40 Days to a Cross
3 Days to a Crown
Crowns of Thorn and Gold
April 21, 2019 • Pastor Jeff Beckett • Matthew 28, 1 Peter 5:4, Revelation 4:10, Matthew 27:29
In today’s sermon we conclude our seven-week journey called 40 Days to a Cross, 3 Days to a Crown. It has been a journey of denying self, taking up our cross and following Jesus. Culminating today, with resurrection Sunday, we are going to talk about the cynical crown of thorns from Jesus’ crucifixion, transitioning to the powerful crown of eternal glory that Christ earned with his blood and resurrection, a crown he shares with us through faith. Today we would like to fit each of you for a crown!
His Cross, My Crossroads
April 14, 2019 • Pastor Jeff Beckett • Philippians 2, Luke 23
(Matthew 16:24) We approach the end of our 40 Day Journey. For six weeks we have considered the value of denying self and taking up a cross. This is the way Jesus declares he must be followed. But He did more than talk about it. He literally showed us how that type of self-denial works. Today we will look to Jesus’ death, and in particular His 7 comments while on the cross, as we consider His life of self-denial … and ours.
Cheers and Jeers
April 7, 2019 • Pastor Jeff Beckett • Matthew 21, Matthew 27
This week in “40 Days to a Cross” we examine the cheers from Palm Sunday, and how quickly those cheers turned to jeers and cries for Barabbas by the end of the week… then, even shouts of “crucify him!” by week’s end. It seems impossible that people could be so fickle, but in truth the cheers were never for Jesus… they were for the idea of a political savior and a powerful healer. We often find ourselves following Jesus superficially and temporarily, looking only for what he can do for us. The message today is designed to challenge us to examine whether we follow Jesus because of what we want, or because of what He wants. Perhaps the ultimate proof of real “self-denial” is found in the ability to offer Jesus what he really wants…. all of us.
My Best for His Glory
March 31, 2019 • Pastor Josh Komis • Matthew 26:6–13
In this passage of Scripture, we see that Jesus is the King of all and why He deserves the very best. We see the devotion of Mary who adores Jesus and gives Him first place in her heart. She will make a huge financial sacrifice for the Lord, but that gift pales in comparison to the gift of Christ on the cross. We don’t give to impress God (we can’t) or others (we won’t), we give because Jesus is worth everything.
My Best for His Glory
March 31, 2019 • Pastor Jeff Beckett • Matthew 26:6–13
Today’s sermon text is a powerful glimpse into the hearts of several people … Jesus, focused on his impending death, is attempting to give his followers a gospel focus. The woman just loves Jesus and wants to give him her best. Jesus’ disciples on the other hand are ready for a lesson in self-denial. Today’s communion service is all about a simple question, ‘are we offering Jesus our best?’ When we really understand the gospel, self-denial will be as natural to us as breathing.
Ready or Not?
March 24, 2019 • Pastor Jeff Beckett • Matthew 24:36–51
Matthew 24 describes some of Jesus’ most ominous teaching and warnings about the end of times. Jesus’ biggest emphasis with his followers was that they would have the discipline and focus to “see the signs” of his imminent return and give urgent warning to their generations. He feared we would be like the generation of Noah, immersed in self-indulgence right up until the flood waters arrived. So in 40 Days to a cross we focus on denying self and spiritual discipline, because the Gospel demands it, and for our neighbors this is a matter of life and death!
Take Up My Cross… When Losing is Winning
March 17, 2019 • Pastor Jeff Beckett • Matthew 16:24–26, Philippians 2
This week, we are looking at the central theme passage of the 40 Days effort… verse 24. But how we get to verse 24 is so telling. Peter is busy trying to rescue and reroute Jesus from his path of sacrifice and self-denial. Jesus sharply rebukes Peter and then teaches us all that to follow Jesus is to embrace a Kingdom bigger than ourselves!
Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord!
March 10, 2019 • Pastor Jeff Beckett • Isaiah 58:5–9, Joel 2:12–13, Luke 4:1–13, Matthew 6
Theme verse: Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” When John the Baptist began his ministry he told people he was here to prepare the way of the Lord. He denied self, lived humbly, spoke boldly and then when Jesus arrived, he declared, “he must increase and I must decrease.” Today we begin 40 Days to the Cross and these same dynamics are in play. We must decrease, so Jesus can increase in us. Today we explore what that looks like in thinking about Biblical fasting, and Kingdom feasting!