Steps to True Discipleship: Surrender and Follow

Devotional

Day 1: Denying Oneself for Intimacy with Christ

Denying oneself is an imperative, not a suggestion. It involves putting aside our old life and anything that takes priority over our relationship with Jesus. This means rejecting worldly ideologies and focusing on intimacy with Christ. We must evaluate our hearts and identify areas that need to be surrendered to follow Him closely. Denying oneself is about making a conscious decision to prioritize Jesus above all else, even when it is difficult or inconvenient. It is a daily commitment to live in a way that reflects our faith and devotion to Him.

This step requires us to be honest with ourselves about what we value most. Are there aspects of our lives that we hold onto more tightly than our relationship with Jesus? Are there worldly ideologies or habits that we need to let go of to grow closer to Him? By denying ourselves, we make room for Jesus to work in our lives and transform us into His likeness. [05:40]

Luke 9:23-24 (ESV): "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.'"

Reflection: What is one specific area of your life that you need to deny or surrender to grow closer to Jesus? How can you start making that change today?

Day 2: Surrendering to God's Will by Taking Up the Cross

Taking up one's cross signifies an all-out surrender of our lives to God's will. It involves daily crucifying our flesh and old life to live out the new life in Christ. True gain comes from losing our life for Christ's sake, and this purposeful surrender leads to the greatest spiritual gain. Taking up the cross is about embracing the challenges and sacrifices that come with following Jesus, knowing that it is through these trials that we grow and are refined.

This step is not about seeking suffering for its own sake but about being willing to endure hardships for the sake of Christ. It means trusting that God's plan is better than our own and being willing to let go of our desires and ambitions to follow His will. By taking up our cross, we acknowledge that our lives are not our own and that true fulfillment comes from living in obedience to God. [12:21]

Galatians 2:20 (ESV): "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself resisting God's will? How can you begin to surrender this area to Him today?

Day 3: Forsaking Our Plans to Follow Jesus

Following Jesus requires forsaking our own plans and fully committing to His will. This involves genuine repentance, a change of mind that results in a change of direction. We must be willing to lay down anything that hinders our walk with Him and be open to whatever He calls us to do. Following Jesus is not a one-time decision but a daily commitment to align our lives with His purposes.

This step challenges us to examine our priorities and be willing to make changes that reflect our commitment to Christ. It may mean letting go of certain dreams or ambitions to pursue what God has for us. It requires a heart that is willing to be led by the Holy Spirit and a willingness to step out in faith, even when it is uncomfortable or uncertain. [22:04]

Matthew 4:19-20 (ESV): "And he said to them, 'Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.' Immediately they left their nets and followed him."

Reflection: What is one plan or ambition you have that may be hindering your walk with Jesus? How can you begin to align this area of your life with His will?

Day 4: Counting the Cost of Discipleship

Discipleship is difficult, inconvenient, and urgent. It requires us to count the cost and be willing to lay down anything that hinders our walk with Jesus. True discipleship involves continual growth and repentance, allowing Jesus to transform us into His likeness. Being a disciple of Jesus means being willing to make sacrifices and endure hardships for the sake of following Him.

This step reminds us that following Jesus is not always easy, but it is always worth it. It calls us to be intentional about our spiritual growth and to be willing to make changes that reflect our commitment to Christ. It also challenges us to be honest about the areas of our lives that need to be surrendered and to take practical steps to address them. [21:03]

Luke 14:27-28 (ESV): "Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 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?"

Reflection: What is one specific sacrifice you need to make to follow Jesus more closely? How can you begin to make this sacrifice today?

Day 5: Living with an Eternal Perspective

As we look forward to Jesus' return, we are reminded that all our sacrifices and efforts in following Him will be worth it. The day is coming when Christ will return, and all that will matter is what we did in response to Him. We must live with an eternal perspective, continually surrendering our lives to Him. This perspective helps us to stay focused on what truly matters and to prioritize our relationship with Jesus above all else.

