Introduction

Welcome, beloved friends and family, to this sacred space where we gather together in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We come together with hearts open wide, eager to receive the divine wisdom that God has lovingly prepared for us. Today, we will be embracing an enlightening discussion that revolves around the profound words of our Savior in Luke 9:23-24.

The Scripture says, "Then he said to them all: 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.'"

These are not just words. They are life-changing principles, transformative truths that have the power to radically reshape our understanding of what it means to live as followers of Christ.

Sacrifice as a Seed

As we walk through life, we often encounter moments that require us to make sacrifices. These sacrifices can take many forms. It could be giving up a favorite pastime to spend more time with family, letting go of a lucrative job to pursue a passion, or even setting aside personal ambitions to serve others. These moments of sacrifice can be challenging, even painful. But it's in these moments that we are sowing seeds for a greater harvest.

Think about a farmer. Before the harvest comes, the farmer must first plant the seeds. He must till the soil, plant the seeds, and water them. He must wait patiently, trusting that in due time, the seeds will sprout, grow, and eventually produce a bountiful harvest. The farmer understands that the act of planting is not a loss, but an investment. The seeds he plants today are the promise of the harvest to come.

In the same way, every sacrifice we make is a seed we're planting. It's an investment into a future that is not yet seen, but is promised by God. When we deny ourselves, when we take up our cross daily, we're planting seeds that will one day bear fruit in our lives.

The sacrifices we make are not just about us. They're about the people around us too. When we sacrifice our time to help a friend in need, we're planting a seed of kindness that can inspire them to do the same for others. When we sacrifice our resources to support a cause we believe in, we're planting a seed of generosity that can make a difference in the world. Our sacrifices have the power to influence others and create a ripple effect of positive change.

But it's not just about the impact we can have on others. It's also about the transformation that happens within us. When we make sacrifices, we're not just giving something up. We're also gaining something in return. We're gaining a deeper understanding of what it means to love and serve others.

In the grand scheme of things, our sacrifices are not just about the here and now. They're about eternity. When we make sacrifices for the sake of Christ, we're not just investing in our earthly lives. We're investing in our eternal life. We're storing up treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Surrender to Resurrection

As we continue to reflect on the words of our Savior in Luke 9:23-24, we are drawn to the notion of resurrection ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO