Facing Persecution, Betrayal, and Hate

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Facing Persecution, Betrayal, and Hate

Jesus' Unexpected Message to His Disciples

April 7, 2024 • Brannen Padgett • Matthew 11:16–25

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Join us for a compelling sermon based on Matthew 11:16-25, where Jesus delivers an unexpected message to His disciples about the challenges they will face in their journey of faith. As Jesus prepares to send out the twelve and empower them for Kingdom work, He paints a sobering picture of what lies ahead: persecution, betrayal, and hate.

Understanding the Reality: Explore the harsh realities of persecution as Jesus prepares His disciples for the hostility they will encounter for proclaiming His name. Gain insight into the true definition of persecution and the staggering statistics revealing the global extent of Christian persecution today.

Facing Betrayal: Delve into Jesus' warning about betrayal within the closest relationships, as even family members may turn against disciples for their commitment to Christ. Discover the tension and division that can arise when following Jesus clashes with opposing values.

Confronting Hate: Uncover the root cause of persecution and betrayal: hatred towards followers of Christ. Explore the clash between irreconcilable value systems and the resulting disdain and despising faced by disciples.

Encouragements for the Journey: Find strength and guidance in Jesus' three encouragements to His disciples: be wise, be innocent, and depend on the Spirit. Learn how to navigate the challenges of persecution, betrayal, and hate with wisdom, purity of heart, and reliance on the Holy Spirit.

The Suffering King: Reflect on the profound example set by Jesus Himself, who endured betrayal, persecution, and hate for the sake of His disciples. Discover the heart of our faith in the suffering and humble King who sacrificed Himself for our forgiveness and salvation.

Don't miss this eye-opening message that sheds light on the unexpected challenges faced by disciples of Jesus and offers encouragement and strength for the journey ahead. Join us as we embrace the call to follow Christ, even in the face of persecution, betrayal, and hate.

Rejecting Jesus

May 5, 2024 • Brannen Padgett • Matthew 11:16–24

In today's sermon, we explored the profound truths presented in the Gospel of Matthew, focusing on the reasons why people reject Jesus Christ despite the clarity and authenticity of His message. Jesus, in Matthew 11, uses the analogy of children playing games to illustrate the irrational rejection He and John the Baptist encountered. He depicted scenarios of a wedding and a funeral, where the expected responses to joyous and somber music were unmet by the people. This indifference highlights a deeper spiritual malaise—the refusal to engage with the truth, whether it comes in the form of joy (Jesus) or repentance (John the Baptist). Further, Jesus pronounced woes upon the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum—cities that had witnessed His miracles but remained unrepentant. This condemnation starkly contrasts with the hypothetical repentance of notoriously wicked cities like Tyre, Sidon, and even Sodom had they witnessed His works. This section of the discourse emphasizes the tragedy of missed opportunities for repentance and the severe consequences of such negligence. The core of our discussion centered on the nature of a hardened heart. A hardened heart is characterized by various attitudes—pride, independence, comfort, and distraction—that lead to the rejection of Jesus. These attitudes are prevalent in our society, where advancements in science and technology, a sense of self-sufficiency, and the pursuit of comfort and entertainment often eclipse the perceived need for a Savior. To counteract the hardening of our hearts, we discussed practical spiritual disciplines. We emphasized the necessity of praying for spiritual sight, as our natural inclination is often blindness to spiritual truths. Regular repentance and active faith are crucial in maintaining a soft heart towards God. This involves not only turning away from sin but also turning towards God and embracing His promises and truths. Confession, both to God and to one another, plays a vital role in this process, fostering transparency and accountability.

Dealing with Doubt

April 28, 2024 • Austin Nesvacil • Matthew 11:1–15

Join us for an enlightening message based on Matthew 1:1-15, as we explore the profound reality that doubt is an inevitable part of our journey with Jesus. Discover how our doubts can either lead to disillusionment or become a catalyst for greater faith, hope, and trust in Christ. Facing Doubt: Delve into the story of John the Baptist, a faithful follower of Jesus who wrestled with doubts amidst difficult circumstances and unmet expectations. Gain insights into the common causes of doubt and how they manifest in our lives. Transforming Doubt into Faith: Experience the transformative power of bringing our doubts to Jesus, aligning our expectations with Scripture, and putting our feelings in their proper place. Learn how to navigate doubt with grace and courage, allowing it to deepen rather than diminish our faith. The Invitation: Discover the invitation extended by Jesus to all who wrestle with doubt – to come to Him and find assurance in the truth of His life, death, and resurrection. Experience the freedom and joy that come from embracing the gospel message and allowing doubts to be transformed into unwavering faith. Don't miss this opportunity to explore the intersection of doubt and faith, and to discover how doubt can ultimately lead to a deeper, more vibrant relationship with Jesus. Join us on this journey of transformation and renewal as we navigate the complexities of doubt in light of God's unchanging truth.

The Divisive Gospel

April 21, 2024 • Matt Burks

Join us for a powerful sermon based on Matthew 10:34-42, where Jesus unveils the divisive nature of the Gospel and calls believers to wholehearted allegiance, sacrificial living, and the promise of resurrection. The Message of Division: Explore the profound truth that the Gospel demands our complete allegiance, challenging us to transcend societal norms and embrace the radical call of Christ. In a world of polarization, discover how the Gospel stands as a beacon of truth, love, and transformation. Crucifying Self-Desires: Delve into Jesus' call to crucify our own desires and will for the sake of His Kingdom. Experience the liberating power of surrendering to God's mission, even amidst potential opposition from those closest to us. New Life through Resurrection: Encounter the promise of new life and resurrection that awaits those who embrace the Gospel's transformative message. As we die to our old selves, we rise to become ambassadors of God's Kingdom, experiencing true joy and fulfillment in Christ. The Ultimate Reward: Uncover the ultimate reward offered by the Gospel: salvation and divine acceptance. Gain confidence in sharing the Gospel message, knowing that acceptance or rejection of it is ultimately an acceptance or rejection of God Himself. Don't miss this compelling message that challenges believers to embrace the divisive yet transformative nature of the Gospel, offering hope, courage, and eternal reward. Join us as we journey deeper into the heart of God's mission and embrace our identity as His beloved children.