January 19, 2020 | Kyle Brenon | 2 Corinthians 5:16-20, John 6:66-69

This week we wrap up our three-part mini-series on the call to discipleship and the invitation Christ has given us to "come and FOLLOW ME.”

The call to follow Christ is not one we should take lightly as it is a call to turn our back on our old self, die to our sin and be made new. There is no greater commitment and no greater submission than that of abandoning ourselves to follow Him. But for those who are willing, there is also no greater reward than to walk with God! To know Him and be known by Him, and to join Him in the eternal work of building His kingdom. To go and make disciples! 

2 Corinthians 5:16-20
“From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

John 6:66-69
“After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” 

January 5, 2020 | Kyle Brenon | Luke 9:23-26

This week we begin the new year with a new sermon series and a look at what it means to be a disciple. What did Jesus mean when He said, “FOLLOW me?“ And what does He really expect of us when we answer that call? 

We may not think about it that much, but there is a difference between simply being a “church goer” and being a “disciple,” and there is a difference between knowing who Jesus is and following Him wherever He leads. 

Following is something that requires action, attention, and focus. If we are to follow Christ closely, it also requires us to abandon the road we know and go down streets we would never have chosen on our own. It can be scary, difficult, and uncomfortable, but for those willing to die to themselves, the reward is indescribable. 

Luke 9:23-26
“And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”