WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.899 Welcome to Ontario Community Church, 00:00:02.899 --> 00:00:04.799 where we're dedicated to encouraging, 00:00:04.799 --> 00:00:07.799 equipping, and engaging lives for Christ. 00:00:07.799 --> 00:00:10.000 Located in Ontario, Oregon, 00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:11.720 Pastor Patrick Daley preaches 00:00:11.720 --> 00:00:13.800 insightful sermons from the Word of God, 00:00:13.800 --> 00:00:16.760 offering practical applications for modern living. 00:00:16.760 --> 00:00:19.800 We're delighted to share this sermon with you. 00:00:19.800 --> 00:00:23.400 Today, we are continuing 00:00:23.400 --> 00:00:25.679 our sermon series, 00:00:25.679 --> 00:00:30.039 Sacred Journey from Death to Life. 00:00:30.039 --> 00:00:33.079 The title of this sermon 00:00:33.079 --> 00:00:39.280 is Discipleship and Carrying Our Cross. 00:00:39.280 --> 00:00:41.079 Now, in your, 00:00:41.079 --> 00:00:44.679 you should all have a note section. 00:00:44.679 --> 00:00:47.280 Feel free to follow along. 00:00:47.280 --> 00:00:50.079 There are a lot of notes on here, but 00:00:50.079 --> 00:00:51.879 that is okay. 00:00:51.879 --> 00:00:54.679 Our main passage of Scripture, 00:00:54.679 --> 00:00:57.280 it'll be from the Gospel of Luke. 00:00:57.280 --> 00:01:00.880 It's specifically from Luke chapter 9, 00:01:00.880 --> 00:01:03.480 verses 23 through 26. 00:01:03.480 --> 00:01:14.280 And let us turn our Bibles to page 1030. 00:01:14.280 --> 00:01:17.280 And as we're turning, 00:01:17.280 --> 00:01:20.079 it is in following Christ 00:01:20.079 --> 00:01:25.480 that we are choosing the cross over the world. 00:01:25.480 --> 00:01:28.480 And no matter what happens to us 00:01:28.480 --> 00:01:31.480 during the course of our lifetime, 00:01:31.480 --> 00:01:35.480 God's grace is more powerful 00:01:35.480 --> 00:01:38.879 than the storms, than the trials, 00:01:38.879 --> 00:01:40.680 than the tribulations 00:01:40.680 --> 00:01:43.879 that we face in this life. 00:01:43.879 --> 00:01:48.879 We are secure when we believe in the Lord. 00:01:48.879 --> 00:01:51.280 It is after we believe in Christ 00:01:51.280 --> 00:01:53.679 that we are on this journey 00:01:53.679 --> 00:01:55.679 of being a disciple, 00:01:55.679 --> 00:01:58.679 of being a student of Christ, 00:01:58.679 --> 00:02:00.479 this spiritual journey, 00:02:00.479 --> 00:02:03.280 the spiritual walk with Christ. 00:02:03.280 --> 00:02:06.479 And in this, we carry our cross. 00:02:06.479 --> 00:02:10.479 We follow in the footsteps of Christ. 00:02:10.479 --> 00:02:15.479 So let us read from this Scripture. 00:02:15.479 --> 00:02:22.079 Luke chapter 9, verses 23 through 26. 00:02:22.079 --> 00:02:24.879 Will you read it with me? 00:02:24.879 --> 00:02:26.879 And He said to them, 00:02:26.879 --> 00:02:29.879 if anyone would come after me, 00:02:29.879 --> 00:02:32.479 let him deny himself, 00:02:32.479 --> 00:02:36.079 and take up his cross daily and follow me, 00:02:36.079 --> 00:02:39.679 for whoever would save his life would lose it. 00:02:39.679 --> 00:02:43.879 But whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 00:02:43.879 --> 00:02:45.879 For what does it profit a man 00:02:45.879 --> 00:02:47.879 if he gains the whole world 00:02:47.879 --> 00:02:50.680 and loses or forfeits himself? 00:02:50.680 --> 00:02:54.079 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, 00:02:54.079 --> 00:02:56.479 of him will the Son of Man be ashamed 00:02:56.479 --> 00:02:58.479 when he comes in glory, 00:02:58.479 --> 00:03:01.680 and the glory of the Father and of the Holy Angels. 00:03:01.680 --> 00:03:03.280 Let's finish it off in 27. 00:03:03.280 --> 00:03:04.479 But I tell you truly, 00:03:04.479 --> 00:03:06.280 there are some standing here 00:03:06.280 --> 00:03:07.680 who will not taste death 00:03:07.680 --> 00:03:11.079 until they see the Kingdom of God. 00:03:11.079 --> 00:03:13.079 Let's pray together 00:03:13.080 --> 00:03:14.080 before we continue. 00:03:14.080 --> 00:03:15.080 Father God, 00:03:15.080 --> 00:03:17.080 as we are in this third week 00:03:17.080 --> 00:03:20.680 of this sermon series of this sacred journey, 00:03:20.680 --> 00:03:24.280 we ask that you lead and that you guide us. 00:03:24.280 --> 00:03:27.080 Let your words speak through us today. 00:03:27.080 --> 00:03:31.280 May we come to understand that when we believe, 00:03:31.280 --> 00:03:33.080 it is not the end, 00:03:33.080 --> 00:03:36.480 but rather it is the beginning of our life in you. 00:03:36.480 --> 00:03:39.180 May we see that in following Christ, 00:03:39.180 --> 00:03:41.980 we will be carrying our cross. 00:03:41.979 --> 00:03:45.379 And we embark on this journey of discipleship, 00:03:45.379 --> 00:03:48.679 growing in faith in you. 00:03:48.679 --> 00:03:52.879 In learning about what it means to be a student 00:03:52.879 --> 00:03:54.179 and carrying our cross, 00:03:54.179 --> 00:03:56.679 we ask that you help us to know 00:03:56.679 --> 00:03:58.280 that in all of this, 00:03:58.280 --> 00:04:00.179 there is hope in you. 00:04:00.179 --> 00:04:02.179 There is strength in you. 00:04:02.179 --> 00:04:06.079 And there is assurance that comes from you. 00:04:06.079 --> 00:04:07.579 Open our minds and our hearts 00:04:07.579 --> 00:04:10.280 to learn the message from today, 00:04:10.280 --> 00:04:11.579 from your word, 00:04:11.580 --> 00:04:15.080 and to apply these verses 00:04:15.080 --> 00:04:19.480 that we may follow in the footsteps of Christ 00:04:19.480 --> 00:04:22.680 in what we say and what we do. 00:04:22.680 --> 00:04:25.680 Let me all say it together, amen. 00:04:25.680 --> 00:04:29.379 Salvation is the beginning of your story. 