1. #2 “The Difficult D’s of Discipleship. 1/19/14 PM Grace Baptist Church

2. * 21 ¶ From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

3. * 24 ¶ Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

4. * 27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. 28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

5. * Matthew15:39 – He sent the multitudes away – This marks the time in Christ’s ministry that he moves from teaching the masses to teaching the 12. The doctrine of denial is for “the few.” * Matthew 16:21 - The suffering and death of Christ is taught more and more. * Matthew 16:22-23 – The rebuke of Peter. Peter would later do a “reverse” denial. He would deny the Lord. Here he is asked to deny himself. Trace the path of denial in Peter’s life!

6. * Matthew 16:24 – The command to discipleship. * Four Verbs * If any man will come after me * Let him deny himself * Take up his cross (daily). * And follow me * Each of these verbs is seen in the light of the suffering and death of Christ. * That emphasis is transferred to the disciple. * The call involves * Death. “The cross is a horrid symbol of pain, shame, and death.” (Bill Mounce) * Saying NO to self and yes to God. Not Asceticism. It’s not my will. Your’s be done! Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

7. * Matthew 16:25,26 * The cost of denial is death. We see death in the context and in the call. * We know very little right now about dying for our faith. But it is a very literal thing around the world. * The value of a soul, which is more than the world and all its treasure. * Ephesians 4:32 – When I am hurt, I am to submit my will to God’s will. “Be ye kind, tenderhearted, forgiving… even as …” We have died to the right to get even!

8. * Matthew 16:27 * Eternal life * Awards for service * Matthew 16:28 * Reference to: * The Mount of Transfiguration * The Revelation of the Apostle John in his last book. * Psalm 16:11 – It is the path of joy * Matthew 16:24 – It is the path of fellowship with Christ. He is there!

9. * The Difficult D of Distractions. * The Difficult D of Denial.