HBC Teaching Library
A Serious Commitment to Jesus
Are you submitted to Jesus? Would people describe your walk with Christ as a serious commitment or an addition to your own plans? These are hard questions for many of us, but they are important none-the-less. In this teaching, Pastor Kent looks at Matthew 16 in order for us to grasp this powerful call for complete submission to Jesus Christ.
The Military Analogy
Benefits vs. Purpose
Many join the military for benefits rather than its primary purpose: to protect the country and prepare for conflict.
Undermining Morale
This benefits-focused mentality can undermine military effectiveness, just as it can undermine the church.
The Church Parallel
Too often people follow Jesusfor the benefits alone without considering the cost of following Him.
The Fundamental Question

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Who Do People Say I Am?
Jesus first asked his disciples what others thought: “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Mt 16:14

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Who Do You Say I Am?
Then came the personal question. Peter answered: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Mt. 16:16

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How did Peter know the truth?
Jesus responded: “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven." Mt 16:17
Peter was quick to confess Jesus as Messiah but struggled to grasp what that would cost him
Peter's Rebuke and Christ's Response
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Jesus Predicts His Death
"Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. Matt 16:21
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Peter's Objection
"And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” Matt 16:22
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Jesus' Strong Rebuke
"Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. You are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man." Matt 16:23
The Call to Deny Self
"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." - Jesus (Matt 16:24-25)

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Deny Yourself
Surrender your own will

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Take Up Your Cross
Embrace God's will

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Follow Him
Live in obedience
The Reality of Suffering
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Jesus said that persecution is a blessed way of life
"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me." Matt 5:11
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Paul endured great suffering for Jesus
"Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches." 2 Cor 11:24–28
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The disciples gave all for the sake of Christ
Most of the disciples were marytered for their faith and obedience to Jesus. Read more…
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Suffering is still part of following Jesus today
Throughout the globle, believers are being persecuted for their faith. Read more…
Understanding Jesus' Sacrifice

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Love for the Father & His will
"For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again…This charge I have recieved from my Father." John 10:17-18

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Voluntary Submission
“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” Luke 22:42

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Embracing God's Will
"but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father." Jn 14:31
"The cross is not about victim status or bearing difficult circumstances…it means the voluntary death of our own will and embracing God's will for His glory." -Pastor Kent
The Daily Battle
Stay Equipped
Christians must equip themselves with the armor of God daily, not just on Sundays.
"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." Eph 6:11
Stay Faithful
We must strive to be faithful in word and deed so that Christ may be exalted in our lives.
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." Heb 10:23–24
Stay Engaged
"Give me 100 men who love nothing but God and hate nothing but sin, and I will shake the whole world for Christ." -John Wesley
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…" Matt 28:19-20