Sermon Tone Analysis
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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
Read
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.
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