The Glory of Self-Denial

Introduction

We live in a time of instant gratification. We prefer microwaves over crockpots. We prefer the lottery over weekly, incremental savings. We buy things with credit cards, not because we will die without them, but because we can’t wait to afford them. We want what we want, and we want it now. It has become our reflex to satisfy every urge, every appetite, every desire as quickly as possible, even if we know that it will harm us and our families in the long run.

But, here’s the problem that we’ve all ran into: Being instantly gratified doesn’t leave us satisfied for every long. For many of us, we get on this high when we go on a shopping spree, but as soon as it’s over we’re either buried in guilt or debt, or we’ve moved on and lost interest in what we’ve just purchased. Or maybe, it’s in a relationship. You know that it’s a toxic relationship and that it must end, but you don’t end it because in the moment it’s more gratifying to avoid the hard conversation, and you need to be gratified in that moment. Or, you know that he or she would not make a SUITABLE husband or wife, but they are the AVAILABLE relationship and you want to be gratified now, so you indulge yourself. This morning, Jesus is going to call his disciples away from a life of instant gratification to a life of delayed glory. He is going to teach us that real freedom and real joy is found on the path of self-denial, not self-indulgence.

God’s Word

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Only Disciples

"If anyone would come after me"

Are You Serious About Following?

"If anyone would come after me" In our text this morning, Jesus is teaching us about the nature of being a disciple of Jesus. And, the Bible teaches us that this is the only kind of Christian there is. In the Bible, there are not some Christians who follow after Jesus with all of their hearts and others who do what they have time for and give him an occasional mention when something really good or really bad happens. No, the only kind of Christian in the Bible is a disciple of Jesus. That is, someone who is following after Jesus by the power of Jesus to live out the mission of Jesus. And so, our text this morning starts out with, "If anyone would come after me." Another way of saying this is, "If anyone would be my disciple," or, "If anyone would be a genuine, authentic, born again Christian," this is what it will look like.

"let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me" In our text this morning, Jesus is teaching us about the nature of being a disciple of Jesus. This is what He means by ‘if anyone would come after me.’ He is saying, ‘If anyone would be my disciple and be saved by my Name and know me as the center of their life.’In describing what it looks like to be his disciple, Jesus starts the way that He often starts. Jesus starts by explaining in no uncertain times the costs of discipleship. This is so different than the way we're used to seeing Christianity and the gospel packaged, isn't it? We're used to preachers and churches presenting the gospel to us as if they were peddling vacuum cleaners. "Look at this feature! And, think of how much better your life will be! And, all you have to do is just sign your name on the bottom line with minimum commitment, and it's yours!" But, Jesus is the Son of God, not a vacuum salesmen, and He is always gracious and kind enough to be forthright with us about the cost of following him. This came up because Jesus has been teaching his disciples about the nature of his own mission. In verse 21, it says that Jesus had begun teaching his disciples that he would suffer greatly and be murdered at the hands of evil men so that He might take their place and offer them forgiveness. This troubled Peter greatly causing him to rebuke Jesus, "God forbid that you would suffer! God forbid that you would die! You're going to be the King!" And, Jesus rebukes him as strongly as we see Jesus rebuke Satan himself. Jesus will not trade the cross for a crown. Jesus will not exchange the will of God for an easier life. Jesus will not exchange the glory of God for an earthly throne. Jesus will not trade the souls of men for momentary comfort.