Living with an eternal perspective means being mindful of the bigger picture and recognizing that our time on earth is temporary. It calls us to invest in things that have eternal value and to be intentional about our spiritual growth. It also reminds us that our sacrifices and efforts in following Jesus are not in vain but are part of a greater purpose. [24:10]

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."

Reflection: How can you begin to live with an eternal perspective today? What is one practical step you can take to prioritize your relationship with Jesus?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

In today's sermon, we delved into Matthew 16:24-28, focusing on the three necessary steps for discipleship: denying oneself, taking up one's cross, and following Jesus. Discipleship is about being a student and apprentice of Jesus, living out His life, ministry, death, and resurrection daily. It's not about earning salvation through works but about living a life that reflects our faith in Christ.

The first step, denying oneself, is not a suggestion but an imperative. It involves putting aside our old life and anything that takes priority over our relationship with Jesus. This means rejecting worldly ideologies and focusing on intimacy with Christ. The second step, taking up one's cross, signifies an all-out surrender of our lives to God's will. It involves daily crucifying our flesh and old life to live out the new life in Christ. This step is about purposeful surrender and understanding that true gain comes from losing our life for Christ's sake.

The final step, following Jesus, requires forsaking our own plans and fully committing to His will. This involves genuine repentance, a change of mind that results in a change of direction. Following Jesus is difficult, inconvenient, and urgent, but it is essential for true discipleship. We must be willing to lay down anything that hinders our walk with Him and be open to whatever He calls us to do, whether it's in our workplace, family, or even in far-reaching mission fields.

Jesus' call to follow Him is a call to a life of continual growth and repentance. It's about daily surrendering our lives to Him and allowing Him to transform us into His likeness. As we look forward to His return, we are reminded that all our sacrifices and efforts in following Him will be worth it. The question remains: Are we truly following Him, and are we willing to lay down everything for His sake?

###

Key Takeaways

1. out surrender of our lives to God's will. It involves daily crucifying our flesh and old life to live out the new life in Christ. True gain comes from losing our life for Christ's sake, and this purposeful surrender leads to the greatest spiritual gain. [12:21]
3. Following Jesus: Following Jesus requires forsaking our own plans and fully committing to His will. This involves genuine repentance, a change of mind that results in a change of direction. We must be willing to lay down anything that hinders our walk with Him and be open to whatever He calls us to do.

4. The Cost of Discipleship: Discipleship is difficult, inconvenient, and urgent. It requires us to count the cost and be willing to lay down anything that hinders our walk with Jesus. True discipleship involves continual growth and repentance, allowing Jesus to transform us into His likeness.

5. Eternal Perspective: As we look forward to Jesus' return, we are reminded that all our sacrifices and efforts in following Him will be worth it. The day is coming when Christ will return, and all that will matter is what we did in response to Him. We must live with an eternal perspective, continually surrendering our lives to Him.

### [12:21]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:07] - Introduction to Discipleship
[02:17] - Reading Matthew 16:24-28
[03:19] - Prayer for Understanding
[04:10] - Clarifying Discipleship vs. Salvation
[04:56] - Denying Oneself
[07:00] - Rejecting Worldly Ideologies
[08:50] - The Nail in the House Story
[10:42] - Taking Up the Cross
[12:21] - Paul's Example in Galatians 2:20
[14:07] - Surrendering to God's Will
[16:26] - Examples of Missionaries
[17:15] - Surrendering in Everyday Life
[18:09] - Different Responses to God's Call
[19:04] - Examples from Jesus' Disciples
[20:25] - The Urgency of Following Jesus
[22:04] - Following Involves Forsaking
[23:00] - Genuine Repentance
[24:10] - Eternal Perspective
[25:15] - Call to Follow Jesus
[26:35] - Living Repentantly
[27:10] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What are the three necessary steps for discipleship mentioned in Matthew 16:24? ([02:17])
According to the sermon, what does it mean to deny oneself? ([05:40])
How does the sermon describe the act of taking up one's cross? ([12:21])
What does Jesus say will happen to those who try to save their life versus those who lose their life for His sake? ([13:12])

