Last month at the Midwinter Conference of Covenant pastors and leader Rev. Sanetta Ponton delivered a powerful sermon calling the church to deeper discipleship. She challenged pastors and church members alike to examine how closely they are following Jesus, especially when discipleship demands courage, sacrifice, and justice.
Drawing from Scripture and the example of Martin Luther King Jr., Ponton reminded us that following Christ is about not comfort but faithfulness. Like Peter in the courtyard, we must decide whether we will stand firm in our convictions or shrink back when the cost feels too high. She urged the church to resist fear and complacency, asking, “What will we do when Jesus’s teachings conflict with the status quo?”
Ponton emphasized that Jesus’s call to “follow me” (Matthew 4:19) is not just an invitation but a command. Following Jesus means loving our neighbors (Luke 10:27), standing with people who are oppressed (Isaiah 1:17), and keeping our eyes on the kingdom (Philippians 3:14).
The message was both a challenge and an encouragement: our faith is not meant to be passive. Whether confronting injustice, extending compassion, or remaining steadfast in difficult times, Ponton reminded us that discipleship is costly—but the reward is eternal. “The final destination is not the cross,” she declared. “The final destination is to hear the words, ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant’” (Matthew 25:21).
Key Takeaways
- Following Jesus requires closeness, not distance. Peter’s hesitation in Matthew 26:58 warns us against a faith that follows Christ from afar. Ponton urged believers to stay near to Jesus, lest we lose sight of him.
- Discipleship demands action. From Micah 6:8—“Do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God”—Ponton called the church to embody Christ’s love through both prayer and action.
- Fear can lead to silence, but faith requires courage. Ponton highlighted the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. from his “Letter from Birmingham Jail”: “We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words of the bad people, but for the appalling silence of the good people.”
- The cross is not the end. Just as Jesus’s journey led to resurrection, our faith leads beyond suffering to hope and redemption (Romans 8:18).
Ponton closed with this invitation: “I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back.” May we, as a church, answer that call with conviction, courage, and unwavering faith.
