Road to Reality - the Most Important Thing in Life Part Two — K.P. Yohannan

What's the most important thing in life. Money good friends family, or is it being happy as some suggest. Well? Let's see how God answers that question here today on the road to reality. If Jesus came to you and said I want you to leave everything come and follow me. Would you do it?

You know the disciples of the first century were willing and they did but there was a rich young ruler who said no. Now how we answer that question. Really says a lot about where we're at and who we are serving today on the road to reality brother.

Giving Christ Preeminence in All Things

Kp. O 'hannon stresses the importance of giving Christ the preeminence in all things. He's to occupy first place in our lives anything less is missing out on what's most important. This is the weekly radio ministry of gospel for Asia, and we're thankful to the Lord for this time together with you.

The Christian Life as a Pilgrimage

We catch up with KP now in Luke 24. What a joy it is to.

Have this opportunity to talk with you again I don't know where you are may be in your car or in your bedroom or kitchen. Well, where are you may be? And You know times like this and I say Lord I am so blessed to have this opportunity to talk to my brothers and sisters.

Well after all before you know it our life on earth is over and we are going to be with the Lord so here we are pilgrims and strangers on this earth and my part in this journey is some time to talk to.

You know the people of God like you and then share what the Lord put on my heart. And I hope it will be an encouragement to you. You know other day. I was talking to our gospel for Asia staff here. You know we have this Tuesday night prayer meeting our entire staff Meet we are some 70 80 kids and 105 families.

So it's a fairly a large group of people and every Tuesday. We meet for prayer and whenever I'm here I Share from God's Word, you know before our prayer meeting starts, and I was telling them you know it's been you know or for decades that You know I've been unserving God, and I was barely 17 When Jesus called me to give my life and everything to serve him I left my home traveled 2 ,000 miles North India and Spent eight years Serving him along with other young people a few times.

Suffering and Perseverance in Ministry

I was beaten up and abused and faced quite a bit of suffering along with many others doing the Lord's work, and it's been a Incredible journey, then I told them also. It's interesting that After 44 years of being in your so-called full-time ministry.

I took the first vacation now. Believe it or not. I just didn't know you and how to do this thing my board members during one of the board meeting set. You know brother KP. We are really worried about you.

You you need to take a break. I said yeah, what do you are talking about then? We like you to take a week off and and go for a vacation and I was silent and I said dear me What a punishment. And I I know these dear Brothers Loving and gracious and kind and I said yeah, I will do what you tell me to do in any case.

You know this is a meaningful week my wife Gisela and my son Danny and his wife Erica and the two little kids. They have you know Esther and Jonah the tiny boy, then of course my daughter Sarah and her husband dr. Danny.

They both are in India. He's the medical doctor serving God Caring for the children and suffering people then of course in their little boy. So I mean it was a wonderful experience by the way, and I don't regret it.

Knowing Christ Intimately Above All Else

Although it was kind of difficult for me to adjust the first two days. What I'm trying to tell you is that my life entire life being one of perpetual Non-stop going after Reaching the lost and and I weep about it and I work for it and dream about it there's nothing more significant in my life than knowing my Lord and Doing the one thing that he's most concerned about that is to seek and save that Are lost but then I said to my people Last night during the prayer meeting, you know, my brothers and sisters after all these years of serving Christ there is one thing of Great importance the only thing that is important to me now than anything else that is To know the Lord Jesus Intimately and to be his so completely I said world evangelism.

Absolutely. I work for it. That's that's my life, but That and everything else like that is overshadowed by one thing I want to know him better and Those are words. I understand you he heard those kind of words people talk about and you read about it.

But how do we come to the place of total? abandonment. There's nothing. We seek for ourself our life completely his. Please don't misunderstand me. I'm not talking about some spooky Mystical thing. No, this is basic biblical teaching of the New Testament Christianity in the Western countries, especially here in America.

Living for Christ Rather Than Ourselves

You will agree with me Lot of times for lot of people it is what they can get. Not what Christ is asking and Paul very well said this in 2nd Corinthians chapter 5 if you remember since One died for all that is Christ died for you and for me.

Now those who live No more Live for themselves, but for him who died for you and for me. We are not our own anymore. This I call it the radical Christianity. This I call the most important thing in our Christian life and So we have a passage like this in Luke chapter 14 where You know, lots and lots of people want to be near Christ like we have mega churches You know means huge numbers of people Gathering and being in one place.

I mean, it's a wonderful thing. I don't against it. I'm so happy for that also because there's an opportunity for people to hear Biblical teaching provided the shepherd is teaching from God's Word. Not, you know, whatever he you know think about or interpret stuff.