"let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me" In describing what it looks like to be his disciple, Jesus starts the way that He often starts. Jesus starts by explaining in no uncertain times the costs of discipleship. This is so different than the way we're used to seeing Christianity and the gospel packaged, isn't it? We're used to preachers and churches presenting the gospel to us as if they were peddling vacuum cleaners. "Look at this feature! And, think of how much better your life will be! And, all you have to do is just sign your name on the bottom line with minimum commitment, and it's yours!" But, Jesus is the Son of God, not a vacuum salesmen, and He is always gracious and kind enough to be forthright with us about the cost of following him. This came up because Jesus has been teaching his disciples about the nature of his own mission. In verse 21, it says that Jesus had begun teaching his disciples that he would suffer greatly and be murdered at the hands of evil men so that He might take their place and offer them forgiveness. This troubled Peter greatly causing him to rebuke Jesus, "God forbid that you would suffer! God forbid that you would die! You're going to be the King!" And, Jesus rebukes him as strongly as we see Jesus rebuke Satan himself. Jesus will not trade the cross for a crown. Jesus will not exchange the will of God for an easier life. Jesus will not exchange the glory of God for an earthly throne. Jesus will not trade the souls of men for momentary comfort.

But, in verse 24, Jesus is taking this a step further. Jesus is informing his disciples that if they are intent in following him, they will follow him in his suffering, and they will follow him in his cross bearing, and they will follow him in being cast out from this world. So, He says, "If you're going to follow me, if you're going to come after me," you're going to follow me down a road of suffering. Way back in Mathew 4, Jesus had begun calling his disciples. He told them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." Now, He is calling that into view. "Are you serious about following me? Are you willing follow me wherever I lead? Are you serious about coming after me? Because if you are, it's going to cost you everything."

APPLICATION: This is the same question that is facing each one of us this morning. Are you serious about following Jesus? Are you serious about following Jesus wherever He leads? Are you ready and willing to follow him down the road of affliction and suffering? Are you willing to live as an outcast in this world? Are you serious about following after Jesus because He will lead you to the cross?

Take Up Your Cross

"take up his cross" Jesus tells his disciples that the life of discipleship is a life of self-denial. In fact, he takes it as far as to say that we should deny ourselves to the point of taking up our own cross. In our day, we glaze over the word cross like it's nothing. People have crosses tattooed on their calves and where crosses around their necks. For many, they are nothing more than ornamental decorative pieces. But, on this day, you can rest assured that when Jesus spoke of not only a cross, but 'their own' crosses that you could have heard a pin drop. In Jesus' day, a cross was the most wicked instrument to ever be introduced into the civilized world. It was a death that was torturous in every way. The word 'excruciating' was invented by the Romans as word to describe the level of agony experienced on the cross because there was no word that was adequate. 'Excruciating' means literally, 'from the cross.' And, there was no greater shame that a family could endure than to have a family member executed on the cross. It marked them publicly as people of disrepute and dishonor. And, understand here that Jesus is not speaking metaphorically. Jesus is telling his disciples that if they are going to follow after him, if they are going to identify with him going forward that they must have a willingness to die and to die painfully. In fact, church history tells us that at least three of Jesus' disciples died by crucifixion, including Peter to be crucified upside down beside his wife.

"take up his cross" Jesus tells his disciples that the life of discipleship is a life of self-denial. In fact, he takes it as far as to say that we should deny ourselves to the point of taking up our own cross. In our day, we glaze over the word cross like it's nothing. People have crosses tattooed on their calves and where crosses around their necks. For many, they are nothing more than ornamental decorative pieces. But, on this day, you can rest assured that when Jesus spoke of not only a cross, but 'their own' crosses that you could have heard a pin drop. In Jesus' day, a cross was the most wicked instrument to ever be introduced into the civilized world. It was a death that was torturous in every way. The word 'excruciating' was invented by the Romans as word to describe the level of agony experienced on the cross because there was no word that was adequate. 'Excruciating' means literally, 'from the cross.' And, there was no greater shame that a family could endure than to have a family member executed on the cross. It marked them publicly as people of disrepute and dishonor. And, understand here that Jesus is not speaking metaphorically. Jesus is telling his disciples that if they are going to follow after him, if they are going to identify with him going forward that they must have a willingness to die and to die painfully. In fact, church history tells us that at least three of Jesus' disciples died by crucifixion, including Peter to be crucified upside down beside his wife.

