THE LEAP OF FAITH. JUMPING IN FEET FIRST --Matthew 10:37-39

Matthew 10:37-39 Message Bible: If you prefer father or mother over me, you don't deserve me. If you prefer son or daughter over me, you don't deserve me. [38] "If you don't go all the way with me, through thick and thin, you don't deserve me. [39] If your first concern is to look after yourself, you'll never find yourself. But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you'll find both yourself and me. New American Standard Bible: "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. [38] "And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. [39] "He who has found his life shall lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake shall find it.

TAKE HOME Give it up! That's what disciples of Jesus must do. The way to a new life in Christ is death to self, am I really ready for that? This is serious business, no splashing around in the shallows! Whatever I give up for Jesus he pays back, many times over.

Lord Jesus, I'm ready to follow you Big Time. No more of this hit-and-miss, middle-of-the-road stuff. I'll need your help all the way. Today I offer you my whole heart. I'm yours! Lord Jesus, I'm ready to follow you Big Time. No more of this hit-and-miss, middle-of-the-road stuff. I'll need your help all the way. Today I offer you my whole heart. I'm yours! Commitment:

THE JESUS TRAIL IS LITTERED WITH MANY WHO JUMPED INTO THE RACE WITHOUT COUNTING THE COST IT IS HOT OR COLD. LUKE-WARM MAKES GOD SICK! -- Revelation 3:16

IT'S PLAIN TO SEE THAT JESUS CALLS US TO TOTAL COMMITMENT "Love God with all of your heart, all of your soul and all of your mind.” --Mark 12:30, 31

IT'S PLAIN TO SEE THAT JESUS CALLS US TO TOTAL COMMITMENT We must deny ourselves. Surrender to his will. Give up possession of our lives. We must take up our cross. Crucify the Old Man (Romans 6:3-6) We must follow Jesus. Obey him and seek to live as he did. I John 2:6

WHILE COMMITMENT SEEMS LIKE A DEATH KNELL TO HAPPINESS AND JOY, IT IS THE FIRST STEP TO THE DEEPEST JOY POSSIBLE! Our sins are forgiven. --Romans 8:1 The Holy Spirit takes up residence in our lives. "The Spirit helps us in our weakness". --Romans 8:26 God's resources become ours. --Romans 8:17 The peace, joy and love of God take root in our hearts, it's the Good Life! --Galatians 5:22

CROSS-BEARING AND SELF-SACRIFICE. A CONTINUING LIFE STYLE This was written to Christians: Be like-minded. --Philippians 2:2 Do nothing out of selfish ambition. --Philippians 2:3 Consider others better than yourselves. --Philippians 2:3 Set your hearts on things above. --Colossians 3:1

CROSS-BEARING AND SELF-SACRIFICE. A CONTINUING LIFE STYLE Put to death whatever belongs to your earthly nature. --Colossians 3:5 Avoid sexual immorality. --I Thessalonians 4:3 Win the respect of outsiders. --I Thessalonians 4:12 Do not put out the Spirit's fire. --I Thessalonians 5:19

THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS SUBMISSION AND FULL SURRENDER ON OUR PART ND POWER, ENCOURAGMENT, LOVE, FORGIVENESS AND JOY ON GOD'S PART. I DO MY LITTLE. GOD DOES HIS MUCH. OH, HOW SWEET IT IS!

Meditation Moment

Your Offering: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” --Jesus

SØREN KIERKEGAARD The man who originated the term “Leap of Faith” Kierkegaard culminated his life with an attack on the Danish state church, which he saw as an embodiment of “Christendom.”

He said that, in Christendom, Christianity is abolished by being made into a triviality. Nobody can become a Christian because it is assumed that everybody is a Christian. Being a Christian has been reduced to being a “nice person” who conforms to the established human order.

Kierkegaard saw his task as that of “reintroducing Christianity into Christendom” by helping his contemporaries see that being a Christian requires a radical, courageous decision to follow Christ. A LEAP OF FAITH This is a decision that must be continually renewed and that may bring the individual into conflict with “the established order,” which is permeated by worldly values.

I TAKE THE LEAP NOW I will give it up! As a disciple of Jesus I must. I will put death to self and experience the new life in Christ. I am serious, no longer will I splash around in the shallows! Even though God may richly bless me in return, I take the leap of faith into the arms of Jesus irrespective of blessings. Totally embracing Jesus is enough.

Lord Jesus, I'm will follow you with all I have. No more of this hit-and-miss, middle-of-the-road stuff. Thanks for your help all the way. Today I offer you my whole heart. I'm yours! Lord Jesus, I'm will follow you with all I have. No more of this hit-and-miss, middle-of-the-road stuff. Thanks for your help all the way. Today I offer you my whole heart. I'm yours! Commitment:

Meditation Moment

Jesus is my Lord and Savoir. Confession: I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Jesus is my Lord and Savoir.

Go and Take the Leap.