00:04:29.379 --> 00:04:31.180 God loves us so much 00:04:31.180 --> 00:04:34.280 that we are made in the image of God. 00:04:34.280 --> 00:04:36.280 God knew us before we were born, 00:04:36.280 --> 00:04:38.480 and God sent his Son 00:04:38.480 --> 00:04:41.280 so that whoever believes shall not perish, 00:04:41.279 --> 00:04:42.979 but have eternal life. 00:04:42.979 --> 00:04:44.479 And it is believing the Lord 00:04:44.479 --> 00:04:45.479 that you are saved 00:04:45.479 --> 00:04:49.479 and you are secure in the arms of God. 00:04:49.479 --> 00:04:52.579 Jesus paid it all on the cross. 00:04:52.579 --> 00:04:53.879 And for this, 00:04:53.879 --> 00:04:55.579 we should be grateful. 00:04:55.579 --> 00:04:57.279 We should be thankful. 00:04:57.279 --> 00:05:00.279 And we should be in awe and encouraged 00:05:00.279 --> 00:05:04.279 for this sacrifice that Christ did for us. 00:05:04.279 --> 00:05:06.279 And it is in believing in the Lord 00:05:06.279 --> 00:05:08.479 that we are born again. 00:05:08.479 --> 00:05:10.379 In being born again, 00:05:10.379 --> 00:05:11.680 we are a new creation, 00:05:11.680 --> 00:05:15.680 and our life in Christ has begun. 00:05:15.680 --> 00:05:18.279 Believing in the Lord is not the end. 00:05:18.279 --> 00:05:21.279 Rather, it is the beginning of your new life. 00:05:21.279 --> 00:05:23.579 And we are called to be disciples 00:05:23.579 --> 00:05:26.279 to learn and to grow in the Scriptures 00:05:26.279 --> 00:05:28.480 and to live out our faith. 00:05:28.480 --> 00:05:30.779 And this is what paints the scene 00:05:30.779 --> 00:05:32.680 for what's happening here. 00:05:32.680 --> 00:05:34.079 In our scripture reading, 00:05:34.079 --> 00:05:37.879 we see here that right before it, 00:05:37.879 --> 00:05:40.879 the disciples learn that Jesus is the Christ, 00:05:40.879 --> 00:05:43.579 the Messiah of God. 00:05:43.579 --> 00:05:45.279 And right before verse 23, 00:05:45.279 --> 00:05:47.079 Jesus tells of how He, 00:05:47.079 --> 00:05:48.279 the Son of Man, 00:05:48.279 --> 00:05:49.980 how He will suffer, 00:05:49.980 --> 00:05:50.879 die, 00:05:50.879 --> 00:05:53.579 and be raised up on the third day. 00:05:53.579 --> 00:05:55.180 And I'd like for us to break down 00:05:55.180 --> 00:05:57.079 the passages of what we've read. 00:05:57.079 --> 00:06:00.079 Let's start with verse 23. 00:06:00.079 --> 00:06:01.480 And He said to them, 00:06:01.480 --> 00:06:03.379 if anyone would come after me, 00:06:03.379 --> 00:06:05.079 let him what? 00:06:05.079 --> 00:06:06.579 Deny himself 00:06:06.579 --> 00:06:08.879 and take up his cross daily 00:06:08.879 --> 00:06:10.680 and follow me. 00:06:10.680 --> 00:06:12.779 And looking at this first verse, 00:06:12.779 --> 00:06:15.979 we see that Christ is explaining this 00:06:15.979 --> 00:06:17.979 three-step path for anyone 00:06:17.979 --> 00:06:20.180 who wishes to follow Him. 00:06:20.180 --> 00:06:21.479 I must make it clear 00:06:21.479 --> 00:06:23.579 that this is for people 00:06:23.579 --> 00:06:26.680 who have believed in the Lord. 00:06:26.680 --> 00:06:28.879 The most important and critical thing 00:06:28.879 --> 00:06:32.579 that you can do is believe in the Lord. 00:06:32.579 --> 00:06:34.979 In believing, you will be saved. 00:06:34.980 --> 00:06:37.580 And this means in this verse here, 00:06:37.580 --> 00:06:39.180 going back to this verse, 00:06:39.180 --> 00:06:40.879 we're called to follow 00:06:40.879 --> 00:06:44.080 in the footsteps of Christ. 00:06:44.080 --> 00:06:45.879 If God calls you, 00:06:45.879 --> 00:06:47.780 will you respond? 00:06:47.780 --> 00:06:49.780 Will you respond to God's call 00:06:49.780 --> 00:06:52.080 to deny yourself, 00:06:52.080 --> 00:06:54.080 to take up one's cross 00:06:54.080 --> 00:06:55.780 and to follow Him? 00:06:55.780 --> 00:06:57.180 That is the call for all of us. 00:06:57.180 --> 00:07:00.480 And I'd like to put on here 00:07:00.480 --> 00:07:02.080 the three steps that we find 00:07:02.080 --> 00:07:03.879 from this verse 23 00:07:03.879 --> 00:07:05.879 is the denial of self. 00:07:05.879 --> 00:07:07.879 Again, the taking of one's cross 00:07:07.879 --> 00:07:09.579 and following Him. 00:07:09.579 --> 00:07:11.879 And as you can see from this slide, 00:07:11.879 --> 00:07:15.279 you can see that there are three steps here. 00:07:15.279 --> 00:07:16.680 And it's a great reminder 00:07:16.680 --> 00:07:19.279 that in the Great Commission, 00:07:19.279 --> 00:07:21.879 Christ calls for us to become 00:07:21.879 --> 00:07:24.079 and to make disciples, 00:07:24.079 --> 00:07:25.680 just as we're also called 00:07:25.680 --> 00:07:28.079 to be baptized. 00:07:28.079 --> 00:07:29.379 This simply means 00:07:29.379 --> 00:07:32.079 that we are to be learners. 00:07:32.079 --> 00:07:34.680 We are to be students of the Bible. 00:07:34.680 --> 00:07:37.579 How many of us have been a student before? 