No “Lawn Chair” Resolutions

 Luke 9:22-26

Lawrence Richard "Larry" Walters had often dreamed of flying but was unable to become a pilot in the United States Air Force because of his poor eyesight. Instead, he became a truck driver. On July 2, 1982, he made a 45-minute flight in a homemade aerostat made of an ordinary patio chair and 45 helium-filled weather balloons. The aircraft rose to an altitude of about 16,000 feet (4,900 mi), drifted from the point of liftoff in San Pedro, California, and entered controlled airspace near Long Beach Airport. The aircraft became entangled in power lines, but Walters was able to climb down safely.  The flight attracted worldwide media attention and inspired a movie and numerous imitators.

Just after landing, Walters spoke to the press, saying: “It was something I had to do. I had this dream for twenty years, and if I hadn't done it, I think I would have ended up on the funny farm.”

Jesus tells His followers what He must do:

Luke 9:22  And He said, “The Son of Man must suffer…be rejected, killed and raised to life.”

Jesus tells His followers what they must do:

Luke 9:23  Then He said to them all:  Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me.

Three Things to Remember

#1 All includes you. (Put your name in)

#2 It’s a choice. (You have to “want to”.)

#3 If so, then these are commands. (musts)

Three Musts

#1 You must deny yourself.

#2 You must take up your cross daily. (not weekly or monthly)#3 You must keep on following Jesus. (continual action)

Three Questions for New Year

#1 What’s one thing you need to stop doing that isn’t honoring Christ?

#2 What’s one way you can let your Christian life spill out daily:

#3 What’s one way you can follow Jesus better?