Our OVERARCHING THEME:
We would like to see Jesus!
I want you to see Jesus. The message this week was to see Jesus model a particular way and then respond as Jesus teaches that way to his followers. That way is the most distinctive, essential core of Christianity—it is the sacrificial love of God that redeems, saves, and transforms the world for the better.
In the temptation in the wilderness, Jesus chose to of surrender to the will of his Father in heaven to embrace a mission of sacrificial love for the sake of the world. Jesus certainly had choices, commitments, and consequences on his mind during his wilderness temptation and the Garden of Gethsemane prayer (also see Hebrews 12:2 and the JOY that Jesus saw on the other side of the cross).
The Sunday message focused on Mark 8:34-37 with some references to Luke 4:1-13 (the Temptation of Jesus); Matthew 7:13-14 (the Two Roads); Proverbs 14:12 (a way that seems right but is not); Galatians 6:7-10 (sowing and reaping); and 2 Corinthians 6:2 (the time of God’s favor).
Choices lead to Commitments. Commitments lead to Consequences. The Way of Jesus is all about you making …