00:07:37.579 --> 00:07:39.979 Some of us may not like learning. 00:07:39.979 --> 00:07:42.279 Some of us may not like homework, right? 00:07:42.279 --> 00:07:43.279 Do you like learning 00:07:43.279 --> 00:07:44.979 or do you like homework, right? 00:07:44.979 --> 00:07:45.680 I know for me, 00:07:45.680 --> 00:07:48.180 I always try to doing homework. 00:07:48.180 --> 00:07:50.379 Why do I have to do all of this? 00:07:50.379 --> 00:07:51.879 I already know the material. 00:07:51.879 --> 00:07:52.879 Maybe you can relate, 00:07:52.879 --> 00:07:53.879 maybe not. 00:07:53.879 --> 00:07:55.079 But I hope that all of us, 00:07:55.079 --> 00:07:58.579 we all enjoy being learners 00:07:58.579 --> 00:07:59.680 or being students 00:07:59.680 --> 00:08:02.480 because we're always learning and growing. 00:08:02.480 --> 00:08:04.579 And certainly for us, 00:08:04.579 --> 00:08:06.079 it is my hope and my prayer 00:08:06.079 --> 00:08:08.879 that we all grow in faith. 00:08:08.879 --> 00:08:11.079 To learn more about the word of God, 00:08:11.079 --> 00:08:13.079 what it means to be a Christian 00:08:13.079 --> 00:08:14.579 and to be encouraged 00:08:14.579 --> 00:08:16.980 to live out the faith. 00:08:16.980 --> 00:08:18.280 The gospel message 00:08:18.280 --> 00:08:20.480 is to be proclaimed 00:08:20.480 --> 00:08:21.980 to the lost 00:08:21.980 --> 00:08:24.079 and to the broken. 00:08:24.079 --> 00:08:25.680 We do this so that others 00:08:25.680 --> 00:08:27.180 can hear the word of God 00:08:27.180 --> 00:08:27.980 and believe in Him 00:08:27.980 --> 00:08:31.879 just as it says in Romans 10.17, 00:08:31.879 --> 00:08:34.779 that faith comes from what? 00:08:34.779 --> 00:08:36.080 Hearing and hearing 00:08:36.080 --> 00:08:38.080 through the word of Christ. 00:08:38.080 --> 00:08:40.779 And as you believe in the Lord, 00:08:40.779 --> 00:08:42.680 be baptized 00:08:42.680 --> 00:08:45.379 and follow Him. 00:08:45.379 --> 00:08:48.779 Baptism is that public proclamation. 00:08:48.779 --> 00:08:50.779 It's the public proclamation 00:08:50.779 --> 00:08:52.279 of an internal decision 00:08:52.279 --> 00:08:53.279 telling your friends 00:08:53.279 --> 00:08:54.680 and your family 00:08:54.680 --> 00:08:55.580 that you are a part 00:08:55.580 --> 00:08:56.580 of the family of God 00:08:56.580 --> 00:08:57.580 and that you've decided 00:08:57.580 --> 00:08:58.480 to live out the faith. 00:08:58.480 --> 00:08:59.379 So let's go over 00:08:59.379 --> 00:09:00.480 that first point here, 00:09:00.480 --> 00:09:02.180 the denial of self here. 00:09:02.180 --> 00:09:03.379 Galatians, 00:09:03.379 --> 00:09:06.180 you have Galatians chapter 2 verse 20. 00:09:06.180 --> 00:09:09.080 And then you have Romans 12, 00:09:09.080 --> 00:09:10.680 1 through 2. 00:09:10.680 --> 00:09:11.680 Now to start off, 00:09:11.680 --> 00:09:13.580 we start by focusing 00:09:13.580 --> 00:09:17.080 not on our own selfish desires, 00:09:17.080 --> 00:09:19.980 but focusing on God 00:09:19.980 --> 00:09:22.080 working in our lives 00:09:22.080 --> 00:09:24.780 and through our lives. 00:09:24.780 --> 00:09:26.680 It is asking God 00:09:26.679 --> 00:09:30.379 to transform your very life. 00:09:30.379 --> 00:09:31.779 And to help us to understand 00:09:31.779 --> 00:09:33.079 the meaning of what it means 00:09:33.079 --> 00:09:34.579 to deny oneself, 00:09:34.579 --> 00:09:35.379 I want to start off 00:09:35.379 --> 00:09:39.179 with Galatians chapter 2 verse 20. 00:09:39.179 --> 00:09:39.779 It says, 00:09:39.779 --> 00:09:41.879 I have been crucified with Christ. 00:09:41.879 --> 00:09:43.779 Let's read this part together. 00:09:43.779 --> 00:09:46.679 It is no longer I who live, 00:09:46.679 --> 00:09:49.779 but Christ who lives in with me. 00:09:49.779 --> 00:09:51.379 And the life I now live 00:09:51.379 --> 00:09:52.279 in the flesh, 00:09:52.279 --> 00:09:54.879 I live by faith in the Son of God 00:09:54.879 --> 00:09:55.979 who loved me 00:09:55.980 --> 00:09:58.379 and gave himself for me. 00:09:58.379 --> 00:10:00.779 It is here where the apostle Paul, 00:10:00.779 --> 00:10:02.580 it makes the case that 00:10:02.580 --> 00:10:04.980 he is living by faith in Christ 00:10:04.980 --> 00:10:07.279 and not by the law. 00:10:07.279 --> 00:10:08.879 He denied himself 00:10:08.879 --> 00:10:13.480 to where Christ dwells within him. 00:10:13.480 --> 00:10:16.180 What that means is that salvation 00:10:16.180 --> 00:10:18.180 and transformation 00:10:18.180 --> 00:10:21.879 comes from believing in Christ. 00:10:21.879 --> 00:10:25.180 And then in Romans chapter 1 verse 2, 00:10:25.179 --> 00:10:27.579 some of you may know this famous verse. 00:10:27.579 --> 00:10:29.479 I appeal to you, therefore, brothers, 00:10:29.479 --> 00:10:30.779 by the mercies of God 00:10:30.779 --> 00:10:33.879 to present your bodies as what? 00:10:33.879 --> 00:10:36.179 As a living sacrifice, right? 00:10:36.179 --> 00:10:37.979 Holy and acceptable to God, 00:10:37.979 --> 00:10:40.079 which is your spiritual worship. 00:10:40.079 --> 00:10:41.879 I love this next verse. 00:10:41.879 --> 00:10:44.579 Do not be conformed to this world, 00:10:44.579 --> 00:10:46.079 but be what? 00:10:46.079 --> 00:10:49.479 Transformed by the renewal of your mind. 00:10:49.479 --> 00:10:51.379 That by testing you may discern 00:10:51.379 --> 00:10:53.079 what is the will of God, 00:10:53.080 --> 00:10:56.180 what is good and acceptable and perfect. 