Jump!

by Joey Davis

As they stood at the edge of the 100 foot cliff a legion of deputies closing in on them, they had to make a decision. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid stood, staring downward at a frothy river below and downward at an angry posse growing evermore near. Cassidy wanted to jump and begged Sundance to go with him.
Sundance continued to refuse and think of strategies to hold off the ensuing mob. Cassidy continued his plea for them to jump but Sundance would hear nothing of it. Finally, Cassidy asked Sundance why he wouldn't jump. His reply? "I can't swim." In one of the greatest lines in motion picture history, Butch Cassidy (Paul Newman) began laughing hilariously arid then deadpanned..."You can't swim? Shoot, the fall will probably kill you anyway!"
We've all been in Butch's and Sundance's shoes. Standing at a cliff and surrounded by enemies we are forced to make a choice. Each side has its good points and uncomfortable consequences.
In front of us is a legion of deputies called "worldliness. " We at least know what to expect if we head in that direction. To surrender to them would be dishonorable but survivable. Their soldiers cry out to us, "So what if you give up your freedom? Everyone else does. Why should you be different?" You may not measure. up to your own expectations, but you will, have temporarily survived the confrontation.
Their prison is not one of brick and mortar but one of the soul. They will convince you that the bread and water of their malnourishing gospel is tasty; that you are supposed to feel trapped and. powerless; and if you for now their lead, they'll not publicly humiliate you and single you out for their unique brand of persecution.
Behind us is something just as frightening. "The leap of faith. " Living life in the grace of God where the boundaries are as simple as love God and love each other (every other law hinges on these two) can be a bit scary. To leap into arms which cannot be seen is dangerous; unless it is the arms of God. However, we were never promised that being faithful would be comfortable. The cross only removed the risk of the leap...not the fear involved in leaping.
So, that's your choice...be captive to the world or leap into the arms of the Savior.
My advice? Jump!!! You can't swim? Big deal! The fall will kill you anyway! But from the river of faith your in arise a newer and better edition, revised by the Author of the Ages. Die to yourself so that Christ will live in you...jump.

June 25, 1995

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Jump! by Joey Davis As they stood at the edge of the 100 foot cliff a legion of deputies closing in on them, they had to make a decision. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid stood, staring downward at a frothy river below and downward at an angry posse growing evermore near. Cassidy wanted to jump and begged Sundance to go with him. Sundance continued to refuse and think of strategies to hold off the ensuing mob. Cassidy continued his plea for them to jump but Sundance would hear nothing of it. Finally, Cassidy asked Sundance why he wouldn't jump. His reply? "I can't swim." In one of the greatest lines in motion picture history, Butch Cassidy (Paul Newman) began laughing hilariously arid then deadpanned..."You can't swim? Shoot, the fall will probably kill you anyway!" We've all been in Butch's and Sundance's shoes. Standing at a cliff and surrounded by enemies we are forced to make a choice. Each side has its good points and uncomfortable consequences. In front of us is a legion of deputies called "worldliness. " We at least know what to expect if we head in that direction. To surrender to them would be dishonorable but survivable. Their soldiers cry out to us, "So what if you give up your freedom? Everyone else does. Why should you be different?" You may not measure. up to your own expectations, but you will, have temporarily survived the confrontation. Their prison is not one of brick and mortar but one of the soul. They will convince you that the bread and water of their malnourishing gospel is tasty; that you are supposed to feel trapped and. powerless; and if you for now their lead, they'll not publicly humiliate you and single you out for their unique brand of persecution. Behind us is something just as frightening. "The leap of faith. " Living life in the grace of God where the boundaries are as simple as love God and love each other (every other law hinges on these two) can be a bit scary. To leap into arms which cannot be seen is dangerous; unless it is the arms of God. However, we were never promised that being faithful would be comfortable. The cross only removed the risk of the leap...not the fear involved in leaping. So, that's your choice...be captive to the world or leap into the arms of the Savior. My advice? Jump!!! You can't swim? Big deal! The fall will kill you anyway! But from the river of faith your in arise a newer and better edition, revised by the Author of the Ages. Die to yourself so that Christ will live in you...jump. June 25, 1995 Related Articles: Print this Article Discuss this Article Back to the Sermon Page	Mt. Juliet Church of Christ 1940 N. Mt. Juliet Road P.O.Box 248 Mt.Juliet, TN 37122-0248 (615)758-2274 Fax:615-754-2351 Email Worship Services: Sunday Early Worship: 8AM Sunday Bible Study: 9:15AM Sunday Late Worship: 10:15AM Night Worship: 6PM Wednesday Bible Study: 7PM