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What can losing teach us about discipleship? More than we often realize. Loss has a way of revealing what success hides. It humbles us, stretches us, and pushes us closer to God. Scripture reminds us in Romans 5:3–4 that suffering produces endurance, character, and hope. Job lost everything, yet stayed faithful. Peter failed, yet was restored.

A true disciple follows Jesus fully—even in difficult seasons. When life gets hard, speak God’s truth, pray with faith, and walk in forgiveness. Don’t let loss break you—let it build you.

God is using every challenge to shape your faith. Stay committed. Stay connected. Stay faithful.

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The question isn't whether you know Jesus—it's whether you're living like His disciple! In his sermon, " The Four Hallmarks of Discipleship”, Pastor Marben Bland unpacked the foundation of discipleship from Matthew 28:18-20. Jesus didn't just give us a religion to practice—He gave us a commission to fulfill.

A true disciple follows Jesus fully, stays rooted in God's Word, loves like Christ, and makes other disciples. This isn't casual Christianity—it's transformational living! Too many people attend church but don't apply the Word. Too many believe but never become who God called them to be.

Jesus declared, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me"—and because He has all power, we have a purpose. It's time to move from membership to discipleship! If you're ready to follow Him fully, be rooted in His Word, love sacrificially, and go make disciples, then declare: "Lord, I'm not just a believer—I'm a disciple!"

Catch the full message and let God transform your walk today!

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After the resurrection, Jesus didn’t just celebrate victory—He gave an assignment. In Matthew 28:18–20, He calls us to go and make disciples. This reminds us that faith is not passive—it’s purposeful.

A true disciple follows Jesus fully (Luke 9:23), choosing surrender over comfort. A disciple is rooted in God’s Word (John 8:31), growing strong through daily obedience. A disciple loves like Christ (John 13:35), showing grace even when it’s difficult. And a disciple makes other disciples, living out the Great Commission.

This is not casual Christianity—this is transformational living.

Today, ask yourself: Am I just believing in Jesus, or am I becoming like Him? Because disciples don’t just know Him—they live for Him.

Join us tomorrow, Sunday, April 12, 2026, as we worship the Lord at Greater Bethel, 140 Rose Street, Athens, Georgia. Church School and breakfast are at 9:30 AM, with services starting at 11:00 AM. This Sunday’s teaching, titled The Four Hallmarks of a Disciple, is the first in the teaching series The Great Commission: Our Call To Discipleship. Until tomorrow, Blessings, Peace, and Love.

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Loss has a way of revealing what success often hides. After a tough championship game defeat, University of South Carolina Coach Dawn Staley didn’t deny the pain—she owned it: “We’ve got to figure out how we get better.” That mindset reflects a deeper spiritual truth—loss is not the end; it is instruction.

Scripture reminds us in Romans 5:3–4 (NRSV): “we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” Losing exposes weaknesses, humbles pride, and sharpens purpose. It forces us to evaluate, adjust, and grow. In discipleship, loss becomes a classroom.

Even Jesus’ disciples experienced failure. Peter denied Christ three times, and “the Lord turned and looked at Peter… and he went out and wept bitterly” (Luke 22:61–62, NRSV). Yet that moment of failure became the foundation for future faithfulness. Failure didn’t disqualify him—it helped him grow.

Discipleship is not about always winning; it’s about always following. Loss teaches dependence on God, resilience in adversity, and commitment to the mission. As James 1:2–4 (NRSV) declares, trials test our faith and produce maturity—“so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.”

So the question is not, “Did you lose?” but “What did you learn?”

Don’t waste your loss—let God use it to grow you, shape you, and send you forward stronger.

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The 2nd of the 7 last words of Jesus recorded live at First AME Church, Athens, Georgia

The Promise Of Paradise

You know, as we grow older, we find ourselves thinking about death more often. And if we’re honest, it’s because we’re confronted with it more. With every passing year, more classmates, more friends, more loved ones transition from this life. Our bodies begin to feel the weight of time—aches, sickness, limitations. And somewhere deep within, we recognize a sobering truth: we have lived more days than we likely have left to live.

