What would cause you to turn from following Jesus? This life is full of excuses and in the conclusion of Luke 9, we see that there were those who wanted to follow Christ, but only on their terms.

However, In Luke 9, we also see that Jesus sets his face toward Jerusalem and never turns his back! He knows what waits for him there. Rejection waits for him. Suffering waits for him. The cross waits for him. But he does not turn back! Therefore, because Jesus set his face toward the cross to save us, we must follow him with undivided allegiance.

In Luke 9:20-50, we find Christ’s disciples wrestling with a question that still captures our hearts today: Who is the greatest? While they reach for status, recognition, and a crown, Jesus reveals a radically different picture of greatness. He is the promised Messiah, the glorious Son of God, and the One whose power causes people to marvel at the greatness of God. Yet this great Messiah does not pursue self-exaltation. He gives himself in suffering, sacrifice, and ultimately the cross.

This message from God’s Word challenges us to abandon the pursuit of our own greatness and faithfully follow the One who is truly great. Jesus calls his disciples to deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow him. The Christian life is not about becoming the greatest person in the room, but about worshiping Christ, surrendering our lives to him, and serving faithfully even when no one else notices. Our hearts may reach for the crown, but Christ calls us to pick up our cross instead.

This Sunday we returned to our series in the Gospel of Luke as Pastor Alex delivered a sermon centered on Luke 9:1-20, in which he examined the question: “Who Is Jesus?” May you be blessed by this week’s message.

This week we concluded our series on the Foundations of the Church as Pastor Alex delivered a sermon centered on the crucial responsibility that we as Christians hold in proclaiming the gospel. Faithful evangelism by Christ’s church is paramount in advancing God’s Kingdom here on earth.

In his sermon, “The Language of a Dependent Church” centered on Colossians 4:2-6, Pastor Josiah shared how a healthy church does not only pray whenever there is a crisis, rather a healthy church continues steadfastly in prayer because she knows that her faithfulness, and her perseverance depends on God. As Christ’s church, we must be devoted to prayer, spiritually alert, and thankful for all that God has done. A church that is truly dependent on God, is a church that is fully committed to prayer!

This week, as part of our sermon series on the Foundations of the Church, Pastor Alex preached a message centered on Acts 6:1-7, in which he explained the important role that Deacons play both in supporting the Elders and in helping to serve the local church.

The best part of church happens when we gather together! The Christian life was never meant to be lived alone. Through Christ’s death and resurrection, he has brought us near to God, and now as he gathers us together, we must help encourage one another to endure as the day of his glorious return approaches!

A church cannot be healthy without sound doctrine! Church unity and Christ-like love are dependent on it, and the church is protected by the dangers of false teachers by holding fast to the truth of scripture. We must never separate what God has joined together – biblical love flows from biblical truth. There is joy to be had by those who have built the foundation of their faith on the sound doctrine of God’s word.