00:10:56.180 --> 00:10:58.379 And we respond to the Lord 00:10:58.379 --> 00:11:00.180 through belief. 00:11:00.180 --> 00:11:03.980 It is God who transforms our lives. 00:11:03.980 --> 00:11:06.480 So to deny oneself is to 00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:09.180 focus on believing in Christ 00:11:09.180 --> 00:11:11.879 and letting him transform your life 00:11:11.879 --> 00:11:14.580 instead of the world. 00:11:14.580 --> 00:11:18.480 Instead of letting the world influence you. 00:11:18.480 --> 00:11:21.280 Can the world transform you? 00:11:21.279 --> 00:11:24.079 Well, it can in a negative way, right? 00:11:24.079 --> 00:11:25.679 Some of us may have friends 00:11:25.679 --> 00:11:29.279 or maybe even family who is worldly. 00:11:29.279 --> 00:11:31.879 They may be doing the opposite 00:11:31.879 --> 00:11:33.480 of going towards Christ, 00:11:33.480 --> 00:11:37.779 rather going away from Christ. 00:11:37.779 --> 00:11:39.579 So we must remember that. 00:11:39.579 --> 00:11:41.980 On focusing on Christ rather than the world, 00:11:41.980 --> 00:11:43.679 this living sacrifice, 00:11:43.679 --> 00:11:46.679 it speaks of dedication to the Lord, 00:11:46.679 --> 00:11:49.879 which in turn is the denial of oneself. 00:11:49.879 --> 00:11:52.179 And this leads us to the second part, 00:11:52.179 --> 00:11:56.080 which is taking up one's cross, 00:11:56.080 --> 00:11:58.779 found in 2 Timothy 2, 00:11:58.779 --> 00:12:02.480 verses 3 through 4 and the Galatians passage. 00:12:02.480 --> 00:12:04.679 When we hear about taking up our cross, 00:12:04.679 --> 00:12:06.779 I gotta be honest with you. 00:12:06.779 --> 00:12:08.279 When I was younger and I heard that, 00:12:08.279 --> 00:12:10.980 I was really freaked out by this. 00:12:10.980 --> 00:12:13.279 What do you mean by carrying my cross 00:12:13.279 --> 00:12:15.980 and following the Lord? 00:12:15.980 --> 00:12:17.779 Didn't Christ die on the cross? 00:12:17.779 --> 00:12:19.379 I don't have to do that. 00:12:19.379 --> 00:12:21.679 That's what I thought when I was a child though. 00:12:21.679 --> 00:12:24.480 But there's so much meaning that comes from this. 00:12:24.480 --> 00:12:27.980 It's the understanding that to be a Christian, 00:12:27.980 --> 00:12:30.279 to carry one's cross, 00:12:30.279 --> 00:12:33.179 it's not just about suffering. 00:12:33.179 --> 00:12:35.679 It is rather being fully committed 00:12:35.679 --> 00:12:40.080 to living and loving like Jesus Christ. 00:12:40.080 --> 00:12:41.679 And I want to make this very clear 00:12:41.679 --> 00:12:43.980 that in carrying your cross, 00:12:43.980 --> 00:12:46.879 you are not alone. 00:12:46.879 --> 00:12:48.480 Because I think that's one of the fears 00:12:48.480 --> 00:12:50.279 that people have in carrying your cross. 00:12:50.279 --> 00:12:51.480 You're going to be alone. 00:12:51.480 --> 00:12:53.779 You're just going to suffer in this life. 00:12:53.779 --> 00:12:56.879 And certainly suffering is part of living in this fallen 00:12:56.879 --> 00:12:59.680 and this broken and dark world. 00:12:59.680 --> 00:13:03.480 But in knowing the fact that we are not alone in this, 00:13:03.480 --> 00:13:04.980 that God is with us 00:13:04.980 --> 00:13:07.480 and we have the body of Christ, 00:13:07.480 --> 00:13:11.580 the local church with us to help encourage us, 00:13:11.580 --> 00:13:13.080 is remarkable. 00:13:13.080 --> 00:13:13.779 And let me tell you, 00:13:13.779 --> 00:13:16.279 that is something that is counter-cultural. 00:13:16.279 --> 00:13:19.179 That is something that the world does not have to offer. 00:13:19.179 --> 00:13:23.079 That is something that Christianity has to offer. 00:13:23.079 --> 00:13:27.279 You are secure in the arms of God. 00:13:27.279 --> 00:13:29.179 And even though there will be hills, 00:13:29.179 --> 00:13:30.779 there will be valleys, right? 00:13:30.779 --> 00:13:33.679 There will be the highs and lows in this life. 00:13:33.679 --> 00:13:38.179 No one can snatch you out of the hand of God. 00:13:38.179 --> 00:13:41.480 That is why it is so important to believe in the Lord 00:13:41.480 --> 00:13:42.379 and be saved. 00:13:42.379 --> 00:13:44.279 That is why on every Sunday, 00:13:44.279 --> 00:13:47.679 you see that verse on the bottom of your notes. 00:13:47.679 --> 00:13:50.480 What Christ says, truly I say to you, 00:13:50.480 --> 00:13:54.579 whoever believes has eternal life. 00:13:54.579 --> 00:13:58.179 Not only this, but being a part of the church, 00:13:58.179 --> 00:14:02.179 being part of the body of Christ, 00:14:02.179 --> 00:14:03.980 we as Christians, 00:14:03.980 --> 00:14:08.980 we're called to be there loving one another. 00:14:08.980 --> 00:14:12.179 In the good times and in the bad. 00:14:12.179 --> 00:14:13.980 And there's two verses that stand out to me. 00:14:13.980 --> 00:14:14.879 I'd like to share with you. 00:14:14.879 --> 00:14:18.180 Second, Timothy, what does it say? 00:14:18.180 --> 00:14:22.879 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 00:14:22.879 --> 00:14:25.580 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits 00:14:25.580 --> 00:14:29.080 since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 00:14:29.080 --> 00:14:32.779 Very military language that you see here. 00:14:32.779 --> 00:14:34.980 The apostle Paul is writing to Timothy, 00:14:34.980 --> 00:14:39.080 speaking about enduring trials, right? 