Today's Bible study will be on the need for self-sacrifice. Here is the scripture I am basing this discussion on;
There is a cost that must be accounted in our walk with Jesus Christ. While His burden is light, it's light because we drop the heavy burden of sin and its worldly lusts. We cannot walk of this world, and walk in His world. That's double-minded, and serving two masters.
[1Pe 1:13-14 NKJV] 13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest [your] hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, [as] in your ignorance;
We no longer conform ourselves to that mold, we no longer can party on New Year's Eve, getting drunk with the other's who deny God's righteous judgement. You must pick up your cross.
But how can you carry your cross, if you are still overwhelmed by the weight of your sin? How can you bear your cross, if you are still desiring to save your life? What does Christ warn in this opening passage?
"For whoever desires to save his life will lose it."
The life which Christ spoke of is the promise of eternal life. That living for this world, is disobedience to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Are we carrying the burden of this world?
[Rom 12:1-2 NKJV] 1 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. 2 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.
It's not enough to obey Him. It's not enough to Believe in Him.
You must serve Him.
[Mat 19:18-21 NKJV] 18 He said to Him, "Which ones?" Jesus said, "'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not bear false witness,' 19 'Honor your father and [your] mother,' and, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' " 20 The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?" 21 Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."
Many Christians today, rightly say this young man served His money and that's why Christ presented that challenge to Him.
That's the same challenge He would give any of us today. Every American is thousands of times wealthier than that man. The majority of Christians are far less righteous than that young man. It's more than obedience, it's about where our heart is. It's more than belief, it's about obedience. And it's more than where your heart is.
Really the formula can be broken down like this. If your heart is divided between Jesus and this world, then you won't be obedient, and your belief is half-hearted. If your heart isn't serving God whole-heartedly (as Christ commands that fulfills the entire law and prophets) then there's nothing we can do that God will see as righteous.
Take the warning from Peter seriously. (quoting Proverbs)
[1Pe 4:18 NKJV] 18 Now "If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?"
Do you love your Lord and Savior whole-heartedly? Would you sell everything you own to follow Him? Would you give it all to the poor to follow Him?
Wealth is a blessing and a curse. It's an enormous responsibility to make sure you are not purchasing new idols for your heart, and trying to help those in need where you can.
What material prosperity does the Bible promise?
A roof over our head, food on our plate, and clothes on our back.
If you have those things, why do you still want and desire the things of this world?
[Pro 23:4-5 NKJV] 4 Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease! 5 Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For [riches] certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle [toward] heaven.
What purpose does your labor serve, if you build a castle here? Christ warns that those who gather their treasure here on Earth, have their reward.
Your treasure is where your heart is.
[Mat 6:19-21 NKJV] 19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
So let's set our hearts, our minds, and our souls on His yoke.
[1Pe 1:13-14 NKJV] 13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest [your] hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, [as] in your ignorance;
We no longer conform ourselves to that mold, we no longer can party on New Year's Eve, getting drunk with the other's who deny God's righteous judgement. You must pick up your cross.
But how can you carry your cross, if you are still overwhelmed by the weight of your sin? How can you bear your cross, if you are still desiring to save your life? What does Christ warn in this opening passage?
"For whoever desires to save his life will lose it."
The life which Christ spoke of is the promise of eternal life. That living for this world, is disobedience to Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Are we carrying the burden of this world?
[Rom 12:1-2 NKJV] 1 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. 2 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.
It's not enough to obey Him. It's not enough to Believe in Him.
You must serve Him.
[Mat 19:18-21 NKJV] 18 He said to Him, "Which ones?" Jesus said, "'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not bear false witness,' 19 'Honor your father and [your] mother,' and, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' " 20 The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?" 21 Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."
Many Christians today, rightly say this young man served His money and that's why Christ presented that challenge to Him.
That's the same challenge He would give any of us today. Every American is thousands of times wealthier than that man. The majority of Christians are far less righteous than that young man. It's more than obedience, it's about where our heart is. It's more than belief, it's about obedience. And it's more than where your heart is.
Really the formula can be broken down like this. If your heart is divided between Jesus and this world, then you won't be obedient, and your belief is half-hearted. If your heart isn't serving God whole-heartedly (as Christ commands that fulfills the entire law and prophets) then there's nothing we can do that God will see as righteous.
Take the warning from Peter seriously. (quoting Proverbs)
[1Pe 4:18 NKJV] 18 Now "If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?"
Do you love your Lord and Savior whole-heartedly? Would you sell everything you own to follow Him? Would you give it all to the poor to follow Him?
Wealth is a blessing and a curse. It's an enormous responsibility to make sure you are not purchasing new idols for your heart, and trying to help those in need where you can.
What material prosperity does the Bible promise?
A roof over our head, food on our plate, and clothes on our back.
If you have those things, why do you still want and desire the things of this world?
[Pro 23:4-5 NKJV] 4 Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease! 5 Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For [riches] certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle [toward] heaven.
What purpose does your labor serve, if you build a castle here? Christ warns that those who gather their treasure here on Earth, have their reward.
Your treasure is where your heart is.
[Mat 6:19-21 NKJV] 19 "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
So let's set our hearts, our minds, and our souls on His yoke.
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