Matthew 16:24…..Ready

Matthew 16:24…..Ready

16:24  Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone (Every believer, not just the Pastor, not just the spiritually elite, not just those who look like they have it altogether, not just those who think they have minor sins, but everyone.) would come after me. (Imperative Verb.  A demand, requirement, A firm resolve, active decision, to set one’s heart on. Emphasizes a condition for discipleship-(New) he must deny himself (To have the capacity to Save yourself or be the person God wants you to be-(New) and take up (The verb tense is continually, day-in and day-out-(New) his cross and follow me. (To think like Jesus, to act like Jesus, to treat others the way He would treat others-(New) (For Complete Expository See Book)

Extended Sermons  

“Calls for counting the costs & sacrifices in following Jesus. (Are you prepared to make that kind of commitment?)” ⇒ Counting the cost of following Jesus means honestly evaluating what it will require of you and being prepared to make those sacrifices. Discipleship involves more than just verbal affirmation. It’s easy for believers to say “I’m all in for Jesus”, ”I’m ready to follow Jesus.” But when the rubber meets the road and things gets tough they begin to slowly step back from that heart commitment they had at the beginning. They weren’t prepared for all the hardships and struggles. They weren’t prepared for the hostility the world can bring on them. You just can’t be a Sunday morning attendee, you have to be involved. How can you be called a member of Christ’s church if your not willing to submit to the leader of the church, How can you be called a follow of Christ and you’re are not with His followers. Following Jesus may be costly but its worth it. Will you take up your cross and follow Jesus whatever may come. Will you take up your cross and follow Jesus even if it costs you everything? Martin Luther once said “A religion that gives nothing, costs nothing, and suffers nothing is worth nothing.”  No sacrifice should be too great in serving Jesus. Jim Elliot an American missionary once said; “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose”. Taking up the cross and following Jesus is easy when life runs smoothly. But true cross-bearing is revealed during trials and hardships. Each day we take up our cross. There are many who follow Jesus in the breaking of bread. But few as far as drinking the cup of suffering. Many follow Jesus in the morality of His teachings, but few in the indignity of the cross. Many will follow Jesus on Sunday, but walk their own path on Monday.

“Calls for a radicle reorientation from living a self-centered life to a Christ-centered life” → Following Jesus requires we make an intentional decision to conquer the internal urge to live only for self. This reorientation involves a fundamental change in priorities, values, and even personal identity, seeking to align one’s life with the will of God. This involves a significant change in perspective, priorities, and actions, moving away from self-centeredness and toward a life dedicated to God and His purpose. A Christ-centered life involves an ongoing process of inner transformation and spiritual growth. A moving a away from the tendencies of the old corrupt nature, saying no to sin more and more, and saying yes to God and how He wants us to live.  (Phlip. 2:1-8,  Gal. 2:20)

“Calls for giving up previous dreams. goals, and aspirations if were were going to fully commit to Jesus.” → This doesn’t mean you need to give up on your career, our give up on your dreams if you’re young. But what it does mean is that the dreams you have, the life you live, the things you value, must be subordinate to Jesus, for His glory, for His Kingdom, not your own glory and kingdom. Whatever dreams and aspirations you had prior to coming to Christ you may now have to put to death if your going to truly follow Jesus. Maybe you dreamed about a job, career, or profession. But you now know your going to have to surrender these things if we’re going to be able to say “Not my will Lord, but your will be done”. That means the things I thought prior to Christ I was going to pursue and do, is now different because of what Christ has done for me. Even if it means giving up a bright and promising future ahead you. I can’t tell you how many politicians, lawyers, and musicians stepped away from their professions because it was interfering with their walk with Jesus. Or maybe it’s even smaller things in your life. Like walking away from a great relationship, or letting go of ungodly friends. Or maybe it’s putting your plans hold in starting a family.

