"Have We Become Secular Saints"

Presented on September 7, 2025

Main text: Luke 9:46-56

Preached by Pastor Rich Chasse

Summary

In this sermon, Pastor Rich explores Luke 9, focusing on the disciples' struggles with pride, envy, and selfishness. He draws parallels between their failures and the challenges modern Christians and churches face. The sermon examines three specific incidents: the disciples' inability to cast out a demon, their argument about who was greatest, and their desire to call down fire on a Samaritan village. The pastor identifies the root sins behind these failures as self-sufficiency, self-seeking, and self-righteousness, respectively. He emphasizes that these same sins plague believers today, often disguised with religious appearances. The solution, he concludes, is daily returning to the cross, which reminds us of our complete dependence on Christ's righteousness rather than our own efforts or merit.

Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, as we gather to discuss Your Word today, we ask that You would open our hearts and minds to what You want to teach us. Just as You worked with the flawed disciples, we acknowledge that we too are broken vessels in need of Your grace. Help us to see ourselves honestly in this discussion and to be receptive to the ways You want to transform us. Guide our conversation and help us to apply these truths to our lives. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Ice Breaker

If you could have dinner with any three people from history, who would you choose and why?

Key Verses

1. Luke 9:46-56
2. Mark 9:33-37
3. Romans 1:16-17

Questions

1. The pastor mentioned the 'disease of more' affecting the disciples. In what areas of your life do you find yourself wanting 'more' in ways that might be harmful to your spiritual growth?
2. How do you see the sin of self-sufficiency showing up in your prayer life? When are you most tempted to think 'I've got this' instead of depending on God?
3. The disciples argued about who was the greatest. Where do you see unhealthy competition or comparison in churches today, and how does it affect ministry?
4. Jesus used the idea of our acceptance of a child as an example of what greatness looks like in His kingdom. How does this challenge our cultural understanding of importance and success?
5. The disciples wanted to call down fire on the Samaritan village. When have you been tempted to be judgmental toward others who reject your beliefs or values?
6. How can religious activity sometimes mask deeper sin issues in our lives? Have you experienced this personally?
7. The pastor said that 'the cross reminds us we have no righteousness of our own.' How does keeping this truth in mind change how you relate to others, especially those struggling with sin?
8. What practical steps can you take to 'daily pick up your cross' and renew your faith as the sermon suggests?

Life Application

This week, identify one area where you've been operating in self-sufficiency, self-seeking, or self-righteousness. Each morning, spend time at the cross in prayer, acknowledging your complete dependence on Christ's righteousness rather than your own efforts. Then, choose one specific action that demonstrates putting others' interests ahead of your own. At the end of each day, reflect on how remembering the cross changed your interactions with others and your perspective on yourself.

Key Takeaways

1. God is willing to teach, mold, and use flawed, broken people for His purposes, just as He did with the disciples.
2. The sins that plagued the disciples (self-sufficiency, self-seeking, and self-righteousness) are the same ones that affect believers and churches today.
3. Sin often wears a religious veneer, making us feel virtuous while actually separating us from God and others.
4. True greatness in God's kingdom is measured by how we serve others, especially those considered least important.
5. The solution to our sin is daily returning to the cross, which reminds us that our sufficiency, unity, and righteousness come only from Christ.

Ending Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for the cross that reminds us daily of our need for You. Forgive us for the times we've operated in self-sufficiency instead of depending on Your power, sought our own interests instead of serving others, and relied on our own righteousness instead of Yours. As we leave this discussion, help us to carry the truth of the Gospel into every aspect of our lives. May we daily pick up our cross, die to ourselves, and allow You to live through us. Use us, broken as we are, to bring glory to Your name and to serve others with the same love You've shown us. In Your precious name we pray, Amen.