Call to Presence and Invocation It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (ESV)

Call to Worship “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”

Praise Him! praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer! Sing, O earth, His wonderful love proclaim! Hail Him! hail Him! highest archangels in glory, Strength and honor give to His holy Name! 227 “Praise Him! Praise Him! ”

Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard His children; In His arms He carries them all day long: Praise Him! praise Him! tell of His excellent greatness. Praise Him! praise Him! ever in joyful song! “Praise Him! Praise Him! ”

Praise Him! praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer! For our sins, He suffered, and bled, and died; He our Rock, our hope of eternal salvation, Hail Him! hail Him! Jesus the Crucified: “Praise Him! Praise Him! ”

Sound His praises! Jesus who bore our sorrows, Love unbounded, wonderful, deep and strong: Praise Him! praise Him! tell of His excellent greatness. Praise Him! praise Him! ever in joyful song! “Praise Him! Praise Him! ”

Praise Him! praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer! Heav’nly portals loud with hosannas ring! Jesus, Savior, reigneth forever and ever; Crown Him! crown Him! prophet, and priest, and King! “Praise Him! Praise Him! ”

Christ is coming, over the world victorious, Pow’r and glory unto the Lord belong: Praise Him! praise Him! tell of His excellent greatness. Praise Him! praise Him! ever in joyful song! “Praise Him! Praise Him! ”

Sharing Of Praises and Concerns Prayer

184 Jesus Is All the World to Me Jesus is all the world to me, My life, my joy, my all; He is my strength from day to day Without Him I would fall. Jesus is all the world to me, My life, my joy, my all; He is my strength from day to day Without Him I would fall.

When I am sad to Him I go; No other one can cheer me so; When I am sad He makes me glad: He's my Friend.

Jesus is all the world to me, My Friend in trials sore; I go to Him for blessings, and He gives them over and over.

He sends the sunshine and the rain; He sends the harvest's golden grain; Sunshine and rain, harvest of grain: He's my Friend.

Jesus is all the world to me: And true to Him I’ll be; Oh, how could I this friend deny, When He’s so true to me?

Following Him, I know I’m right, He watches o’er me day and night; Following Him, by day and night; He’s my friend

Jesus is all the world to me: I want no better friend; I trust Him now, I'll trust Him when Life's fleeting days shall end.

Beautiful life with such a Friend, Beautiful life that has no end; Eternal life, eternal joy: He's my Friend.

Offertory Prayer Giving of Tithes and Offerings 2 Corinthians 9:6 “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”

253 Doxology Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Children’s Message

Scripture Reading Philippians 1:21-26

Special Music “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”

To Live As Christ Pastor Groover

TEXT Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Matthew 16:24 (ESV)

INTRODUCTION 22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him,“Oh no, Lord! This will never happen to You!” 23 But He turned and told Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me because you’re not thinking about God’s concerns, but man’s.”

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me will find it. Matthew 16:22-25 (HCSB)

There is a cost to discipleship. In order to experience the fullness of God's blessings in your life, you must give him your life. All Christians are disciples.

No preacher or teacher today has the right to claim absolute authority over his followers—but Jesus has the right.

I. A disciple is committed to following God's plan, not his own. Matthew 16:23 God's plan is often harder, but it's always better.

II. A disciple is prepared to pay the price. Matthew 16:24 Deny yourself. The Christian life is a life of saying "no" to me and "yes" to God.

Take up your cross. Luke 9:23 Follow Jesus. The Christian life consists of following Jesus—of doing what he would do as best we can in each and every situation.

III. A disciple gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. Matthew 16:25-26 The Christian life involves giving your life—all of your life—to Jesus.

There are two roads you can take: Living for yourself, which leads to eternal death; or living for Jesus, which leads to eternal life. A disciple realizes that if he will give up his meaningless life, that God will give him life far beyond his wildest dreams.

Conclusion: There is a cost to discipleship. The return is exponentially more than the investment. Discipleship is a learning process.

I know not why God's wondrous grace to me He hath made know, Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love redeemed me for His own. But "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day." 337 I Know Whom I Have Believed

I know not how this saving faith to me He did impart, Nor how believing in His Word wrought peace within my heart. But "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day." 337 I Know Whom I Have Believed

I know not how the Spirit moves, convincing men of sin. Revealing Jesus, thro’ the Word, creating faith in Him. But "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day." 337 I Know Whom I Have Believed

I know not when my Lord may come, at night or noon day fair; Nor if I’ll walk the vale with Him, or meet Him in the air." But "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day." 337 I Know Whom I Have Believed

Benediction

Go Forth with the Family Of God Postlude