1. Forsake all, how?

2. “So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.” (Lk 14:33). “Simply put, if you're not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can't be my disciple” {also in Mt. 16:24, Mk. 8:34, Lk. 9:23, Lk 14:23 (forsake all)} “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it” (Lk 9:23-24) "Anyone who wants to follow me must put aside his own desires and conveniences and carry his cross with him every day and keep close to me! Whoever loses his life for my sake will save it, but whoever insists on keeping his life will lose it” “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat—I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self.” ____centered vs Self centered: My will be done vs ____will be done

3. If God is not in ______ place, then He is in the wrong place. If God must use my life He must have my life. If God must have my life, my life must be adjusted to His way of living; to His way of thinking; to his way of being. I must make all the adjustments. Examples: Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Peter, Andrew, James and John. God or mammon (Mt 6:24) Elijah: falter between 2 opinions (1 Ki 18:21)

4. What kinds of adjustments are required of me? (Group) In your circumstances ( job, home, finances) In your relationships (family, friends, business associates) In your thinking (prejudices, thought life) In your commitments (family, job, church) In your actions (feelings, doings)

5. 3 things I need to do: 1)I must ___________ (Rom 12:1-2 – living sacrifice) 2) I must ______ on Him (Jn 15:5 I am the vine, you are the branches) (Prov 3:5-6 Trust) 3) I must patiently ______(Ps 27:14 wait on the Lord … He shall strengthen your heart”

6. I.Meaning of Self-Denial A. Submit to Christ’s Will “The Whole duty of man is to “fear God and keep His commandments.” (Eccl.12:13). “And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you today for your good?” (Deut 10:12-13). B. Self-Choice * Discipleship is not the result of an easy compliance, but of a ____________ decision. * Most of us want immediate self-pleasure. We do not want to be uncomfortable in any way. If it feels good, do it. C. Submit to Carry the Cross * “Take up his cross daily.” It is something we are to go and take. To take up a cross does not mean to carry burdens or have problems. Act of devotion.

7. II. The Reason for Self-Denial (Why?) A. ____________________ : In Luke 14:27 Jesus pointed out that, “And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” * John 13:35 “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." B. ____________________ : * One of the greatest reasons we could deny ourselves is because the Lord will direct us. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.” (Is 43:2) C. _________________________: * Spiritual leaders and teachers.

8. III. The Requirements of Self-Denial (How?) A.Resist- The Devil James 4:7,8 “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you". flee, scriptures & Jesus’ name (Phil 2:10 or signing yourself} B. Resist Pleasures of the World (2 Jn 2:15 – Do not love the world…”

9. IV. The Reward of Self-Denial (WIFM) A. Eternal Life “while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2 Cor 14:8). “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” Rev 21:4. Worst day of Heaven > Best day on earth. B. Enriched Life “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more _____________.” (Jn 10:10).