Do or Die

This powerful message confronts us with the ultimate 'do or die' moment in human history: Jesus Christ's journey to the cross. Drawing from Matthew 16:21-26, we're challenged to understand that Jesus faced a high-stakes situation where compromise was not an option. His determination to fulfill God's plan for our salvation required the perfect sacrifice—one that only He could make. The sermon brilliantly connects Jesus's unwavering obedience, from His childhood declaration about being in His Father's house to His prayer in Gethsemane, showing us that true faith demands total commitment. What makes this message so compelling is its honest examination of what it means to follow Christ's example. We're not just called to admire His sacrifice from a distance; we're commanded to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him. The practical steps outlined—recognizing our new identity in Christ, actively mortifying sinful desires, walking in the Spirit, and putting on the new man—give us a roadmap for this daily death to self. This isn't a one-time decision but a moment-by-moment choice to die to our flesh so we can truly live in Christ. The stakes couldn't be higher: eternal life versus eternal separation from God.