Three Requirements to Follow Christ in the New Year

“Three Requirements to Follow Christ in the New Year”

Matthew 16:24

If you want to follow Christ, this sermon is for you.

You see almost everything in the ministry of Jesus was going swell up until this point.

I think many of the disciples including Peter thought that Jesus was going to establish his kingdom on earth.

But in verse 21 Jesus begins to tell them of his coming death and resurrection.

There’s a change of gears now....

John 6:66-67 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him. 67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?

This concept of following Christ takes on a whole new meaning.

It wasn’t going to be people being healed all the time, it wasn't going to be feeding of thousands, miracles, it was going to take some uncomfortable sacrifices.

Here in these verses he lays out exactly what it means to follow Him:

“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).

Christ never watered down the requirement of being His disciple, or of serving Him.

In fact, He seemed to emphasize the hardships more than than the rewards.

Today, we do just the opposite.

We tell people about the peaches and cream but seldom about the thistles and thorns.

We talk much about the resurrection to a new life but little about the scorn and suffering on the cross which preceded the resurrection.

We speak more of the glory than of the groaning.

Christ mentioned three aspects of service, of being a good disciple, and none of the three are popular in our day.

FIRST—THE DENYING

“Deny himself.”

If you are going to do any kind of worthy service for the Lord, it will involve denial of self.

This is where many quickly drop out.

They cannot deny themselves for spiritual matters.

They will deny themselves for sports or business or their work but not for spiritual matters.

They do not want to sacrifice or go without in order to serve Christ.

Try enlisting these folk in service at church, and they will refuse because it might inconvenience them or cause them to have to sacrifice some time and energy which they would rather give to carnal pursuits.

To hear these folk talk, it seems almost a crime to have to deny oneself of some legitimate pleasure in order to do some work at church.

But self-denial is essential if you would serve Christ.

Denying yourself means saying no to yourself.

ILL: Every time I go by Taco Bell I have to deny myself!

Deny your desires

SECOND—THE DUTY

“Take up his cross.”

“Take” involves duty

Duty means your responsibility

Duty is your reasonable service to God

It’s something you have to do.

There is a difference between salvation and service.

This verse is clearly speaking of our service to God.

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

ILL: Jury Duty

“his” involves a personal cross

You have a cross that you must bear if you want to follow Christ.

“cross” involves sacrifice

We like taking up our crowns but not the cross.

The cross was the main work of Christ.

He came to earth primarily to die on the cross for our sins.

If we would serve Him, it will mean a cross of some sort.

A cross involves suffering, pain scorn, blood, sweat and tears.

Many like to be in God’s army when it involves a parade, recognitions, and medals, but not when it involves bullets and guns and danger.

We like the game and its cheering spectators but not practice and its sweat and strain.

But when the cross is involved, many will be draft dodgers and look for exemption excuses.

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.

Our duty to the Lord is the duty of bearing our cross

It’s sacrificing our desires, our time, our bodies, not on a physical cross, but on the cross of service to the Lord.

THIRD—THE DEVOTION

“Follow me.”

This speaks of devotion to Jesus Christ.

“Follow” means obedience, faithfulness, and fellowship.

Few people are interested in any of these things especially if it involves Jesus Christ. If you would be a good servant of Jesus Christ you must be devoted to Him.

Paul was for He said, “For me to live is Christ.” (Philippians 1:21).

Christ must be number one in your life.

There is nothing between “Follow” and “me.”

You must not let anything come between you and Jesus Christ.

If your devotion to Christ is lacking, your service will be lacking also.

The church at Ephesus was rebuked because “thou hast left thy first love.” (Revelation 2:4).

Their affection for Christ had diminished and it would soon destroy their testimony.

Do you want to follow Christ in the New Year?

Comes down to these three things:

Deny yourself

Take up your cross

Follow Christ-Stay devoted