PASTOR BRAD

-"Deny myself. Take up my cross (see Galatians 2:20; 5:24). Follow Jesus." It's all the same thing! Following Jesus as opposed to doing my own thing and going my own way. The cult of modern "Popular Christianity" looks like this: 

I live my life pretty much like everyone
else in the world lives accept for three things.

1. I go to church occasionally. 

2. I do my own thing and go my
own way...but I ask God to bless me.

3. When I get in a bind I ask God
to get me out.

-But Jesus said that serving two masters is a part of the great delusion (seeMatthew 6:24). It's either me or Him. My kingdom or His. Satan and today's false gospel say I can do both, but one's a liar and the other's a thief!

IN EVERY CASE (see Nicodemus (see John 3:1-8), the rich young ruler* (see Luke 18:18-30), the woman at the well (see John 4:7-26), the lawyer (see Luke 10:25-37), the thief on the cross (see Luke 23:39-43), when someone asked what the prerequisite was to "inherit eternal life," the answer was unique to the individual, but always the same...

"Deny yourself, take up the cross of self-denial, and follow Me."

*EXAMPLE #1: THE STORY OF THE RICH YOU RULER. 

Didn't you ever wonder about this? They guy asks Jesus, "What must I do to inherit eternal life," and Jesus says, "SELL EVERYTHING AND GIVE IT TO THE POOR!" Isn't that the wrong answer? I thought it wasn't about works? I thought it was all about grace! Wasn't Jesus supposed to say, "believe in Me," or "Recieve Me," or "Just say this simple prayer?"

No, actually, Jesus says, and the Bible clearly teaches, that it's all about "kingdoms." Mine or His. Their can't be two Kings. Either God's in charge...or I am. I can't have both. There's only one King in Heaven. Nobody and nothing else is in charge. Not money. Not you...

not even me.