Take Up Your Cross

North Parkersburg Baptist

Take Up Your Cross

October 1, 2023 • Pastor Mike Towner • Galatians 2:20, Luke 9:24, Luke 9:23, Romans 12:1

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. - Luke 9:23 (ESV). To "take up our cross" means to lay down our life, give our lives to Jesus and live our lives in a new way.

Welcoming Change

September 10, 2023 • Pastor Mike Towner • Luke 19:10, 2 Corinthians 5:15, Matthew 4:18–20, Romans 8:29, 1 John 2:5–6

It may be comfortable to resist "change" in our lives, but we're called to embrace it! 2 Corinthians 5:15 - "and he [Jesus] died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised." Become a disciple, live for Christ, and choose to follow Him daily!

The Choice Is Yours

September 17, 2023 • Pastor Mike Towner • Luke 9:23, Luke 6:40

The call of Jesus is to choose. Are you ready to embrace the call of Jesus and become His disciple? Choose to be a disciple and see what God has in store for you by learning from His teachings.

Deny Yourself

September 24, 2023 • Pastor Mike Towner • 1 Peter 1:18–19, 1 Corinthians 6:19–20, Luke 9:23, Ecclesiastes 2:1–11, Romans 6:6

Disciples deny themselves; but denying yourself doesn't mean what we traditionally think of in this context. When Jesus says in Luke 9:23: "“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.", He is referring to giving God full control of our lives. As Pastor Mike put it "Self-denial is a marvelously gracious invitation". Choose to deny yourself and let God show you the plans He has for you!