Is It Worth It?
Is Marriage Worth It?
November 12, 2023 • Charley Carpenter • Luke 9:23, James 4:1–4, Genesis 2:18, Ecclesiastes 4:9–12
How will I choose to die to myself this week? What do I need to give up chasing in order to chase after God? How might God want to use my marriage as a model for the rest of the world of His love? Will we trust God or trust the world?
Is giving up everything to follow Jesus worth it?
November 5, 2023 • Brian Alaman • Mark 10:17–22, John 11:1–6, Proverbs 24:11, Mark 10:23–27, 1 John 4:7–10
Go sell all that you have. If you say, “I will follow God if_________” whatever is on the other side of that “if” is your true god He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. - Jim Elliot Psalm 16:11 ESV You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
A Tough Man to Follow
October 22, 2023 • Brian Helms • John 6:35–42, Revelation 19:11–16, John 6:5–15, John 6:25–30
Jesus recognizes posers before they recognize themselves. A king who rules on our terms is no king at all. Jesus is not calling for Cannibalism, but for Commitment. How do we try to hijack Jesus in our own lives? What does it look like for you to accept Jesus on His terms? Right now? Today? This week?
Competing Agendas
October 8, 2023 • Charley Carpenter • Matthew 26:10–16, Matthew 27:1–5, Matthew 26:6–9, John 12:1–6
What’s in it for us? Is trusting God worth it, even if I don’t like how He does things? God’s hand can’t be forced and His will can’t be stopped. Where am I trying to force God’s hand? How am I trying to manipulate God’s will to benefit my agenda?
What's my role?
October 1, 2023 • Charley Carpenter • Mark 8:36, Luke 16:1–13, 1 Timothy 6:10, John 4:13–14, Luke 16:14–15
Everything belongs to God. We are just managers. Ecclesiastes 5:10-Whoever LOVES money will never have enough. Whoever LOVES wealth will never be satisfied. Are you the owner or the manager? What are you investing in that will outlive you?
What's the Cost?
September 24, 2023 • Charley Carpenter • Mark 8:27–34, Mark 8:35–38
In discovering the cost we find out if we are a CONSUMER or a FOLLOWER. DENY YOURSELF TAKE UP YOUR CROSS FOLLOW ME If you’re going to follow me, you’re going to have to be willing to die to yourself. Salvation is free and costs us nothing. Following Jesus, in this life, will eventually cost you something. What is the conflict of interest you are facing with Jesus’ invitation? Which story is your life telling now? I couldn’t say no to me or I decided to say no to me. I couldn’t say yes to Jesus or I decided to say Yes to Jesus.
Am I Willing?
September 17, 2023 • Charley Carpenter • Matthew 4:18–22, Luke 5:1–11
Jesus asks Peter to do something that Peter had done a thousand times. But He asks Peter to do it in a way he had never done it before. Can I trust Jesus? What if they hadn’t trusted God? What if we don’t trust God? What Next Step is God asking you to take? Are you willing to trust Him enough to take that step?
Decision Time
September 10, 2023 • Charley Carpenter • Matthew 9:9–13, Matthew 15:8
What if just doing what Jesus says, isn’t what Jesus says to do at all? Jesus is not content just hanging out with people who say and do all the right things. Is it worth it? What is my life worth? Who is God asking me to help experience Him?