SUNDAY NOTES 1.11.26
Today’s Setlist:
The Joy
Bless God
More Than Able
Do It Again
Vertical Up Close - January 18
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Vertical Up Close is your next step to learn the heart, vision, and story of Vertical Church. You’ll meet our pastors and leaders, hear why we exist, and discover how God is calling you to be part of what He’s doing here. It’s the best way to move from attending to belonging.
Partner Class - January 25
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Partner Class is where we talk about commitment, ownership, and living on mission together as the church. You’ll learn what partnership means at Vertical, our beliefs and values, and how every believer plays a role in the body of Christ. This class is for those ready to say, “This is my church.”
Rooted Groups - February 1
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Rooted Groups are where real life and real faith meet in real community. These groups are designed to help you grow spiritually, build meaningful relationships, and live out the way of Jesus together. No matter your stage of faith, Rooted Groups are where growth happens best.
Baptism Sunday - February 15
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Baptism is a public declaration of a personal decision to follow Jesus. It represents the old life being buried and a new life raised in Christ, marking the beginning of a transformed journey. If you’ve put your faith in Jesus, baptism is your next obedient step.
SERMON NOTES
ESSENTIALS WEEK 2:
FOLLOW JESUS
At Vertical, we believe spiritual transformation always follows a clear and intentional pathway: ENCOUNTER GOD, FOLLOW JESUS, EXPERIENCE FREEDOM, and MAKE AN IMPACT.
WE DO NOT FOLLOW WHAT WE BELIEVE IS RIGHT;
WE FOLLOW WHAT WE WANT MOST.
WHAT DO YOU WANT?
John 1:37-38
When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”
Mark 10:51
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
Matthew 4:18-22
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.
FOLLOWING JESUS REQUIRES LEAVING OUR NETS BEHIND
We often forfeit the future God has for us because we cling to what's familiar.
Matthew 16:24-26
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?
FOLLOWING JESUS REQUIRES REORDERING YOUR LIFE
Matthew 4:19
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
Luke 14:28–33
“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’ “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.
