24 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. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 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? 27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.
Matthew 16:24-27 (NKJV)
Discussion Questions:
- As we reflect on Jesus’ call to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him daily, what does it truly mean for us to live as disciples rather than merely believers? For you personally, what is the difference between living for yourself and living for the Lord? As you follow Jesus, do you look forward to the rewards He promises? Why or why not? (Mat 16:26-27 ; 2 Cor 5:10; 1 Cor 3:8-9)
- Do you consider yourself someone who truly knows yourself? When you face your authentic self—the areas of your desires, weaknesses, and motivations—how do you respond to Jesus’ call to deny yourself? In what ways has practicing self-denial challenged or transformed your values, priorities, and the way you see life? When you surrender your life to God, do you believe you lose your freedom and ability to make choices?（Eph 2:20；Heb 4:12；Eph 2:8-9）
- When you reflect on the areas where God has called you to surrender—your plans, ambitions, comfort, rights, or personal expectations—what have you learned about the relationship between denying yourself and discovering the fullness of life that Jesus promises? As you seek to follow Jesus and walk in the good works He has prepared for you, what changes might be needed in your priorities, decisions, and daily choices so that your life becomes a faithful response to His love, grace, and calling? (Matthew 16:24-25; Eph 2:10)
Sermon Summary
This week’s sermon teaches us that true discipleship requires us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus daily. As believers, we are not only saved by grace but also called to live with purpose, using our gifts, talents, and resources to fulfill God’s will. The message reminds us that earthly success, possessions, and personal ambitions cannot satisfy our deepest needs or define our identity. True fulfillment comes from surrendering our lives to Christ and discovering the good works He has prepared for us. When we choose to live for the Lord rather than ourselves, we experience freedom, peace, and eternal significance. Life is short, so we are encouraged to make our lives count for God’s Kingdom.