What will make you stop

Before we delve into what will make you stop we have to get you started first.

What is the start of the Christian life?

Discipleship

Matthew 16:24–28 KJV 1900

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. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. 28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

We may look at this passage and say that this seems like something for a pastor, or a more seasoned Christian. But that is not what the Bible says. This is Christianity 101 the basics.

This is what made these Christians so peculiar. We don’t find record of the dress, music, or general way of living change for the disciples, those things are all necessary but not what makes you a disciple.

What set them apart is that they did not live for themselves. They denied themselves. They were willing to say not my will but thine be done. They said I will leave all I have if you command me to.

Jesus is not asking for part time Christians, He is making a call to all me to make a difference with every person they see.

If were being honest this looks different today than it did back than in one of the aspects. Were not being hunted and killed for being a Christian. So it is easy for us to say take up our cross. It is easy to say i’ll die for Christ when no one is going to call your bluff.

However we live in a day and age where denying ourself is a very hard thing to do. Because everything we have is about ourselves.

What is the cost of being a disciple?

Mark 10:17–22 KJV 1900

17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. 19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. 20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. 21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. 22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

Why didn’t this young man want to sell his possessions? Because his possessions had him.

The world will do everything it can to get you to stop

1 John 2:15–17 KJV 1900

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Why am I so convinced that this is what the devil will use to entice you?

Turn to

Matthew 4:1–11 KJV 1900

1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. 2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. 3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. 5 Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, 6 And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. 7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. 8 Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; 9 And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. 10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. 11 Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

What will make you stop you from following Christ.

a guy or girl

a status

money

location

possessions

not liking the rules

What will keep you from receiving Christ

Don’t wait your not guaranteed tomorrow

You don’t know when your last breath may be