Christ's Sacrifice Was for a Good Cause
Sermon March 19, 2025
Delivered at Community Lenten Service by Lancaster Ministerial Association.
Matthew 16:24-26; Christ's Sacrifice Was for a Good Cause
Pastor Fred Okello
My name is Fred Okello, and I have the privilege of serving Bethel and Emmanuel United Methodist Churches. Before we begin, let me give you a friendly warning—you’ll need to tune in with spiritual ears to fully grasp my message today.
First, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the pastor of this house and the congregation for welcoming us. I also appreciate the Lancaster Ministerial Association for their thoughtful planning, as well as our leader, reader, musicians, and everyone in attendance today. Thank you for being part of this moment of worship and reflection.
When I received an invitation to preach at the Lenten Community Service, I asked myself, what message would I convey to these distinguished servants and followers of the Lord? As I sought the Lord in prayer, He led me to Matthew 16:24-26, a passage that speaks of self-denial, sacrifice, and the eternal value of following Christ.
This season of Lent is a time of reflection, repentance, and renewal. It is a time when we examine our faith and recommit ourselves to the work of the Kingdom. Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross was not in vain. His death and resurrection were not meaningless acts of suffering but a victory that secured our salvation.
Today, as we gather in this community, we are reminded that our call as disciples requires sacrifice, self-denial, and commitment to the work of building God’s Kingdom.
This call is not just a theoretical teaching, it is a lived experience. Jesus gave His life for us, and He calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. This call is not easy, but it is worth it. The true value of life is found in surrendering to Christ, but not in worldly success.
In 1982, some devoted followers of Christ arrived in a small village. They left their homes, comforts, and even their safety to bring the gospel to children who had never heard of Jesus. Their method was simple: they brought drinks and cookies to children whose only occupation was playing all day.
Among the children who gathered was a young boy. He listened as their generous friends taught them Bible verses and songs. One song stood out to him: “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.”
He didn’t fully understand it at the time, but something about those words stayed with him. As he grew, that light guided him through life's challenges. Today, that young boy stands as a minister of the Word of God.
This story reminds us that Jesus’ sacrifice was not in vain. The brethren’s self-denial and commitment were not in vain. The little light that was planted in that village continues to shine. And today, we stand here because the mission of Christ is alive, and it is alive in Lancaster and beyond.
Jesus makes it clear: if we want to be His disciples, we must deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him.
This means surrendering our desires for His will, choosing obedience over comfort and placing the Kingdom above personal gains.
The friends back in 1982 had to deny themselves. They could have pursued careers, lived in comfort, and stayed with their families. Instead, they followed Jesus' call to serve in an unfamiliar territory.
What about us today? Are we willing to deny ourselves for the sake of the Kingdom? Are we willing to sacrifice our time, resources, and comfort to bring others to Christ?
In my years of ministry, I have seen many believers drift away from fellowship, some due to church hurt and others from spiritual weariness. Today, among other challenges, this drifting away is further compounded by the shift toward virtual worship, where many prefer convenience over gathering with the body of Christ. This trend affects both young and old, weakening the church community. Yet, Jesus warns against gaining the world at the cost of our souls (Matthew 16:26).
Many people chase after: Wealth, Power, Prestige, and Temporary success. But at what cost? Some sacrifice their faith, their integrity, and even their relationships with God. Jesus warns us that the greatest tragedy is not losing material things but losing our soul.
The young boy in 1982 could have grown up pursuing worldly success, but the light of Christ continued to guide him toward ministry. Today, God calls us to remember that nothing in this world is worth losing our soul over. Instead of asking, “What can I gain?” we should ask, “What can I give?” Can I give my time to disciple someone? Can I give my prayers to uplift someone struggling? Can I give my resources to support the work of the church? Jesus gave everything for us—let us give ourselves back to Him.
Jesus is not a distant historical figure. His mission is alive and breathing in every church, every ministry, and every act of service in Lancaster and beyond. When we preach the Word, Christ is alive. When we support a struggling family, Christ is alive. When we intercede in prayer, Christ is alive. When we shine our light in a dark world, Christ is alive.
The pioneers of our churches planted seeds. Today, we continue to water and harvest the work they began. We must ask ourselves: What legacy are we leaving behind? Will someone in 40,50, 70, 80 years look back and say, “Because of their faithfulness, I am here today”?
Beloved in closing, I am humbled by apostle Paul’s encouraging words to Galatians
“… not (to) grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
We are here today because Jesus' mission did not stop at the cross. His sacrifice continues to change lives, and we are the evidence of that. Let us deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. His mission is not dead—it is alive in us. Let us continue the Kingdom work!
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Thank You for calling us to be part of Your mission. Strengthen us to continue Your Kingdom work with passion and commitment. Let Your light shine in our lives so that many may come to know You. In Jesus' name, Amen.