00:14:39.080 --> 00:14:44.080 About suffering, but in those times helping out others 00:14:44.480 --> 00:14:47.480 when those trials arise. 00:14:47.480 --> 00:14:51.680 When you are going through a bad time in your life, 00:14:51.680 --> 00:14:53.680 whenever you feel lost or alone 00:14:53.680 --> 00:14:57.180 or you are in sickness or in health, 00:14:57.180 --> 00:14:59.180 know that God is there for you 00:14:59.180 --> 00:15:04.180 and your brothers and sisters in Christ are there for you. 00:15:05.680 --> 00:15:07.780 That is very powerful. 00:15:07.779 --> 00:15:10.279 And in doing all of this, 00:15:10.279 --> 00:15:13.980 we are living out the commandment of Christ 00:15:13.980 --> 00:15:18.980 to love one another just as Christ loved us. 00:15:19.179 --> 00:15:21.480 Galatians chapter six verse two, 00:15:21.480 --> 00:15:24.179 it says, what does it say? 00:15:24.179 --> 00:15:29.179 Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. 00:15:30.079 --> 00:15:33.579 The church offers something that is unique 00:15:33.580 --> 00:15:38.480 and it's different than what the world has to offer community. 00:15:38.480 --> 00:15:41.080 When we think about the world, 00:15:41.080 --> 00:15:44.280 how easy is it for someone to, 00:15:44.280 --> 00:15:46.379 you say something wrong, 00:15:46.379 --> 00:15:49.780 you do something wrong and people want nothing to do with you, 00:15:49.780 --> 00:15:52.280 especially in the age of social media, 00:15:52.280 --> 00:15:54.680 in the age of artificial intelligence 00:15:54.680 --> 00:15:59.680 and in this age where the media remembers you 00:15:59.680 --> 00:16:01.879 for any wrong that you do. 00:16:01.879 --> 00:16:04.179 That is not forgiveness. 00:16:04.179 --> 00:16:07.080 That is not the love of Christ. 00:16:07.080 --> 00:16:10.080 And what better opportunity for us as Christians 00:16:10.080 --> 00:16:14.779 to show an alternative than what the world has to offer? 00:16:14.779 --> 00:16:16.379 I think of that song, 00:16:16.379 --> 00:16:18.379 what the world needs now is love. 00:16:18.379 --> 00:16:19.980 What kind of love are we talking about? 00:16:19.980 --> 00:16:24.480 We're talking about the love of Jesus Christ. 00:16:24.480 --> 00:16:26.679 For many of us, 00:16:26.679 --> 00:16:29.879 we seek a place where we wish to belong 00:16:29.879 --> 00:16:33.379 to something greater than ourselves. 00:16:33.379 --> 00:16:34.379 And for some of us, 00:16:34.379 --> 00:16:36.980 we seek to share in love and in truth. 00:16:36.980 --> 00:16:40.879 Some of us search for service, 00:16:40.879 --> 00:16:43.980 doing good for others. 00:16:43.980 --> 00:16:46.679 When we are bearing one another's burdens, 00:16:46.679 --> 00:16:50.179 it testifies that when we carry the cross, 00:16:50.179 --> 00:16:54.179 we are not alone in this life. 00:16:54.179 --> 00:16:56.879 We help each other in the body of Christ 00:16:56.879 --> 00:17:00.379 and we live out the new commandment 00:17:00.379 --> 00:17:04.880 by supporting and loving one another. 00:17:04.880 --> 00:17:07.779 Carrying the cross also means 00:17:07.779 --> 00:17:10.980 that God is going to work in your life. 00:17:10.980 --> 00:17:13.480 It is that transformation. 00:17:13.480 --> 00:17:18.079 Look, living on this earth is not easy. 00:17:18.079 --> 00:17:19.680 It's not easy. 00:17:19.680 --> 00:17:21.680 But in knowing Christ, 00:17:21.680 --> 00:17:23.579 there is that security, 00:17:23.579 --> 00:17:25.680 there is that safety, 00:17:25.680 --> 00:17:27.279 there is that assurance knowing 00:17:27.279 --> 00:17:28.680 that you are going to happen 00:17:28.680 --> 00:17:33.180 and no one can take that away from you. 00:17:33.180 --> 00:17:34.880 That is beautiful. 00:17:34.880 --> 00:17:37.580 No politician, no celebrity, 00:17:37.580 --> 00:17:42.580 no government can take that away from you. 00:17:42.580 --> 00:17:46.380 Through knowing the Lord and following in Him, 00:17:46.380 --> 00:17:48.779 we undergo sanctification, 00:17:48.779 --> 00:17:50.080 this transformation, 00:17:50.080 --> 00:17:52.980 this increase of knowledge and clarity. 00:17:52.980 --> 00:17:54.480 That's why you hear me say, 00:17:54.480 --> 00:17:56.579 focus on the context of the verse 00:17:56.579 --> 00:17:59.279 and the connections with other verses 00:17:59.279 --> 00:18:00.480 because in doing that, 00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:02.880 you'll find consistency in Scripture 00:18:02.880 --> 00:18:04.480 and through the consistency, 00:18:04.480 --> 00:18:08.680 you will find clarity in your life. 00:18:08.680 --> 00:18:12.180 Salvation is a gift from Christ. 00:18:12.180 --> 00:18:13.480 It's from the Lord. 00:18:13.480 --> 00:18:17.180 And discipleship is living out that faith 00:18:17.180 --> 00:18:19.880 after believing in the Lord. 00:18:19.880 --> 00:18:21.180 It is living out that faith 00:18:21.180 --> 00:18:23.980 in all that we say and all that we do. 00:18:23.980 --> 00:18:26.980 Let our faith be an active faith, 00:18:26.980 --> 00:18:28.180 not a dead faith. 00:18:28.180 --> 00:18:29.279 Whenever I hear that, I'm like, 00:18:29.279 --> 00:18:31.579 man, that sounds terrible having a dead faith. 