March 29th, 2026

On this Palm Sunday morning at City Church Marietta, Pastor Eugene leads a powerful reflection on identity, discipleship, and the gospel through 1 John 2:28–3:3. He emphasizes that being a child of God is not earned through behavior, religious performance, or social status, but is a gift of grace rooted in Christ alone. The sermon centers on the transformative concept of 'abiding'—a continuous, embodied awareness of Christ throughout daily life, not limited to brief devotional moments. Eugene challenges listeners to move beyond fear-based religion toward a posture of childlike dependence on God’s love. He uses the upcoming Good Friday fast as a tangible way to cultivate empathy for Christ’s suffering and deepen spiritual perspective. The sermon culminates in a baptism service, which is framed not as a salvation-producing ritual but as a public declaration of faith, a celebration of God’s work in people’s lives, and a moment of communal accountability and encouragement. The tone is deeply personal, pastoral, and hopeful, inviting both new believers and long-time followers to rediscover their identity as beloved children of God. Key takeaways include: (1) True discipleship is abiding in Christ throughout daily life, not just during designated devotional times; (2) Baptism is a public testimony of faith, not a magical act that produces salvation; (3) Our identity as children of God is secure and should shape our confidence, humility, and love; (4) Fasting on Good Friday is an invitation to experience Christ’s suffering personally and gain spiritual clarity; (5) Following Jesus should be motivated by love, not fear; (6) The church is called to be a community that celebrates transformation and holds one another accountable; (7) Mature faith is marked by childlike dependence, not self-sufficiency; (8) The resurrection hope is not just future but present—shaping how we live now.