Called to Follow: The Cost of Discipleship

Text: Matthew 16:21-28

As Jesus fulfilled His earthly ministry, everywhere He went a crowd gathered. Many were intrigued by His teaching and impressed with His miracles. Similarly today, there are still many people who follow Jesus like fans in the crowd, waiting to see what He will do next. But Jesus calls us out from merely being a fan and invites us to be a devoted follower instead. He shows us in Matthew 16 that the cost of discipleship is great, but the rewards are far greater. We invite you to listen to this message today to consider: Are you a follower of Jesus? Are you willing to pay the cost? There is great reward awaiting those who can emphatically answer with a resounding ‘Yes!’

Called to Follow: The Confession of a Disciple

Text: Matthew 16:13-20

There are many important questions that we must consider and answer in life, but there is none more important than the question that Jesus asks in Matthew 16:15. After hearing all the opinions of the crowd, Jesus looks to His disciples and asks directly, “Who do you say that I am?” This personal question is one that He is asking each of us today, and we must be careful in how we answer. Our answer to this question determines the difference between life and death, heaven and hell, forgiveness and condemnation. We invite you to listen today in hopes that you will hear and answer this most important question correctly.

Called to Follow: The Conviction of a Disciple

Text: John 6:35-69

We live in a day where many people claim to be Christians, but few tend to truly have a relationship with Christ. Even within the Church, there are many deconstructing their faith and turning their backs on things they once claimed to believe. Why is this happening to so many people? What does it mean? How are we to remain faithful and true to the Lord when so many are going away? Each of these questions and more are answered in this message. It’s all centered around our true convictions of Who Jesus is. We invite you to listen today to be encouraged and challenged. May the Lord bring you to the same conviction that He produced in Simon Peter’s life.

Called to Follow: The Closeness of a Disciple

Text: Matthew 13:1-23

There is a great cost in following Jesus. We must be willing to love Him above all others and willingly lay down our lives for Him. While these may sound like a heavy cost, they are nothing compared to what is gained. Jesus assures us that in laying our life down for Him, it is then that we find true abundant life. In fact, there are countless blessings available for all who trust in Jesus and follow Him as Lord. Today we see, in Matthew 13, several of the practical blessings and benefits of being a disciple of Jesus. Those who are close to Jesus and follow Him as Lord enjoy several blessings and privileges that others do not. We pray that the Lord helps you to examine these wonderful blessings to consider how you are embracing and experiencing these in your life.