Take Up Your Cross

Christ Community Ridgefield

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Take Up Your Cross

The Cost of Following Jesus

September 3, 2023 • Eli Thomas • Matthew 16:21–28

Following Peter's confession of faith, Jesus begins to tell his disciples about his coming suffering and death. Peter's response is not one of faith but one of selfish desire. Jesus uses this moment to remind Peter, the disciples, and us that faith means taking chances and being a disciple means holding nothing, including our lives, back from Jesus' care.

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Grace Is Unfair

September 24, 2023 • Eli Thomas • Matthew 20:1–16

Grace is unfair. At least it is by human standards. Grace doesn't care about effort or time committed, it doesn't care about qualifications or status. Grace is offered to any who put their trust in Jesus and it doesn't care about how many years of service you have or if you just declared that you believe in Jesus. Grace is unfair because it isn't about what we bring, grace is all about what God gives.

Mercy

September 17, 2023 • Eli Thomas • Matthew 18:21–35

Mercy is not getting what we deserve. Matthew 18:21-35 tells parable of a servant under so much debt he is entirely without means to satisfy it. His master has mercy on him and forgives the debt. This is what God does for us. He knows that our sin has brought us to an impossible spot and he knows we can't find our way out. God's mercy gives us life, and he charges us to share that mercy so those who are still stuck in their sin can see the hope that the Father has for them in Jesus Christ.

Living Upside-Down

September 10, 2023 • Matthew 18:1–5

Status, position, wealth, power- all of these are metrics that we use to measure success. But Jesus doesn't use an earthly measuring stick. Instead he challenges us with words like "the first shall be last" or "only the meek will inherit." These phrases often seem wrong, going against our desire to be strong and secure. Jesus challenges us to live UPSIDE-DOWN, seeking not to emulate the powerful but instead seek to make our lives mirror the weak.