Sermon Follow Up: Cut if Off (Before it kills us)

In this message, we’re challenged to examine our tendency to create divisions and choose sides, even in our faith. The story from Mark 9 reminds us that Jesus sees beyond our human-made boundaries. When the disciples tried to stop someone casting out demons in Jesus’ name because ‘he wasn’t following us,’ Jesus rebuked them, saying ‘whoever is not against us is for us.’ This teaches us a profound lesson about unity in Christ’s body.

We’re called to embrace a broader understanding of God’s family, recognizing that our denominational differences pale in comparison to our shared faith in Christ. The message urges us to practice ‘social holiness,’ caring for each other’s souls and bearing one another’s burdens. It’s a call to move beyond our comfort zones and truly embody the inclusive love of Christ in our faith communities.

Reflection: How does the idea of discipleship having a cost challenge our comfort-oriented approach to faith? What might we need to ‘give up’ to follow Jesus more fully?