00:18:31.579 --> 00:18:35.579 Well, it is, but having an active faith is remarkable. 00:18:35.579 --> 00:18:37.680 The third point here is follow Christ. 00:18:37.680 --> 00:18:40.180 You have 1 Peter and Philippians here. 00:18:40.180 --> 00:18:41.480 We come to that third part, 00:18:41.480 --> 00:18:44.180 which is speaking about following Christ. 00:18:44.180 --> 00:18:49.279 It is Christ who calls for each and every one of us. 00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:52.180 Salvation is available for all who believe. 00:18:52.180 --> 00:18:56.580 So God's invitation is for everyone, 00:18:56.580 --> 00:19:00.279 much like how we partake in communion. 00:19:00.279 --> 00:19:02.779 It is being thankful and grateful 00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:09.380 and remembering the sacrifice that Jesus Christ has for us. 00:19:09.380 --> 00:19:11.279 Christ calls for us to follow Him 00:19:11.279 --> 00:19:14.279 because look, He is providing a better way 00:19:14.279 --> 00:19:16.080 than what we can find. 00:19:16.080 --> 00:19:18.680 Searching for fame or searching for fortune 00:19:18.680 --> 00:19:21.680 or searching for popularity or... 00:19:21.680 --> 00:19:24.980 Look, I don't have a million followers on social media 00:19:24.980 --> 00:19:26.680 and I'm okay with that. 00:19:26.680 --> 00:19:28.480 Okay, I may have a couple thousand, 00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:32.279 but that doesn't matter because it's not worth anything. 00:19:32.279 --> 00:19:35.480 You can have all the subscribers and followers. 00:19:35.480 --> 00:19:38.080 You can have all the riches in the world, 00:19:38.080 --> 00:19:44.580 but without Christ, what is the point? 00:19:44.580 --> 00:19:47.279 Christ calls all of us. 00:19:47.279 --> 00:19:49.680 Will you answer that call? 00:19:49.680 --> 00:19:52.480 It is in Christ that we find new life, 00:19:52.480 --> 00:19:56.680 we find new identity, and we find transformation. 00:19:56.680 --> 00:19:59.880 We find that guidance from the Holy Spirit. 00:19:59.880 --> 00:20:01.680 And there's two verses that I'd like to put up. 00:20:01.680 --> 00:20:04.279 The first one is 1 Peter. 00:20:04.279 --> 00:20:09.380 For this you have been called because Christ also, what? 00:20:09.380 --> 00:20:11.779 Suffered for you leaving an example 00:20:11.779 --> 00:20:15.380 so that you might follow in His footsteps. 00:20:15.380 --> 00:20:18.880 And then there's Philippians chapter 1 verse 21. 00:20:18.880 --> 00:20:24.880 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is game. 00:20:24.880 --> 00:20:28.680 It is Christ that gives us an example 00:20:28.680 --> 00:20:31.180 and despite the hardships in life, 00:20:31.180 --> 00:20:36.380 there is nothing to fear, nothing to fear whatsoever. 00:20:36.380 --> 00:20:39.080 I'm not afraid of death. 00:20:39.080 --> 00:20:42.080 I'm not afraid of suffering in this life 00:20:42.080 --> 00:20:44.680 because I know where I'm going. 00:20:44.680 --> 00:20:47.980 I know that my God loves me 00:20:47.980 --> 00:20:50.480 and He's always there for me. 00:20:50.480 --> 00:20:55.880 And there's something that's much better than this life. 00:20:55.880 --> 00:21:01.279 It is in knowing Christ that we should be confident in this life, 00:21:01.279 --> 00:21:04.480 but most especially the next life. 00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:06.680 You have verse 24. 00:21:06.680 --> 00:21:09.079 So all that was verse 23. 00:21:09.079 --> 00:21:13.180 Verse 24, for whoever would save his life will lose it, 00:21:13.180 --> 00:21:16.980 but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 00:21:16.980 --> 00:21:21.180 This is where you find in verse 24, it's expanding. 00:21:21.180 --> 00:21:24.779 It's just saying that if you do it on your own, 00:21:24.779 --> 00:21:27.579 if you try to save yourself, 00:21:27.579 --> 00:21:31.180 if you pray 10,000 prayers, 00:21:31.180 --> 00:21:33.980 well, that works. 00:21:33.980 --> 00:21:35.779 It's not works that save you. 00:21:35.779 --> 00:21:39.279 It is faith that saves you. 00:21:39.279 --> 00:21:41.480 If you live for the Lord, if you believe in Him, 00:21:41.480 --> 00:21:44.779 if you have that faith in Him, you will be saved. 00:21:44.779 --> 00:21:49.980 This is just another way that in having Jesus Christ as your Savior 00:21:49.980 --> 00:21:53.180 and as your Lord, you will be saved. 00:21:53.180 --> 00:21:55.480 Much like how I mentioned earlier, 00:21:55.480 --> 00:22:00.779 John chapter 6 verse 47, that will always be on your notes. 00:22:00.779 --> 00:22:03.579 And this gives us the ultimate choice 00:22:03.579 --> 00:22:06.579 that each of us, we have to think and consider. 00:22:06.579 --> 00:22:08.980 Will you believe in the Lord and be saved 00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:11.579 or will you choose to do it on your own? 00:22:11.579 --> 00:22:15.579 It's a question that we all have to answer. 00:22:15.579 --> 00:22:18.379 It is Christ who gave his life for us 00:22:18.379 --> 00:22:22.379 and gives us the choice to choose him or to not to choose him. 00:22:22.379 --> 00:22:24.579 And I pray that you come to know the Lord 00:22:24.579 --> 00:22:26.779 and that you believe in Him. 00:22:26.779 --> 00:22:29.480 I pray that you grow in faith in Him 00:22:29.480 --> 00:22:31.679 and you follow in those footsteps of Christ. 