Our Only Power to Live and Walk by the Spirit.
Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.”
A book by Steven L. Hitchcock.
Summary: A study of Jesus’ statement in Matthew 16:24 about denying ourselves and taking up our cross – by looking at the context in Matthew and in studying how Paul understood and applied Jesus’ teaching.
Take Away: Exchanging burdening error for an empowering understanding.
Key Theological Point: In the same way that we became a Christian, so we are to walk.
Galatians 5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
In 2014 the Lord showed me the right way to understand our Lord’s teaching and how it related to walking by the Spirit. After four years of testing out this new understanding I have written a book about it.
I am thrilled to share this empowering understanding of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. May the Lord bless this little book to you. Its message has been life transforming for me.
Applying the teaching to our lives is nothing less than walking by the Spirit and knowing the miracle of walking on water!
It is available in hardback, paperback, and as an e-book.
Listen to these sermons:
December 27, 2020 – Matthew 11:28-30
February 6, 2022 – Colossians 2:6,7
April 17, 2022 – Mark 8:27-38, Part 2
October 16, 2022 – John 12:25 – God Wants You to Hate and Lose Your Life
February 12, 2023 – Mark 8:31 – Why Did Jesus Have to be Rejected by the Elders, Chief Priests, and the Scribes?
Other sermons may be found under the page titled Preaching.
Read the book and share your thoughts below.
God bless you!
Steven
traditionalbaptistchurch 
I am not interested in debating a false dichotomy. I am more interested in the question, “In the final analysis is Calvinism a form of hypocrisy or just blind arrogance?”
Recanting Calvinism. My pastor is teaching Calvinism from the pulpit. We have new Christians in our church who aren’t able to see the heresy in his teaching. Our leadership team have confronted him regarding this but he just becomes angry and won’t listen. I am a teacher of women in our women’s ministry but I want to leave but not sure it’s the pleasing thing to do for my Lord. I feel I am responsible to protect them. ?
I understand why this is so very distressing. Your pastor is teaching dangerous error and new Christians need to be protected. Here are some important questions: Does the church have a stated doctrinal position against Calvinism? Is the Leadership team a majority against Calvinism? If one or both are true then the right thing to do is to have the pastor leave. It makes me angry that a pastor would become angry when asked about what he is teaching when you are confronting him. This shows that he does not care about those in opposition to his view and will be happy to take over the church with Calvinistic teaching. All that matters to Calvinistic pastors is this false view that they think alone glorifies God. Don’t let his ego trip and anger intimidate you and the other members of the leadership team.
Romans 16:17-18 (NASB) Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances (literally: occasions of stumbling) contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.