S.S.S. Sermon notes "What it takes to follow Christ"

What it takes to follow Christ

Forsaking yourself

Matthew 16:24    Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

John 12:24-26    Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. 25    He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 26    If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

Job 13:15    Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

Giving yourself
Rom 14:7    For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
Rom 14:8    For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.

Identifying yourself with Christ
Losing your former life
Romans 6:6    Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

Galatians 2:20    I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Luke 9:57-62    And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 58    And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 59    And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 60    Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. 61    And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. 62    And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Separating yourself from the world
2nd Corinthians 6:14-18, James 1:27

Letting God sanctify you to Himself
1st Thessalonians 5:23    And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Looking past "Christians" (unfortunately)
Hebrews 12:1    Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2    Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

If your faith or walk with Christ requires another person to live right then your faith will fail. We must keep our eyes on Jesus so that no matter what happens our faith is authored and finished by Christ.

Paul himself claims to be the chiefest of sinners. 1St Timothy 1:15    This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

Gaining knowledge, and wisdom
Hebrews 10:16-19
James 1:5    If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

We can go straight to God and request His wisdom.

Gaining a relationship
Following Jesus Christ takes a relationship with Him, not just a knowledge of Him.

John 10:25-30

Are you following Christ?   

Jeffrey S. Lynn