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If you can't watch the video or don't want
to download it, here's a short summary: A father,
daughter and son are all climbing the face of a big wall while
playing a game of "Guess the song, artist and year of what I'm
singing". Two climbers above them accidentally fall off and
their rope snags on the father pulling him down with them.
The fall proceeds to rip all three of them off of the wall and 2
of their 3 safety anchors pull out of the wall. The third
one is coming out and things aren't looking good. After the
father dumps the two squirming guys who fell first he asks his
daughter to try anchoring them back into the wall. She tries
hard but cannot reach. Time is running out and the anchor is
slipping closer and closer to coming out and sending all three to
their deaths. The father then asks his son who is hanging in
the middle to pull out his knife and cut him loose. The
drama ensues with his sister screaming not to do it and his father
yelling that he'll kill his sister if he doesn't he finally cuts
the rope and his father falls to his death!
THE CRISIS OF
FAITH
It's a difficult video to watch,
but luckily it's a fictional story. However we live in a
real drama that is similar in many ways. We face a crisis
moment of faith much like Peter in Vertical Limit. We face a
decision that either gives us life or pulls us down into death.
We also hold the fate of others in our hands since our decision
ultimately affects those closest to us who will be impacted by our
lives.
The Struggle of Life Starts
with a Crisis of Faith!
We are all a bit like Annie (the
daughter in the clip) before we reach the crisis of faith.
And in our humanity we often try to solve our problems with grit
and determination. People don't like to admit they need
help. Annie tried desperately to save her family by reaching
for the wall but she continuously fell short. Like Annie we
fall short of God's glory (Romans 3:23 For everyone has sinned;
we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.) and because we
fall short of saving ourselves from our own sin we are caught in a
crisis moment of faith.
The Only Solution For The
Weight of Sin!
In our video clip the father represents two different things. The
first is the weight of sin. It was the fathers weight that
was the problem and he knew it. He knew from experience that
he would drag down his children if he did not sacrifice himself.
Sin has that effect on us. It weighs us down and we are
unable to rid ourselves of it. Only the sacrifice of Jesus
Christ can wash away our sin. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says
21
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we
might become the righteousness of God. That means that Jesus
took the weight of our sin and died for it because the wages
of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in
Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 Jesus paid the price
for our sin by dying in our place! That is the amazing gift
of God we call grace! But it is only offered, you must still
choose. That crisis moment when you make your decision to
accept or reject Jesus gift is the crisis moment of faith we are
talking about.
You MUST Decide How To
Respond To Jesus' Sacrifice!
 In our clip
Peter faced his crisis moment. He had a choice. Either
to accept his father's sacrifice and live or reject his fathers
offer and die. It's as simple as that. There was
pressure from both sides and he ultimately decided to sacrifice
his father. The difference in our true story, is that Jesus
willingly cut his own rope. He chose to die even if you
would reject him. He didn't deserve to die and we did yet he
died willingly in our place. The question you must answer is
"will I honour his death and accept his free gift of grace?" or
"will I reject what he has done for me and try to save myself in a
futile struggle that will only lead to death?" It seems like
an easy decision but it doesn't end at the crisis moment of faith!
You Have to Climb On!
I think the most significant part of this
clip to me, is the fact that they had to climb on. We don't
see it in the movie but think about it. Here they are
hanging on a cliff face, there father is gone, dead, and they are
crushed but they have to finish the climb. Life can be like
that. Remember, John Wesley said, "the Christian life is
a struggle that requires decision and effort." The real
crisis of your faith is first, will you believe? and second, will
you climb on?
Your Decision Affects Those
Around You!
Just like Peter had to consider Annie in his
decision, you should consider the impact your life will make on
the world for good or for evil. A life lived in selfishness
can accomplish little or nothing of eternal value, but a life
lived for Christ can save the lives of those you influence and
love as well as many you may never know about. It's just one
more good reason to dedicate your life to Christ today.
CONCLUSION:
Our climbing series is meant to help you climb on from the crisis of your
faith. From the moment you accept Christ your purpose in
life changes. It's no longer a life all to yourself but a
life of dedication and worship to honour that sacrifice he made.
What if Peter and Annie never told anyone of the heroic sacrifice
their father made? And what if they didn't appreciate the
life they had to live and threw it all away? What if their
father could see everything they did from that moment on?
That's how it is with us! Jesus is watching how you honour
him and is hoping your appreciation is deep enough to live as he
would live. So how will you honour Christ? Will you
seek to live a life worthy of His sacrifice? If you will
then commit to learning all you can and putting Christ as the
number one priority of your life! The rest of this series
will help you do that!
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Part 1:
