Sermon Direct Link
8/20/23
Rev. Clint Smith
Jesus spoke clearly to the people and His disciples near Caesarea Philippi about the costly conditions of being His disciple. This area was a stronghold for idol worship. Many false religions and cults called this area home.
Previous to this teaching, Jesus fed 4000 people and healed a blind man in the city of Bethsaida. His teachings and miracles led to a crisis of belief for those who wished to be His disciples.
Jesus declared a broad call for whoever desired to be His disciple. The call still echoes today. Three surrenders must take place in an individual’s life in order to be a disciple of Jesus:
1. A disciple of Jesus must deny self and set aside selfish desires.
2. A disciple of Jesus must take-up and bear his cross, thereby expressing a willingness to endure the hardships that may come as a result of following Him.
3. A disciple of Jesus must follow Jesus, fully believe His teachings, conform to His example of living, and if need be, suffer or perhaps die because of faith in Him.
Jesus was clear, whoever wishes to save his life in this world will eventually lose it through natural death and eternal separation from God.
In contrast, Jesus emphasized those disciples of His who lose their lives in this world for His name sake and the Gospel’s sake, will save it from the consequences of sin and separation from God. That disciple will have eternal life.
Jesus asked two pointed questions:
1. What does it benefit a man to gain the whole world with all of its pleasures and forfeit his soul? Answer: __________________________
2. What will a man give in exchange for his soul and eternal life in God’s kingdom? Answer: ___________________________________________
Jesus made a Kingdom announcement! “Whoever is ashamed here and now of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
Are you a faithful disciple of Jesus? Will you follow Him all the days of your earthly life?