Title: Live as Christians / Matthew 16:13-24
Contents Live as Christians / Matthew 16:13-24
Key Verse: “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (verse 24).
Word: In order to live life meaningfully, above all else, ‘one’s identity’ must be clear. How can you live a fulfilling life if you don't know who you are? We, too, should be able to ponder and answer who we are.
Christian, who is he? He is one who makes a living confession of faith. “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (verse 17). This is a confession that Jesus is the Creator King, the prophet who dwells among us by the word, and the savior who forgives our sins. Can you also confess Jesus as ‘Christ + Christ’? The Lord does not only want confession of faith in the church, but also in the field of life. At home, at work, in front of friends, sometimes in the midst of hardship or even in the face of death, you have to make a profession of faith. As long as this living confession of faith continues, you are a Christian.
Also, he is a person who thinks about the things of God. “Get behind me, for you are a stumbling block to me, for you do not consider the things of God, but the things of men” (verse 23). It is to seek the common good (freedom, peace, love, and the kingdom of God) first, rather than for people and individual interests. Those who can think of God's things first are the true Christians (Matthew 6:33).
And that person is the one who bears the cross. “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (verse 24). It is a given mission. To do this, I often give up my precious things, and as a result, I have to be prepared for damage, suffering, suffering, persecution, and even death. But the cross does not end with the loss. When I bear the cross for God, God takes up the cross for me and turns it into blessings, glory, and resurrection (Romans 8:18).
Guys, what is the most important thing? No matter what the world says to me, good or bad, support or contempt, it doesn't matter what? You should be interested in what the Lord is saying to me and how he will evaluate me.
In this season of suffering, we meditate on the Lord. In Gethsemane, we look to the bloody and sweaty Christ who prayed, to the Christ who was despised and despised and to carry the cross, and to Christ Jesus, who Himself was crucified for us. Who are you? I hope you are truly a Christian.
Prayer: Help us to put God's work first. Help us to realize that the time of glory and resurrection awaits us when we bear the cross joyfully. Help us to meet Christ and make a sincere profession of faith. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Lord's Prayer