APPLICATION: Friends, you cannot come to Jesus and avoid the cross. And what you must see is that if the expectation is for any disciple to love Jesus to the point of willingly dying rather than deny him, then it must be equally as true that we are to live with him with all of the passion and fervor that we can muster irregardless of how it causes others to view us or how uncomfortable it makes our lives. A literal willingness of death sets the tone of the rest of the Christian's life because Jesus is better than life! If it comes down between a boy friend and Jesus, we choose Jesus because Jesus is better! If it comes down between our dreams and ambitions and Jesus, we choose Jesus because Jesus is better! If comes down between our job and Jesus or our family and Jesus or financial security and Jesus, we choose Jesus because Jesus is better! Jesus is asking us this morning the very same thing that He was asking his disciples on that day: Am I worth dying for? When following me causes you to be liked less and even hated, am I still worth it? When following means that you cannot cut corners in business that everyone else cuts causing you to not make the money that everybody else makes, am I still worth it? If following me causes your family to disown you, will you still follow me? Brothers and sisters, if the very essence of NT Christianity is self-denial, what in your life are you denying yourself for the glory of Jesus? Is your life shaped like the cross?

What Are You Denying Yourself?

APPLICATION: You simply cannot get around self-denial in the New Testament. Let me just read to you a few verses from the New Testament: , "But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you."  Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, 22 and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. says, "33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple." says, "12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." Brothers and sisters, don't you see that to follow after Jesus is to deny yourself. To follow after Jesus is to abandon everything that this world tells you is necessary for you happiness and your satisfaction because you trust that Jesus is better and more satisfying and more delightful. So, I ask you, if the New Testament describes the Christian life as a life in which you deny yourself, indeed die to yourself, what in your life are you denying yourself for the glory of Jesus? Does your version of Christianity look anything like NT Christianity? O look and see, that the way of Jesus, the path of Jesus is difficult, but it is so much better, so much deeper, so much more beautiful than vacuum salesmen Christianity!

The Alternative to Self-Denial

“For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” Maybe, you'd say, "Man, that's a high cost. This life is all that I have, and you now you're saying that Jesus says that I cannot keep it. This life is all that I have, and now you're saying that I cannot even maximize my pleasure in it." And so, in verses 25-26, I think what we have is Jesus anticipating this argument. He knows better than anyone who has ever existed how the human mind works, and he's anticipating that people are going to say, "But, Jesus I don't have long on this earth; so, it's too high of a price for me to give you the only thing I really have. My life." So, Jesus is showing us the alternative. In fact, Jesus is showing us here the path that most people choose. Jesus is showing us how most people respond to him.

Maybe, you'd say, "Man, that's a high cost. This life is all that I have, and you now you're saying that Jesus says that I cannot keep it. This life is all that I have, and now you're saying that I cannot even maximize my pleasure in it." And so, in verses 25-26, I think what we have is Jesus anticipating this argument. He knows better than anyone who has ever existed how the human mind works, and he's anticipating that people are going to say, "But, Jesus I don't have long on this earth; so, it's too high of a price for me to give you the only thing I really have. My life." So, Jesus is showing us the alternative. In fact, Jesus is showing us here the path that most people choose. Jesus is showing us how most people respond to him.

The alternative to laying down your life for Jesus is self-preservation. And so, it can be said that the very opposite of God-centered living is self-centered living. That is, the alternative to denying yourself so that you might follow Jesus is to indulge yourself on the pleasures at hand. In this context, Jesus is talking about always looking out for your own interests rather than the interests of the Kingdom of God. As Jesus told Peter in verse 23, it's setting your mind on the things of man, not on the things of earth. So, if it's convenient in my relationship or business deal or in the community's opinion of me, then I will act, talk, and live as though I am a Christian. But, if it is detrimental to someone's opinion of me or if it gets in the way of what I really want to do or the money that I can make or it keeps me from having to do what I really don't want to do like attend church or go on mission, then I will do what is best for me. It is to make your decision based on pleasure and convenience rather than conviction and commitment to Christ. ‘I will make every decision based on what benefits me most.’ In other words, it is to live life the opposite of the way that Jesus lived it.

