25. Take Up Your Cross — Only If You Are NUTS
Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28
Summary: This Sermon Is The Second In NUTS. It deals with our call to deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow Jesus.
“When we hear the word cross, we usually think of something that’s decorative or somewhat attractive in its design. It’s often pleasing to look at because that’s how crosses today are made. In the first century, when people heard the word cross, they immediately thought of pain, suffering, and death.”
26. Following Jesus To The Cross: Drawing A Line In The Sand
Scripture: Matthew 21:12-23:12, Matthew 24:1-25:1
Summary: This is the second message in a series that looks at Jesus’ final few days on the way to the cross. This message looks at how Jesus’ confrontation of religious hypocrisy and his resulting challenge to his own followers.
“Jesus is Issuing the Same Challenge to Us! He’s Drawn a Line in the Sand… Now how are YOU going to Respond?”
Scripture: Mark 8:31-34, Mark 8:34-38
Summary: Be willing to make sacrifices so that the will of God can be accomplished through your life. We are called to carry our own cross and to renew such a commitment every day.
“Will you carry your cross? Will you make sacrifices so that God’s purposes can be fulfilled in your life, through you?”
Devotions and Creative Ideas for Holy Week
28. What Kind of King: A Powerful Poem for Palm Sunday and Holy Week
“What kind of king
builds a castle
with a wide open door for children to enter
but a needle-eye sized hole for the rich?
What kind of king
rides on a donkey
into the city where
his assassins are waiting?”
29. Easter Week: Choose Wisely!
“What will Easter Sunday mean to you—and those who hear you preach? Choose carefully: How you celebrate Easter indicates your priorities of faith. This “Holy Week” is filled with powerful images of the Christian life: Jesus gave us a covenant meal on Thursday night—the very night he was betrayed. He suffered torture and death on Friday—a substitutionary death that paid the price for the sins of humanity. On Saturday, he descended into the depths of Hades and kicked in the gates of Hell itself. And, of course, on Sunday he was resurrected with power, receiving the vindication of the Heavenly Father.”
30. The Greatest Prayer In The World (Maundy Thursday)
“The question I would like to try to answer is: How does Hebrews 5:7 relate to the prayers in Gethsemane? Hebrews 5:7 says, “In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.” He was heard. He got his request. What does this refer to in Jesus’s life?”