00:22:31.679 --> 00:22:34.279 Let's go to verse 25 here. 00:22:34.279 --> 00:22:35.779 It's the famous question, 00:22:35.779 --> 00:22:39.179 what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world 00:22:39.180 --> 00:22:42.779 and loses or forfeits himself? 00:22:42.779 --> 00:22:46.480 Verse 25 is where Jesus is asking this very powerful, 00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:48.779 very thought-provoking question. 00:22:48.779 --> 00:22:50.279 What benefit? 00:22:50.279 --> 00:22:51.580 What profit? 00:22:51.580 --> 00:22:56.380 What advantage is it for us to have all of the riches? 00:22:56.380 --> 00:22:59.380 Like I said, all the riches, the fame, the popularity, the likes, 00:22:59.380 --> 00:23:05.480 whatever it is, but yet lose or forfeit yourself. 00:23:05.480 --> 00:23:06.980 This is Christ saying, 00:23:06.980 --> 00:23:14.180 look, if you have it all, but you don't have me, you're going to lose. 00:23:14.180 --> 00:23:19.779 That word for world is cosmos. 00:23:19.779 --> 00:23:24.779 So you can truly think of having the entire world, 00:23:24.779 --> 00:23:26.880 the power of having all the world, right? 00:23:26.880 --> 00:23:30.380 When people are seeking to control countries or nations 00:23:30.380 --> 00:23:33.680 or controlling the world, what profit? 00:23:33.680 --> 00:23:35.680 What good is it? 00:23:35.680 --> 00:23:37.180 So what do you lose here? 00:23:37.180 --> 00:23:39.380 You see in that verse here, 00:23:39.380 --> 00:23:42.580 let's go back one slide actually. 00:23:42.580 --> 00:23:43.980 You see on there, right, 00:23:43.980 --> 00:23:47.380 what good does it do for a man if he gains the whole cosmos? 00:23:47.380 --> 00:23:52.680 You see these two words, loses or forfeits, right? 00:23:52.680 --> 00:23:53.980 So we can go to that next slide. 00:23:53.980 --> 00:23:58.080 There's two things, Christ is listing two things that will happen. 00:23:58.080 --> 00:24:01.080 You will lose and check this out. 00:24:01.080 --> 00:24:05.279 That is the same word that you find in John 3.16. 00:24:05.279 --> 00:24:11.480 The word perish and then also perish or be destroyed. 00:24:11.480 --> 00:24:13.379 And number two, look, this is not easy. 00:24:13.379 --> 00:24:14.680 I'm talking about this. 00:24:14.680 --> 00:24:16.180 You will forfeit yourself, 00:24:16.180 --> 00:24:20.680 which is to be cast away or to suffer loss. 00:24:20.680 --> 00:24:24.980 So as I mentioned, the same lose in verse 25 is the same word 00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:26.279 that you see in perish. 00:24:26.279 --> 00:24:28.480 Let's go to John 3.16, right? 00:24:28.480 --> 00:24:30.680 God so loved the world that he gave his only son 00:24:30.680 --> 00:24:33.879 that whoever believes in him should not lose, 00:24:33.880 --> 00:24:37.480 not perish, it's the same word, but have eternal life. 00:24:37.480 --> 00:24:39.980 And so we have the word forfeit, 00:24:39.980 --> 00:24:41.980 which only appears a handful of times, 00:24:41.980 --> 00:24:45.180 but it stands out in Philippians chapter 3 verse 8. 00:24:45.180 --> 00:24:50.380 For his sake, I have suffered the loss of all things. 00:24:50.380 --> 00:24:51.680 That's the other time it's used. 00:24:51.680 --> 00:24:54.580 It's very rarely that that word is used. 00:24:54.580 --> 00:24:57.380 But in showing all of this, 00:24:57.380 --> 00:25:01.280 I want to encourage you that we come to realize 00:25:01.279 --> 00:25:05.680 that we may lose all material things in this life, 00:25:05.680 --> 00:25:09.480 but to know Christ is to have that firm foundation. 00:25:09.480 --> 00:25:11.379 It is having that security. 00:25:11.379 --> 00:25:13.079 It is to be found in him. 00:25:13.079 --> 00:25:15.980 It is to have that blessed assurance in him. 00:25:15.980 --> 00:25:19.279 It is knowing that we are safe and secure 00:25:19.279 --> 00:25:23.379 and knowing that nothing can separate us from the Lord. 00:25:23.379 --> 00:25:26.379 But if we change our mind, 00:25:26.379 --> 00:25:28.480 remember we talked about metanoia, 00:25:28.480 --> 00:25:31.079 repentance to change your mind 00:25:31.079 --> 00:25:33.379 and believe in him. 00:25:33.379 --> 00:25:35.980 It is better to believe in Christ 00:25:35.980 --> 00:25:38.879 and to lose everything on this earth 00:25:38.879 --> 00:25:42.980 than to lose everything and perish. 00:25:42.980 --> 00:25:45.480 And as we approach the closing of this sermon, 00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:49.079 I want to share with you the story of Simon of Cyrene. 00:25:49.079 --> 00:25:51.480 How many of you know this story? 00:25:51.480 --> 00:25:52.779 Right? You may have heard it. 00:25:52.779 --> 00:25:55.579 If you haven't, that's all right. 00:25:55.579 --> 00:25:59.579 It's told in Matthew, Mark and Luke. 00:25:59.579 --> 00:26:06.079 It's found in Matthew 27, 32, Mark 15, 21, and Luke 23, 26. 00:26:06.079 --> 00:26:08.879 The story of Simon of Cyrene. 00:26:08.879 --> 00:26:09.980 I want you to picture this. 00:26:09.980 --> 00:26:14.779 This is of a man who was placed by the Roman soldiers 00:26:14.779 --> 00:26:19.179 to help Jesus carry the cross. 