The Cost of Discipleship

But in any case in verse 25 in Luke chapter 14 You read these words large crowds were traveling with Jesus and turning to them he said if anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother his wife and Children his brothers and sisters.

Yes. Even his own life. He cannot be my disciple. Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Then in verse 33 In the same way. Any of you who does not give up everything?

He has cannot be my disciple. You know, it's a weird situation that our preachers are spending so much time Trying to explain what Christ didn't mean. Oh. And we are so worried about being so Politically, correct.

We don't want to offend anyone. For example, how many books you find in the Christian bookshops that says? That if you divorce your wife or husband For any other reason than this one reason of unfaithfulness.

You you are living in sin. I Know this is not a popular theology and I I'm not saying there is no forgiveness or sin and there's no God's grace and I know people who been divorced and remarried God's grace is abundant and his mercy is forever.

I I'm not knocking at these kind of situations, but what I'm simply saying when will Christianity and the shepherds that are set To lead the people Will come to the place where they are more afraid of God than the people they are speaking to.

Thank God there are prophets. There are people who are willing to risk all for the sake of Christ and these are people who don't seek anybody's honor. Reputation they don't care and I know quite a few people like that and I'm so grateful that they are my example.

The First Place Belongs to God

But coming back to the subject we are dealing with what is the most important thing in our life. Answering that I would say God will never take the second place in your life. If you don't give him the first place He says I'm sorry.

You are free to go and do what you want to do. That's exactly what happened in Mark chapter 10 the rich young ruler came to Christ. He was upright. He was holding very significant position. Recognized and respected in the society, but Jesus or something deep down about his own private longing and his attitude and Jesus said oh, yeah, I'm so happy that you want to be mine and follow me.

Oh by the way go and sell Everything you have and give it to the poor then you come and follow me and the scripture says This fellow was quite sad. He was not mad and angry and Said Jesus you are crazy.

No. He said he was quite discouraged and sad. He didn't want to do it and Jesus didn't go after him and say no. No, just wait a minute. Just wait a minute no, I didn't mean that and and Let's look at it.

Maybe you can take the first step and then Second and third and and gradually we will work it out. Don't don't get offended. No Jesus didn't go after him. Then you know in the early chapters of Mark when Jesus saw this bunch of young people Quite busy with catching fish and he said Hey fellows Come and follow me and I will make you fishers of men.

And the next thing you read they left their boats their nest and left their co-workers with their, you know other buddies and parents and Walked away.

The Apostles and the Rich Young Ruler

Quite a contrast there between the Apostles and the rich young ruler. The Apostles were willing to leave everything follow Jesus and the rich young ruler. He wasn't. Which of the two camps would you fall into?

We'll get back to brother KP Yohannan here in just a second here on the road to reality. We're considering what's important in life right now. And maybe all of this has you thinking of where you're at with the Lord.

I'd like to recommend KP's book. No longer a slumdog. In this book KP will encourage you to think less of yourself more about God and others. You'll see the world through eyes of the suffering children of Asia.

You'll share in their sorrow rejoice in their victories and in the end, you'll be left with what's most important. We'd like to send this to you. Absolutely free of charge. Just go to win Asia dot o-r-g and request no longer a slumdog.

That's win Asia dot o-r-g. I'll give you our phone number too in case you'd like to call us toll-free 866 win Asia, that's eight six six win Asia now for our friends in Canada. You'll want to call us at eight eight eight nine four six 2742 or visit gospel for Asia dot CA on the World Wide Web.

And KP is in studio today. He joins us now once again with more about what's most important in life now.

Practicing Wholehearted Devotion

You know thoughts like this is hard to translate into Practical living especially for us here in the United States in the Western culture, but I trust the Holy Spirit will give you understanding. You know, I met a man who actually is a multi-millionaire.

He is still my friend is extremely rich but in my Private conversation with him many many times. I found out here is a man who's so devout to Christ He walks with him. So intimately I was in tears when he told me brother KP I Heard you talk about having an alarm clock Not to wake me up so I can go to my office, but rather It will wake me up two in the morning one in the morning So I can pray and be alone Meditating being with Christ weeping or a world map.

Taking the television news and radio news and magazine news and reports as prayer request and He just telling me how he make his decisions about spending his money. Decisions about people that work for him The way he spent his time and I said Lord I have a long way to go you see.

Here is what you need to know you have to stop comparing your life with someone else and When the disciples try to figure out Jesus, well you talk about him like this, but What about me what about I'm Jesus it it's none of your business if it's my wish for him to live Until I come back.

That's not your problem, but you Come and follow me So to you my sister there in the kitchen my dear brother driving the car Or in your bedroom in the hospital room or wherever you are Please listen to me When it is all said and done that day when you and I stand before our Lord your wife will not be there your pastor your bishop and Your archbishop and your friend and your colleague and nobody will be there.

