Dear First Pres,

   I know it wasn’t the typical “first Sunday of the year” kind of sermon. I know it wasn’t fun to start the year with the story of John the Baptist’s death. I know it may not have felt uplifting to remember that joining Jesus on His mission is dangerous; being His disciple is costly. But as we launch this new decade in what has become a post-Christian culture, I believe it’s important for us to have a biblical mindset. (Missed it? Listen/watch here.)
   First, that means remembering that in Christ we have great hope. The best is certainly yet to come. In God’s perfect time, the Kingdom will come in fullness. Jesus will bring everything under His Lordship. The Gospel is good news. Even if following Jesus is costly, there is no greater benefit than being found in Christ and participating in His redeeming transformation. Romans 8:17 says, “Now if we are children [of God], then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” Hallelujah! In Christ we have great hope.
   Second, it means knowing how Jesus described discipleship. He said again and again that following Him would be costly. If we don’t understand that, we will likely become disillusioned in our faith. If we falsely think following Jesus is supposed to make everything “easy peasy” in our lives, how will we make sense of persecution? How will we make sense of obedient sacrifice? 1 Peter 4:12-13 addresses this. “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.” The Bible teaches us to consider the cost of following Jesus so that we’re not caught off guard by the trouble of the world. 
   Third, it means being motivated by God’s amazing love. The Son of God took the dangerous and costly road from heaven to the cross because God so loved the world. As disciples of Jesus we walk in obedience not to prove ourselves, not to earn our inheritance, but because we are loved by God and filled with His love for others.
   So, actually, I can hardly think of a better way to start off the year than casting a vision for a church that is relentlessly joining Jesus on His mission for His kingdom to come in our city because of His amazing love. May it be so for FPC Fresno in 2020.

Blessings,
Jeremy
P.S. Please join me in hosting the 21 Days of Prayer & Fasting service at 6pm Saturday evening. I am confident you will be encouraged.