Here is a recap of our message from this weekend...

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Call Me Crazy: Costly Obedience

The call to follow Jesus is a call to radical obedience. In a world that prioritizes comfort and self-gratification, Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. True discipleship means loving Jesus above everything—even our closest relationships and personal desires. The cross is offensive because it demands surrender, but through surrender, we find true life. The question is: will you choose the hard path that leads to life, or the easy path that leads to destruction?

Weekly Bible Study List

1. Matthew 7:13-14 – “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
2. Luke 14:27 – “And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”
3. 1 Corinthians 1:18 – “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
4. Ephesians 2:4-5 – “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.”
5. John 14:15 – “If you love me, keep my commandments.”

The Sunday Outline & Notes

1. Loving Jesus More Than Anything - In Luke 14:26, Jesus says that unless we “hate” our family, friends, and even our own lives in comparison to our love for Him, we cannot be His disciples. This isn’t a call to literal hatred but rather a hyperbolic way of emphasizing that our love for Him must be supreme. Many times, the things closest to us are what keep us farthest from Him.
2. The Cost of Obedience - Jesus uses the example of a man building a tower—before he starts, he must count the cost (Luke 14:28-30). Likewise, following Jesus requires evaluating whether we are truly willing to surrender everything for Him. Culture today tells us that life is about shortcuts and self-fulfillment, but Jesus teaches that the path to life is narrow and requires sacrifice (Matthew 7:13-14).
3. Carrying Our Cross Daily - Luke 14:27 states that anyone who does not carry their cross cannot be His disciple. The cross was a torture device, a symbol of suffering and shame. To carry our cross means to crucify our flesh daily—our pride, selfishness, sinful habits, and worldly desires. The cross should offend the flesh, calling us to true repentance and transformation.
4. Following Jesus Requires Trust - Many struggle to trust God’s plan because they doubt His goodness. Like Adam and Eve in the garden or Abraham and Sarah waiting for their promised child, we sometimes take matters into our own hands instead of waiting on God's perfect timing. But trusting Him means surrendering control and believing that His love and plans are better than our own.
5. The Reward of Radical Obedience - When we choose to deny ourselves, we aren’t just losing—we’re gaining true life. Jesus calls us to follow Him, and in doing so, we experience His perfect love, His provision, and His joy. Carrying our cross is not a burden but a privilege because Jesus carried His cross for us.

From Sermon to Action

We all have a cross to carry. The question is: will we choose the hard road that leads to life, or the easy road that leads to destruction? Jesus is calling us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. The choice is ours.

Worship Setlist

1. Nobody Like You
2. Empty Words
3. Here Again

Notable Sermon Quotes to Repost on Social Media

1. “Obedience may look crazy to the world, but it leads to the abundant life God has promised.”
2. “A radical love for God will always look like foolishness to the world.”
3. “We have a self to deny, a cross to carry, and a Jesus to follow.”
4. “God’s love is perfect, and when you go all in with Him, you won’t need anything else.”
5. “Being outside of the timing of God is the most dangerous thing you could do.”
6. “The cross should offend every fleshly desire you have—it calls your spirit to life.”
7. “Denying yourself isn’t about losing—it’s about gaining the abundant life God has for you.”
8. “Jesus carried His cross for you. Now, will you carry yours for Him?”
9. “Sometimes the things closest to us are what keep us farthest from God.”
10. “Loving Jesus means putting Him above everything—even the good things in life.”

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