Interpretation Questions

Why is denying oneself considered an imperative rather than a suggestion in the context of discipleship? ([05:40])
How does the concept of taking up one's cross daily relate to Paul's statement in Galatians 2:20? ([12:21])
What does it mean to follow Jesus with genuine repentance, and how does this change one's direction in life? ([22:37])
How does the sermon explain the urgency and difficulty of true discipleship? ([21:03])

Application Questions

Reflect on your own life: Are there any areas where you need to deny yourself to follow Jesus more closely? What steps can you take to surrender these areas? ([10:42])
Taking up one's cross involves daily surrender. What specific actions can you take this week to crucify your old life and live out the new life in Christ? ([12:21])
Following Jesus requires forsaking our own plans. Is there a particular plan or goal you need to lay down to fully commit to His will? How will you do this? ([22:04])
The sermon mentioned the cost of discipleship. What are some sacrifices you might need to make to follow Jesus more faithfully? ([21:03])
How can you cultivate an eternal perspective in your daily life, keeping in mind that all sacrifices for Christ will be worth it in the end? ([24:10])
Think about a specific area in your life where you need to practice genuine repentance. What steps will you take to change your direction and follow Jesus more closely? ([22:37])
The sermon highlighted the importance of being open to God's call, whether in your workplace, family, or mission fields. How can you be more attentive and responsive to what God is calling you to do right now? ([17:15])

Sermon Clips

1. "Discipleship is simply following Him, day to day, living our lives for His glory. Pursuing Him, pursuing Christ-likeness in all that we do." [01:07] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "We must, not let us, but we must put aside self and pursue intimacy with Jesus. To follow Jesus, you must know Him. Come intimately, personally, closely. To put aside the things of our flesh so that we can walk with Him closely. We must reject the ideologies of this world and believe and share the gospel." [07:00] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The sad reality is that the same is true for those who leave just one area of life. Uncommitted, unsurrendered to the Lord. That one small nail of an area of your life that you refuse to deny can have some rotten garbage hanging on it devastate your spiritual life. We must get this right." [09:48] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "To take up our cross and to follow Jesus simply means we lay aside our own plans, our own goals, and surrender our lives fully to Him. To say it another way, it's an all-out surrender of all our lives to all of His will. It means to crucify that flesh, to put to death daily the old life so that His new life can be lived through us." [11:34] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The greatest gain we experience in this life comes through purposeful surrender of everything that is not God's will for us. Let me say that again. The greatest gain, to lose it all, but to gain cross, the greatest gain we experience in this life comes through the personal surrender of everything that is not God's will for us." [13:12] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "Surrendering to the will of God isn't always answering a call to the Congo to live in an unreached village. Sometimes it's just positioning yourself wherever God has placed you so that He can do whatever He wants to do in it." [17:15] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "Can I tell you that first of all, it's difficult to truly be a disciple of Christ, to walk with Him, to follow Him as we should. Oh, it's so difficult. We count the cost of following. No, it's going to cost us something, that there's going to be something that has to be laid down and put to the side. And some of those things we cling so tightly to." [21:03] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "Repentance is a word. It's one of them 64 dollar church, words, right? Repentance is just one of those. This is what it means. It literally means to have a change of mind that results in a change of direction. One minute I'm headed in this way. I'm doing my own thing, doing my own plans, my own goals, my own dreams, my will for my life. But then I repent and I surrender my life to the Lord Jesus and I begin to walk in His way, His plans, His goals, His dreams, His ambition for my life, surrender to His will for me and it's always better." [22:37] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "All that will matter when that day comes is what we did in response to Him. So this morning have you answered the call to follow Him? Have you been saved? Have you surrendered your life to the Lord Jesus? Giving Him your whole heart, your whole life. Is there that one area that you just refuse to let go of? Listen to me. Lay that down. Lay it down." [25:15] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "I believe that we are saved but then there is this growth that happens. We have to be continuing to look like Jesus every single day. As one gentleman said, his name was Richard Owen Roberts. I don't know if you ever heard of Richard Owen Roberts. When I heard him speak, he was about 82. He was about 82 years old. And he said, when we get saved, we repent of our sin. But every day going forward, we are to live repentantly." [26:03] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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