In the Bible Christian Ministry
Sunday 1-05-25 (Step Forward Part 1)

  • Introduction

    Must take the first step and then a series of additional steps to reach your goal.

    Step Forward: The Cost of Discipleship

    Bible Passage: Matthew 16:24–26, Luke 9:23, Mark 10:17–27, Matthew 14:25–33

    1. Starting Point: Surrender Self-Interest

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    Discipleship begins with the willingness to say 'no' to our self-centered desires. In these verses, Jesus calls His followers to a radical reorientation of their lives—forfeiting their own ambitions to embark on His path.
    This surrender is not a loss but a profound gain of life in its truest sense. Encouraging your audience to reflect on how they can actively deny themselves is crucial in this journey.
    We are here now. Wherever you are life right now…that’s where where you are!
    Assess where you are.
    Take it all in.
    But wherever you are whether you looking around and saying YES. this is good.
    Or if you are like ehhh I don’t like this
    Or you may like it but it could be better.
    Wherever you are right now. God is wanting to you to move forward. To progress.
    But in order to move forward you must take a Step in the right direction.
    Many of us made the biggest choice. Accepting Him and Loving Him, but now time to move forward towards His goal for our lives.
    What we all do when deciding to follow Jesus:
    Matthew 16:24–26 NIV
    24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?
    ​
    Been at the Buffet fora while… Time to make better choices.
    You know the buffet isn’t bad…but the choices we make can be.

    2. Value of your Soul

    Matthew 16:26 NIV
    26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?
    There is a stark contrast between worldly gain and spiritual fulfillment.
    Jesus poses a rhetorical question that challenges the listener to weigh the value of earthly success against the invaluable treasure of one's soul.
    ​
    Christ is not valued at all, unless he is valued above all.
    Saint Augustine of Hippo
    ​
    Clarify that true contentment and eternal significance are found not in accumulating wealth or status but in prioritizing the call of Christ above all else. Prompt listeners to reassess what they consider as true wealth.
    Simply put.
    Put Him first. Deny what you really want to do and do what he commands of you.
    Not easy.
    Example: Growing up.
    Hard to listen to your parents. Even when you knew it was best.
    Don’t hang out with them— but it looked like so much fun. And it was all you could think about.
    Don’t jump on the bed
    Don’t eat that before dinner
    Everything they said no to sounded better because they said no and stuff they wanted you to do. You didn’t want.
    You could be looking at a menu and say I want the chicken…Mom says you should get the chicken…Chicken doesn’t sound good anymore.
    Self wants it because self wants it no one else— SELFISH.
    Selfishness is the act of being excessively concerned with one's own needs, pleasure, or welfare, without regard for others
    We say ok I can do it but Luke says—-DAILY
    Some days going to be easier than others…

    3. Prove the Value of Your Soul Daily

    Luke 9:23 NIV
    23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
    Maybe expand on the daily aspect of taking up one's cross. Here, Luke adds an emphasis on the continuity of steadfast commitment.
    Strengthen the understanding that discipleship is not a one-time decision but a daily practice of faith and sacrifice.
    This means we need to make decisions daily or take steps daily that move us closer.
    Some times this makes choices tough because we are always faced with something and that something can make a big difference in:
    Character building
    Challenging our faith with Christ
    Or simply getting closer to God
    Encourage your congregation to view each day as a new opportunity to follow in Jesus' footsteps.
    ​

    4. Release to Receive

    Mark 10:17–22 NIV
    17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’” 20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” 21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
    ​
    This passage invites a heart-check on where loyalties lie—earthly treasures or heavenly priorities.
    Are we willing to let go of what holds us back from fully embracing Jesus' call.
    The Rich man was faced with a decision.
    Noticed he sought Jesus.
    Felt good about His status and the decisions he was making. Felt comfortable in asking what to do because of his status.
    Jesus will challenge you regardless of where you are. You still must have the faith to take that step…
    Notice he was not willing to take that step. And we never hear from him again.
    He had great wealth–too much to lose.
    We must identify our own 'riches' that may hinder our ability to fully commit to Christ's call.
    ​
    ​

    5. Trust in God’s Divine Potential

    Mark 10:23–27 NIV
    23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
    ​
    Hard not to put our trust in what we have made or what we have.
    What seems impossible with man is possible with God, directing attention to the sufficiency of God's grace.
    Trust in God’s ability to transform hearts and lives beyond human limitations.

    6. Step Into Storm

    1. Unfortunately, the man declines (10:22). He was established in his wealth. His identity was in his fortune.
    People say he loved money more than God or He was so caught up in money.
    What if someone asked you to give away all you had. You would probably walk away also.
    But are you willing to for God. Is he truly #1.
    This “rich young man” doesn’t show up again.
    This was his moment. When we think about taking the next step in following Jesus, we need to understand that throughout every day, we can have encounters of eternal significance.
    The man had committed
    He followed the commandments and then fell before Jesus for more.
    But That NEXT STEP!!!!
    We may not realize it, but many times, that moment is our chance to advance the kingdom.
    We also see Peter.
    He also had a lot to lose (His life) but he took a step
    Matthew 14:25–33 NIV
    25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” 32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
    ​
    Stepping out in faith amidst life's storms. Stress that Jesus’ presence and invitation
    We don’t know how many steps Peter took. We don’t know how far Jesus was away. But to get down out of a boat – not short distance.
    And then to step on water
    And let go
    And then stand holding on to nothing
    And then walk forward
    Takes a lot of faith
    But somewhere a long the way fear set in.
    Unlike the Rich man. Peter was willing to take steps
    Risk His life in doing so just to follow Jesus.
    So it wasn’t unwillingness…. His surroundings started coming to life and he allowed his surroundings to be bigger than Jesus in that moment.
    ​
    Now when we look at the story of Peter’s perspective we see:
    Doubt
    Fear
    Unwilling to continue given his surroundings
    But when we look at it from Jesus perspective:
    He rewarded Peter’s faith in allowing him to take a step
    He remained in place for Peter to follow or come toward
    He saved Peter, never forsaken him
    And he took Peter to the original destination. He didn’t just return him to the boat, that was the plan the whole time, come to me and we will go to the boat together so the goal was still accomplished but so much more could have been achieved if Peter had continued
    So what do we learn.
    No matter if it is your first step or your 2,000th step. You have to trust in Jesus with EVERY step you take.
    When you take the first step.
    Like the old people say – keep on keeping on
    When you take that second step and the waves get bigger and say LOOK AT Me. You do like Hebrews fixing my eyes on Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of my faith
    When you step again and the wind tries to blow from the left and right you take a deep breadth and say on His solid rock I stand, knowing each step is leading you closer
    You take that next step and people say what are you doing they challenge you.
    You sing that song… JUST A CLOSER WALK WITH THEE
    When the lights go out you say Your words are a lamp unto my feet
    When temptation comes you say the testing of my faith produces perseverance
    When you can’t see, and the rain falls and winds howl and it seems like too much you just cry out JESUS!!! And reach out that hand and I guarantee you will feel a hand in your hand saying come on…. YOU GOT THIS.
    And when it is all said and done and you feel good and say I made it.
    Guess what it’s time to get up and walk some more because God has been and will be Good to you.
    ​

      • Matthew 16:24–26NIV2011

      • Matthew 16:26NIV2011

      • Luke 9:23NIV2011

      • Mark 10:17–22NIV2011

      • Mark 10:23–27NIV2011

      • Matthew 14:25–33NIV2011

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