Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?” Matthew 16: 24-26 (See also Mark 10: 17-22 and Luke 9: 57-62!). Jesus didn’t mince words when explaining what following Him would mean. Reflecting on this fact, Christian musician, Bryan Sirchio, wrote a song called “Follow Me (87 times),” the chorus of which goes...

“So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17. Each of us has had a seed planted by someone along the way. It may have been your grandparent telling you stories of Jesus, your parents saying bedtime prayers at night, or a friend’s conversation. More than likely it was one or more of these and countless others along the way

For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:12-15. At the end of a spiritual retreat I attended some years ago, the participants were asked to share the most significant insights they had gained over the course of the weekend. One woman’s reflection has stayed with me ever since

[Jesus says,] “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses…” Acts 1:8a. Do you remember when the phone company used the title above as their “line” to get us to make more phone calls. (Remember! I’ve got that song going through my head as I write these words!!!) The idea was that by picking up a phone and making a call, that you could make a difference in people’s lives. And that is true!

“[Jesus] said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.’” (Mark 16:15). To me, these words of Jesus are some of the scariest things He ever spoke. (And I suspect the same is true for many of you too!) Jesus is calling me to tell everyone the good news about Him. That would make me an evangelist, and I, by nature, am a very shy guy. I have found it difficult to talk about my faith to people I don’t know, let alone preach the good news to them.

“God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:9-11. No matter which denomination you follow, Lent is always a solemn time. It is probably the most somber season of the Christian year, a time when we prepare for the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ, the culmination of His ministry.

Jesus says, “Those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?” Matthew 16:25-26. How do we present Christ to others? That “Jesus is the answer!” is something we would all agree upon. But we might ask ourselves, “But what is the question?” Is it, “What makes me happy?” Or is it, “What keeps my marriage together?” Is it, “What stops me from being lonely?” Or is it “What makes it possible for me to earn money to provide for my family and live the “American Dream”?

[Jesus said,] “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20. I once saw a sign hanging above the main door as you exit the Church. It said, “You are now entering the Mission Field”. These words hit home to my heart. How often have I sat in Church and re-fueled only to leave without sharing the good news of Jesus. Yet that is what Jesus told us to do in those words printed above which we call the “Great Commission.”

“The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry…until all of us come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God…” Eph. 4:11-13. I remember hearing one of my favorite Bible Teachers, Chuck Swindoll, on the radio, saying that he did not have the gift of evangelism. Chuck shared that the gift he was given was, without a doubt, that of teaching. He compared himself to Billy Graham, probably the most well known, most effective Evangelist of our time.

“You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16. I once heard a story about a wealthy man who owned a mountain cottage deep in the forest. The story took place back in the days when electricity was first discovered. Because of his wealth, this man was able to have electricity in his cottage.