Basically, it's you and him and That's all it matters. So Now you must make a decision based on the Lord's dealing with you where you are. As to what you must walk away from for me, I remember the year I Came to United States.

Losing Sensitivity to the Lost

It was 1974 the early years of my life here. I Kind of got lost in the world of trying to be like an American. Oh What do you mean by that? Well one thing I learned eat hot dog and I found out it was not dog meat.

Well a whole bunch of other things, but then I found myself becoming more concerned about My dress the way I look and the way I pray. Now believe me. I was in seminary and I was fully involved in Christian work.

Yet it took two years Before I realized that I couldn't cry anymore. My eyes were dry. My heart was cold. The lost world people by hundreds of thousands dying Without Christ and going into eternity. It was all facts and figures and numbers.

I Couldn't feel the pain anymore and that's when I Said Lord, I am so lost. I know all the answers. Please change my heart Take eternity and stamp on my eyes The strange thing I mean that few months of What I call spiritual journey learning about a whole new chapter in my life again.

Walking Away from Material Distractions

I Realized that I was spending so much time trying to figure out the kind of clothes I wear and this and that and all these external things and I said Lord, what do you want me to do? The answer was very simple son.

You have to make those choices and I will say this to you with much care For me as an individual at that time in my life from 30 to 33 years ago It was to say no to a lot of things that I was living for expensive dozens and dozens of imported silk Neckties and suits and library books and this and that all these stuff that actually burdened me down and I said To my wife, you know I just want to keep couple of ties and couple of jackets in couple of shoes and few little things and one other thing the Lord had to deal with my heart was my Although I didn't think much about it Wasting my time and life away for material things being consumed with music and books I was reading things that didn't have a whole lot to do with meditation and Contemplation being alone and being silent before the Lord so when Jesus says Sell all you have and then come and follow me.

I Will say this to you Jesus will never take the second place in your life if in your life. If you want to know if you are a backslider If you are a half-hearted follower of Christ ask the simple question Is there anything anyone more important in my life than Jesus?

Jesus Jesus and him alone and If there is something in between someone in between I'm telling you You don't need somebody to come and convince you about it. Your heart will tell you and so If you put money as a priority in your life and your job your carrier your wife your husband your children and your education and your future plans and your girlfriend your boyfriend and your fiance and if Your thoughts your life is consumed with your health and wealth and relationships, I'm telling you please Don't misunderstand me.

I am not trying to condemn you let the Holy Spirit give you understanding and The Lord is calling you to be his to follow him and When our Relationships and what we have and our job or even ministry Even being in full-time Christian work Once they become priority number one Once they possess us I'm telling you we are in trouble and You know, I don't know this is true or not, but I read a study Somebody did a research or whatever that average Christian in the United States spent less than eight minutes a day in prayer.

Prayer, Ministry, and Knowing Eternal Life

That means there must be millions who don't pray even then Pastors or priests or preachers Spent less than 12 minutes a day in prayer. Now if you are a priest or a pastor or a minister or an elder or a deacon I want you to know I am your best friend I'm proud of you.

The Lord gave you a very special call, but as a colleague a Friend or yours may I plead with you Please understand you can be most useful to your people By spending most of your time With the Lord and to be his Listening to him and Then saying what he says Then to as a follower of Christ Wherever you are and whatever you are called to do May I ask you?

Make Jesus The most important thing in your life not doctrines not denominations. Not what is good for you or bad for you know? But Knowing him and that is eternal life. Jesus said the kind of life that overcomes all.

May the Lord bless you. Amen.

Well, there's nothing more significant in life than knowing the Lord and doing what he calls us to do. Seek and save those who are lost. That's what life is to be all about and as we leave you today I'd like to share one of the ways that we can do that.

Again this is the road to reality with brother kp. O 'hannon. Well, can you believe it? Christmas is close to a month away and no doubt some of you have already started your christmas shopping. This year, would you prayerfully consider giving a gift that makes a difference for eternity.

Gospel for asia? Christmas gift campaign is in full swing and we call it the critter campaign. This year you can select from an even wider variety of gifts. For instance, you can give something helpful like a goat a sewing machine a radio Bibles even a pull cart and believe me.

This will really bless a family in asia. This christmas doesn't have to be about getting many things. You really don't need rather. It can be about giving to those in need. Go online to winasia .org and browse through the gospel for asia christmas gift catalog.

That's winasia .org. Our friends in canada, you can go to gospel for asia .ca on the worldwide web. The road to reality brought to you by gospel for asia. Be encouraged to live for what's most important.

And then join us back here next week at this same time.