“Teaches how Jesus doesn’t want casual half-hearted followers, but committed disciples who are all in.” ⇒ There’s No halfway Christians, No “toe in the water Salvation. No Sunday only Christians. There’s no sprinkling a little bit of God into your life, a little bit of Jesus, a little bit of church. When Jesus says, “follow me,” He ‘s not just calling us to hang out with Him or tag along with Him. But to be fully committed and dedicated to Him. How many times have we ditched church because the ball game was on? How many times have we turned down serving because it interfered with family plans? How many times have we said were going to read our bible more and then get distracted by other things; our iPhone, social media, friends, etc.? How many times have we considered baptism, but it’s always someday? How many times have we said we’re going to witness and display our faith more, but never get around to telling our co-workers that we’re Christians? Discipleship is not a one-time decision in accepting Jesus as Savior and then move on with the rest of your life. But a life-time decision to follow after Jesus.  Discipleship is an All or Nothing proposition. To be a disciple you have to have some skin in the game. There’s a big difference between being a fan and being a follower.. Are you all in and sold out to Jesus? Or are you just a fan or spectator at best? Casual believers will seek convenience and ease. Committed believers seek maturity and growth. Casual believers will seek spiritual shortcuts and quick fixes. Committed believers will seek self-discipline and what pleases God. Casual believers will seek God when it’s convenient for them in what they want and need. Committed believers will say “How can I better serve you or how can I serve in the church.” Casual believers will fall away at the first sign of trouble and adversity. Committed believers will stay true to Jesus through thick and then.

“Even today, taking up your cross could mean losing family and friends. It could mean being mocked, ridiculed, and ostracized. could mean being unpopular and not fitting in. It could mean suffering persecution or even death.” ⇒ Will you take up your cross and follow Jesus even if it means losing a relationship because your not going to compromise your morals in having sex before marriage. Will you take up your cross and follow Jesus even if it means rejection from your co-workers who are upset with you because you won’t join them in the gossip train going around about your boss. Will you take up your cross and follow Jesus even if it means being labelled ant-social because you won’t go out drinking with your friends. Will you take up your cross and follow Jesus even if means being seen as anti-intellectual as some who believes if fairy tales because you believe God became a man. Will you take up your cross in choosing the narrow way over the way of the world? Will you take up your cross in identifying with Jesus, regardless of what it costs you personally, publicly or financially!

“Denying yourself doesn’t mean depriving yourself. It doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy life,. It doesn’t mean you can’t go out and have fun. It doesn’t. mean punishing yourself. It doesn’t mean giving up some guilty pleasure like denying yourself chocolate, or binge-watching Netflix. But rather it’s about renouncing self and anything else that keeps us from following and living for Jesus” ⇒ The call to deny self is difficult because we have a habit of living for number one Denying self goes against the grain. It’s not what our self-seeking culture is about. Aren’t we supposed to love ourselves? If I don’t look our for number one who’s going to? Everything today is geared towards Self-indulgence, Self-esteem, Self-love, Self-acceptance. Self-fulfillment, Self-preservation. The world says celebrate yourself, gratify yourself, promote yourself. We often think if a meaningful life means anything, surely it means to live and make the most out of your life. Culture says do what’s best for you. Look out for number one. But Jesus’ call for self-denial goes against the grain. Jesus calls us to a life of humility, brokenness, surrender, self-denial, self-sacrifice. And that’s in complete opposition to a Contemporary Gospel of self-fulfillment, self-exaltation, and self-help. The wrong gospel says, “Jesus wants to make you feel better about yourself. He wants to make your life prosperous. He wants to put an end to your negative thinking. Whereas the true Gospel is the death of Self. That is the core of discipleship. When Jesus asks us to deny our self. He’s not saying you can’t have a life. He’s not being harsh in taking all the fun out of life. He’s not saying pretend you don’t exists. But rather what Jesus is asking is for our own good in order to liberate us and free us. He wants us to deny ourselves the various comforts and pleasures of life for the sake of faithfully following Him. Denying yourself may mean leaving that image and reputation you spent a lifetime creating for yourself. For the greedy it may mean renouncing an appetite for wealth. For the complacent it may mean renouncing the love of comfort and ease. For the faint hearted it may mean abandoning the craving for security. For the violent it may mean giving up the desire for payback and revenge. On and on it goes. Only you know what God may want you to give up or hand over. Is there an area your holding back from God. Is there something that’s holding you back from following Jesus wholeheartedly?

