Losing your life to save your life
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Matt 16:21-26,
Matt 16:21-26,
From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
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.
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
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?
The Lord anticipates two hindrances to discipleship. The first is the natural temptation to save oneself from discomfort, pain, loneliness, or loss.
The Lord anticipates two hindrances to discipleship. The first is the natural temptation to save oneself from discomfort, pain, loneliness, or loss.
The other is to become wealthy
The other is to become wealthy
As to the first, Jesus warned that those who hug their lives for selfish purposes would never find fulfillment;
As to the first, Jesus warned that those who hug their lives for selfish purposes would never find fulfillment;
But those who recklessly abandon their lives to Him, not counting the cost, would find the reason for their existence.
But those who recklessly abandon their lives to Him, not counting the cost, would find the reason for their existence.
The second temptation—that of getting rich—is irrational. “Suppose,” said Jesus, “that a man became so successful in business that he owned the whole world. This mad quest would absorb so much of his time and energy that he would miss the central purpose of his life
The second temptation—that of getting rich—is irrational. “Suppose,” said Jesus, “that a man became so successful in business that he owned the whole world. This mad quest would absorb so much of his time and energy that he would miss the central purpose of his life
What good would it do to make all that money, then die, leave it all behind, and spend eternity empty-handed?” Man is here for bigger business than to make money.
What good would it do to make all that money, then die, leave it all behind, and spend eternity empty-handed?” Man is here for bigger business than to make money.
He is called to represent the interests of his King. If he misses that, he misses everything.
He is called to represent the interests of his King. If he misses that, he misses everything.
He that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God
He that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God
Discipleship, means saying no to the sinful ego;
Discipleship, means saying no to the sinful ego;
It means being prepared to suffer in the company of Christ;
It means being prepared to suffer in the company of Christ;
It means giving up selfish ambition and, in so doing, finding one’s true self in the fellowship of Christ (vv. 24–25).
It means giving up selfish ambition and, in so doing, finding one’s true self in the fellowship of Christ (vv. 24–25).
Discipleship, as in verse 24, can be expressed in three points: (1) making up one’s mind;
Discipleship, as in verse 24, can be expressed in three points: (1) making up one’s mind;
(2) giving up one’s autonomy=(the quality or state of being self-governing especially: the right of self-government
(2) giving up one’s autonomy=(the quality or state of being self-governing especially: the right of self-government
(3) taking up one’s identity=( sameness in all that constitutes the objective reality of a thing: ONENESS)
(3) taking up one’s identity=( sameness in all that constitutes the objective reality of a thing: ONENESS)
Rather than to say, “He is happiest who possesses most,” Jesus teaches that “He is happiest who is himself possessed by Christ.
Rather than to say, “He is happiest who possesses most,” Jesus teaches that “He is happiest who is himself possessed by Christ.