Pastor Chris talked about counting the cost of following Jesus—and to grasp how much is gained by willingly accepting those sacrifices.
MY STORY
Describe a time when identifying with Jesus got you into trouble with someone.
WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO HEAR?
"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. (Matthew 10: 34-39)
In verse 34, Jesus declared that he did not come to bring world peace – at least not before his second coming.
Read what Jesus offers to his followers in John 14:27, "My peace I give to you; not as the world gives..." Or, after resurrection in John 20:19, His greeting, "Peace be with you."
How can we experience the peace of Jesus in the midst of all the turmoil and hostility the world targets toward those who identify with Christ?
A modern household usually includes fewer relatives than the ancient one illustrated, yet the Gospel can still raise intense reaction in the family tree.
How have you seen this play out, if at all, in your extended family? What tends to cause people to choose sides in these arguments?
What does God want us to hear? Based on the passage and the questions above, what "takeaways" do you think God has revealed to you?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO DO?
Pastor Chris said, When I love myself first, when I love my job first, when I love a child first, when I love my addiction first, when I love my comfort and security first, when I love my political party first, when I love my money first, when I love my spouse above all things, that it, it all leads to destruction. You see, disordered loves actually prevents us from following Jesus.
What did Pastor Chris mean by "ordered loves"?
How is your love for others only enhanced by focusing your heart and mind on Jesus?
Social media and news ply us with reports of war, economic fluctuation, power struggles, life-ending natural disasters, and more.
How can we bring the peace of Christ to these fearful situations?
What does it mean to lose your life in such a way that's it's the only way to keep it?
How do people lose their lives (or their souls), by placing their loyalty with anyone, or anything other than, Jesus?
What does God want us to do? Flowing out of our reading and interpretation, what action does this passage or the Spirit's leading, call us to?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO?
Which of your natural affections tend to seduce your toward attachments that can divide your loyalties?
If your devotion to Jesus has caused conflict between you and a loved one, pray for courage to seek reconciliation if at all possible – or to grieve the loss of that relationship if it's not possible.
What does God want ME to do? What is the personal application and action step God is calling you, personally, toward?
Message Notes
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