The cost

The speaker argues that a Christian's devotion must be exclusively to Christ, warning against the spiritual 'harlotry' of prioritizing money or worldly attractions over God. He emphasizes that according to Jesus' teaching, one cannot serve two masters—God and wealth—and that true discipleship requires proving faithfulness through financial struggle, as God tests believers in this area before granting ministry.

The sermon emphasizes that fulfilling the Great Commission requires understanding everything Jesus taught, focusing specifically on the internal nature of sin like lust and anger. The speaker stresses that overcoming these sins is impossible by human power and requires the genuine fullness of the Holy Spirit, which grants self-control over the tongue and eyes. True freedom comes through radical honesty, confession, and seeking the Spirit's power rather than settling for counterfeit spiritual experiences.

The speaker shares a profound realization from a temptation where he learned that resisting sin, even if it causes physical pain, is preferable to yielding to sin, which causes spiritual separation from God. He emphasizes that every victory over sin is progress, and the ultimate focus should be on pleasing God rather than managing one's reputation or appearance before people. The message concludes with the assurance that when we are in fellowship with the Lord, He will guide us on when and how to speak.

The speaker warns against treating sin lightly, citing Jude 1:4 regarding those who misuse God's grace as a license to sin. He argues that even though Jesus paid the ultimate price for sin, every sin still has a cost, and minimizing sin dishonors the sacrifice made on the cross. Furthermore, he cautions against the mindset that grace permits continued sin, referencing Romans 6 to show that choosing to sin after receiving grace results in death, while obedience leads to sanctification and eternal life.

The central message is that true Christian life requires humility, self-denial, and a focus on serving others rather than self-gain or pride. The speaker emphasizes that achieving this is possible through the power of the Holy Spirit, contrasting this with the impossibility of such obedience in the Old Testament. He urges believers to build the church, recognizing that true devotion is demonstrated by being broken by God's word and seeking the good of the community over personal honor or benefit.

The central message emphasizes that true discipleship comes from hearing and following the voice of the Lord, rather than merely attending church services or adhering to religious rituals. The speaker draws heavily from Psalm 23 and John 10, asserting that knowing the Lord means having a personal, intimate relationship with Him that supersedes mere membership. This relationship ensures that the believer will not be led astray by false teachings or worldly distractions.

Building the body of Christ requires participation from all members, not just those in visible ministries; invisible service, especially prayer, is highly valued by God. True love for Christ, which is necessary for service, is demonstrated not through emotional displays but by a willingness to take up the daily cross, meaning daily self-denial and sacrifice. The speaker emphasizes that this message of the cross is often missing in modern Christianity.

The sermon emphasizes that true discipleship means being deeply connected to Christ, comparing the Church to the bride who follows Jesus everywhere. The speaker urges the congregation to prioritize hearing and singing to Jesus, noting that His excitement for our praise surpasses any musical performance. He concludes with a prayer asking for the Holy Spirit's fire, purity, and strength for daily living, especially in marriage.

The speaker emphasizes that God's work in the church requires men who are deeply concerned with God's glory rather than personal gain or self-exaltation. He contrasts the self-serving nature of worldly ambition, exemplified by Babylon's business principles, with the selfless dedication seen in figures like Paul, who wept over the spiritual state of the church. True Christian leadership involves a positive testimony of devotion to God, not merely listing what one avoids doing.

The sermon focuses on the immense value and preciousness of believers to God, drawing heavily from Isaiah 43. The speaker assures the congregation that because they have been redeemed through the blood of Jesus, they are deeply loved by God, who would even trade the whole world to bring them back. This realization should instill great confidence in God's constant presence and care.

The speaker urges the audience to be bold in their witness for Christ, comparing the fear of man to the boldness of Jesus on the cross. He recounts his own struggle with fear, realizing that true discipleship requires being willing to proclaim Christ openly, even when facing ridicule. The central message is that genuine spiritual power comes not from special gifts, but from the courage to live openly as a disciple, mirroring the boldness of the early church after Pentecost.

