DENY YOURSELF!
If you want to be a Disciple of Christ, you're going to have to give up a few things.
READ:
Luke 9:21-26 (NIV)
21 Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. 22 And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” 23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? 26 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
REFLECT:
> Do you really want to be a Disciple of Christ?
> What does "Deny Themselves" mean?
> How are you currently trying to "save" yourself?
> What is worth forfeiting your soul over?
> Are you ashamed of proclaiming your faith?
RESPOND:
> Jesus warned His Disciples that they would suffer in His name, so be warned, you will face persecution. This walk isn't easy.
> The pleasures of the flesh and the entitlements of this world need to be controlled by the Holy Spirit.
> Fear of death causes many people to lack faith in Jesus. Stand firm in his promise that He will save you.
> Worldly possessions will rot and rust, and opinions don't matter. There is nothing in this world worth forfeiting your soul over.
> If you are ashamed to proclaim that Jesus is Lord, then simply put, you don't know Him and He doesn't know you.
REPENT:
> If you haven't faced persecution for your faith in Christ, there is a good chance that your faith hasn't been tested. REPENT!
> In a culture of excess, be counter-cultural. REPENT!
> Feeling "safe", and being "SAVED" are not the same thing. REPENT!
> Unashamedly profess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord. As long as there is breath in your lungs, and ears to hear you. REPENT!
REJOICE:
> You understand that the things of this world will pass away, so you're not attached to anything but GOD!
> Jesus has been stern with His Disciples because He wanted the best for them. Acknowledgement of tough love as life changing is very powerful and strengthens the weak.
> You're not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and He isn't ashamed of you.