The cost

The speaker emphasizes that truly seeing Jesus requires a daily commitment to taking up the cross, meaning choosing God's will over personal desires. He contrasts temporary, spectacular spiritual experiences with the constant, daily discipline of following Christ. The message draws from John 12 and Isaiah 33, urging listeners to remain faithful day after day rather than relying on one-time events.

This session focuses on Jesus's endurance of the cross, shame, and hostility, emphasizing the need for believers to develop deeper devotion to Christ that enables them to overcome trials and temptations. Brother Charles stresses that conferences should lead to spiritual growth and transformation rather than becoming mere rituals, calling believers to allow God's Word to break, melt, and mold them into Christ's image. Brother Victor teaches that genuine devotion to Christ—exemplified by figures like Job—empowers believers to endure suffering and resist sin.

The speaker emphasizes that the ultimate goal of Christian life is not self-improvement or personal betterment, but rather to reflect Jesus Christ's glory. He warns against diluting the gospel into self-help advice, arguing that Christ's sacrifice is unnecessary if that is the end goal. True discipleship requires acknowledging one's helplessness before God and recognizing that Christ is everything, leading to a life focused solely on His glory and will.

The speaker reflects on Deuteronomy 8, focusing on God leading Israel through the wilderness for 40 years to teach them that life comes from God's word, not material provision. He emphasizes that while the church has proclaimed that seeking the Kingdom first meets earthly needs, God's provision has gone far beyond mere survival, pointing to God's faithfulness through the community's history.

The central message is that the true Church is not a building or doctrine, but the place where Jesus Christ is present. The speaker urges listeners to examine their lives honestly, considering how they would behave if Jesus unexpectedly visited, and emphasizes that genuine fellowship requires submission to others. Ultimately, the call is for deep repentance so that believers can move from merely dining with Jesus to actively reigning with him.

The sermon warns believers against giving God what costs them nothing, drawing parallels from Malachi's critique of Israel's poor offerings. The speaker cautions that Christians must avoid a laid-back attitude, believing that mere acceptance of Christ negates the need for costly devotion. True worship requires giving the best, as God rejects cheap or worthless sacrifices.

The speaker outlines several truths learned throughout his life, emphasizing that holiness comes not from self-effort but from fixing one's eyes on Jesus. He stresses that the greatest weakness is the tendency to sin easily, and that true discipleship means accepting Jesus's full humanity—being tempted and having a will like ours—while always submitting to the Father's will. The ultimate goal is to run the race by looking to Jesus, which is presented as superior to all miracles.

The central message is that while people often come to Jesus for temporary needs like healing, provision, or relief from difficulty, the true purpose of coming to Him is discipleship and salvation from sin. The speaker warns against mistaking past blessings or answered prayers for evidence of true discipleship, emphasizing that following Jesus requires a commitment to His kingdom even when it brings hardship.

The central message is that true discipleship means living a life that naturally draws others to Christ, making one a 'fisher of men' through one's life, not just through preaching. The speaker emphasizes that the call to follow Jesus is simple, like being washed clean, and warns that the greatest blasphemy for a Christian is unbelief. He concludes by urging believers to continually encourage one another to guard against an 'evil unbelieving heart.'

The central message is that God desires a 'pure offering,' not financial donations. Drawing from Romans 12:1, the speaker urges believers to present their entire bodies—specifically their eyes and tongue—as a living, holy sacrifice. True spiritual transformation is measured by how one behaves privately (at home) and how one controls their desires, rather than by outward religious observance or speaking in tongues.

The service celebrated 48 years of God's goodness and faithfulness to the community. The central message emphasizes that the ultimate goal is not merely the second coming of Christ, but rather that believers must grow to be like Christ when He returns. The speaker encouraged the congregation to reflect on God's provision and the ongoing journey of discipleship toward Christlikeness.

The central message is the necessity of becoming a true disciple by constantly denying the self, which is contrasted with the subtle manifestations of self-commendation (boasting) and self-condemnation. The speaker draws heavily from Peter's misguided attempt to comfort Jesus before the crucifixion, illustrating that when our ego is hurt, we can be tempted to defend ourselves rather than submitting to God's will. True discipleship requires putting the self completely to death.

