Title: The price of discipleship / Matthew 16:24
Contents
[Introduction]
What does it mean to be a disciple of Christ? It is to follow the Lord. So what does it mean to follow the Lord?
1. It means to visit the place where the Lord has gone.
(1) Place
① Where we need Christ
② People of all classes
③ Dangerous place
(2) posture
① Christ always wanted to serve.
② Christ has always shown influence.
③ Christ always relied on God the Father.
2. To obey means to obey.
(1) Rationale
① You can't follow someone you don't trust.
② The best method presupposes absolute trust.
③ The above logic is proved by analogy with the blind man and the guide.
(2) application
① We cannot say that we really follow Christ until we commit ourselves completely.
3. Following Christ means turning away from everything else.
(1) Family (Matthew 4:21-22)
① His father must have needed him.
② But the love of the Lord must transcend the love of the family.
③ This love may actually be asked to leave the family.
(2) Workplace (Matthew 9:9)
① You may give up your job.
② It means that loving the Lord should precede love of work.
③ You may actually give up your job or job.
(3) Possession (Matthew 19:16-25)
① The young man had many possessions.
② The love of the Lord must transcend the love of wealth.
③ In many cases, our wealth is an obstacle to being a disciple of Christ.
conclusion
Discipleship requires obedience. Following includes self-renunciation, direction setting, and abandonment. When you get married, you must go through the above process. Then why don't you do it when you want to be a disciple?
< Lent Sermon ② >
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denial, crucifixion, disciple (Matthew 16:21-28)
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Introduction
There is a certain biography of the ministry of Jesus Christ. "From that time on, Jesus preached the gospel." Jesus began to teach about his coming crucifixion, and he faces the misunderstanding of his disciples who are still being resisted.
1. Jesus' Declaration and Conflict
(1) The Proclamation of Christ (v. 21)
① Revealing new facts
② clearly state what will happen in the future
(2) Peter's protest (verse 22)
① Peter Persuades Jesus
② Rebuked by the state
③ Pay attention to the language you reproached very strongly
④ The problem that Peter faced
end. I had a hard time understanding what Christ had just said.
I. He felt he had to continue serving as a spokesperson for Jesus Christ (perhaps this was also agreed with by the other disciples).
(3) Christ's rebuke (verse 23)
① Blocking Peter's words
② He spoke harsh words: Peter was not Satan, but he was acting as a spokesperson for Satan for a moment.
③ Contents of rebuke
end. Peter's advice is only an obstacle.
I. Peter is centered on men's work, not God's - God's work has an eternal purpose and must be practiced. But human work is only real and temporary.
④ Application
end. There is a possibility that you will be tempted by Satan.
I. There is a danger of misunderstanding God's purpose.
All. Peter disappointed the Lord because he was concerned about human affairs.
2. Change direction
(1) An important resolution - "If you will follow me" (verse 24)
① Christ spoke directly to Peter.
② This verse is a declaration of discipleship.
③ This verse also requires a choice (if anyone…discipleship is always a matter of choice).
(2) Detailed guidelines (Section 24)
① You must first deny yourself.
end. Self-denial requires more sacrifice than language.
I. He must be humbled so that he does not become an obstacle to great interests and work.
② You must take up your cross.
end. At that time, it was natural for a prisoner to carry his cross.
I. It was the lowest level of pain.
All. Meaning - Accepting suffering, shame, and loss is directly related to the meaning of following Christ.
la. The author Luke adds to the carrying of the cross "daily" (Luke 9:23).
③ Follow me
end. It means more than just mere following.
I. I must adapt my lifestyle to the Lord's.
All. This contrasts with what Peter had just done before.
(3) Today's application
① We are faced with the problem of choosing discipleship.
② The above-mentioned three elements are implied in its practice.
③ We care too much about the things of this world.
3. Grounds for Meeting Christ's Needs
(1) The first rationale (verse 25)
① Expressions familiar to the public
② Unsophisticated and human life
③ Meaning: Those who make physical things their ultimate goal will lose, and if they live in contrast with them, they will live a true life.
④ Be a disciple. Because the spiritual life, not the physical life, is perpetual.
(2) The second rationale (verse 26)
① Everything in this world is calculated from commercial motives.
② What use will it be if we gain the world and lose eternal life?
③ Because of the great importance of the soul, you must strive to become a disciple.
(3) The third basis (verse 27)
① The word of the Lord contains the meaning of foretelling His Second Coming.
② Although Christ comes in glory, he also returns with power.
③ The Lord who returns will also give you a reward.
