“IF ANYONE DESIRES TO COME AFTER ME” Part 1

This is part of a quote from Jesus and we find it in: Matthew 16:24 Mark 8:34 Luke 9:23 If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. We read this verse many times. It is used in many sermons. But do we really know what this verse means. Tonight, let’s study each phrase in this verse and see if we can appreciate it a little more.

If any man would or will; If any man wishes; “If Anyone Desires” Other versions read: If any man would or will; If any man wishes; Following the Lord is and always has been a matter of choice. Joshua 24:15 And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you now dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.'' Acts 2:4O And he testified with many other words and exhorted them, saying, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation."

The elements obey the Lord. Matthew 8:27 “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?'' We are a creature of choice. The God-Head pleads for people to make the right choice. Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.''

I Timothy 2:3-4 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. II Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. Revelation 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost. What is your choice?

Many are following the wrong “To Come After Me” Many are following the wrong Person Doctrine I Corinthians 1:12-13 Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, "I am of Paul," and "I am of Apollos," and "I am of Cephas," and "I am of Christ.” Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? Matthew 15:9 In vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.

We need to follow Christ. I Peter 2:21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps. We need to follow Christ for salvation. I Peter 1:3-9 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

We need to follow Christ’s word. who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith the salvation of your souls. We need to follow Christ’s word.

John 6:68 Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. I Timothy 4:16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. II Peter 1:3-4 As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

We need to be in His church and wear His name. Acts 2:47 Praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. Acts 11:26 And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. If we follow after Jesus, He will lead us to heaven. Hebrews 9:28 So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.

Following Jesus requires self-denial. “Let Him Deny Himself” Following Jesus requires self-denial. This means we must surrender our: Will Affections Bodies Soul We no longer seek our own happiness as the supreme object. Self-denial is closely associated with self-control. Paul said self-control is part of “the fruit of the Spirit,” Galatians 5:23 Peter said we are to add self-control to our lives, II Peter 1:6.

We must control our desires because it is our desires that entice us to sin. James 1:13-15. Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God''; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. When it comes to self-denial we should follow Paul’s example and listen to what he said.

Philippians 3:4-8 Though I also might have confidence in the flesh Philippians 3:4-8 Though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. But indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith.

We cannot be a Christian unless we practice self-denial. Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. We cannot be a Christian unless we practice self-denial. We must not only deny our self, but we also must submit to God. James 4:6-7 Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.'' Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

ARE YOU WILLING TO DENY YOURSELF AND SUBMIT TO GOD?

Given by David Hamlin on May 18, 2008 pm Hollister, Missouri church of Christ www.hollisterchurchofchrist.org