Challenge believers to evaluate their commitment to Jesus, understanding that true discipleship requires denying oneself, taking up one's cross, and being willing to give up everything to follow Him wholeheartedly.
Good morning, church family! Today, we are going to dive into a powerful and challenging message that will not only encourage us but also make us evaluate our level of commitment to Jesus Christ.
Charles Spurgeon once said, "If Christ is not all to you, He is nothing to you. He will never go into partnership as a part Savior of men. If He be something, He must be everything, and if He be not everything, He is nothing to you." This quote resonates with the message we find in Matthew 16:24-26.
Let's read the passage together:
"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?'"
Before we dive into the Word, let's open with a word of prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word that challenges, encourages, and transforms us. As we explore the cost of following Jesus today, we ask You to open our hearts and minds to Your truth. Help us to examine our lives and determine whether we are truly willing to give up everything to follow You. Equip us with the strength and courage to live out our faith in a world that desperately needs You. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.
When we choose to follow Christ, we are not merely adding Him to our lives as an accessory or a good luck charm. Instead, we are called to a radical transformation that requires us to surrender everything to Him. This transformation is not a one-time event, but a lifelong journey of growth and sanctification.
One of the most significant aspects of the cost of following Jesus is the call to self-denial. In Matthew 16:24, Jesus says, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves." This means that we must be willing to put aside our own desires, ambitions, and plans in order to pursue God's will for our lives. This can be a difficult concept for many people to grasp, as our culture often encourages us to prioritize our own happiness and success above all else. However, Jesus teaches us that true fulfillment and joy can only be found when we choose to submit our lives to Him and seek His will above our own.
Another aspect of the cost of following Jesus is the call to take up our cross. This phrase can be easily misunderstood, as many people think of the cross as a symbol of suffering and pain. While it is true that following Jesus may involve hardship and persecution, the call to take up our cross is about much more than simply enduring suffering. It is about embracing the life of sacrifice and service that Jesus modeled for us. As we follow Him, we are called to lay down our lives for the sake of others, just as He did for us.
Furthermore, the cost of following Jesus involves a willingness to face opposition and persecution. Jesus warned His disciples that they would face trials and tribulations in this world because of their faith in Him. In John 15:18-19, He says, "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." As believers, we must be prepared to stand firm in our faith, even when it means facing ridicule, rejection, or persecution from those around us.
The cost of following Jesus also includes the need for ongoing repentance and humility. As we grow in our faith and walk with Christ, we will inevitably become more aware of our own sinfulness and shortcomings. This awareness should lead us to a place of humility and repentance, as we recognize our need for God's grace and forgiveness.
The Apostle Paul, who was no stranger to the cost of following Jesus, wrote in Philippians 3:12-14, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." The cost of following Jesus is not a one-time payment but a lifelong commitment to growth and transformation.
Another aspect of the cost of following Jesus is the call to prioritize our relationship with Him above all else. In Matthew 10:37-38, Jesus says, "Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me." These words may seem harsh, but they serve as a reminder that our love for Jesus must be greater than our love for even our closest family members. This does not mean that we neglect our responsibilities to our families, but rather that we recognize the supremacy of Christ in our lives and seek to honor Him in all that we do.
The cost of following Jesus is not something that we can ignore or minimize. It is a reality that every believer must face and embrace as they seek to live out their faith in a broken and hurting world. However, it is important to remember that the cost of following Jesus is not without reward. As we surrender our lives to Him, we gain the assurance of eternal life, the presence of the Holy Spirit, and the joy of knowing that we are part of God's kingdom work on earth.
The example of Elisha serves as a powerful illustration of what it means to leave everything behind and follow God's call on one's life ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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