A Compelling Testimony: Maintaining a Disciplined Walk, Christlike Character, and Godly Relationships as God's Servant

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A Compe l l i ng Tes t imony

b. Everyone who comes after Christ must deny themselves, take up their cross, and come after him. There are no exceptions. (1) Mark 8.34-37 – And he called to him the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. [35] For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. [36] For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? [37] For what can a man give in return for his life?” (2) Matt. 16.24 – Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

(3) Matt. 10.38 – And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

(4) Luke 9.23 – And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

(5) Luke 14.27 – Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

c. Self-denial is not self-contempt, nor self-hatred, nor self-pity. Rather, self-denial deals with our ability to be unconditionally available to Christ to be every thing, do anything, and go anywhere he wishes in submission to his will. (1) John 4.32-34 – But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” [33] So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?” [34] Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.”