Because we follow a Suffering Savior, we too must take up a cross like His and follow Him willingly into death if we wish to be His disciples. I. All Who Follow Christ Must Take Up the Cross v 24 II. Only Those Who Give All to Follow Christ Gain the Life He Gives! v 25 III. The Only Way to Keep Your Precious Soul is to Give it Away to Christ by Faith! v 26

Because being the Christ means that Jesus must suffer death and rise again, we must embrace and follow Him as suffering Savior before we can know Him as glorified King. I. The Necessity of Christ's Suffering to be Our Savior v 21 II. The Refusal to Believe that Christ Must Suffering! v 22 III. The Rebuke of Christ against the Satanic Suggestion that He Can Avoid Suffering v 23

Our world is very short on mercy these days. Cancel culture has grown like a weed and encouraged cutting off not only celebrities with whom we disagree but family and friends as well. Experts assure us this is both morally laudable and absolutely necessary for our mental health and happiness – yet it has made the world a friendless, merciless place. Sadly, the church has not been much different. We are quick to speak, quick to assume motives, quick to fixate on what the other person "ought to have known." In this passage, James warns us against such "judgment without mercy" and shows us a better way – the way of mercy. Choose mercy because love commends it, the law demands it, and you need it.

The First message is the series, "Transfiguration: Seeing Christ's Glory" begins by looking at Peter's Confession of Christ. Because we live in a world of opposition and spiritual confusion, we must come to a confident confession of who Jesus is by the gracious gift of God's Spirit through the Gospel. I. The Big Question You've Got to Answer is: Who is Jesus? vv 13-14 II. What is Your Answer to this Question? vv 15-16 III. The Grace-Given Revelation of the Truth of Who Jesus Is! v 17 (vv 18-19)

In this message we experience the thunder of God's holiness rumbling down from the Mountain of God's Law (Sinai), and then find the grace of God's mercy in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Because God is fearsome in his holiness and His law cannot save, we must flee by faith to the Mediator He has provided in Jesus who leads us away from Sinai to the mountain of His grace. I. The Terror of the Law. vv 18-19a II. The Cry for a Mediator. vv 19-20 III. We Have a Better Mediator and a Better Mountain in Jesus. v 21; Heb 12:18-21

Because we know that God is faithful to provide all that we need, we must not allow our hearts to covet anything that belongs to another and instead strive to find our contentment in Christ alone. I. The Subtle Sin of Coveting Ex 20:17 II. As Human Beings We are Driven by Our Desires III. Only Christ by Faith Can Satisfy Your Heart, so it is Him you Must Go Php 4:11-13

The doctrine of election displays the character of a merciful, loving God and the nature of an amazing grace

Because Truth matters and God is a God of Truth, we who belong to Him must always speak the truth in love both to and about our neighbors for Christ's sake. I. God Commanded His Covenant People to Never Lie About Others Ex 20:16 II. God's People Must be Committed to Always Speak the Truth To and About Others Ex 4:25 III. Jesus Calls us to Use Our Words to Build Others Up, Not to Tear Them Down Eph 4:29

Because Christ is our Lord and the giver of all good things, we must not only reject the self-centered life of the thief, but must also embrace the self-giving generosity of Christ. I. God Commanded His Old Covenant People Israel Not to Steal from One Another! Ex 20:15 II. God is the One Who Gives What We Need to Glorify and Enjoy Him! Jas 1:17; 1 Tim 6:17; III. God Calls us as Christians to a Stewardship of Christ-like Generosity with our things Eph 4:28

Because marriage matters, we must guard our hearts, minds and lives against the devastating danger of adultery by cultivating a Christ-like love that values the good of marriage. I. Adultery is a Devastating Sin Because Marriage is a Vital Good Given by God. Ex 20:14; Heb 13:4 II. The Heart of the Matter is the Condition of Your Heart! Mt 5:27-28; III. Christian Obedience to God's Commands Flow from a Heart made new in Christ