Pleasure-Seeking Is Slavery

But, here's what Jesus is teaching us: Pleasure-seeking is a soul-crushing form of slavery. It always leaves you wanting. It's filled with empty promises and despair inducing guilt. It's never going to be enough. And, you end up not even having an identity. Pleasure-seekers have no idea what they believe or for what purpose they live. They just live from one urge to the next, desperately trying to shoot up on enough pleasure to get them through the next moment. They are slaves to pleasure! They are slaves to their appetites! They have no control, only urges.

Laying Down Your Life Sets You Free

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” There is freedom in laying down your life. If you have laid down your life, you are free from trying to keep up with your neighbors. You are free from worrying about what others think of you. You are free from the anxiety of losing your job or not having enough money or not achieving all of your ambitions. It doesn't matter what people think about your car or your house or your clothes. It doesn't matter if your body is perfect or not. It doesn't matter if you get married and have children, or if you live your life as a single man or woman. Your life is not your own! Your life is in the hands of God! You are free from the worries of the world! You have already laid down your life!

But, here's what Jesus is teaching us: Pleasure-seeking is a soul-crushing form of slavery. It always leaves you wanting. It's filled with empty promises and despair inducing guilt. It's never going to be enough.

There is freedom in laying down your life. If you have laid down your life, you are free from trying to keep up with your neighbors. You are free from worrying about what others think of you. You are free from the anxiety of losing your job or not having enough money or not achieving all of your ambitions. It doesn't matter what people think about your car or your house or your clothes. It doesn't matter if your body is perfect or not. It doesn't matter if you get married and have children, or if you live your life as a single man or woman. Your life is not your own! Your life is in the hands of God! You are free from the worries of the world! You have already laid down your life! There's nothing this world can offer you, and there's no threat that it can make against you! You're not living for now any way! Jesus is not here calling you to misery; Jesus is calling you to freedom.

You know there's a song I've heard by Tim McGraw that says that you should live like you are dying. The song goes on to describe how freely the man lived once he realized that he was dying. He went skydiving and rocky mountain climbing. He was a kind husband and a good friend and more forgiving. And, brothers and sisters, here's what I want you to hear me say. The freedom that you are given by Christ is much more glorious than that! He isn't calling you to live like you are dying; He's calling to live like you're going to live forever! He's isn't calling you to make the most of these few fleeting moments on earth; He's calling you to realize that you're going to be with him, enjoying his glory and kindness and immeasurable riches forever! So, you are free! You are free from having to make this life palatable. You are free from having build up your kingdom here! You are free from building your life around a career tract or a nest egg or approval ratings among your peers. You are free to lay down this life for the glory of God now because you're going to live forever.

APPLICATION: So, do not forfeit what is eternal for that which is fleeting! As missionary Jim Elliot has famously said, "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep for that which he cannot lose." Do not trade your soul for a box of baseball cards. Do not trade your forever for a shallow smile here and now. You don't have to maximize your retirement here! You're going to live forever. Lay down your life. Take up the mission of Jesus with all of your heart.

APPLICATION: My greatest fear is that I will waste my life. That I will come to the end of my life and realize that my life's work has amounted to a few dollars in the bank and a couple of vacations a year. And here, Jesus is giving us the remedy for a wasted life. Lay down your life. This is the paradox of life the most people never discover: The only way that your life will not be wasted is if you forfeit your life. The only way that your life will not be wasted if it is invested in that which will exist and carry on forever. Oh, how people try to find purpose in their living and try to find satisfaction in their lives and try to find ways for their lives to matter. Lay down your life so that your life won't be wasted! Lay down your life so that your life will be counted forever! Lay down your life so that your life will not be measured by bank accounts and vacations, but by an unfading crown and treasure in the kingdom of God!

