This morning’s sermon was part 7 of a series of messages based on the book “The Wesleyan Way: A Faith that Matters.” The scripture underlying Rev. Potts’ message was Mark 8:31-38
34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.
36 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37 Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” NIV
We like to hear good news. We want to hear a “Prosperity Gospel.” We want to be successful in this world. And yet we pray for healing and loved ones die. We still suffer. In our scripture, Jesus tells us that we must take up our cross; not a piece of jewelry, but a struggle. A hangman’s noose. An electric chair. He reminds us that we must give up our own way in order to follow Him.
Twisted Communion Chalice
We must be broken in order for God’s Sanctifying Grace to bring us to holiness. We must walk a road where we’re constantly challenged to give up our own way, our own thoughts, our own “things” in order to pick up the ways of God.
Our communion chalices used to be ornate- silver. More like jewelry that points out human wealth and beauty instead of pottery that is reminiscent of our imperfections and our needs to be formed and molded. The chalice we use today is imperfect; twisted and tilted.
In order to find God, we must search ourselves for any man made remnants of pride and give it up. In our brokenness, we find community and forgiveness. To join the journey towards God and to invite others on that journey, we must start with our brokenness and total dependence on God.
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I’ve found that pride is our biggest enemy. We want to think that we “have our act together.” Asking for help is out of our character.