March 5, 2016 - Church at Worship

Sermon: “The Verdict of the Secret Disciple”  - by Randy Roberts

Pastoral Welcome: Doug Mace Roger, Hadley, SM ‘74

Scripture Reading: Matthew 27:57–61, TNIV

Children's Feature: TBD

Sermon Notes:

  Welcome to our guests who are attending the Alumni Postgraduate Convention of the School of Medicine here at Loma Linda University! We are delighted you have chosen to join us in worship today!

We are currently in a sermon series titled Verdict. Our theme is the cross of Christ. More specifically, we are encountering the fact that the cross demands a verdict. The truth is, I am convinced that there are people around us and among us who follow Jesus, but who do so from a distance. They believe that Jesus was sent from God. They accept his mission to save the world. They understand their need of a Savior. In fact, they go so far as to accept him as their personal Savior.

However, they prefer to keep Jesus their own little secret. When confronted with questions of faith, they remain silent. When called to speak a word of witness, they demur. When it’s necessary to stand and deliver, they sit in silence.

It’s not that they’re doing anything wrong, is it? After all, they believe. They pray. They read Scripture. They attend church. They are part of the body of Christ. It’s just that, when it counts, they would rather not own their faith.

And then comes Calvary. And then comes Good Friday. And then comes the cross. And it is then that they discover a simple, searing truth: the cross demands a verdict.

Today, is that someone you? 

Randy Roberts,

Senior Pastor