What does it mean to be a disciple of Christ? Who is our greatest enemy? How do we successfully defeat the enemy?
Overview
The Condition
The Challenge
The Cross
The Crown
Bible Passage
Matt 16.24-28; Mark 8.34-9.1; Luke 9.23-27; John 12.25
Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 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? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
28 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
Bible Passage
Mark 8:34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
9:1 And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”
Bible Passage
John 12:25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
Introduction
One of the first times I walked in the snow, it wasn’t as easy as I thought. I was then so grateful for those footprints of those who’ve gone before. They made it so much easier to take this walk. I prayed that I too will make footprints that will make it easy for those who come behind me.
Introduction
The Challenge
Who is our greatest enemy?
Who is our Greatest Enemy?
“An enemy I had whose face I stoutly strove to know
For hard he dogged my steps unseen wherever I did go
My plans he balked my aim he foiled he blocked my onward way
Who is our Greatest Enemy?
When for some lofty goal I toiled he grimly said to me Nay
One night I seized him and held him fast, from him the veil did draw
I looked upon his face at last…
And lo, myself I saw!! [1]
The Challenge
Paul confesses in Romans 7
19 For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. 20 But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. 21 I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. 22 For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, 23 but I see a different law in [p]the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?25 Thanks be to God who does this through Jesus Christ our Lord!
The Challenge
I’ve had more trouble with DL Moody than I’ve had with any man alive – DL Moody
God wants to see in me the “attitude which gives God the place he ought to occupy in life and in thought and in devotion”. -William Barclay
Christ is not interested in what I do. He is interested in who I am in my personal space with him
The Challenge
“A whole new generation of Christians has come up believing that it is possible to accept Christ without forsaking the world.” AW Tozer.
The Cross
Jesus stated the power of the cross in John 12:32,33“32 And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” 33 This He said, signifying by what death He would die.”
The Cross
The Crown
Paul’s joy and crown:
1 Thess 2:19“For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you?”
1 Corinthians 9:25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
Worldly Success
Raghuram Rajan, the famous economist said “I wanted to get a glimpse of the real world of cinema, which is the other side from my line of work. To me, the world of money is unreal”…. because he wanted to take a break!!
Worldly Success
Worldly Success
The Crown
Jesus said “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” Matt 16:25
He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose. Jim Elliot – Martyr
The Crown
“will not taste death”
Jesus mentions that there are some who will not taste death before they see the Son of man coming in His kingdom.
This appears to refer to the second coming.
There are several interpretations. One thought is that one of the disciples possibly John, did not die (though he almost was martyred more than once) but was taken up to heaven like Moses and Elijah.
This verse will remain a question. The key takeaway is that a disciple will experienced unnamed privileges.
Christianity is “Christ in you”
Christianity is:
- Not a vague abstraction but a wonderful affection.
- Not a tiresome argument but a tremendous friendship.
- Not an intricate uninspired philosophy but an inspired and thrilling love.
- Not a drudging at the grindstone of a dingy routine morality but “Christ in you, the hope of glory” [2]
Discussion
1.In our daily lives what does the “cross” include? Give examples.
2.What are some “daily” challenges we face in taking up the cross? How can we overcome them?
3.What drives and motivates us to continue on the way of the cross?
References
1.In our daily lives what does the “cross” include? Give examples.
2.What are some “daily” challenges we face in taking up the cross? How can we overcome them?
3.What drives and motivates us to continue on the way of the cross?