“Taking up your cross is not about bearing with some hardship or inconvenient burden as a mean boss, nagging wife, thankless job, chronic backache, difficult neighbor. It’s not about getting through the daily grind. Being patient with someone annoying. As the saying go’s; “That’s the cross I bear”. Nor is it a piece of jewelry worn around the neck or a crosse hung on a wall. But rather it’s about being fully submitted and devoting to God, following and listening to what He says”.  ⇒ We all have trials and afflictions that may be very hard for us to bear—even with God’s help. But Jesus meant something far deeper than this when He calls us to carry our cross. Taking up your cross” signifies a daily commitment to self-denial, sacrifice, and following Christ’s teachings, even when facing hardship or opposition. Jesus doesn’t simply call us to believe that He existed, or even to believe that He can Save us. He calls on us to commit our whole lives to Him—To throw aside anything that gets in your way of following Him.

Additional Notes & Applications

Calls for loving Jesus so much that we would gladly make Jesus’ cross-destined journey or own journey in life.

Calls for following Jesus, not only when life is running smoothly, but also during the struggles and trials  of life.

Calls for making Jesus the end-all and be-all of our life’s.

Prepares believers how following Jesus is not going to be a easy and comfortable life from here on out It’s going to take a lot of work and a lot of sacrifice.

Teaches how no one is beyond the love, mercy, and grace of God.

Teaches when we follow the Lord we find our true selves.

Warns against thinking you can have Salvation of sorts outside of our Savior. That we can have a little bit of both here and now.

Teaches how Jesus is not a recruiter who emphasized the benefits of enrollment, yet fails to mention the possibility of combat. Jesus is no bait & switch, He gives it like it is.

Displays how God the Father is never more glorified then when we pick up our cross and say to the world “I choose to live like this and give myself to that.” Not because I’m being ripped off, but because I have something far greater.

Calls for staying true to Christ when everyone else in the world around us are not.

Calls for following Jesus, not only when life is running smoothly, but also when things are tough and not going our way.

Teaches how Christianity is not a belief system. It’s not a religion. It’s not a set of rules or a moral code. It’s about a person, Jesus and following Him.

Warns against thinking you can have Salvation of sorts outside of our Savior.

We have a very skewed view of Christianity that would have you believe that following Jesus will make your life way better. That you will be healthier if you follow Jesus. That you will be wealthier if you follow Jesus. That your life will prosper if you follow Jesus. But that’s not  the Gospel we read. The Gospel we read gets people killed. It actually costs you something.     It involves hardships and sacrifices.

Teaches how suffering is going to be a part of life in this world. If anyone tells you if you come to Jesus your life is going to be easy, all your troubles and problems will go away. Life will be wonderful, you’ll  live a happy, blessed, and healthy life. They are sorely mistaken.

The reason we need to deny self is because we have this inward inclination towards self and sin passed down from Adam & Eve. Ever since the Garden, humanity has sought to be their own gods, to make their own identities and to protect those identities at all costs. Each human being is born with a dedication to self, to pleasing and preferring self, “What’s in it for me”. We have a natural tendency towards selfish interests and pursuit. Whether its pleasing our self, promoting our self, cherishing our self, etc.  Self is the cause of all fights, all marital issues, all lawsuits, all addictions, all church splits, etc. It’s the self that says we need to win, I need to be right. The one that says I need win the argument at all costs, even if I’m wrong. The one that says I can’t let them see me as weak on this or they’ll walk all over me. The one that says stand firm and be proud, that your not going to give in on this no matter what. To deny self is a constant upstream battle. We have selfishness to battle, pride to battle, ego to battle, etc. You need to turn away from that gravitational pull within you to be all about you.  (Note: Self is the hardest sin to overcome. No one will ever arrive in putting the sin of self completely to death. No sooner do we think we’ve put self to death,  someone comes along and crosses or slights us in our opinion, or cuts us off in traffic. The first thing we do is respond with harsh words. Think about it when someone disagrees with you, are you awesome with that. Or if they take something from you are you O.K. with that, probably not.)

