September 1, 2024
Pastor Ryan Cathers
Numbers 11:4 Then the foreign rabble who were traveling with the Israelites began to crave the good things of Egypt. And the people of Israel also began to complain. “Oh, for some meat!” they exclaimed. 5 “We remember the fish we used to eat for free in Egypt. And we had all the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic we wanted. 6 But now our appetites are gone. All we ever see is this manna!” New Living Translation
Numbers 14:1 Then the whole community began weeping aloud, and they cried all night. 2 Their voices rose in a great chorus of protest against Moses and Aaron. “If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!” they complained. 3 “Why is the Lord taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?” 4 Then they plotted among themselves, “Let’s choose a new leader and go back to Egypt!” New Living Translation
One of the most significant obstacles to change is comfort.
"Change happens when the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change."
-Tony Robbins
God is calling us beyond comfort.
Will I choose comfort or calling?
Will we choose comfort or calling?
"The true function of a preacher is to disturb the comfortable and to comfort the disturbed." - Chad Walsh
Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” English Standard Version
"When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” English Standard Version
Temporary comfort is not God's goal for our lives.
Luke 9:57 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” English Standard Version
Luke 9:60 And Jesus said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” English Standard Version
Jesus doesn't call us with caveats.
Jesus isn't looking for a qualified submission. He's looking for complete surrender.
"We get to choose whether or not we follow Jesus. We don't get to choose what following Jesus looks like." - Andy Stanley
Choose obedience over sacrifice.
What is God asking you to do right now, and how will you obey it?