COMMUNION SUNDAY Luke 9:23-27
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true / Its shame and reproach gladly bear /
Then He'll call me someday to my home far away / Where His glory forever I'll share.
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross / Till my trophies at last I lay down /
I will cling to the old rugged cross / And exchange it some day for a crown.
That is the last verse to the favorite hymn of long time church member: Ann Dawson and it is that verse which gets at the heart of what Jesus said about the cross. But first let me tell you a little bit about Ann and her favorite hymn. (PICTURE ANN DAWSON)
Family Church background?
Her aunt and uncle adopted her. Sent her first to a country church where her vague memories are of being in the cherub choir in a Christmas Pageant. Ann started attending Ashland around 7 years old – again, mainly being dropped off and picked up afterward. Can you imagine a parent doing that today?
Favorite experience in Church?
Fellowship of Ashland – people have been so good to Ann. She lost her son 12 years ago. – the quilting group of ladies, even though Ann was not a quilter, were so supportive and helpful. For those who may not know Ann, if you were coming prior to COVID, she was the one quietly sitting in the church lobby before church with the library cart encouraging you to read a good Christian book.
When and How did Jesus become real to you?
As a child growing up in Ashland. Gradually came to faith – I would not know what to do without my faith. Baptized and joined church at age 19 on June-6-1954.
What service through the church have you been most blessed by?
Part of the 1st brownie troupe that Ashland had led by Mrs. Schugert who provided overnight camping in her backyard for the girls. And then Girl Scouts. As an adult the Ministry that has been a major blessing to her has been the choir and all forms of music, especially her favorite and other familiar hymns.
Favorite Scripture: The Beatitudes. Her hopes for the future of Ashland Church are to grow and help more people know and love Jesus.
What words of Jesus can you paraphrase or quote?
Matthew 6:25-27 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”
Favorite Song to sing in Church?
The Old Rugged Cross
The author, (PICTURE GEORGE BENNARD)
George Bennard was born in Youngstown, Ohio, in 1873 and spent his childhood in Iowa. His father was a tavern owner and later, a coal miner. Bennard's conversion at the age of 22 through the evangelistic ministry of the Salvation Army in Canton, Iowa, led to his ordination and commissioning as a traveling evangelist in 1898.
In 1912 Bennard was preaching a revival in Michigan and was heckled incessantly by several youth who were at the revival meeting. Troubled by their disregard for the gospel, Bennard turned to Scripture to reflect on the work of Christ on the cross. He later recalled, "I seemed to have a vision ... . I saw the Christ and the cross inseparable."
The melody came easily, and the verses were written while preaching at various revivals in Michigan. After completing the hymn, before starting his next revival in Pokagon, Michigan, he performed the song in its entirety for the sponsoring pastor and his wife, Rev. Leroy and Ruby Bostwick, in the living room of the parsonage. The Bostwicks were moved to tears and incorporated the song in the revival service on June 7, 1913. First, Bennard sang his hymn with guitar accompaniment, and then a five-voice choir sang with organ and violin accompaniment.
Today, (PICTURE RUGGED CHURCH)
that same church building, originally a hops barn, is owned by the non-profit Old Rugged Cross Foundation and welcomes thousands of visitors annually.
The hymn quickly spread throughout the region and came to the attention of the evangelist Billy Sunday, who frequently utilized it in his meetings.
I have a stronger affinity for the empty tomb then I do for the old rugged cross. I love the symbol of life more than the symbol of death. Having said that, the empty tomb does not exist without the horrific event of the cross. Forgiveness of sins is not possible if Jesus is not nailed to a cross to die. The Grace I preached last week – Getting what we don’t deserve = eternal life, does not exist without first receiving God’s MERCY – not getting what we do deserve = death, as the penalty for our sin. But I have discovered something that puts the cross in a new light. Jesus talked about the disciples and their own cross before anyone had an inkling that Jesus would die on a cross. The cross is not just a symbol of what Jesus has done for us – it is also a symbol of how we are to follow him in life.
Luke 9:23-27
Then Jesus said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? 26 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27 I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God."
Luke 9:20-22
"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "The Christ of God." 21 Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. 22 And he said, "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."
Luke 9:28-36
About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray. 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, 31 appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. 32 Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, "Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters — one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." (He did not know what he was saying.)
The kingdom of God is not just some place we go to someday. It is here and now. It is something that Jesus is asking us to build with him as the lead carpenter. And we are asked to build it inspired by the Holy Spirit, to do so creatively and compassionately as a way to connect other people to Jesus! Christianity is not just getting our ticket punched to get to heaven and Mercy is not a one time event – God’ mercies are new every morning based on a one time event – Christ’s death on the old rugged cross.
As we daily pick up our cross to follow Jesus we must have a renewal of mind… Rom 12:1-2 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. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will. But also requires a commitment of the heart. No one picks up their cross who is not fully committed to loving and serving Jesus Christ. Don’t look for God’s mercy when you don’t know what it feels like to carry your cross. It is in carrying that cross that we comprehend what cost was made so we could receive his mercy. A cross bearers life is never stagnant, never unwilling to learn more and walk deeper while following Jesus. 20 years ago, Ann Dawson didn’t say, ok I’ve been there and done that so now I am done bearing the cross Jesus told me to carry. No, she carries it still ever learning and growing and having a heart for the lost.
Jesus did not go to the cross only so we could have eternal life, he did it so we could be faithful followers in this life. Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope — the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
As we pick up our own rugged cross and follow him, it is then and inly then, in light of his mercy, that we are transformed into the people he designed us to be clear back in the garden of Eden before sin entered the world. Discipleship is for a lifetime, not a week-end part time job. That is why Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine / Such a wonderful beauty I see /
For 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died / To pardon and sanctify me.
So I'll cherish the old rugged cross / Till my trophies at last I lay down /
I will cling to the old rugged cross / And exchange it some day for a crown.
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