Tag: sacrifice
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Who are you when absolutely everything is stripped away? (Daniel 1)
Abject calamity. As a youth he was taken, had his named changed, saw his city pillaged, was (probably) castrated, and trained to serve the King who had taken so much from him. What would you do in that situation? This sermon on Daniel 1 is Part 1 in a series on the book of Daniel.
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What does it mean to carry your cross?
“It’s my cross to bear.” We use it as an expression. But what did Jesus originally mean when he told his followers to take up their cross? This sermon (also released as a podcast episode) unpacks Mark 8:31-9:1, answers that question, provides a motivating reminder about sacrifice, and suggests a practical application. Take up your…
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![Giving Up Good Things For Great Things [Sermon]](https://matthewruttan.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/july-28.png?w=1024)
Giving Up Good Things For Great Things [Sermon]
Following Jesus means making sacrifices — and that can be difficult. But we find fresh motivation when we count not only the costs, but the benefits. This podcast is a sermon on Luke 9:57-62.
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![Costly, whole-hearted devotion [Sermon]](https://matthewruttan.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/sermon-graphics-gen-1-1.png?w=1024)
Costly, whole-hearted devotion [Sermon]
If you follow Jesus you are different. In 1961, 96% of people in our country identified as Christian. No longer. “No Religion” is now the second largest ‘religious’ category. And while you can’t read too much into what people tick on a census form, the fact remains that if you follow Jesus today, people will…
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![Still Lovable [Sermon]](https://matthewruttan.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/sermon-graphics-gen-13.png?w=1024)
Still Lovable [Sermon]
Mistakes pile up. So do sins, failures and misplaced priorities that have hurt you and others, and have gone against God. But guess what? You are still lovable. Jesus died for you knowing you. That’s what this Good Friday sermon explores on John 19.
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![The way of the cross, no matter the cost [Sermon]](https://matthewruttan.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/sunday-titles-2.png?w=1024)
The way of the cross, no matter the cost [Sermon]
The cross was a humiliation and torture ritual. So what does it mean when Jesus says we cannot be his disciple unless we carry one? And what does he mean by “hating” our families? Is he being literal? This sermon explores all this by looking at Luke 14:25-35.
