(Psalm 34:8 NIV) Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.

(Colossians 1:15 NIV) The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

Three Themes In The Gospel That Represent God's Goodness...

1.   Jesus Always Meets Us Right Where We Are.

2.   Jesus Call Has Nothing To Do With Our Resume. 

(Romans 11:29 NIV) for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.

3.   Jesus' Invitation Is Always The Same. 

(Matthew 16:21-24 ESV) From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” 24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Three Steps To Following Him...

1)  Come after Me.

(Revelation 3:20 NIV) Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

2)  Deny Yourself

(Romans 12:1 NIV) Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice

(John 3:30 NIV) He must become greater; I must become less.”

3)  Take Up Your Cross and Follow Him. 

(Matthew 16:25 NIV) For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.