The Art of Self-Denial
Text: Matt 16:24-28
Theme: He that watereth shall be watered
also himself." {#Pr 11:25}
We are here taught the great lesson, that to get, we must give; that to accumulate, we must scatter; that to make ourselves happy, we must make others happy; and that in order to become spiritually vigorous, we must seek the spiritual good of others. Jesus shows how we can become a new person by ordering our lives.
1.
INTRODUCTION.
a. He who has the most toys wins the game!
b.
Are you sluggish? Maybe too much water in your system. Or maybe you do not have
the right purpose, perspective, plan or desires in your life.
c.
Are you self-centered. Not me! Are you the object of the crowd, the clown, the
end all, or you think you are?
d.
Is everything yours? Do you say my this, my that?
e.
Do you like to have a great deal of comfort is building your retirement next-egg
and house?
f.
Do you seriously think about those in need? Or do you dismiss them as saying
something like “they deserve it.” “Let them work for it.”
g.
Have you examined your values lately?
h.
Let’s see what Jesus says.
2.
BODY.
a. Conditions for discipleship. First let us look at the conditions for discipleship. Then, we will look at how we go about it.
(1) To gain the whole world means to possess it as out own: its riches, its honors, and its pleasure. To lose your life means to cast it away to be shut our from heaven. Two things implied here by the Lord:
(a) Those striving to gain the world and are unwilling to give it up for the sake of religion, will lose their souls (life).
(b) That if the soul is lost, nothing can be given in exchange for it.
b. His death demands total commitment from a man (v.24)
i. Must will to
follow (v.24a)
ii.Must deny self (v.24b)
(1) Saying no to the sinful ego
iii. Must take up the cross (v.24c)
(1) Give up
selfish ambition
iv.Must follow Jesus (v.24d)
(1)
Finding our true self.
c.
His death offers four arguments for total commitment (v.25-28)
i.
An abandonment of this life saves a man (v.25)
(1)The
person who “saves his life”...by seeking to avoid the aging of the body and
death and yet denies Christ—that person shall lose his life eternally.
(2)by
seeking to make his life more and more comfortable, easy, and secure (beyond
what is necessary) and neglects Christ shall lose his life eternally.
(3)
by seeking to gain wealth and power and fame by compromising Christ shall lose
his life eternally.
(4)by
seeking the thrills, excitement, and stimulation of this world by ignoring
Christ shall lose his life eternally.
ii.
A man’s soul is worth more than the whole world
(v.26)
A man’s soul is worth more than the whole world. The word soul is the same word translated “life” (Matthew 16:25
d.
i.
A day of judgment is coming (v.27)
ii.
A promise is given—the promise of never having to taste death (v.28)
e.
Now let’s put this to the test in our lives.
i.
Find a New Purpose v 24
(1)
Make up your mind
(2)
Give up your preoccupation with me, myself and I.
(3)
Take up your identity with worthwhile things.
(4)
Become a partner with Christ
ii.
Find a new perspective v 25
(1)
Priorities from Christ
iii.
Find a new plan v27
(1)
Practice the will of Christ
iv.
Find a new promise v28
(1)
Order things in the longer range, eternity.
3.
CLOSE.
a.
Now let’s go back. He who has the most toys wins the game. Rather than
saying “Those are happiest who possess the most,” Jesus teaches us that
“Those are happiest who are themselves possessed by Christ.
b.
Possess by Christ
c.
Are you possessed by Christ?