Putting Jesus First

Anyone desiring and wanting strongly to follow Jesus. That is to accept and follow the leadership, command, or guidance of; usually literal walking and following were involved as well, must make Him first in their lives. That’s easier said than done for most of us, because we have learned to be independent. We have be taught to do you. We believe that if its gonna be done right, you have to do it yourself. We have memorized the old slogan “It’s my way or no way at all. Many of us have conditioned ourselves to believe that we are the source of our happiness and success. Now Jesus falls into the category of other people in your life. He is not a priority. Although you may have considered Him, you still have not chosen. And if you have chosen Him, you have not fully committed to Him.

As Jesus speaks to His disciples, whom His true identity has just been reveal too, He shares with them the behavior expected of those who would be His disciples. You see those who desire to be true disciples of Christ, will put Him first. This happens at the heals of Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ in verses 13-20. Yet to be followed by his rebuke in verses 21-23. Its apparent that you can reveal a revelation from God one moment and be influenced by the devil the next. But what does it take to be a true disciple of Christ. If you truly desire to be a disciple of Christs, you will put Him first.

How Do You Put Jesus First?

Anyone desiring and wanting strongly to follow Jesus. That is to accept and follow the leadership, command, or guidance of; usually literal walking and following were involved as well, must make Him first in their lives.

I want to give you three commands from the this verse, that will instruct you on how to put Jesus first in your life.

Deny Yourself Once and For All

You have to once and for all choose to obey God rather than yourself.

To deny yourself is to refuse to recognize or acknowledge yourself. To deny yourself strongly, with the implication of rejection.

This is tough because of three characteristics we share.

Self

"If any man will come after me, let him deny himself" ( ). Love for oneself is a standard for measuring the amount of love we have for others ( ; ; ; ). Love for self is innate and is the primary concern of an unbeliever.

Family

Family

"If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple" ( ).

Possessions

Possessions

"So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple" ( ).

Anyone who places these before the Lord Jesus, cannot be his disciple.

not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple" ( ). Anyone who places these before the Lord Jesus, cannot be his disciple.

Anyone who places self, family and possessions before the Lord Jesus, cannot be his disciple.

Take Up Your Cross Once and For All

You have to once and for all accept God’s will and it will nullify your will.

To take up the cross is to deny oneself with lethal determination; conceived of as picking up or carrying a wooden beam to one’s own death.

Jesus was the greatest example, as He too carried a wooden beam to His own execution. Although He had the power to change the situation, He chose to do the will of His Father, than to do His own will. He even asked His Father to let this cup pass, but nevertheless, not my will, but your will be done.

You may have the power to change a situation, but you have to be willing yield to the will of God.

says, And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

You have to once and for all accept God’s will and it will nullify your will.

Keep On Following Jesus

You have to continuously follow Christ into death.

Jesus commands would be followers to keep accepting and following His leadership, command and guidance. He wants them to keep walking with Him.

He understood that self, family and possessions could bring about situations that would cause them to turn away.

He understood that trials would come.

Acts 14:22 ESV

strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.

strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.

Despite the tribulations, despite the persecution, despite the afflictions, you have to keep on following Jesus into death.

No matter how tough it may seem, deny yourself. No matter how strong you feel about a situation, stick to God’s will. When it seems like you just cant win, keep on following Jesus.

Keeping putting Jesus first. Anyone serious about following Jesus must make Him first in their life.

Why do i make Him first?

Because He has done what others couldn’t do.

He to healed the sick.

He gave sight to the blind.

He walked on raging water to save His disciples.

He fed the multitude with minimal resources. 2 fish and five loaves

He cast out demons in demon possessed people.

He made the raging winds and sea be still.

He raised Lazarus, little girl and dead man on his way to the grave from the dead.

He died on Calvary one Friday for our sins.

But early that Sunday morning God raised Him from the dead.

That’s why I’m putting Jesus first!

Why Should You Put Jesus First?