Choosing to follow Jesus requires intentional sacrifice and a willingness to give up personal comfort and preferences. Just as a hiker prepares for a challenging climb by considering what is needed and what must be left behind, so too must a follower of Christ honestly assess what it will cost to walk in His footsteps. This journey is not about convenience or ease, but about a wholehearted commitment to pursue something of eternal value, even when it means letting go of what feels safe or familiar. [25:48]
Matthew 16:24 (ESV)
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you sense Jesus asking you to surrender your own way in order to follow Him more closely today?
True spiritual growth happens when you choose God’s path over your own, even when your instincts or desires point in a different direction. Life is full of voices and options claiming to be the right way, but Jesus calls His followers to lay down selfish ambition and immediate gratification in order to discover the deeper, lasting fulfillment found in Him. The Bible serves as a guide, helping you discern God’s way in a world that often celebrates self-direction, and invites you to trust that His path leads to true life. [28:17]
Matthew 16:24 (ESV)
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
Reflection: Where in your daily decisions do you most often default to your own way instead of seeking God’s direction, and how can you intentionally choose His way this week?
The paradox of the Christian life is that in giving up control and letting go of your own life, you actually discover the life you were created for. Holding tightly to your plans, possessions, or sense of control may feel secure, but Jesus teaches that real freedom and fulfillment come when you release your grip and trust Him fully. It’s in the act of surrender—letting Jesus “take the wheel”—that you experience His presence and purpose in a way you never could while clinging to your own agenda. [34:21]
Matthew 16:25 (ESV)
For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Reflection: What is one thing you are trying to control that you need to release to God today, trusting Him with the outcome?
Nothing in this world—no achievement, possession, or relationship—is worth more than your soul. Jesus reminds us that the pursuit of worldly success or material things can come at the expense of what matters most: your relationship with God and the eternal destiny of your soul. The invitation is to put Jesus first, recognizing that while many things in life are good, none compare to the surpassing worth of knowing Him and securing your soul’s true home. [35:50]
Matthew 16:26 (ESV)
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?
Reflection: Is there anything you are pursuing right now that could be costing you spiritual health or intimacy with God? What would it look like to put Jesus first in that area?
The ultimate reward of faith in Jesus is not found in temporary blessings, but in the promise of eternal life with Him. This hope shapes every sacrifice and every step of obedience, reminding you that this life is just a brief moment compared to eternity. Baptism is a powerful symbol of this reality—a public declaration that your old life is gone and your new life is anchored in Christ, with heaven as your true home. Let the promise of eternity motivate you to keep the main thing the main thing: putting Jesus first, no matter the cost. [40:33]
Matthew 16:27 (ESV)
For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.
Reflection: How does the reality of eternity and the hope of heaven shape the way you live and the choices you make today?
The journey of faith is much like climbing a mountain: it requires preparation, sacrifice, and a willingness to let go of comfort for something greater. In this season, the focus is on what it means to truly ascend spiritually, to take intentional steps toward growth, and to recognize that following Jesus is not a casual decision but one that comes with real cost. Just as a hiker must count the cost before a challenging climb—ensuring the right gear, warmth, and readiness—so too must each person consider what it means to follow Christ wholeheartedly.
Jesus’ words in Matthew 16 are clear: “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.” This call was given in a place of deep spiritual darkness, Caesarea Philippi, surrounded by idolatry and evil. The context underscores the radical nature of Jesus’ invitation. Following Him means choosing God’s way over our own, even when it runs counter to the culture or our instincts. It’s about surrendering immediate gratification and selfish ambition to discover a deeper, truer self rooted in God’s purposes.
There’s a paradox at the heart of the Christian life: to truly find life, one must be willing to lose it. Clinging to control, possessions, or personal ambitions ultimately leads to emptiness, but letting go and trusting Jesus leads to fulfillment and eternal reward. The soul’s value far surpasses anything the world can offer—no achievement, possession, or relationship is worth more than the health of one’s soul. The challenge is to keep the main thing the main thing: putting Jesus first, above all else.
This life is brief compared to eternity. The promise of heaven is the ultimate reward for those who choose the costly path of discipleship. Baptism is a powerful symbol of this journey—dying to the old self and rising to new life in Christ. The stories of those being baptized today are testimonies of transformation, surrender, and the hope found in Jesus. As a community, we celebrate these steps of faith, knowing that every decision to follow Christ echoes in eternity.
Matthew 16:24-27 (ESV) — > Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.”
It's actually the Christian life itself is a paradox, that if you're going to choose to follow Jesus, you actually have to give up your life. So if you're going to hang on to your life, the Bible says you're going to lose it. But if you give up Your life. The Bible says you're gonna save it. [00:34:03] (21 seconds) #ParadoxOfFaith
The very premise of following Jesus is his way. That means that I must release control. And for those who are control freaks, you must know. No, you will not truly experience the Jesus of the Bible until we fully trust him. We gotta let go of control. [00:35:03] (23 seconds) #TrustOverControl
So your soul is valuable. This is a really important moment where the scriptures separate ourselves from the world. The world doesn't recognize the soul of a person. The scriptures, Jesus speaks intentionally about the soul. That there's something inside of you. There's this piece of you that when you die, does go somewhere. [00:35:48] (22 seconds) #SoulIsEternal
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