The Need For Christ

Introduction

Getting into the gym and pumped up just to fall away after a few months

Romans 3:9–20 CSB

9 What then? Are we any better off? Not at all! For we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin, 10 as it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one. 11 There is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. 12 All have turned away; all alike have become worthless. There is no one who does what is good, not even one. 13 Their throat is an open grave; they deceive with their tongues. Vipers’ venom is under their lips. 14 Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. 15 Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 ruin and wretchedness are in their paths, 17 and the path of peace they have not known. 18 There is no fear of God before their eyes. 19 Now we know that whatever the law says, it speaks to those who are subject to the law, so that every mouth may be shut and the whole world may become subject to God’s judgment. 20 For no one will be justified in his sight by the works of the law, because the knowledge of sin comes through the law.

Body

Luke 9:23 CSB

23 Then he said to them all, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Point 1 - Deny Yourself

Unless you deny yourself you will never be able to see all the ways that God wants to love you.

The bible says we cannot serve two masters, so often we have become our own master

Social status

Athletic ability

School success

We have let these different things define us when God is calling us in a relationship with him and to deny these things for him and realize these are blessings from him

Love the giver more than the gift. (Christmas presents)

When you deny yourself you will understand the deep love Christ has for you and truly begin to live a life for God.

Point 2 - Take Up Your Cross Daily

Taking up your cross daily is a a vital part of the Christian walk

It is sacrifice

Jesus carrying the cross to the place of his death

We are called to a life of constant sacrifice for Christ, but the benefits of following Christ outweigh the negatives

Jesus denied satan offering him the world because he was on earth for his fathers business

As a Christian we live for the things of eternity and not the worldly things

Are you sacrificing for Christ or caving into your sinful desires?

Taking up your cross daily results in living a life fully submitted to Christ

Point 3 - Follow Jesus

Whether we accept Christ or not eventually we will face eternity

Maybe today you have never made the decision to follow Christ

We decide to follow things of the world all the time:

Fashion trends

Friends

Influencers on social media

Today make the decision to follow something that really matters

God is calling us to live a life in which we deny ourselves, pick up our cross daily, and follow Christ.