for our sins. He took our place so that we would not have to endure it.

Christ was killed in our place. Our sins put Jesus on the cross and He willingly accepted that punishment. With his blood, he paid the price of our sin and He set us free. The Christ's punishment brought us peace. And that peace means that our sins are not counted against us. That peace means that we are free to live without the burden of sin weighing us down. That peace means that we know that we won't have to suffer in hell for all eternity.

But that is not all. Jesus is the Christ of God who rose from the dead on third day. He lives now so that we have proof that our sins are forgiven. He lives now so that we have absolute confidence that we live in heaven, where we will be able to praise God perfectly for eternity.

What does it mean for you that Jesus is the Christ of God? It means that your sins have been removed. God sees them no more. It means that you have salvation. It means that you, through faith in the Christ of God, have a new life. Your new life means that you are set free to live as Christ lived. Jesus sacrificed all of himself for you. Are you ready to sacrifice yourself for Jesus?

Transition:

President Kennedy followed up his famous line, "Ask not what your country can do for you" with these words: "My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man." I adapted this line also for our purpose today. "My fellow Christians living in this world: ask not what Jesus will do for you, but what together we can do for we have freedom in Christ."

In our country we have many blessings. Many countries can only dream of the freedoms that we have. The Fourth of July emphasizes those blessings. We have freedom to worship God openly. We have freedom of speech to preach the gospel. We have freedom to come and go as we choose. Those freedoms were won by the blood and sweat of our forefathers. We have a greater freedom won for us by Christ. He sacrificed himself for us. Let us sacrifice for him.

2. You can do it for Jesus

As Christians today, there is a major problem that plagues us. We fill our lives with so many earthly things that we push out so many of the heavenly things. This leads to sense of apathy in the church. It becomes harder and harder to sacrifice for Jesus. But Jesus clearly said, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." Those words are for you. Those words are for me.

Let us deny ourselves. Get rid the distractions of this world, the ones that take you away from the kingdom of God. You know what they are. In our homes today, kids are involved in so many activities, that it takes the whole family out of worship and Bible study. Moms, dads, and children are running frantically all day long, so that home devotions and family prayer are eliminated. Husbands and wives destroy their marriages because they let the temptations of this world replace the vows they made before God.

In our church, the pleasures of the world have led people away from giving their time, talents, and treasures to God. If something needs to be done here at church, then let someone else do it. I am willing to lend my talents to everything else in the world, except the work of the church. I'll pay for this toy, this new home, this vacation, and this kind of lifestyle because it is more important that giving treasures back to God.

In our social lives, the temptations of the world are leading many away from God. More and more people are can't come to church, because they have to golf, or bowl, or go this practice or that event. More and more people are too tired from their full weeks to spend time working here at God's house.

Brothers and sisters, children of God, made pure by the sacrifice of Christ Jesus, let's simplify our lives. Let's make the sacrifice for Jesus. Eliminate the things that get in the way and let's join together to make the sacrifice.

In the Old Testament God demanded 10 percent of everything from his children. We are no longer bound by that law as New Testament Christians, but that does not mean it is not a useful starting point for us to consider as we sacrifice for Jesus. Think about two things. First of all, Jesus did not just give ten percent of himself for you when he died on the cross. He gave everything. Secondly, I believe that we are blessed more richly in many respects than those Old Testament believers who were supposed to give a tithe of everything. When we think about that, let the gospel move you to examine your sacrifice for Jesus. Why not start at ten percent and go up from there?

There are 168 hours in a week. If you were to give ten percent of your time back to God for Bible study, worship, and service here at church, that would be almost 17 hours a week. Where are you at now? Is it just an hour or two to sit in on a church service? Jesus gave us everything with his sacrifice. Can we sacrifice our time better for Jesus? Imagine what God could accomplish if everyone gave 10 percent of their time during the week!

It is reported that the average household income for Americans is $64,000. If a person were in that range and wanted to give ten percent back to God for the work of his kingdom that would be almost $125 per week. There are many who give less than $125 all year long back to God. Now God does not demand 10 percent from us, but can't we, in light of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us, give at the least ten percent back to God. Imagine how wonderful it would be if everyone, young and old, gave to God with thankful and cheerful hearts! Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice for us. In Christian freedom, we now have the chance to sacrifice for him.

Conclusion:

Jesus said that whoever loses their life for him will save it. Let's lose ourselves. Remember that Jesus did not just give us ten percent. And also remember that God has promised that as we make our sacrifices to him he will open the floodgates of heaven and bless us more richly than we could ever imagine. Let us trust our gracious God.

We are free as a nation and more importantly as Christians. Let us think of the sacrifices that were made on our behalf and consider how we ourselves can make sacrifices. As I close listen to the words of encouragement that the Apostle Paul gives us in Romans 12:1, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship." Amen.