The Glory of Discipleship

Lay down your life so that your life won't be wasted! Lay down your life so that your life will be counted forever! Lay down your life so that your life will not be measured by bank accounts and vacations, but by an unfading crown and treasure in the kingdom of God!

“For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels…he will repay each person according to what he has done” And, maybe you’re hearing all of this, and you’re thinking, “This just seems unfair. It seems unfair that I would honor God and suffer for it.” That’s why verses 27-28 are here. They are here so that you can take hold of the glory of discipleship. First of all, you’re right. We don’t live in world of fairness, do we? Anyone with honest eyes can see that. To say that 'everyone gets what they deserve' is simply not true. I can point you to people whose stories prove it. I can tell you about people who love God and live honorably who have faced relentless illnesses and hardships and struggles. And, I can tell you about just as many people who live as lying, cheating, cut-throat lives that have everything you could ever want. Certainly, this is not justice. Certainly, it is not each person being repayed as they deserve.

Anyone with honest eyes can see that. To say that 'everyone gets what they deserve' is simply not true. I can point you to people whose stories prove it. I can tell you about people who love God and live honorably who have faced relentless illnesses and hardships and struggles. And, I can tell you about just as many people who live as lying, cheating, cut-throat lives that have everything you could ever want. Certainly, this is not justice. Certainly, it is not each person being repayed as they deserve.

But, one Day, real justice will finally be realized. This is the promise of the resurrection. The resurrection brings with it the promise of restored justice. Jesus, who lived a righteous and sinless life, was hated and received the most unjust punishment ever endured by a man. And so, on the cross, it appears that not only does Jesus appear defeated, but justice, true justice appears defeated. Until He is raised in glory. Until the resurrection. The resurrection bears witness to the fact that every, single one of us must confront: In the end, justice will reign. In the end, each person will get what is deserved. The question will be what it is that you deserve.

Your Suffering Will Turn to Glory

APPLICATION: And, here’s why Jesus brings this up here. If your trust is in the good works of Jesus, if your hope is in one Christ has done and not what you have done, then your suffering will turn to glory. You will only get the good things that Christ has secured for you. Every kind act will be rewarded as such. Not a single, solitary moment of faithfulness to God will go unnoticed or be unrewarded. Not a single momentary sacrifice will not be returned to you many fold. Give examples. This is the reward Jesus secured in his resurrection. This is what Jesus wants his disciples to see here. Following Jesus may cost you everything, but following Jesus will be proven worth it! Jesus is worth your difficulty, and Jesus is worth your hunger, and Jesus is worth the hatred and scorn you may endure. Because, one day, every disciple of Jesus will experience the unwavering, unfading eternal glory of resting in the riches and kindness of Christ. So, it's 80 years of self-denial, and it's billions and billions of years of glory! It's 80 years of the cross, and it's billions of years in resurrection glory! For the next 100 trillion years, Jesus will reward every, single good thought, good deed, and sacrificial moment. And, brothers and sisters, can I just tell you, you won't be sorry!

Will You Live for Now or Later?

LANDING/APPLICATION: The singular question of this text is: Will you live for now or later? Will you seek instant gratification or eternal satisfaction? Will you build your kingdom, or will you build the kingdom of God? Will you measure your life by your car and your house and your performance reviews and the opinion of your family and friends? Or, will you measure your life by the pleasure of God in you? Will you find your satisfaction in what new thing you can buy or what new woman you can date or what new vacation you can take, or will you find your satisfaction in the goodness and grace of Jesus? Will you trust what you see on TV and at the little league field that you better live it up now, or is your faith in Jesus that now is fleeting and later is better? Will you live for now or for later? Will you trust Jesus, or will you trust your ambition and dreams and prosperity?