The speaker shared an experience where he felt tempted to react negatively to a supposed scam regarding a vacation rental deposit. Through prayer, he was reminded of scripture, specifically 'vengeance is mine' and 'love your enemies,' guiding him to prioritize not sinning over recovering money. He also drew a principle from John 18, learning that Christians should advocate for what is right rather than remaining silent.

The speaker warns against modern-day exploitation, drawing parallels between historical instances of selling salvation (like the early Reformation) and contemporary instances where healing or prosperity are sold for money. He emphasizes that true spiritual protection comes from diligently checking scripture, as the early church advised. Ultimately, he encourages the congregation to stand for righteousness by relying on God's provision rather than worldly means or begging.

The central message is that true obedience and holiness must be rooted in a fervent, all-consuming love for Christ, not merely adherence to commandments. The speaker emphasizes that the greatest commandments are to love God and love neighbor, and this love must be the foundation for discipleship. He argues that the focus should be on finding people who desire to follow Jesus wholeheartedly here on earth, rather than those who are only concerned with going to heaven.

The sermon addresses the danger of materialism, arguing that the love of money can become a spiritual idol that distracts from true discipleship. Zac Poonen urges the audience to examine their hearts to ensure that their devotion belongs solely to Christ, rather than to worldly possessions or wealth.

The central message is that true manhood, as exemplified by Christ, is not about physical strength but about living a life of profound humility and faithfulness. The speaker urges listeners to look to Jesus as the model for enduring the cross daily, which is presented as the better thing compared to the miracles of the Old Covenant. Disciples must be willing to endure reproach and go outside the comfort of compromising Christianity to follow Christ.

The sermon emphasizes that the way to life is the narrow way, which requires more than just performing visible religious acts or miracles. True discipleship is characterized by patience, forgiveness, and focusing on the quiet, unseen work, as exemplified by Mary over Martha. Ultimately, the speaker stresses that genuine love and service are not sustained by human zeal alone but require being broken down and drawing strength from Christ, the vine.

Jesus taught through both his words and his actions, emphasizing that true discipleship requires radical surrender, exemplified by the statement that the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head. The speaker cautions against ministry based merely on academic study, advocating instead for supernatural discernment and walking in constant fellowship with God. Ultimately, following Christ demands humility and freedom from the love of money, regardless of public acclaim.

The central message is that true discipleship requires a complete turn toward doing the will of God, mirroring the life of Jesus Christ. The speaker emphasizes that following Christ means submitting one's own will to God's direction, rather than living a comfortable life or judging others. He urges believers to focus on doing God's work wherever they are, whether in ministry or daily life, rather than pursuing personal agendas.

The central message is that true discipleship requires making people followers of Christ first, rather than simply teaching them doctrine. The speaker emphasizes that being a 'fisher of men' is not achieved through study or effort, but by following Jesus. Ultimately, this means leading people from the 'water' of the world into the 'land' of the Kingdom of Heaven.

The speaker urges listeners to prioritize spiritual health over physical health, comparing the care given to bodies versus the care given to souls. He emphasizes that true discipleship requires a complete surrender of life to Christ, likening this relationship to being a purchased slave rather than a voluntary favor. The central message is that believers must recognize that their lives belong entirely to God because Christ paid the ultimate price for their redemption.

The sermon emphasizes that while our physical bodies decay day by day, the renewal of the inner self must be actively pursued through the Holy Spirit. Drawing parallels from Genesis and 2 Corinthians, the speaker urges the congregation to learn from past mistakes and commit to daily renewal. True daily renewal, according to the speaker, comes from taking up the cross daily, as taught by Jesus in Luke 9:23, rather than just adhering to routine spiritual practices.

The speaker emphasizes that while an individual overcoming life is challenging, building fellowship with others is even more difficult. He draws a contrast between Jesus's teachings over three and a half years, which focused on personal conduct, and his final prayer in John 17, which focused on keeping the disciples together. This highlights that unity and fellowship are a profound, divinely desired goal.

The central message emphasizes that true discipleship requires living consistently with one's professed faith, mirroring the manner of Christ. This requires constant self-examination regarding attitudes toward women, money, and circumstances. Furthermore, believers must pursue total cleansing from sin—addressing both external actions (flesh) and internal thoughts/motives (spirit)—with the same urgency as treating a deadly illness.