Resources

The idea of the cross bing an insturment of pain and suffering, of torture and deth, of shame and weakness has been replaced by the cross of decoration and fashion.  We print crosses on our clothing, we wear gold ones around our neck, we hang beautiful works of art on our walls – but we forget the true meaning of the cross.  Jesus said, “take up your cross daily and follow me.”  To the first century Christ Follower the cross was not a beautiful thing.  It wasn’t used as artwork or decoration.  The true idea of the cross was almost unthinkable.  Jesus wasn’t asking us to take up some comfortable, padded, easy to carry cross.  He is asking us to die to ourselves, to be obedient even to the point to physical death.  It is time for us to put down our comfortable crosses and become followers of Jesus.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

A mother knows her child in a way that is unlike anyone else.  Not only does the mother know the child, the child knows the mother.  This is a true picture of intimacy, of completely knowing and being completely known.  This is how God desires to know us.  Fans know about God, followers know God – and God knows them.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The word “anyone” often  means anyone who meets the qualifications specified in the fine print.  We have come to believe that anyone doesn’t mean everyone.  Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. ” (Luke 9:23)  Who did Jesus mean when he said anyone?  Did he really mean everyone?  Even me?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

fan or follower?   Today the title Christian means many different things to different people.  Most people  would say that they are a Christian.  Many “Christians” who never go to church, never give of their time or treasure to God’s work, spend little or no time in God’s Word or in prayer… but they still proudly use the title Christian.  Jesus set the bar higher.  He called us to be Disciples – Followers of Christ.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

In the Book of Acts the church started out on fire.  It seems that for many churches today the fire has gone out leaving us to ask the question, “Where’s The Fire?”

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

We are called and commissioned to make disciples. Before we can make a disciple we must first become a disciple. Christ’s definition of a disciple is often very different from what is normally considered a Christian. God has called us to a higher standard – so we can effectively make disciples.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download