Dan Newburg: Terms and Conditions Apply

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Dan Newburg: Terms and Conditions Apply (Matthew 16:21-28)

Dan Newburg, pastor of First Baptist Church in Devine, described a tough lesson he learned in fifth grade. He learned to pay close attention to everything written on the page. He likened our propensity to agree to terms without reading them to how we may “respond to who Jesus is.”

Newburg pointed out Jesus’ teaching took a turn after Peter identified him as the Messiah. Jesus began teaching them “he must go to Jerusalem and suffer … and be killed.” This wasn’t what Peter or others expected for a messiah. In response, Peter repeated one of the ways Satan tempted Jesus.

Jesus’ death was necessary to bring about abundant life, Newburg contended, pointing to John 12:24—“Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” Following Jesus calls for this kind of self-denial, Newburg said.

Hell will “be filled with people who thought they deserved heaven,” Newburg proclaimed. They are people who went through the motions but were not transformed in accordance with a “cross-shaped life,” he concluded.

This sermon was delivered Oct. 16, 2022, for the morning worship services of First Baptist Church in Devine. It is part of a year-long series through the Tyndale One Year Chronological Bible reading plan.

A sermon transcript is available here.


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