Jesus wants to make sure we understand what were signing up for and the costs  involved.. Have you ever said or heard someone say “This isn’t what I signed up for”. We find it marriage. You enter into marriage with these dewy-ideas of what the relationship may be like. Only to find out that marriage involves arguments and opinions and pet peeves. And there’s snoring, and Ido-sequencies, and expenditures. There’s a shift from this romance time to a kind of realities of life. We find it In parenting. There’s diapers, projectile vomit, sleepless nights, endless crying, constant need, and loss of freedom. Or heartbreak when our children grow up and don’t live out the way we taught them to live. We find it military service. There’s deployments over seas, and discomforts, and dangers, and home sickness. We find it in pet ownerships. Where there’s shedding, and messes, and vet bills, and dog food, and grooming fees, and dog poop. A lot of people, but not everyone would say “If I had a redo I would make a different decision.” But there has never been anyone totally committed to following Jesus who believes He’s no worth it.

What does picking up our cross look like today? It means making practical sacrifices, such as caring for aging parents, offering our time to help others, or choosing to have meaningful conversations about faith. It’s about prioritizing God’s mission over our personal pleasures and comforts.

In conclusion, true discipleship is a lifelong journey of surrender, sacrifice, and service. It’s about being “all in” for Jesus, embracing the challenges, and living out our faith boldly and authentically. Will you take up your cross and follow Jesus, no matter the cost? Will you trust Him as the director of your life, surrendering your will, your desires, and your ambitions to His greater purpose? Let’s live a life that honors and glorifies God, knowing that the more we surrender to Christ, the more joy, peace, and contentment we will find.

The cross here was a symbol of Roman execution. In the ancient world, crucifixion was the vilest, most shameful and painful form of death, reserved for the worst of criminals. A condemned person after they were stripped naked and whipped to an inch of their life. They would have to carry the crossbeam on their back through the streets on their way to the place of execution. As they carried their cross they would mocked by the crowds. They would experience public humiliation as they began their death march to the place of execution. The cross wasn’t simply a means of execution. There are a lot of easier ways to kill people. But rather the purpose of the cross was to ultimately humiliate, shame, and set an example in deterring others from revolting against Rome. Historians estimate that over 30,000 people were crucified by the Romans during Jesus’ lifetime, When Jesus talks about taking up ones cross. The disciples having seen this numerous times. Would not have pictured this as putting up with some inconvenience, “This is the cross I have to bear.”. They would have understood this as a march towards death and a sign of shame and humiliation. For believers we may never and probably won’t be called to die for Christ. But we are called to willingly bear shame, reproach, humiliation, suffering, hatred, alienation as we follow Jesus.

Taking up our cross is not a burden but a liberating act. Taking up the cross may involve suffering, but it also draws us closer to the Lord. It’s suffering yes, but it’s ot worth comparing to the glory that awaits us. It’s about living a life that is fully submitted to Christ, embracing the sacrifices and hardships that come with following Him. It involves both outward acts of service and inward journeys of holiness. The motivation to pick up our cross comes from understanding the depth of Jesus’ sacrifice for us. He left heaven, took on human flesh, and died on the cross for our sins. The more we grasp the magnitude of His love and grace, the more willing we are to live for Him.

Following Jesus is not simply an intellectual assent. Following Jesus is not just about going to church or being member of a church. Following Jesus is not joining an institution or following a movement Following Jesus is not simply learned information or memorizing bible verses. Following Jesus is not about appearing religious or doing all the religious things. Following Jesus is not about hanging out with other Christians. Following Jesus does not mean a life free of storms and struggles. Following Jesus does not mean you have all the answers or fully understand everything. Following Jesus is not about comfort and ease. Following Jesus isn’t about health, wealth, or worldly gain. Following Jesus is not saying yes to His Saving grace and then live the way you want. Following Jesus is not simply about doing good works to make Him happy [It is by grace you have been Saved through faith, not by works]

Jesus is not being harsh or trying to take all the fun out of life. Jesus not trying to torture us or torment us. But rather is saying this for our own good in order to liberate us and free us. He wants us to deny ourselves the various comforts and pleasures of life for the sake of faithfully following Him.