④ Become a true disciple. Because we will repay you for what we have done.
conclusion
Christ is teaching about the coming kingdom of God. But Peter takes the problems of this world and interferes with the teachings of Christ. Jesus Christ not only states the requirements, he gives reasons for them. Have we not been playing the role of Peter? Jesus Christ warns, “Get behind me.”
< Lent Sermon ③ >
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The last seven words (Luke 23:34-46)
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Introduction
Lent is a time when we focus our attention on the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The words he left behind when he died on the cross are very meaningful to us. The reason is that these words are the words of the greatest man who ever lived in this world.
1. First Word: The Word of the Intercession (Luke 23:34)
(1) Reason for prayer
① Words about his own death
② Show your character
③ Complete demonstration to the disciples
④ Fulfillment of prophecy
(2) Object of prayer
① The soldiers who crucified him
② All those who condemned Jesus and crucified him
(3) Answers to prayer
① The soldiers and Jews of that time were exempt from punishment.
② The Jewish people waited 40 years to see the expansion of missions through the work of the Holy Spirit.
③ All the people's sins were forgiven. All they had to do was accept the forgiveness that had already been given.
2. Second Word: The Word of Mercy (Luke 23:39-43)
(1) Pay attention to the penitent robber
① He rebuked his fellow robber and asked Jesus Christ to receive him into heaven. This indicates a change of heart.
② The robber is admitting his crime.
③ He confessed everything he knew in the cry of faith.
(2) Pay attention to Christ's response
① He spoke words that exceeded the demands of robbers.
② Christ revealed the character of His work.
③ He told the deceased believers where they were going.
(3) Listen to warnings
① Many people quote this verse as an excuse for their indolence.
② Two robbers (two men) were put to death, one with repentance and the other without repenting.
③ Consider how much of God's mercy is being publicly provided, but how much of it is wasted.
3. Third Word: Entrusting the worldly interest (John 19:25-27)
(1) Mary was standing in pain.
① This event had been foretold by Simeon earlier.
② This prophecy is being realized that Mary herself participated in the Passion of Christ and lost her beloved Son in the physical sense.
(2) Christ named and called Mary.
① He called her, “Woman. This was to cover up the wounds of a sexual relationship. Christ wanted his mother Mary to be saved, just like anyone else.
② Christ asked the disciple John to take care of his mother.
(3) The example of Christ
① Appropriate family management
② Deep concern for others - Half of Christ's seven words on the cross are words of concern for others.
4. Fourth Word: The Word of Giving Up (Mark 15:34)
(1) He shows the limit of his suffering.
① Unbearable physical pain
② Silence of God and nature - God actually hid his face from him.
(2) He reveals the cause of his suffering.
① Christ was treated as a sinner for us.
② Jesus Christ bore the sins of all mankind.
5. Fifth Word: A Word of Request for Personal Need (John 19:28)
(1) It represents the limit of the physical suffering that Christ suffered.
① It shows that the limit of confusion has been reached.
② Christ did not reveal his circumstances before leaving his words of prayer and entrustment to others.
(2) It shows the perfect humanity of Christ.
① While he was God, he felt a separation from God.
② He felt the most severe physical pain as a human being.
③ By carrying out all these things, his atoning role was made valid for our humanity.
(3) It shows that the prophecy is fulfilled.
① It has already been prophesied in Psalm 22:15 and Psalm 69 and 21.
② This confirms that Christ is the Christ.
6. Sixth Word: The Word of Consummation (John 19:30)
(1) Christ's physical suffering
① This Passion was part of God's early plan.
② He bore the suffering so that we would not suffer.
(2) The lust of Christ
① It was the suffering that he suffered before his return in glory (Phil 2).
② You must follow in his footsteps.
(3) Predestination in the Old Testament
① The role of the Old Testament (Old Covenant) as a mediator between God and humans is no longer necessary or valid.
② The torn veil of the temple proves the above facts.
(4) The Word of Redemption
① The center of the work of redemption is focused on the cross.
③ This means the reconciliation between God and man, the resolution of conflicts, the task of all times, and the openness of salvation for all people and the responsibility imposed on individuals.
7. Seventh Word: The Word of Consummation (Luke 23:46)
(1) Note that Christ entrusts his soul.
① His death is unlike that of any other person.
② His death was completely voluntary, and no one, including God, could take the place of.
(2) This resource factor was absolutely essential.
① Justification is accomplished through voluntary answers before God.
② God voluntarily suffered in order to become God himself (people cannot kill God).
③ God showed his love in a voluntary form.
[conclusion]
The seven words of Christ on the cross give us at a glance all that Christ had ever experienced: His love, his life, his death, and his purpose. Do we know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?