Pastor Jon Verwey

Every heart must choose whom it will serve.

When self leads your life, unrighteousness follows — but when God leads, righteousness abounds.

14 Herod Antipas, the king, soon heard about Jesus, because everyone was talking about him. Some were saying, “This must be John the Baptist raised from the dead. That is why he can do such miracles.” 15 Others said, “He’s the prophet Elijah.” Still others said, “He’s a prophet like the other great prophets of the past.” 16 When Herod heard about Jesus, he said, “John, the man I beheaded, has come back from the dead.” 17 For Herod had sent soldiers to arrest and imprison John as a favor to Herodias. She had been his brother Philip’s wife, but Herod had married her. 18 John had been telling Herod, “It is against God’s law for you to marry your brother’s wife.” 19 So Herodias bore a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But without Herod’s approval she was powerless, 20 for Herod respected John; and knowing that he was a good and holy man, he protected him. Herod was greatly disturbed whenever he talked with John, but even so, he liked to listen to him. 21 Herodias’s chance finally came on Herod’s birthday. He gave a party for his high government officials, army officers, and the leading citizens of Galilee. 22 Then his daughter, also named Herodias, came in and performed a dance that greatly pleased Herod and his guests. “Ask me for anything you like,” the king said to the girl, “and I will give it to you.” 23 He even vowed, “I will give you whatever you ask, up to half my kingdom!” 24 She went out and asked her mother, “What should I ask for?” Her mother told her, “Ask for the head of John the Baptist!” 25 So the girl hurried back to the king and told him, “I want the head of John the Baptist, right now, on a tray!” 26 Then the king deeply regretted what he had said; but because of the vows he had made in front of his guests, he couldn’t refuse her. 27So he immediately sent an executioner to the prison to cut off John’s head and bring it to him. The soldier beheaded John in the prison, 28 brought his head on a tray, and gave it to the girl, who took it to her mother. 29 When John’s disciples heard what had happened, they came to get his body and buried it in a tomb. — Mark 6:14–29 NLT

as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way”… And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness… — Mark 1:2,4a NIV

When self leads your life, unrighteousness follows — but when God leads, righteousness abounds.

When you’re in charge, you live to please yourself at the expense of others.
When God is in charge, you live to please Him, even at the expense of yourself.

She had been his brother Philip’s wife, but Herod had married her. — Mark 6:17b NLT

When you’re in charge, you live to please yourself at the expense of others and you will rationalize, compromise and cast aside anything to make yourself feel good.

And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness… John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. — Mark 1:6 NIV

“The essence of sin is the desire to please self rather than God.” ~ A.W. Tozer

When God is in charge, you live to please Him, even at the expense of yourself and in that place you experience the greatest pleasure and joy.

When “self” sits on the throne, you celebrate yourself.
When God sits on the throne, you delight to celebrate Him.

…He gave a party for his high government officials, army officers, and the leading citizens of Galilee. — Mark 6:21 NLT

When “self” sits on the throne, you celebrate yourself and you will rationalize, compromise and cast aside anything to make yourself look good.

And this was his message: “After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. — Mark 1:7 NIV

The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less. — John 3:29–30 NIV

When God sits on the throne, you delight to celebrate Him and your entire life points people to Jesus.

When “self” rules your life, your heart’s cry is, “My will be done.”
When God rules your life, your heart’s cry is, “Your will be done.”

… Herod was greatly disturbed whenever he talked with John, but even so, he liked to listen to him. — Mark 6:20 NLT

When “self” rules your life, your heart’s cry is, “My will be done.” and you will rationalize, compromise and cast aside anything to get your way.

So John agreed to baptize him. — Matthew 3:15b NLT

When God rules your life, your heart’s cry is, ‘Your will be done.’ And in that place of surrender, you find true freedom and purpose — a freedom and purpose worth living for… and worth dying for.

When self leads your life, unrighteousness follows — but when God leads, righteousness abounds.

Do my choices and actions please God, or just me?
    What am I rationalizing, compromising, or casting aside to make myself feel good?

Do I crave recognition, or rejoice in giving it to God?
    What am I rationalizing, compromising, or casting aside to make myself look good?

Do I cling to my will, or surrender to His?
    What am I rationalizing, compromising, or casting aside when things don’t go my way?