True Christianity

Introduction

Mark 8:34–35 KJV 1900

34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.

Body

Today we live in a world of people who will not commit to anything but instant gratification and personal pleasure.

Few and far between are those who are able to play the long game. To take a long term view of a situation, or of life.

Those that learn to deny themselves up front, to discipline themselves to work harder, to spend less, to tell themselves “NO!”, to get up early, to stay up late working toward something will almost always end up successful in whatever they set out to do.

Those that cannot or will not tell themselves “no”, but indulge themselves on every front “because I’ve earned it!”; those who put in their allotted time and no more, buy things on impulse, and sleep in late will almost always end up going nowhere in life.

What’s the difference between the two? DISCIPLINE

What is Discipline?

Discipline: “Noun. 1. Training expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior, especially training that produces moral or mental improvement. was raised in the strictest discipline. 2a. Control obtained by enforcing compliance or order. Military discipline. 2b. Controlled behavior resulting from disciplinary training; self-control. Dieting takes a lot of discipline. 2c. A state of order based on submission to rules and authority. A teacher who demanded discipline in the classroom. 3. Punishment intended to correct or train. Subject to harsh discipline. 4. A set of rules or methods, as those regulating the practice of a church or monastic order. 5. A branch of knowledge or teaching. The discipline of mathematics.

Discipline: Disciple

"Noun. 1a. One who embraces and assists in spreading the teachings of another. 1b. An active adherent, as of a movement or philosophy. 2. One of the original followers of Jesus. Originates from the Latin discipulus, or “pupil””

Disciple of whom?

Who am I learning, and receiving instruction from?

Who am I modeling my behavior after?

Whose rules and whose authority am I submitting to in my life?

If Jesus Christ, then I am a Disciple of Jesus Christ

Disciple of Jesus Christ

I’m committed to bringing myself into alignment with the character and will of Jesus Christ.

Scripture text

“Whosoever”

Everyone is invited to be like Jesus

Everyone in the Navy is invited to apply to BUDs

“Will”

Not “can”. Not “should”. Will!

Discipline is simply another choice that we make

It cannot and will not be forced on you. You must choose it

“Come after Me”

We’re following where Jesus is leading us, not the other way around

We’re going where Jesus has already gone

He shows us the way we need to go

“Deny himself”

Say “no” to our sinful urges

Say “no” to our legitimate desires and even needs when commanded to

Understanding there is more to getting in the Christian’s life. We must learn also to give

Say “yes” to everything God wants us to do, and be, especially when we don’t want to

“Take up his cross”

Pay the price

Don’t be looking for accolades because you decided to move forward in Jesus Christ!

The accolades will come later, but the price is paid up front

“Follow Me”

No matter where!

No matter when!

No matter why!

“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it”

‘Me first’ won’t cut it!

Your needs, your desires, aren’t your concern anymore - you’re dead to them

“But whosoever shall lose his life for My sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.”

‘God first, me last’ gets it done every time

When my desires and dreams line up with God’s, everything works

Galatians 2:20 “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.”

There is a difference between merely wanting to escape hell, and wanting to become a disciple

There are many who would like to be saved, but few who want to bear His cross

Becoming a disciple requires full surrender. It requires death to self

He must increase, and we must decrease

Conclusion

It takes discipline to be a follower of Jesus Christ

God will require things of us we are very uncomfortable doing

God will require things of us we are completely incapable of doing

The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried. — G.K. Chesterton

No one expects to attain to the height of learning, or arts, or power, or wealth, or military glory, without vigorous resolution, and strenuous diligence, and steady perseverance. Yet we expect to be Christians without labor, study, or inquiry. This is the more preposterous, because Christianity is a revelation from God, and not the invention of man, discovering to us new relations, with their correspondent duties; containing also doctrines, motives, and precepts peculiar to itself; we cannot reasonably expect to become proficient in it by the accidental intercourses of life, as one might learn insensibly the maxims of worldly policy, or a scheme of mere morals. — William Wilberforce