Nothing To Lose

Sermon Notes

INTRODUCTION
If you gain everything that this temporary life has for you, but then lose your eternal soul? Where’s the profit in this?

Let’s begin with Peter’s confession - YOU are the Christ! The Son of the living God.

And then…

“Then Peter took Him aside to speak to Him privately and began to reprove and charge Him sharply, saying, God forbid, Lord! This must never happen to You! But Jesus turned away from Peter and said to him, Get behind Me, Satan! You are in My way [an offense and a hindrance and a snare to Me]; for you are minding what partakes not of the nature and quality of God, but of men.”
Matthew 16:22–23, AMP

And then…

If anyone would come after me…

LET HIM DENY HIMSELF
To be a disciple of Jesus I must renounce ownership of my life.
Matthew 16:24

The ultimate sacrifice is to place my own will upon the altar.
I Samuel 15:22

But the disciple of Jesus puts his own will to death.
Galatians 2:20

The glory of Jesus and the benefit to everyone else, came when Jesus obeyed.
Hebrews 10:10

The person who denies self, identifies with Jesus.
Matthew 10:33

Truly living is making Jesus the owner of my life.
Philippians 1:21

I am a new creation and the benefit of my new life is hidden with Christ.
Colossians 3:3

TAKE UP HIS CROSS
All discipleship is extreme. Taking up your cross means “willingly face death” or suffering. The harsh language of Jesus’ call is intended to make this clear. There are no halfway measures in following Jesus. It’s all or nothing. By definition, this is not a hobby but a total and complete allegiance to HIM in every corner of your heart.

Matthew 16:24
Romans 5:8
Philippians 1:20-21
I Corinthians 15:26

FOLLOW ME
The Greek term here means to cleave to or conform by example.
Matthew 16:24

My disciples will honor God by conforming to me. Be like me!
John 12:26

My sheep recognize my voice.
John 10:27

SUMMARY

• Renounce ownership of my life.
• Commit to possible suffering and death.
• Commit to follow the way of Christ.

Matthew 16:25