“From Ulster Plantation to the Carolina’s with the Gospel!” *
Russell H. McCullough / Archdale church of Christ, 2525 Archdale Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210
www.archdale.org / gospelcall.blogspot.com - Date:
Text: Mark 8.34
Thesis: 100% Profit or
Loss for following or not following Christ
1
Introduction
A. Profit is not a dirty word
B. Poverty is not inherently virtuous
C. Self-interest is not selfishness
D. Success is not greed
E. The Golden Rule applied causes all ships to rise on the
tide of faithfulness
F. Faithfulness begins with acknowledgement of God’s
sovereignty and a spirit of thanksgiving
1) Romans
1.21 - 23
F. These principles are illustrated in Luke 12.16 – 21
1) He
denied the power of God
2) He
proclaimed his own power
3) He gave
no credit to God
4) He gave
all credit to himself
5) His
profit was temporary
6) His loss
was permanent
7) He
failed to count the cost
2
100%
Denial of Self for Christ = 100% Profit for my soul
A.
Acknowledge
our riches come from God
1) Deuteronomy 8.17 - 18
B. Give Him thanks for all blessings
1) Life
2) Health
3) Sound
mind
4) Liberty
5) Friends
6)
Circumstances
7) Wealth
C. Self denial is to embrace God’s Sovereignty and our
subservience
D. Living the Great Commandment is self denial in action
3
100%
Taking Up of the Cross = 100% Profit for my soul
A. Overtly proactive
B. Faith is not a private matter
C. Faith is to be taken to the public square
D. Faith in public has consequences that are unpleasant
E. Deposits are made in heaven when our faith is shown
publically
F. The taking up of the cross is synonymous with the Great
Commission
4
100%
Followship of Christ = 100% Profit for my soul
A. Follow Christ in private
B. Follow Christ in mind
1) “Think
on these things” – Philippians 4.8
C. Follow Christ in Word
D. Follow Christ in Deed
5
The
Meaning of the Text
A. Self Denial, Taking up the Cross and Followship is all
PROFIT
B. Failure to do these things is all LOSS
C. Some banks fail, others succeed. Which bank are we depositing in?
6
The
Challenge of the Text
A. “I Surrender All” my pride
B. “I Surrender All” my priorities
C. “I Surrender All” my talents
D. “I Surrender All” my wealth
E. “I Surrender All” my time
F. “I Surrender All” of me
7
“The
Gospel Call”
·
My fifth great uncle was Hugh Gaston who was
rector at the Ballywillan Presbyterian Church (pictured above left) in County
Antrim, Ulster Plantation (Northern Ireland) and wrote the most dangerous book
of his time; Gaston’s Collections. It
allowed “the ploughman to know more Bible than his clergyman.” Hugh fled to South Carolina where he died
prematurely of the measles. He is buried
just one hour south of Charlotte in Chester County, S.C. in “Burnt Meeting
House Cemetery.” Uncle Hugh continues
to inspire my ministry to this very day.
You can read more about Uncle Hugh here: http://www.ballywillanpci.org/rev-hugh-gaston
Ruins photo courtesy of:
ballywillanpci.org.
·
On Friday night, August 5, 2016 Russ will
dramatically portray the life and times of his 5th Great
grandfather, John “Justice” Gaston entitled; “A Patriot of the Revolution.” A
portion of the event will cover also the life and times of his brother, Hugh
Gaston. The event will take place at the
Archdale church of Christ, 2525 Archdale Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210 at 7
p.m. The public is invited to this free
presentation.