The call for self-denial and picking up our cross is not about having a martyrs complex in seeking out suffering and death. That as Christians were supposed to live a miserable life of suffering and death. There are some disturbing and sad stories from early Christian history in which many misinterpreted this text and actually sought our brutal martyrdom.

The three different things Jesus asks for; 1) To come after. 2) To Deny. 3) To take up. Are all commands in the present tense. Meaning as disciples of Jesus were supposed to be doing this on a continuous and daily bases. In living for Jesus there’s no days off. The call also suggests a “once for all” action in taking up our cross and never laying it down until we reach the place of our death and call home.

Denying ourselves cannot be done by our own power and strength. But is the work of the Holy Spirit in opening our hearts to know how much Jesus loves us and suffered for us. Then only after that will you want to deny yourself and pick up your cross and follow Him. The greatest motivation in denying ourselves and picking up our cross is simply because Jesus did for us. Jesus denied His own rights when He left heaven and came to earth and took the form of human flesh so He could die on the cross for the death and punishment we deserved. The more we know all that Jesus did for us. The forgiveness of sins; past, present, and future. The peace He brought with God. The gift of adoption into the family of God. The gift of the Holy Spirit. The joy, purpose, and meaning He brought into our lives. The promise of our future glory and resurrected bodies. The more you will deny yourself and live for Him.

What Jesus is calling for here is really difficult and hard to live out. We all have a natural inclination to avoid suffering and pain. There is a drive within all of us to preserve our lives and to extend them. Self-preservation, it is said, is the first law of the universe, so we desire to ensure that we do not suffer any pain. But we must not do so at the expense of sacrificing our principals and values for comfort and convenience.

You may ask what does picking up our cross look like for us today? Practically it can mean caring for aging parents. It could mean giving up our own time and interest to help others. It could mean turning off the T.V. or the computer in the evening to go talk to a friend about Jesus, even if we don’t feel like it. It could mean sacrificing evenings out with family and friends so we can use that money to support a ministry so others can hear about Jesus.

WHAT IT MEANS TO DENY SELF 

• It means to crucify the old-self and put on the new-self

• It means to stop being proud & arrogant to being humble & meek

• It means putting God’s will above your own will

• It means allowing Jesus to take the lead in our life

• It means allowing God to have His way in our life

• It means turning from selfishness and self-centered thinking

• It means making Jesus the center of your life, not self

• It means turning from the old self you used to be

• It means sacrificing personal ambitions and desire to follow Jesus

• It means practicing self-control

• It means making decisions that are in line with Christian values and goals

• It means resisting the immediate impulses and temptations of the flesh

• It means denying self in order to serve others

• It means being open to correction and criticism

• It means denying worldly values and worldly interests

WHAT IT MEANS TO TAKE  UP YOUR CROSS 

• It means giving complete surrender & submission to God

• It means putting God’s plan, will, and work first in your life

• It means going public and on record that your a follower of Jesus

• It means putting God’s will above your own desires and needs, even when it’s difficult

• It means the willingness to suffer hardships and trials in following Jesus

• It means accepting the hardships and challenges that come with following Jesus

• It means to keep walking forward, even if you stumble and fall.

• It means to die to the sinful lusts and desires of the flesh

• It means the willingness to endure shame, reproach, rejection, betrayal, persecution, even death in order to obey God

• It means allowing God to change us and transform us into who He wants us to be

WHAT IT MEANS TO FOLLOW JESUS

• It means imitating Jesus and striving to be like Him

• It means taking time to help and serve others around us

• It means proclaiming the Gospel

• It means submitting and obeying Jesus

• It means reading the scriptures and following Jesus’ teachings

• It means making Jesus the Ruler, and Boss of your life

• It means living a life that Honors & Glorifies Jesus

• It means doing good works and good deeds. (Not to Save, but because we are Saved.)

(All Sermons are free to use for Preaching & Teaching, but not for Publication in any form without the written permission of the Author,)