Follow: Suffering

Most dangerous doctrine in the church today: the prosperity gospel.
The belief that god wants you to be happy all the time.

God's will is the safest place to be.  No, it is sometimes the most dangerous place to be.
Name it and claim it. Enough faith you can have anything you want.  No, it is not what we want that matters, but God's will in our lives.

 “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule."   --Matthew 5:3 (The Message)

"This is not what I have in mind when I think about being blessed."  --JB

In Matthew chapter 20 Jesus tells his disciples he will have to die to come into his kingdom.  James and John, focusing through their worldly vision want the glory, prosperity, prestige and ask to sit on his right hand and left hand in the kingdom.  Jesus said, You don't know what you are asking.
All but one of the apostles died horrible deaths.

The call to follow Jesus is a call to suffering.

We will have to face some trial or suffering if we would be what God would have us to be.

1.We need to learn to serve one another.
  ---develop a heart of service; take action against the suffering of others.
  ---we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
2. We need to live humbly before all people. 
3. We need to lean into trials and tribulations.
   ---flee temptation, pray in times of trouble, but lean in. 
   ---God is teaching us.
   ---makes us a ware of our need for Him.

If all I have is Christ, will he be enough?  YES
   ---become more like Christ

The call to Jesus is a call to suffering.
Give us the strength to endure. Let us be able to say "it is well with my soul."

Pastor Johnnie Blair 

Sunday morning