Only the final portion of this sermon was recorded. Here’s a recap of major points discussed before the recording began.

• Following Jesus requires a complete reorientation of my life around the gospel.
  • Jesus called all people to “repent and believe the gospel” (Mk 1:15).
  • Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross (daily), and follow me” (Matt 16:24, Mk 8:34, Lk 9:23).
  • This is not just praying a prayer, asking Jesus to forgive me of my sins so I can go to heaven when I die.
  • Dallas Willard wrote (quotes from The Great Omission):
    • “There is absolutely nothing in what Jesus himself or his early followers taught that suggests you can decide just to enjoy forgiveness at Jesus’ expense and have nothing more to do with him.”
    • “You can’t trust him without believing that he was right about everything, and that he alone has the key to every aspect of our lives here on earth. But if you believe that, you will naturally want to stay just as close to him as you can, in every aspect of your life.”
• This is not just a message we “believe” with our heads—it is the operative story of our lives.