Intro: Our world tells us that finding our true selves is the greatest good and ultimate goal of our lives. We should find ourselves, reach our highest potential. Follow our hearts. If we think this way, everything in our lives become a means to that end. I get married to be most complete. My job should allow me to live out my best self. Following Jesus helps me find ultimate spiritual fulfillment.
The problem is Jesus has a different message for those who choose to follow him. Jesus calls his Disciples not to find their truest selves or discover who they truly are but to take up their cross and follow him. To deny themselves, to give up their lives.
Disciples of Jesus give up the right to their own lives.
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?”
Matthew 16:24-26 NIV
The focus for a disciple of Jesus is on Jesus not themselves.
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Seeking ourselves leads to brokenness.
“For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
“When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!”
“Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.”
“Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.”
There is a better way, His name is Jesus.
Wrap up: One way to shift from from pursuing self to pursuing Jesus.
Jed - pick a command Jesus gives his disciples and obey it. Remember all the words in the Bible are words of Jesus, not just the read letters.
Bill - Write down one thing each day that Jesus wants you to accomplish.
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