There is an old legend about a pig and a chicken who were walking through a poverty stricken area. Full of compassion the chicken said, "These people need a good breakfast. Let's give them some ham and eggs." The pig replied, "Wait a minute. For you to provide eggs would require only compassion. For me to supply ham would require total commitment."

Both compassion and total commitment are essential to the Christian lifestyle. Jesus said, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it."

Try to visualize this scene: Jesus and the disciples are striding down the road toward Jerusalem. That's the last place the disciples want to go. It's a snake pit full of enemies. The disciples hang back while Jesus strides out ahead. Then James and John, after some private conferring between them, march up beside Jesus and, in a muffled tone that the other disciples cannot hear, ask him a question. "When you are elected president of the Kingdom of God, will you allow us to be your Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense?"

Jesus hid his disappointment over such an inappropriate question and asked, "Are you willing to pay the price of being my disciples?" "Oh yes," they said glibly, "We're with you all the way. You can count on us." Jesus was so kind that he did not say, "Are you kidding me? You fair-weather friends, you yellow cowards will run for cover the first time you smell real danger."

Instead he said, "It is not my prerogative to give places of honor in the Kingdom; that is the task of God the Father." Then he said something like this: "stop thinking about what's in it for you. We don't operate like other organizations in this world where rank has its privileges. In our operation the greatest people are the ones who serve the most. Remember, I didn't come to this earth to be served but to serve and to give my life as a ransom for many. If you want to follow me, you must learn how to serve."

That episode suggests two truths that I want to declare: MOST PEOPLE WANT A HIGH-BENEFIT LOW-COST RELIGION.

Most Christian prefer what Bishop Michael Marshall has called "decaffeinated Christianity," the kind of religion that won't keep you awake a night. This kind of religion costs little, won't require you to get involved in controversy or other people's troubles, and will surround you with comfort. But by the way, this kind of religion is counterfeit.

Sometimes the Lord sends me messages that sting. One came la week through a letter I received from a long-time member of our church, a person who loves this church deeply. She leveled the indictment against us: "We are bound by the demons of money, property, and prestige. Does anyone remember Jesus' words of validation for the poor widow who gave all she had?"

Some people want a church that is sort of a Sunday civic club that never makes you sell light bulbs or pancakes, one that requires no dues but looks good on your resume. But that kind of church is counterfeit. Sacrifice is an essential characteristic of Jesus' people.

Christ Church has a proud history of missions. We built a hospital overseas even before we constructed our own sanctuary. In this year's budget, over $760,000 is purely missional. Much of the rest of our budget is at least partially outreach and service. We have the most far-reaching and comprehensive missions program of any church I know. I'm proud of that. But it requires little sacrifice of us.

Most of us live on the affluent side of Memphis. When is the last time you or I really sacrificed for the cause of Christ? Have we been fasting lately in order to spend more time in prayer? Has any of us skipped a vacation lately because we felt that some missional cause needed the money? When was the last time we took a Christian position on some controversial issue that caused us to catch some flak? When did you last boycott a movie because you knew it contained profanity? How many of us give even five hours per week in direct ministry in the name of Jesus?

One of our parking lot attendants told me that he observed an apparently heal thy person park his long automobile in a handicapped parking space. Courteously he asked, "Sir, are you handicapped? This is a handicapped parking space." The man replied, "No, but I'm a long-time member here and I deserve a convenient parking space.” That man is not typical of Christ Church, but there is a little bit of him in all of us.

Let's face it. Sacrifice is almost a foreign word to us. We demand that religion be convenient, not sacrificial.

That brings me to the second truth I want to declare: IF YOU FOLLOW JESUS, IT WILL COST YOU.

Self-denial and sacrifice are essential elements of the Christian life. Why? Because Jesus sacrificed for us. Therefore, out of gratitude, we live for him. Jesus was the ultimate servant. Listen to Paul's description of him: "Though he was in the form of God, he did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave..." (Phil. 2:6)

I want to challenge us to five commitments. Please write these down. These are responsibilities incumbent on children of the Kingdom.

The first is an unreserved commitment to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.

The second is a commitment to seek a unlimited infilling of his Holy spirit. That's where our wisdom and power come from.

The third commitment is to a personal ministry of evangelism. That is, to always be ready to give a brief account of why you are a Christian, and to pray for certain people who have not yet responded to the Gospel.

The fourth commitment is to tithe, to commit at least 10 percent of one's income to God's work.

The fifth commitment is to be involved in at least one of the major crises in our community. That may be anything from Habitat for Humanity to Salvation Army to MIFA to serving young women with difficult pregnancies. Our Missions office can find a fit for you. I have decided to serve within the women's prison and through MIFA. Each of us ought to be able to answer this question of Jesus: What am I doing to heal Memphis in the name of Jesus?

Commitment number four confronts us this week as we prepare for next Sunday's commitment service. Tithing requires sacrifice. If it doesn't, one should raise one's level of giving until it does.

When Mother Teresa visited Los Angeles a few years ago, a physician named Gerald Jampolski heard her speak. Attracted by the spiritual power that emanated from her, he asked her, "Would it be alright if I accompanied you on your coming tour to Mexico? Whenever I am around you, I feel the presence of God."

She replied, "Dr. Jampolski, I do not object to your joining me, but you said you wanted to experience inner peace. Find out how much it costs to fly to Mexico and back. Give that money to feed and clothe someone in need, and you will find the inner peace you seek." Dr. Jampolski followed her advice and discovered she was right.

This week as we prepare for Pledge Sunday we ought to have some family discussions that might sound like this-- If we tithe, will we have to put off that boat purchase we talked about? If we tithe will we have to take that January cruise every third year instead of every other year? If we tithe, will it be necessary to drive the old car one more year instead of trading it now?

Mother Teresa says that if you give what you do not need, it isn't giving.

Our friend Maxie Dunnam likes to tell about an American businessman who traveled to Europe to see the famous Oberammergau Passion Play? Following the performance the businessman had the opportunity to meet and talk with Anton Lang who portrayed Christ in the play. Seeing the cross that was used in the play, the businessman wanted his wife to take his picture holding it. He attempted to lift the cross to his shoulder. To his surprise he could hardly budge it from the floor.

He said to Mr. Lang, "I don't understand. I figured the cross would be hollow. Why do you carry such a heavy cross?" Mr. Lang's reply explains why this play draws people from allover the world to that little Bavarian village. He said, "If I did not feel the weight of His cross, I could not play the part."

And neither can we.