1) deny
yourself - James and John coveted the limelight. They
replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other
at your left in your glory. Mark
10:37. One of your greatest challenges will be to
resist promoting yourself and trying to succeed on your
own, then asking God to bless your efforts. God's not
interested in second-hand glory. He wants the credit for
what He (not you) accomplishes in your life.
2) take up
your cross - Nobody goes directly from denying
themselves to following Jesus. First we go through
crucifying experiences. Paul says: 'I die daily' 1Corinthians
15:31. Certain things in your life can be handled only
one way - dying to them. Listen: 'Count yourselves dead to
sin but alive to God' Romans
6:11. Jesus did not even talk about the cross to His
disciples, until He knew they understood this principle.
Why? Because until you do, you will never see the cross as
a plus.
3) follow
Him - Too often we take God's presence for granted
because He said He would never leave us. But He also said:
'You did not choose me...I chose you' John
15:16. It is not God's job to follow you, it is your
job to follow Him! When you do, it will cost you, change
you, and challenge you. Sometimes you will go through
valleys, other times you will stand with Him on the
mountaintop. You must be willing to follow Him anywhere,
any time, under any conditions; that is the deal!
Still
want to be a disciple of Jesus?
Matthew
10:38
38and anyone who does not take his cross and
follow me is not worthy of me.
Matthew
16:24
24Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If
anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and
take up his cross and follow me.
Mark
8:34
34Then he called the crowd to him along with
his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after
me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and
follow me."
Luke
9:23
23Then he said to them all: "If anyone
would come after me, he must deny himself and take up
his cross daily and follow me."
Luke
14:27
27And anyone who does not carry his cross and
follow me cannot be my disciple.