October Theme – “Crucified with Christ: Dying to Self, Living to God”
Praise The Lord For Benjamin Hunn’s Salvation On Sunday
SUNDAY’S SERMON SUMMARY
The fiercest battle of faith isn’t fought in the visible realm—it’s the silent war within, where self refuses to step down from the throne. Many believers long for the abundant life Jesus promised in John 10:10, yet walk through their days exhausted and spiritually dry. Why? Because the old self still insists on being in control.
Paul’s words in Romans 7 echo through the ages: “The good that I would, I do not.” The self-life doesn’t rebel against religion; it thrives in it—serving, singing, and even praying, as long as it remains in charge. But true transformation isn’t self-improvement—it’s self-surrender. The cross is not the end of life; it’s the end of our life so that His may begin.
Galatians 2:20 unveils the secret: “I am crucified with Christ… nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.” Christianity isn’t about trying harder; it’s about dying deeper. The abundant life is not achieved—it’s received when the “I” in us bows to the “I AM” in Him.
Each morning, the Holy Spirit whispers an invitation: Lay down your striving, and let My life live through you. When we release control, the war within quiets. Striving gives way to surrender, pressure gives way to peace, and grace begins to flow like a river unblocked—because the throne of the heart has finally been given back to Jesus alone.
GO TO www.belmontbaptistchurch.com/sermons and listen to Sunday’s message.
Beats From Your Pastor’s Heart
The Cross That Sets You Free
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.” — Galatians 2:20
The Cross Was Meant to Change You, Not Just Save You
The cross was not only where Jesus died—it’s where your old nature was sentenced to death too. At Calvary, Christ didn’t just remove your guilt; He removed your right to rule yourself. The cross is not simply a place of pardon—it’s a place of transformation. Many believers want Christ’s forgiveness without Christ’s crucifixion, but you cannot live in resurrection power without first dying to self. The moment you surrender your will and yield your control, grace begins to work where striving once did. The abundant life is not achieved by more effort—it’s received through deeper death.
The Death That Leads to True Freedom
Real freedom doesn’t come from getting your way—it comes from losing your way in Him. Every time you choose surrender over self, you’re stepping into the liberty of the cross. The self-life always wants the last word, the final say, the control of the outcome. But the cross silences that voice. When you stop fighting for your preferences, God starts fulfilling His promises. Jesus didn’t call you to manage your old nature—He called you to crucify it. At the cross, pride dies, fear loses its voice, and self-made plans are exchanged for Spirit-led peace. The death of “me” is always the birthplace of “more of Him.”
The Life That Flows From the Cross
The cross isn’t just where Christ died—it’s where Christ begins to live through you. When you let go of self-effort, something supernatural happens: His strength takes over your weakness. His thoughts begin to govern your mind. His compassion begins to flow through your heart. You no longer have to perform—you simply abide. That’s what Paul meant when he said, “Yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.” Freedom is not doing whatever you want; it’s becoming everything He intended when He redeemed you. True liberty is found when the cross becomes your identity, not just your rescue.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I kneel before the cross and surrender my self-life—my need for control, my pride, my plans, and my fears. Teach me what it means to die daily so that You might live fully through me. Let the power of Your crucifixion break every chain that keeps me bound. I want to think with Your mind, love with Your heart, and walk in Your strength. Live through me today, Lord—until all that’s left of me looks like You.
Challenge: Identify one area of your life that you’ve been trying to control or fix on your own. Bring it to the cross in prayer and declare Galatians 2:20 aloud: “I am crucified with Christ… yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.” Then take one step of obedience that shows your trust—whether it’s forgiving someone, releasing control, or walking in peace instead of worry. Freedom always follows surrender.
FRIDAY’S PRAYER REQUESTS
Deon Lotter
Mike Bryan – Home
Mike Hollinhead – Home
Nancy Brown – Rehab
Allysa Elliott
Amy Garner’s Dad
Annette Ford
Andrea Nix– Friend of the Shelnutt’s
Angela Bryan’s Sister
Ann Stanley
Carol Lawhead – Park Place Rehab in Monroe
Danny Jarrard
Darlene Wiggins
Debbie Foskey
Doris Loyd
Dr. and Mrs. Davis
Eric Magnusson’s Mother
Eric Ward
Friend of Linda Hodge
Gayle Sparks
George & Linda Alexander
James Burnette
Jessica Headrick
John McClain’s Mother
June Cronan’s Sister
June Davis
Kailey Bateman
Kathryn Raines
Kim McClain’s Mother
Kim’s Sisters – Ann & Brenda
Lee Cronan
Lillianna Magnusson’s Mom
Linda Breedlove’s Sister – Sarah
Linda Mays
Lonzo Christian
Lori Blount’s Mother
Mary Williams
Mary Williamson – Dana Jackson’s Mom
Mrs. Franklin
Nora Allison
Ron And Johnnie Barry – Friends Of Ashton & Glenda Bateman
Rose Fuller – Pruitt-Monroe Nursing Home, Forsyth GA
Scott Lanier
Scotty Nix
Sheila Simmons
Stephanie Seivers – Friend of the Shellnutts
Steve Michaels
Tom Witcher