Reset – All In: Inviting Others – Sermon – Pastors Dave & Marlee Page

Here, Jesus sets the ultimate standard for what it means to follow Him: denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and walking in His footsteps.

Let’s be honest—this is not an easy message. It’s not a call to comfort or convenience. It’s a call to surrender. It’s a call to boldness. Most importantly, it’s a call to action.

Now, contrast this call to action with another feeling. Have you ever been part of something so exciting, so life-changing, that you couldn’t help but share it? Maybe it was a team victory, an incredible trip, or the best restaurant you’ve ever tried. Whatever it was, you were all in and you wanted everyone to know about it.

Now, let’s think bigger. Jesus has called us to the greatest journey of all: a life of following Him and leading others to do the same.

This is the heartbeat of being fully devoted to Christ. It’s about going all in for Him and inviting others to experience that same life-changing hope.

In fact, as we recounted last week, that’s the very mission of this church.

Our Mission Statement:
We are committed to becoming fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ,
and inviting others to do the same.

Taking Up Our Cross Means Surrendering to God’s Mission

When Jesus spoke of taking up our cross, He wasn’t talking about a minor inconvenience or a temporary struggle. In the first century, the cross was a symbol of suffering, rejection, and ultimately, death.

But Jesus redefined the cross as a symbol of devotion and purpose. To take up your cross means embracing God’s mission for your life, even when it’s difficult or costly. What is that mission? Jesus makes it clear in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20):

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”

Taking up your cross means proclaiming the name of Jesus to a world that desperately needs Him, even if it costs you comfort, relationships, or reputation.

A Courageous Cross-Bearer

Let me share a story about a group of students who chose to live out their faith. There was a high school student named Alex, who was part of a small Bible study with a few friends. Alex loved Jesus, but like many students, he found it intimidating to share his faith at school. He worried about how his classmates might react—would they think he was weird or push him away?

One day, during lunch, a friend in his class, Jordan, shared that they were feeling overwhelmed and alone, especially after their parents’ recent divorce. Alex felt the Holy Spirit nudging him to speak up, but he hesitated—what if he said the wrong thing? Finally, Alex took a deep breath and told Jordan of his similar experience and how his faith in Jesus had helped him with this.

At first, Jordan didn’t say much. But over the next few weeks, Alex and his Bible study friends made an effort to include Jordan in their conversations, inviting him to sit with them at lunch and sharing encouragement. Eventually, they invited Jordan to their youth group at church. At first, Jordan was unsure, but he decided to go.

That night, Jordan heard about the love of Jesus in a way that made sense to him. Over time, he started asking deeper questions, and eventually, he gave his life to Christ.

Alex and his friends could have stayed silent, but they chose to deny themselves—setting aside their fear of rejection—to take up their cross and step into God’s mission. Their courage and kindness made a lasting impact, not just on Jordan’s life, but on everyone who saw how they lived out their faith.

Denying Ourselves to Follow Christ

Matthew 16:24 begins with a crucial step: “Let him deny himself.” This goes against everything our culture tells us. The world says, “Follow your dreams. Put yourself first. Protect your comfort.” But Jesus says, “Deny yourself.”

Denying yourself doesn’t mean rejecting your personality or passions. It means surrendering your plans and priorities to align with God’s. It means being willing to set aside your comfort and pride to obey His call—especially when it comes to sharing the gospel.

Think about it:

Denying yourself might mean having a difficult conversation with a friend who doesn’t know Jesus.

Denying yourself might mean giving up your fear of rejection and speaking boldly about your faith.

Denying yourself might mean investing time in a neighbour who needs to see the love of Christ through your actions.

Losing Our Life to Find It

Jesus’ words in Matthew 16:25 challenge us to the core:

“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

This is one of the great paradoxes of the Christian faith. In our human nature, we are wired to protect what we have—our comfort, our safety, our reputation. We want to hold on tightly to control, to security, to the life we’ve built for ourselves. But Jesus calls us to something radically different.

He says that when we try to save our lives—when we live for ourselves, hoard our time, or protect our comfort—we ultimately lose the very essence of life. But when we let go of all of it for His sake, we find something far greater: true purpose, deep joy, and eternal fulfillment.

A Life Poured Out for the Gospel

Losing our lives for Jesus’ sake means surrendering to His mission—and central to His mission is the call to tell others the good news. We’re not just called to follow Christ; we’re called to invite others to follow Him too.

The early church understood this. In Acts 2:42-47, we see a community that wasn’t just devoted to growing their own faith but to living it out in a way that drew others in. They prayed together, shared meals, cared for one another’s needs, and proclaimed the gospel boldly. As a result, “the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47).

