Matthew 16:24 (NKJV) Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
Galatians 2:20 (NKJV) I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Jesus has called us to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily if we want to follow Him. So, what does that look like for you and me in practice?
For born-again believers, a fight will occur between what the flesh—our old master—wants and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. God has given us free will to choose—we are free moral agents. The Holy Spirit who lives in us is gentle, but He will speak more firmly if He wants us to do the right thing.
Our old man has been crucified with Christ. We are a new creation when we are born again. We will either succumb to the flesh or, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to the spirit man. We will grow stronger in either the flesh or the spirit, depending on which one we yield to. If we consistently yield to the flesh, we will become very carnal Christians. But if we consistently choose to yield to the spirit man, we will mature from spiritual infancy. We grow in maturity when we yield to the Spirit, deny ourselves, pick up the cross, and follow Jesus!
Matthew 16:25 (NKJV) For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
Those who have never called upon the name of Jesus to receive Christ will be lost for eternity, even if they have gained all the wealth, success, and earthly achievements! Their names will not be found in the Book of Life, even if they have had a religion, done good works, practised philosophy, or tried to be good people.
Jesus’ twelve disciples gave up their businesses and jobs to follow Him into full-time ministry. They could have chosen not to follow Him, staying in their fishing business or remaining as tax collectors, which would have been more profitable. After all, some gave the excuse of burying the dead; the rich young ruler could not give up his wealth; and others had other excuses.
Likewise, for Christians today, there is a lure and love for the world, yet Jesus wants us to lose our lives for Him and for the sake of the gospel. Most people prioritise success, wealth, and social standing. However, Jesus warns us that we can lose our soul while attempting to gain the whole world! We cannot love the world and God at the same time.
Reflection: How do “self-denial” or “pick up the cross” challenge your values, priorities, or perspective on life? What adjustments do you need to make to align more fully with Him?
Sermon Series: Pick up the cross to follow Jesus
如果你想跟随祂
马太福音 16:24 于是耶稣对门徒说：“若有人要跟从我，就当舍己，背起他的十字架来跟从我。”
加拉太书 2:20 我已经与基督同钉十字架，现在活着的不再是我，乃是基督在我里面活着；并且我如今在肉身活着，是因信神的儿子而活；他是爱我，为我舍己。
耶稣已经呼召我们，如果我们想跟随祂，就必须每天舍己并背起我们的十字架。那么，这在你我的实际生活中看起来是怎样的呢？
对于重生得救的信徒来说，在肉体的欲望与圣灵在我们生命中的工作之间，将会发生一场争战。神赐予了我们自由意志来做出选择—我们是自由的道德代理人。住在我们里面的圣灵是温柔的，但如果祂想让我们做正确的事，祂会更坚定地说话。
我们的旧人已经与基督同钉十字架。当我们重生时，我们就是一个新造的人。在圣灵的帮助下，我们要么屈服于肉体，要么屈服于灵人。我们的肉体或灵人会变得更强壮，这取决于我们顺从哪一个。如果我们总是顺从肉体，我们就会成为非常属肉体的基督徒。但如果我们一贯选择顺从灵人，我们就会从属灵的婴孩期走向成熟。当我们顺从圣灵、舍己、背起十字架并跟随耶稣时，我们的生命就在日渐成熟！
马太福音 16:26 人若赚得全世界，赔上自己的生命，有什么益处呢？人还能拿什么换生命呢？
那些从未求告耶稣之名以领受基督的人，即使他们赚取了所有的财富、成功和世俗的成就，也将在永恒中失落！他们的名字将不会在生命册上找到，即使他们曾有过某种宗教、做过善事、钻研过哲学或试图成为好人。
耶稣的十二个门徒放弃了他们的生意和工作，跟随祂进入全职服侍。他们本来可以选择不跟随祂，继续做他们的捕鱼生意或留下来当税吏，因为那会更有利可图。毕竟，有的人以埋葬死人为借口；那个少年的官无法放弃他的财富；其他人也有其他种种借口。
同样，对于今天的基督徒来说，世界上存在着诱惑和爱，然而耶稣希望我们为祂和福音的缘故丧掉生命。大多数人将成功、财富和社交地位放在首位。然而，耶稣警告我们，在试图赚取整个世界的过程中，我们可能会赔上自己的灵魂！我们不能同时爱世界又爱神。
默想： “舍己”或“背起十字架”如何挑战了你的价值观、优先事项或人生观？你需要做出哪些调整才能更完全地与祂对齐？
讲章系列：背起十字架跟随耶稣