Sermon Notes for August 24, 2008

Sermon: "What’s the Going Rate of Exchange?"
Text:   Matthew 16:21-28

Sermon Outline:
  1. Counting the cost:
    A. Jesus openly acknowledged the cost of God's salvation plan:  "it was necessary."
    B. Jesus never deceives, but openly teaches his disciples that association with
        him involves not rejecting the mark of the cross.
  2. Not rejecting God’s gift:
    A. The scandal, the stumbling block that makes it hard for us, is that not
        rejecting God’s way means rejecting our own way.
    B. We count the cost not by how we might pay it, but by recounting how
        Christ purchased us.
    C. In imitating our Lord, we realize the cost of discipleship.
  3. Living out the cost:
    A. We realize the vast difference between the cost of discipleship in Jesus
        and the cost of a life separate from Jesus.
    B. We live as if we have died to the world once and for all, and continue to
        live for Christ. Daily we remember our Baptism, die to sin, and rise to
        follow Jesus in a life of witness for him.

Children's Message: "Solid Rock"
Text:   Matthew 16:13-20