Choices Must Be Made

Luke 9:23-27

Theme: Following Christ

Key verse: v.23

Luke 9:23 “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”

62 verses; 1,457 words

Grade level: 4.4

Outline:

Christ and the Commission. Vs. 1-6

Christ and the Confusion. Vs. 7-9

Christ and the Crowd. Vs. 10-17

Christ and the Confession. Vs. 18-22

Christ and the Cross. Vs. 23-27

Christ and the Cloud. Vs.28-36

Christ and the Child. Vs.37-42

Christ and the Confinement. Vs.43-45

Christ and the Contemplation. Vs.46-48

Christ and the Casting. Vs.49-50

Christ and the Correction. Vs.51-56

Christ and the Calling. Vs.57-62

CHOICES of all Christians:

I. The Reception of the Cross. vs.23-24

The IF. v.23

23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

“If”

Philippians 3:10

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

1 Peter 4:13

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Four requirements of the “if”:

“come after me”

deny himself”

“take up his cross”

“follow me”

Philippians 3:14

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

The WHEN. v.24

24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

John 12:25–26

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.

Acts 20:24

But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

II. The Deception of the Carnal. vs.25-26

What causes the deception? Carnality. v.25 (note “save his life” in v.24)

25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

(Luke 12:15-21; 16:19-31)

What is the cure?

26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels.

Not being ashamed of His words. v.26

Not being ashamed of His gospel.

Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

III. The Conception of the Commitment. v.27

They saw the King in all His glory. V.27

27 But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.

They wrote about it.

2 Peter 1:16–18 (KJV)

16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

They spoke about it.

The King is coming in all His glory!

Revelation 1:7

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

Conclusion:

Are you ready?