Sermon Reflections from Faith to Follow | Alex Hardt | January 18, 2026
It was a pleasure to see an ‘old’ face in the pulpit this Sunday as Scott Kirk updated us on his life’s journey since leaving Crossroads where he served as a youth pastor. He began with his life story and how God used unusual circumstances to bring him to Himself. His story showed God’s love and compassion for each and every life that is born and a plan and purpose for each of us. It was an affirming story and a good reminder that God’s ways and plans are not of our making but His, and His ways are different from ours.
God led Kirk on a journey of ministry that has ended, so far, at DCPI or Dynamic Church Planting International. He explained how they minister to the world by training key individuals to witness and start church cells wherever they are. His examples were dynamic and varied as we truly saw how God works in wonderful and mysterious ways. It made me want to shout, “Praise God, He is wondrous!”
Kirk’s challenge to us was through verses in Luke 9. Luke 9:23-24 “And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” In his own life, he has seen calls to serve that seemed overwhelming and that could swallow him up. Nevertheless, he persevered and found himself just as God had intended. His challenge to us specifically was to go and make disciples wherever God has placed us. Verse 26 “ For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” God will be with us and give us the right words if we will only speak up for Him.
As I pondered these truths and examples, I was drawn to Romans 1:16-17 “ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” Why are we so reluctant to speak about Jesus with those around us? Perhaps it is fear of rejection or embarrassment, but look at verse 16 closely. Paul says he is not ashamed of the gospel, the message about Jesus, because it has to power of God to save when one believes. It is not about us and our fear or embarrassment it is about the one we are talking to- their eternal future. Not our words but the word of God has the power to save them from that future. Why would we be ashamed or embarrasses or fearful about sharing eternal hope with them? In verse 17, Paul reminds us that we are to live by faith and our rightness with God comes from Jesus. Don’t we want others to have that rightness too?
I appreciated Scott’s call to step up and speak out, being bold in our witness to those who do not know Jesus as Savior. Multiple times we are told that the disciples spoke boldly in the name of Jesus. Acts 9:28 “So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord.” Paul even says in Romans 15:15 “But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God.” Just as the disciples and apostles wrote and spoke boldly about Jesus, we are called to do the same.
Before you say, ah.. that is then and not now, it is them and not me. Look at 1 Corinthians 2:12-13 “ Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.” God promises to give you His Spirit to impart words of wisdom and truth about Him to those around you. Step out in faith and trust God to provide!
Linda
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Linda is a member of Crossroads church and regularly blogs about her faith.
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