Pastor Nate Brosher
Jun 15, 2025
Acts 14:19-22 NLT - 19 Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead. 20 But as the believers gathered around him, he got up and went back into the town. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe. 21 After preaching the Good News in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, 22 where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God.
1. Consumer Driven or Christ Driven
Who decided that being a Christian was about our wants?
Consumer Christianity – a mindset where faith and church are viewed primarily as a means of personal benefit or satisfaction, rather than a commitment to discipleship and following Christ's teachings.
Francis Chan: “The church has become too focused on meeting the needs of individuals rather than producing servants who live sacrificial lives.”
JD Greear: “Consumer faith is expecting Christ to remove all hardship, viewing discipleship as a path to self-fulfillment, and having limits on obedience to Christ.”
What are we focused on?
Luke 14:21-24 ESV - 21 So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, 'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.' 22 And the servant said, 'Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.' 23 And the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.'"
2. Are we disciples of Christ?
Luke 14:26-27 ESV - 26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
There is a cost for the anointing.
Galatians 5:24 ESV - 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Are we willing to endure some hardship or misunderstandings for the sake of the cross?