Obedience! This is the ultimate picture that is painted in Luke 9:23-25. If this passage makes you uncomfortable, here is something to keep in mind: God is good. His ways are good. Following Him is good. It is always in our best interest to live the Christian life and follow God. Generosity is one of the truest ways we deny ourselves in the adventure of following Jesus. Adam Barnett continues our look at our Unfinished selves by reminding us of the source of our generosity.
Obedience! This is the ultimate picture that is painted in Luke 9:23-25. If this passage makes you uncomfortable, here is something to keep in mind: God is good. His ways are good. Following Him is good. It is always in our best interest to live the Christian life and follow God. Generosity is one of the truest ways we deny ourselves in the adventure of following Jesus. Adam Barnett continues our look at our Unfinished selves by reminding us of the source of our generosity.
The Source of Generosity
Unfinished | Week 2
February 11, 2018 | Adam Barnett
DON’T IGNORE LIFE-SAVING INSTRUCTIONS!
Luke 9:18-20 (NIV)
Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.”
Who do YOU say that Jesus is?
Luke 9:21-22 (NIV)
Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”
Once we understand who Jesus is, we are confronted by the outcomes of a life of discipleship.
Luke 9:23-25 (NIV)
Then he said to them all: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very soul?
As a disciple of Jesus, we deliberately choose what could be avoided. We look to sacrifice.
Luke 9:24-25 (NIV)
For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very soul?
Our GENEROSITY is one of the truest ways we can deny ourselves in the adventure of following Jesus.