A Disciple Who Counts the Cost

American Christians have a tendency to sanitize the cross. We don’t need to glorify the gruesome details of crucifixion as a sick form of entertainment. But we do need to remember that a cross was a means of execution. Romans used crucifixion to punish criminals and squash rebellion. It is difficult for us to imagine how awful the cross was in the eyes of the first-century Roman citizens. Yet we must remember what the cross was when we read that Jesus’s followers must take up their cross. We sanitize the cross when we assume Jesus is talking about a difficult situation or burden. People use the cross I have to bear to speak about a difficult family member or a tough day at work. But that’s not what Jesus is talking about. He isn’t saying that to be His disciple we have to keep a stiff upper lip when the going gets tough. Rather, He is saying that we must be ready to carry the instrument of execution to our death. In other words, we have to be ready to die. Jesus never advertised a life of ease for those who follow Him. In fact, He wanted everyone to consider the cost of being His follower. Only when we realize what it means to take up our cross, will we become true disciples of Jesus. For then we will be willing to die for the one who died for us. –Pastor Rory

Sunday at Liberty

9AM: Baptists in America–Fundamentalists vs Modernists (part 2)

10AM: Pastor Nate–A Disciple Who Counts the Cost–Luke 9:18-27 (sermon notes)

6PM: Pastor Rory–Biblical Citizenship // Pie Fellowship