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The Gospel of Self-Denial

November 21, 2021 • Matt Miller • Luke 9:23–26

We come to the heart of Jesus' message. The Gospel is not about self-fulfillment, but self-denial. The way up is the way down. The way to gain life is to lose your life. Jesus teaches on the costliness of following Him. He says it requires a complete abandonment of your former identity, and then reassociation with Him. The one who desires to follow Jesus must lay down all former ways of life, take up their cross every single day, and follow Him. This is a message that doesn't sell, but it's one the truly converted heart loves.

More from Luke

Would-Be Followers

June 19, 2022 • Matt Miller • Luke 9:57–62

Jesus challenges three would-be followers who've not yet discovered the nature of true discipleship. Many are eager, but have not counted the cost. Others have counted the cost, but are working in their own power to hedge against the coming challenges. And, then, others are willing to follow Jesus, but with a divided heart. In these difficult words of Jesus, He shows forth the heart of a true follower. It is a challenging passage, but one worthy of much meditation.

A Preview of Glory

December 5, 2021 • Matt Miller • Luke 9:27–29

We come to the mysterious passage known as the transfiguration. It is a strange passage that many are not certain what to do with. However, it serves a very important purpose. Not only does it continue to reveal the divine identity of Jesus, but it serves to bolster the disciples faith. This sermon explores the relationship of God's holiness with His glory, revealing Jesus to be the intrinsic essence of God's holiness when it is made publicly known. He is the glory of God.

The Ultimate Question

November 14, 2021 • Matt Miller • Luke 9:18–22

Peter offers the great confession that Jesus is the Christ. This passage functions as the pinnacle of the Gospel up to this point. Jesus instructs the disciples to tell no one about this revelation because they still have much to learn about the nature of Christ's true role as God's Messiah. Jesus informs them for the first time that He is not only Messiah, but a suffering Messiah Who is to fulfill the Old Testament promise of death and resurrection at the hands of His own people. This is a revelation that would have utterly shocked them. This is a wonderful passage showing the foundation upon which Christ would build His Church -- the confession of Jesus as God's Messiah.