Perhaps you have seen the movie Jaws. About the shark that attacks people and boats. In that movie…there is a scene where captain of the ship begins to brag about the scars he has. Then, one of the other men…on the boat, begins to brag about his scars. How he was attacked by an eel and shark. These men…have stories to tell because of the things they have been through. They were living life…not just trying to die safely! What scars do you have? Do you know what scars are? They are invitations to tell a story! Scars tell us that something happened! Probably something painful! The scars I have…came with pain! Scars also tell us that healing has taken place! Did you know if the sore spot hasn’t healed…you don’t have a scar! You are still in the healing process!

This morning I am excited to talk to you about our series ALL IN! Are you ALL IN? Are you totally committed to Christ? Most people will answer with a resounding YES! However, when we look at the attendance of most churches, and the impact that churches are having on their communities…it should give us pause to take a moment…to reflect deeper! We need to humble ourselves before God and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to us! So, my prayer this morning is that God would speak to each on of us! Will you allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you? Are you ALL IN? This morning I want you to know why there are so many people who are not ALL IN! Why the church in America is struggling! Why so many Christians don’t have the love, joy, peace, and victory in their lives! I may not be talking about you today, but I know I am talking about someone you know! Our topic this morning is ALL IN: Abandon!

Mark Batterson, Pastor or National Community Church in Washington D.C. said, this, “Show me your convictions and I will show you your future!” That is good! Your convictions are the values you have in life that you are wholeheartedly committed to! They are more than just good ideas! Your convictions guide your life! Your convictions are things you are willing to go ALL IN for. Most of us want our lives to matter…right? Do you want your life to matter? Is that a conviction or a nice idea? What are you are willing to go ALL IN for that will make your life matter? You see…your convictions determine your difficult choices and many of your day to day choices. What convictions do you have that says that you are making a difference? That says that your life matters? I know that many of you have convictions about marriage, about serving God, giving your tithes and Life Changer offerings, serving God by serving in this church, and convictions about your family responsibilities!

Did you notice it? Did you hear it? V 66…many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.! WOW! All I can think of is WHY? Why did those who had been following him…leave…why did they turn back? And more importantly…WHY did the 12 choose to follow him? That is our focus this morning…WHY did the 12 disciples continue to follow him…and WHY would they ultimately deny themselves…take up their crosses daily…and follow Him? This morning, I want to share with you 3 reasons from the book of John in chapters…1-6! There are more…in the rest of the book of John as well as the rest of the N.T.…but I just want to share with you 3 reasons…WHY the disciples followed him! And why they choose to deny themselves, take up their crosses daily, and follow HIM!?