For many of us, being confronted with death becomes part of the aging process.

But for a seven-year-old child, that reality feels out of place. It feels too soon. Yet when young Cadance Trasher lost his friend Josiah, death entered his world in a way it never should have. And with childlike honesty, he asked his praying grandmother, “What happens when we die?”

She answered with one word: Paradise.

That single word echoes the promise of Jesus in Luke 23:43:
“Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

In His second word from the cross, Jesus speaks not condemnation, but hope. Not judgment, but salvation. He speaks to a dying criminal—someone with no time left to make amends, no opportunity to rewrite his story. Yet in a single moment of faith, everything changed.

That is the power of grace—instant, undeserved, and life-transforming.

The thief recognized Jesus as King, even in suffering. And that simple act of faith unlocked forgiveness, redemption, and eternal life. It reminds us tonight that it is never too late. No matter your past, your pain, your mistakes, or your brokenness—Jesus still saves.

Paradise is where the thief went.
Paradise is where Josiah has gone.
And paradise is where we can go.

We live in a world that tells us to earn, achieve, and prove our worth. But the cross declares something different: salvation is a gift. You don’t work for it—you receive it. One moment of surrender can rewrite your entire story.

So I ask you tonight—what are you holding onto? Guilt? Shame? Regret?

Because Jesus is still speaking: Today. Not tomorrow. Not when you get it all together. Not when you feel worthy. But right now.

And as I take my seat, while the thief and Josiah rest in paradise, I leave you with this question: What is keeping you from fully receiving God’s grace today?

For when you do, the words of Jesus will become your reality:
“Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.

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This is one of the most raw and real moments of the cross. Jesus expresses pain, abandonment, and deep anguish. Yet even here, He is quoting Scripture, anchoring Himself in truth.

We’ve all had moments where God feels distant—when prayers seem unanswered and silence feels overwhelming. But this word reminds us: feeling forsaken is not the same as being forsaken. God is still present, even in the silence.

Jesus entered into our deepest human struggle so we would know we are never alone. Your doubt, your grief, your questions—God can handle them all.

This is not the end of the story. Friday’s pain leads to Sunday’s victory. Hold on. Trust God in the silence. Your breakthrough is coming.

Reflection: Where do you need to trust God, even when you don’t feel His presence?

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Even in agony, Jesus demonstrates love, care, and compassion. His third word from the cross wasn’t about His pain—it was about relationship. He ensured His mother was cared for, creating a new spiritual family rooted in connection and community.

This moment reminds us that God sees us. In your struggle, in your suffering, in your uncertainty—you are not forgotten. Jesus models intentional love, showing that even in hardship, we are called to care for one another.

The cross is not just about salvation—it’s about belonging. In Christ, we are adopted into a family of faith. You are seen, valued, and loved deeply.

In a world full of isolation and loneliness, Jesus builds bridges. He calls us to show up, support one another, and live out authentic love.

Reflection: Who in your life needs to feel seen and supported through your love today?

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Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” — Luke 23:43

In His second word from the cross, Jesus speaks hope, salvation, and eternal life to a dying criminal. No time for good works. No chance to fix his past. Yet in a single moment of faith, everything changed. This is the power of grace—instant, undeserved, and life-transforming.

The thief recognized Jesus as King, even while suffering. That simple act of faith unlocked forgiveness, redemption, and paradise. It reminds us that it’s never too late. No matter your past, your mistakes, or your brokenness—Jesus still saves.

We live in a world obsessed with earning, achieving, and proving. But the cross declares: salvation is a gift. You don’t work for it—you receive it. One moment of surrender can rewrite your entire story.

Are you holding onto guilt? Shame? Regret? Jesus is still speaking: “Today.” Not tomorrow. Not when you get better. Right now.

Reflection: What is keeping you from fully receiving God’s grace today?

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