Christian family camp worship message.pptx

Christian Message

1. LUKE 14:27 AND WHOEVER DOES NOT BEAR HIS CROSS AND COME AFTER ME CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE

2. "Victory in Surrender”

3. 1. The Call to Take Up Our Cross Luke 14:27a (NIV) - "And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.“

4. - Jesus calls us to take up our cross, a symbol of sacrifice and suffering, as an essential aspect of discipleship.

5. Discipleship requires careful consideration and understanding of the sacrifices involved, as well as a willingness to persevere through challenges and obstacles. Luke 14:28-32

6. For Christians, taking up the cross is not about seeking out suffering for its own sake, but rather being willing to endure difficulties, opposition, and even persecution that may come as a result of faithfully following Jesus. It is an acknowledgment that the path of discipleship may not always be easy, but it is ultimately worth it because it leads to eternal life and a closer relationship with God.

7. 2. Surrendering in Faith Luke 14:27b (NIV) - "...cannot be my disciple.“ True victory over suffering begins with surrendering our lives completely to Jesus, trusting in His wisdom, goodness, and sovereignty. Proverbs 3:5-6

8. 3. Finding Strength in Surrender - 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV) - "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."

9. - In our moments of weakness and suffering, it is in surrendering to Christ that we find His strength and grace to endure.

10. In this act of surrender, choosing to thank God even in the midst of their suffering, Corrie and Betsie found strength and resilience. Their faith not only sustained them but also inspired others around them, bringing hope in the darkest of times. Corrie ten Boom's story of finding strength in surrender is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of faith. It shows that even in the most challenging circumstances, surrendering to God and trusting in His plan can bring unexpected blessings and the strength to endure.

11. 4. Embracing the Cross of Redemption - Hebrews 12:2 - "Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

12. - Jesus Himself bore the ultimate suffering on the cross, enduring it for the joy of redemption and victory over sin and death.

13. The joy that is often spoken of in Christian teachings regarding Jesus' suffering and death comes from the understanding that through His sacrifice, believers are offered the gift of salvation and the promise of eternal life. This joy is not in the suffering itself, but in the redemption and hope that it brings.

14. - Embracing this cross symbolically means acknowledging and accepting the teachings and path of Jesus, which often involves a personal commitment to living a life of faith, love, and service.

15. 5. The Triumph of the Cross - Colossians 2:13-15 (NIV) - "When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross."

16. - The cross, once a symbol of suffering and shame, now has become the instrument of our victory. Through Christ's sacrifice, we are forgiven, redeemed, and made alive in Him.

17. Conclusion: Dear friends, as we meditate on the call to take up our cross in Luke 14:27, let us find courage and hope in the victory that is ours through Christ. In surrendering our lives to Him, we discover that the cross, once an instrument of suffering, becomes the pathway to redemption and triumph. May we embrace our crosses with faith and perseverance, knowing that in our surrender, we find strength, grace, and ultimately, victory over every trial and suffering. As we fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, let us walk in the assurance of His love, the power of His resurrection, and the victory of His cross.