playnext.fm

FCC of Herrick's Podcast

Deny Me

·33 min·3 clips
How does Memorial Day connect to Jesus' warning that denying him means he'll deny you before God?
The episode opens with Pastor Paul greeting the congregation at First Christian Church of Herrick on May 25, 2025. He introduces the sermon 'Deny Me,' continuing from the previous week's focus on Matthew 10:32-33 where Jesus warns that denying him leads to being denied before God. The pastor notes this harsh truth and connects it to Memorial Day, reflecting on military sacrifices for freedoms including religious choice. He reads Matthew 10:32-33 aloud, then expands to Matthew 10:34-39, where Jesus says he brings a sword, not peace, and calls followers to love him above family. The pastor shares a personal anecdote about telling his wife Laura she's second to God after his calling to preach. He explains that 'taking up your cross' from Matthew 10:38 means dying to worldly attachments, not bearing troubles. The sermon shifts to Luke 9:23-27, emphasizing denying oneself daily. The pastor references John 12:24-26 about a seed dying to produce harvest, illustrating spiritual rebirth. He discusses 1 Peter 3:15 on living so others ask about your hope, contrasting this with aggressive evangelism. The pastor questions what benefit comes from gaining the world but losing one's soul, highlighting faith in unseen eternal promises. He notes historical acknowledgment of Jesus by Josephus without accepting him as divine. The sermon closes by linking Memorial Day sacrifices to Jesus' ultimate sacrifice on the cross, framing both as enabling freedom of choice. The pastor prays for understanding and shares podcast support details.

As heard by us

A direct sermon on denial, discipleship, and leaving the old life behind.

This single-episode sermon centers on Jesus' warning in Matthew 10 about denying him before others, then follows that concern into the wider cost of discipleship.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You want a sermon that asks what it means to deny Jesus, then deny your old way of life to follow him? Start here.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
Listen to the show on
Apple PodcastsSpotify
Play clips from this episodeMore from FCC of Herrick's Podcast