The speaker cautions against assessing one's spiritual life solely by personal feelings, warning that this self-centered focus can lead to complacency. Drawing from Jude, he emphasizes that believers must actively 'contend earnestly for the faith,' which requires more than just maintaining a private relationship with Jesus. True discipleship involves caring for the community and the needs of others, not just oneself.

The speaker emphasizes that true discipleship involves a continuous journey of learning and following Christ, not just reaching a point of perfection. He distinguishes between mere regret and true repentance, which is a complete 180-degree turn away from sin. Furthermore, he warns against the practice of baptizing people who are not genuinely converted, arguing that this is a way to lead them away from God's will in the pursuit of church honor.

The speaker emphasizes that the gospel message must be lived out, not just preached. Drawing from 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10, he argues that the Thessalonians became followers of the apostles *because* they observed that the apostles' lives matched the powerful words they preached about Jesus. True discipleship requires that our daily lives demonstrate the truth of our faith, moving beyond mere theory or words alone.

Suresh Abraham teaches on resisting temptations that come through relatives, emphasizing the importance of maintaining spiritual devotion and giving Christ his rightful place in our minds and hearts above all distractions. The message centers on praising God for His cleansing grace and redemptive work, calling believers to keep themselves from worldly influences that would compete for their allegiance to Christ.

The central message is the urgent call to be saved from a 'crooked and perverse generation' by shining as lights in the world. The speaker draws parallels from Peter's sermon in Acts and Jesus' teachings, emphasizing that believers must actively work out their salvation with fear and trembling. This requires a deep understanding of the Gospel message—that Jesus, whom the listeners crucified, is Lord—leading to genuine repentance and baptism.

The sermon emphasizes that true discipleship involves embracing persecution and misunderstanding, as Jesus taught that those who are hated for following Him are truly blessed. It stresses radical love, urging believers to love their enemies, pray for those who mistreat them, and act mercifully, mirroring God's forgiveness. The core message is to live by the principle of reciprocity—treat others as you wish to be treated—and to cultivate a heart of mercy.

The sermon outlines three foundational levels for Christian life: the foundation is God's perfect love for us, as seen in John 17:23, which brings security and eliminates competition. The second level is maintaining a blameless conscience, meaning one must always progress in their understanding of right and wrong. The third level involves understanding that others, especially in marriage, may not be at the same spiritual standard, and judging them based on one's own level is unwise.

True discipleship is not measured by external religious activities like preaching or miracles, but by the inner life that pleases God the Father. The speaker emphasizes that maturity involves aligning one's thinking with God's will, which is revealed in Scripture. Ultimately, believers must shift their focus from seeking the approval of man to living a life that pleases God.

Sunil Poonen teaches that true discipleship involves foundational conditions—prioritizing God above family, possessions, and self—which enable believers to overflow Christ's spirit to others as 'salt.' He emphasizes that the Holy Spirit models invisible ministry, using examples of unnoticed but essential support roles in sports to illustrate how believers can have hidden ministries in the church that glorify Christ while remaining personally unrecognized, demonstrating the fruit of being filled with the Spirit.

The central message is that being a Christian means more than just admiring Jesus's deeds; it requires emulating the *manner* of his life. The speaker emphasizes that believers must walk in the same manner Jesus walked, which is a commandment. Furthermore, the standard is not just how Jesus lived on earth, but how he *is*—a reality of peace and authority that believers are called to reflect in their current lives.

The speaker shares reflections on the path God has led the community over the last four decades, identifying several key paths for Christian life. These include discipleship—putting Jesus first and taking up the cross—obedience to God's word, faithfulness in temptation, humility, and living in love. He emphasizes that these paths are essential for a life pleasing to God.

The central message is that true discipleship requires more than mere belief; it demands genuine repentance and a life lived according to Christ's teachings, as illustrated by the Sermon on the Mount. Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ's atoning work, which necessitates turning from sin. Genuine faith will inevitably produce good works and a desire to live righteously, proving that 'faith without works is dead.'