LPC87-What Is Keeping You From Fully Following Jesus Pastor Josh Howerton - Lakepointe Church

Pastor Josh Howerton pulls back the curtain on his own broken journey—high achievement, reckless living, and a marriage on the brink—only to reveal how the gospel’s redeeming power rewrote his story. He shares the pivotal moment when a burned‑in CD of John Piper’s sermon “Boast Only in the Cross” ignited a lifelong devotion, and he ties that spark to the timeless rich‑young ruler illustration, exposing how easy it is to admire Jesus as a teacher without surrendering to Him as Lord.Josh challenges listeners to confront the hidden idols that keep them from total surrender: career ambition, materialism, and even the fear of adoption. He recounts his own resistance to adopting a third child, the dream that nudged his heart, and the miraculous call that led to the arrival of his son Hudson. Through vivid anecdotes—racing trophy trucks, a failed marriage, and a life‑changing encounter with an adoption agency—he demonstrates that God can take a “coupon” of a broken life and turn it into something glorious.The episode weaves in stories of Ruby Eliason and Laura Edwards, two octogenarian missionaries whose tragic accident becomes a stark reminder of true tragedy versus the fleeting pursuits of the world. Josh’s bold call to “surrender all” is punctuated by a heartfelt worship moment, urging the Lakepointe family to lay down every lingering barrier and fully follow Jesus.Listeners are invited to make this teaching their weekly “homework”: dive into John Piper’s Passion sermon, reflect on their personal barriers, and respond to God’s specific call—whether it’s adopting, serving, or simply surrendering every ambition. This is more than a sermon recap; it’s a rallying cry for radical, redeemed living.

Categories: Faith