Marks of a True Disciple

Christians have many sayings that you might often hear. One of these sayings is deny yourself and take up your cross daily. No doubt this is an important scripture for every believer. Taking up your cross daily is something that every true disciple of Christ must do. However what does that mean? In our modern day context we may find it hard to understand the concept of taking up your cross daily. For Christians then we must figure out what this truly means and live this truth out. My hope today is that we figure out what this means. Not only do we figure this out, but we live it out. That being said I have titled this message Marks of a true disciple. What does it look like today to take up your cross and why it is important to understand what it looked like when this was written. If you would open up your Bibles to Luke chapter 9 verses 23-29 When we picture the cross we cant help but see Christ hanging from it. Scripture tells us that Christ took up his own cross on his way to be crucified. Today as we study this text we must look at it with an understanding of Christ taking up his own cross...... says, 23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.  24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? 26 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”

Power word of God. This text is a powerful reminder as sinful fallen people, that we need to take up our cross, not just once or twice a year or on Sundays or Wednesday nights but each and every day. I have several points today from this text

Point 1 A true Disciple will deny themselves daily. repeat

Point 1 A true Disciple will deny themselves daily.

Look closely again at verse 23.

And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

The image of the cross was most likely a scary thought to listeners of Christ. I am sure that people listening to Christ here had loved ones who died on the cross. The Romans used this method to execute people who commited crimes. This method was not one that killed someone quickly it could even take days for someone to die. It was a brutal way to be killed. Death was always a reality for the disciples, and for many Christians across the globe it is as well. For modern day Christians in America death is often not thought about, ] in everyday life. Christians in the western world often fail to see the reality of the true cost of following Christ. When we do this we become selfish in our ways. Their is a cost of following Christ, and we must learn to deny ourself’s each and every day. If we turn to our right just a few pages we see what this looks like in everyday life. .... It says…

25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

Notice a few things in this passage. Jesus is not saying that you must hate your parents or spouse or children to follow him, but what he is saying that if you are going to follow Christ, he be must be first. Again in this passage he focuses on taking up ones cross . Finally one must renounce all if they are going to follow Christ . The Christian life cannot be marked by selfishness. Charles Spurgeon said There are no crown wearer in heaven who were not cross bearers here below. Taking up your cross daily is not a suggestion, it is something the Lord commanded us to do so. Denying ourselves and our own desires may cost us everything in this life, but Christ is worth it.

As the church we are to deny ourselves by putting others needs in front of our own desires.

We are to manage our time for the betterment of the body.

Personally we are to watch our own selfish tendencies and see how this is effecting our walk with God. We want to eliminate things that are causing us to not deny ourselves.

A true mark of a disciple is that of denying oneself daily.

25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 qWhoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 uSo therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

Point 1 A true disciple will deny themselves daily.

25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 qWhoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

2

25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 qWhoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 uSo therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 qWhoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 uSo therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 qWhoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 uSo therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 qWhoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 uSo therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 qWhoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 uSo therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 qWhoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 uSo therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 qWhoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 uSo therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

Point 2 A true Disciple worships God daily repeat

Verses 24 and 25 says this

24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?

These two verses confronts every single person that hears it. Jesus here gives us two options 1. Is to gain the world and lose your soul. This option is exactly what the Satan and your flesh wants you to do. Society today tells us that we can have whatever we want. That any desire we have can be fulfilled when we want it. For American’s this reality is so true. If we want to fulfill lustful habits we are one click away, if we want to buy something to make us feel better we have numerous stores that can satisfy, and even worse than that we can exchange the truth of God for temporary satisfaction that does not lead to eternal life. However, their is a second option this option is the only option if we are wanting to follow Christ. This option says whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. This option is one that leads to life with Christ. This option is the one you must choose if you want to take up your cross daily.

Christ himself is not asking his disciples to do anything he did not do. He was always doing the work of god and denying himself. Satan himself tried to tempt Jesus. Go back a few chapters to chapter 4:4-8 Satan can only offer temporary gifts that appear to be treasure, but only God can give us treasure that never parishes Look at verse 4 And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’” 5 And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, 6 and said to him, “To you will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. 7 If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’” Jesus knew that the only option was to do the will of God, and deny all early powers.