00:26:19.179 --> 00:26:21.279 That's interesting. 00:26:21.279 --> 00:26:27.079 It is a powerful demonstration of what it means to follow Christ. 00:26:27.079 --> 00:26:31.179 The scriptures say that, depends on which gospel account you're using, 00:26:31.179 --> 00:26:35.980 that Simon was either compelled or was seized in any way. 00:26:35.980 --> 00:26:42.879 He was kind of moved over to help Christ carry the cross. 00:26:42.879 --> 00:26:46.779 And this man, it's interesting in all three gospel accounts here. 00:26:46.779 --> 00:26:49.179 It says that he was coming from the country. 00:26:49.179 --> 00:26:52.379 What that means is he was just passing by. 00:26:52.379 --> 00:26:54.779 Right? He was just going through. 00:26:54.779 --> 00:27:00.279 And he probably was unaware of what was happening. 00:27:00.279 --> 00:27:04.579 So can you imagine if you're traveling through and you get stopped 00:27:04.579 --> 00:27:09.379 and you're told, hey you, hey you, go help this man? 00:27:09.379 --> 00:27:18.279 And being compelled to do so, or as it also has said, seized to help Christ. 00:27:18.279 --> 00:27:21.879 Ooh, I got somewhere to go. 00:27:21.879 --> 00:27:23.980 I got places to go and people to see. 00:27:23.980 --> 00:27:27.380 Well, not for Simon of Cyrene. 00:27:27.380 --> 00:27:33.980 Right? He was going through the country and he ends up helping Christ. 00:27:33.980 --> 00:27:35.779 He was coming from the country. 00:27:35.779 --> 00:27:40.079 Now I want you to think about this. 00:27:40.079 --> 00:27:48.480 Simon was called, much like how we are called, to deny ourselves, 00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:52.380 to pick up the cross and follow in him. 00:27:52.380 --> 00:27:58.480 Simon stepped into the role of denying himself because he helped Christ carry that cross. 00:27:58.480 --> 00:28:05.980 Simon picked up the cross, much like how we too are to carry our cross. 00:28:05.980 --> 00:28:11.480 And Simon followed Christ, literally followed Christ, 00:28:11.480 --> 00:28:17.380 much like how we are to follow in the footsteps of Christ. 00:28:17.380 --> 00:28:23.580 In researching for the sermon and reading in this again from a different lens of denying oneself 00:28:23.580 --> 00:28:29.280 and picking up your cross and following Christ, it's just such a good imagery of thinking about that. 00:28:29.280 --> 00:28:35.780 It really makes me think of just this man who's helping Christ. 00:28:35.780 --> 00:28:40.780 And I hope he realized what he's doing. 00:28:40.780 --> 00:28:45.580 I hope he realizes the significance of being called like that. 00:28:45.579 --> 00:28:56.079 And again, this story, it's a demonstration of what Jesus taught about discipleship and carrying our cross. 00:28:56.079 --> 00:29:01.379 You see, God is calling you today. 00:29:01.379 --> 00:29:07.579 Will you, like Simon, respond to God's call for your life? 00:29:07.579 --> 00:29:11.279 Will you pick up your cross and follow Christ? 00:29:11.279 --> 00:29:18.480 Not out of obligation, but out of compassion, out of a changed mind and out of love? 00:29:18.480 --> 00:29:26.480 Think of this story as an invitation to respond to the call that God has for your life. 00:29:26.480 --> 00:29:33.079 Let us respond with a yes to follow in the footsteps of Christ. 00:29:33.079 --> 00:29:34.680 Let's pray together. 00:29:34.680 --> 00:29:40.680 And Father God, we thank you for the truth that is found in your word today. 00:29:40.680 --> 00:29:49.680 We ask that you help us to reflect on what it means to have you as the firm foundation to have that faith in you. 00:29:49.680 --> 00:29:56.980 May we know what it means to deny ourselves, to pick up our cross and to follow you. 00:29:56.980 --> 00:30:07.080 May we respond to your call to believe in you, but also to know that we are loved by you and that we are not alone in this life. 00:30:07.079 --> 00:30:10.980 For you, God, you will never leave us. 00:30:10.980 --> 00:30:12.579 You will never abandon us. 00:30:12.579 --> 00:30:14.779 You will never forsake us. 00:30:14.779 --> 00:30:20.279 You are there, God, in the good times and in the bad. 00:30:20.279 --> 00:30:25.179 Help us to take to heart the message for today. 00:30:25.179 --> 00:30:28.679 I realize, Father, that this message can be very convicting. 00:30:28.679 --> 00:30:33.879 It's a very difficult topic, but it is the truth that is from your word. 00:30:33.880 --> 00:30:37.780 May we not be afraid of the truth of your word. 00:30:37.780 --> 00:30:48.980 May our journey be of one coming to know you and upon knowing you, believing in you, having faith in you, journeying with you in this life. 00:30:48.980 --> 00:30:51.780 May we follow in those footsteps of Christ. 00:30:51.780 --> 00:31:03.380 May you give us grace, wisdom, guidance and confidence knowing that you are with us every step of the way in the journey from here and in our very lives. 00:31:03.380 --> 00:31:08.880 It is in Jesus' name that we pray and all God's people say, Amen. 00:31:08.880 --> 00:31:12.980 Thank you for tuning in to the Ontario Community Church sermon podcast. 00:31:12.980 --> 00:31:20.880 For more about our church and how you can get involved or support our mission, please visit ontariocommunitychurch.org. 00:31:20.880 --> 00:31:33.880 May God's blessings be with you.