5/4/25 - More to the Story Part 2: The Cross Shaped Life - Pastor Josh Stelly

Sermon Notes

Over the next few weeks we will be exploring the invitation of Jesus to discipleship through three profound purposes:

1. Be with Jesus

2. Become like Jesus

3. Do what Jesus did

Before we can carry His cross, we must first sit at His feet.

Luke 10:38–42 NIV- As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

The Paradox of the Cross-Shaped Life

Matthew 16:24–25 NIV- Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.

Being With Jesus Through the Holy Spirit

John 14:16 NIV- And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever.

The Vine and Branches: The Power Source of the Cross-Shaped Life

John 15:1–8 NIV- “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

The World's Way:

• Power through STRENGTH

• Greatness through POSITION

• Success through ACCUMULATION

• Significance through VISIBILITY

• Fulfillment through COMFORT

The Cross-Shaped Way:

• Power through SURRENDER

• Greatness through SERVICE

• Success through SACRIFICE

• Significance through GIVING

• Fulfillment through SUFFERING

Distraction: The Enemy of Presence

1 John 2:4–6 NIV- Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

The Lifestyle of Jesus: The Pattern for a Cross-Shaped Life

In the gospels, we see Jesus:

• Never in a rush, always unhurried

• Spending significant time in prayer and solitude

• Embracing simplicity and rejecting worldly status

• Valuing relationships over productivity

• Taking time for rest and sabbath

• Submitting completely to the Father's will

Fruits of the Spirit: The Evidence of Being With Jesus

Galatians 5:22–26 NIV- But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

The Cross-Shaped Application

Long-term: Simplify your life down to what really matters.

Short-term: Set aside time each day for prayer—not just talking to God, but sitting at His feet like Mary, listening to what He says.