At the beginning of His ministry, Jesus called people to become His disciples. Men like Simon and Andrew – (Mark 1:16-18), James and John – (Mark 1:19-20). At the conclusion of His ministry, Jesus sent His apostles to make more disciples – (Matthew 28:19), teaching them to observe all that He had commanded – (Matthew 28:20). A disciple is a learner, a follower; to be a disciple of Jesus means that we follow Jesus. But as Jesus mentions in our text, such discipleship requires a cost. To be a true disciple of Jesus…
1. ONE MUST DENY SELF
A. WHAT IT MEANS…
To deny sinful self, ungodliness, and worldly lusts; and part with them, and his former sinful companions, which were as a part of himself . To deny righteous self, and renounce all his/her own works of righteousness, in the business of justification and salvation
B. HOW IT’S MANIFESTED…
Denying sinful self, expounded by Peter, is abstaining from fleshly lusts – (1 Peter 2:11-12). No longer living like the rest of the world – (1 Peter 4:1-4). Denying righteous self, exemplified by Paul who had much to boast about which he could have boasted – (Philippians 3:4-6), but chose to put all his trust in Christ – (Philippians 3:7-14).
C. WHAT IT MEANS…
To voluntarily and decisively accept the pain, shame, and persecution that is going to be one’s particular-note: his, not someone else’s lot because of his loyalty to Christ and his cause. To cheerfully receive, and patiently bear, every affliction and evil, however shameful and painful it may be, which is appointed for him, and he is called unto; which is his peculiar cross, as every Christian has his own; to which he should quietly submit, and carry, with an entire resignation to the will of God, in imitation of his Lord.
In the case of the apostles, What they all endured – (1 Corinthians 4:9-13), what Paul in particular endured – (2 Corinthians 11:23-29), In our case, it may involve being: ridiculed – (1 Peter 4:4), reviled (spoken evil of, excluded) – (Matthew 5:11) (Luke 6:22), reproached – (1 Peter 4:14).
All the while, rejoicing that one is honored to suffer for Christ – (1 Peter 4:16) (Acts 5:40-42)