4 And Jesus answered him, b“It is written, c‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’” 5 dAnd the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, 6 and said to him, “To you eI will give all this authority and their glory, efor it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. 7 If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” 8 And Jesus answered him, f“It is written,

In war

For example in war a true soldier can only serve one side. He must remain loyal to the cause. If he does not devote his entire being to serving his country lives can be at stake. In the same way a follower of Christ cannot follow both the world and God. True allegiance can only be toward one thing.

g“‘You shall worship the Lord your God,

What dominates our time? Is it worshiping God or something else?

We can worship God in several ways this text shows us we can worship God by putting him above all things, and setting aside the things of this word.

and him only shall you serve.’”

A true disciple is to worship God daily.

Point 3 A true Disciple will live without shame; knowing Christ will return. Repeat

Look at verse 26 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. Throughout history people have been distorting God’s truth. Unfortunately we have seen a trend in America and throughout the world where many so called professing Christians are no longer agreeing with God’s Word. Unfortunately they are ashamed of God and his Word. They say things like God would not say that today. Or my Jesus wouldn't be like that. The reality is we have Gods Word. Scripture tells us his word will never change. We cannot be ashamed of God and his gospel. Paul says it so beautifully For am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. The message found in scripture is nothing to be ashamed of. Those who are ashamed of it will have severe consequences. This is a powerful reminder to us a Christians. We may be shamed for believing God’s word, but we should never be ashamed, because its message is what we need.

Also in this verse we see that Jesus is coming again and we don't want him to be ashamed of him when he comes. This text shows us that we are not just going to be ashamed by the son of man, but also the father and the Holy angels. That is worse shame than any shame that the world can give you. Because he is coming again we should be a constantly living for him.

As a child when I played sports I wanted to impress my father more than anyone else. It did not matter what any one else thought of me. I could be ridiculed for something and it would not bother me as long as my father said great job son. In the same way we should not care what the world thinks of us as long as we are being faithful to God. If we are going to be true disciples we must take up our cross daily and doing so without shame. We take up our Cross wanting the approval of God. Not because that is what saves us but because Christ took it up for us.

Point 4. A true Disciple will live as though God is returning today.

In this life knowing his word will help us deal with the people mocking us for our faith, and will prepare us for his return.

May we be found in him when he returns. Remember, A true disciple will live without shame knowing Christ will return.

Point number 4 builds off the last point. verse 26 says, For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. Jesus is coming again! because he is coming again and because is worthy of worship we must live as though he is coming today, because he could be.

Forth and final point 4. A true Disciple will experience the kingdom of God.

Verse 27 has been debated by theologians throughout the years. There is two main interpretations of this text. First is that verse 27 is talking about the death and resurrection, and that the kingdom of God lies in Jesus death and resurrection. The second interpretation is that Jesus is talking to Peter, James, and John who are about to see the transfiguration. Both ideas have evidence that While the text is not clear about which possibility it is we do that that it is something that is in the future.

This term kingdom of God is used in many different ways throughout scripture. However I believe this text is leading us to the future kingdom of God. The final kingdom when the son of man returns. All disciples will be in this kingdom. However for now we wait for that day. We do not wait by fulfilling our own desires, but by taking up our cross daily. Knowing that being disciples of Christ we will experience the kingdom of God.

Conclusion.

Taking up your cross daily cannot be something we take lightly. A true disciple is to deny oneself. A true disciple is to take up there cross daily. A true disciple is to follow Christ. This taking up of our cross will involve doing God’s work and not our own. This being said we are to be faithful to the Word, and not to be ashamed of it. We are to live as if Christ is coming back today, and know that if we have repented of our sins and turned to Christ we will one day walk in the presence of God. So my question to you is this? Have you been taking up your cross daily? Are you denying yourself each and every day or are you living for yourself and your own goals. Are you a Christian that is ashamed of God’s Word? If so why? Christ lived a faithful life for you and took up his own cross daily. As fallen people we need to to be reminded to take up our cross daily. Today is the day that we ask ourselves these questions. If you are an unbeliever I hope you have seen that Christ carried his own cross to the point of death. He died for all those who would repent and put there trust in him. He is coming again and we are to be ready. Let us not be found living for ourselves but for Christ.