At the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic (early March 2020), I began to record some sermons on audio. I uploaded these audios onto my YouTube channel in a playlist, In Thy Paths.
The motivation is simple: help spread the Gospel during a time when people may be more likely (and open) to self-examination. The great news of the Gospel is that we all (every single human) can receive redemption, forgiveness, and salvation in Jesus Christ. I realize not everybody thinks we need these things, but if you’ve listened to any of my podcasts or read much of my writings you know how intensely focused I can be on helping just a single person. Scaling isn’t my thing. Service is. And service is very individual. It’s personal. But there’s another thing about helping people — not everybody wants it, or even feels like they need it. Which is okay. Service isn’t about living somebody’s life for them, but rather it’s about helping them figure it out for themselves.
Our best life, that’s the objective. I realize for many people – maybe most – that means being able to do what they want when they want and where they want. In short, it means being completely selfish. We don’t often see it that way, but that’s the message of modern culture that advocates we become our own gods. There’s a problem with that view of “our best life.” It presupposes there is no life beyond this one. The Gospel addresses mankind’s need for the best life here on earth while primarily focusing on having the best life in eternity. It makes sense, given that our life here (at best) might be about 90 years long and eternity is forever. Logic tells us that ensuring we get eternity right is more important than ensuring our 90 years here fulfills our every desire.
This isn’t about imposing on others. It’s merely about presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ in hopes that God’s Word might touch some lives, and spark some curiosity, and the desire to know more. The hope and prayer are always that some will conclude that obeying God is absolutely the path toward living our best life here while insuring we spend eternity in Heaven. It’s about following His paths and not our own. That self-sacrifice is at the heart of everything. To submit our will to the will of God. It’s the hardest thing for all of us to do, yet the rewards are eternal.
Matthew 16:24 “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”
Mark 8:34 “When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”
Luke 9:23 “Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is about the good news that we don’t have to die being guilty of our sins. God, through Christ, will forgive us and give us mercy. Mercy is withholding the punishment that we deserve. That’s what God wants to extend to us. He requires we love Him and obey Him so He can give us Heaven forever. A life without regret, guilt, and shame is just a fantasy for many. Jesus Christ makes such a life…reality.
There is also a Facebook page…I’d appreciate it if you’d click the LIKE button on that page so more people can see these sermons. Feel free to share this page, too. Once more, here’s the YouTube playlist where you’ll find all the sermons.
I hope you find the sermons helpful and encouraging. Thank you for listening.