Their lives were not about self-preservation but self-sacrifice. They gave generously, loved deeply, and shared the good news of Jesus relentlessly. And through their boldness and surrender, God worked powerfully to change lives and grow His kingdom.

Answering Jesus Call Requires Risk

To lose our lives for Jesus means risking something for the sake of others. Telling others about Jesus isn’t always easy. It might cost you your time, your comfort, or even your relationships. You might risk rejection or face awkward conversations, but remember, the reward is far greater than the cost.

Think about the story of the Apostle Paul. Before his encounter with Jesus, Paul had everything the world values: status, education, and power. But after meeting Jesus, he considered all of it worthless compared to the privilege of knowing and proclaiming Jesus.

He wrote in Philippians 3:8:

“I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”

Paul spent the rest of his life sharing the gospel, enduring persecution, imprisonment, and hardship—but he also experienced the deep joy of living fully for Christ. His life wasn’t easy, but it was abundantly full.

Is The Risk Worth It?

Yes, it absolutely is!! When we pour out our lives for the sake of the gospel, we experience the abundant life Jesus promises. Here’s why:

It Draws Us Closer to God.
Sharing our faith forces us to depend on God. We rely on His wisdom, His courage, and His Spirit to guide us. In the process, we grow deeper in our relationship with Him.

It Changes Lives for Eternity.
When you share Jesus with someone, you’re not just offering them temporary hope—you’re inviting them into eternal life. Imagine the joy of seeing someone come to Christ and knowing you played a part in their journey.

It Brings Glory to God.
Every time someone hears the Gospel, God’s name is glorified. Telling someone about Jesus isn’t about us—it’s about pointing people to Him and making His name known.

Living Out Matthew 16:24-25

So how do we put this into practice? How do we take up our cross and live a life that proclaims Jesus?

Pray for Boldness.
Ask God to give you courage to speak about Jesus, even when it’s uncomfortable.

Identify Your Mission Field.
Your mission field might be your workplace, your school, or your neighborhood. Who in your life needs to hear about Jesus?

Step Out in Faith.
Start small. Share your testimony with a friend or invite someone to church. The first step is often the hardest, but God will meet you there.

Embrace the Cost.
Following Jesus will cost you something. It might be your time, your comfort, or your pride. But remember: the reward is far greater than the cost.

All In for Jesus

Let’s return to the words of Jesus in Matthew 16:24-25:

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

This is the heart of discipleship. To follow Jesus, we must lay down our own plans, ambitions, and fears and step fully into His mission. Taking up our cross isn’t just a call to endure hardship—it’s a call to live boldly for the sake of the gospel. It’s a declaration that our lives are no longer our own but belong entirely to Jesus.

The Apostle Paul captured this mindset when he wrote in Philippians 3:13-14:

“Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Paul understood what it meant to leave everything behind and press forward for the sake of Christ. He embraced the cross—not as a burden but as a mission, but as the path to the abundant life Jesus promises.

A Symbol of Your Commitment

Today, I want to invite you to respond to this call in a tangible way. In a moment, the ushers will come forward and pass out small wooden crosses to each of you.

These crosses are simple, but they hold profound meaning. They represent your personal decision to take up your cross and follow Jesus. As you hold this cross in your hand, let it be a reminder of the surrender Jesus is calling you to—a life fully devoted to Him, fully committed to His mission.

When Jesus says, “Take up your cross,” He’s not just calling us to endure hardship; He’s calling us to live for something greater than ourselves. He’s calling us to share the good news with the world, to invite others into the hope and salvation we’ve found in Him.

A Challenge for the Week Ahead

As you receive your cross, I want to challenge you to think about one person in your life who needs to hear about Jesus. Maybe it’s a coworker, a neighbour, a friend at school, or even a family member.

Pray for that person. Ask God to give you the courage to share your story, invite them to church, or simply let them see Christ’s love through your actions.

When you see this cross in the days ahead, let it remind you of your commitment to Jesus and His mission. Let it remind you that you’re not walking this path alone—He is with you, empowering you every step of the way.

Pressing On Together

As a church, we’re in this together. We are a community of believers, striving to live fully devoted lives for Christ. Imagine the impact we can make if each of us takes this call seriously. Imagine what God can do through a church that is all in—a church where every person is committed to taking up their cross and proclaiming the gospel.

This week, let us press on. Let us live boldly. Let us take up our crosses, share the hope we’ve found in Jesus, and invite others into this life-changing journey.