take up your cross

Often when we think of denying self, we think of abstaining from things that are obviously “bad.” We need to be aware that there is also a “lust of the flesh” that looks good - it is a desire to be good in our own strength and by our own efforts. We must deny this dependence on the flesh because even though it looks good, it keeps us from dependence on Christ. 

Simply put, to deny self is to look away from self and look to the Lord Jesus Christ. We were made for Him. Our lives don’t work when we live for ourselves. This command is an invitation to turn away from self and all the things that distract us, and enter into the life God made us to live. 

Want to go deeper in studying this command of Christ? Download a free study guide at www.homediscipleship.com

Study guide includes: 

• Scriptures referenced in podcast
• Review of Old Testament context
• Guide for Scripture meditation
• Questions for application and prayer

For more information, visit us at www.homediscipleship.com

Find us on Facebook and Instagram @homediscipleshipnetwork

https://www.facebook.com/homediscipleshipnetwork

https://instagram.com/commandsofchristpodcast

Does our behavior define our identity or is our identity supposed to define our behavior? Often we wrestle with our identity in Christ because we still wrestle with old patterns and behaviors. It is paramount to our Christian life that we learn to bring our behavior in line with who we are in Christ. In this episode, Nate and Gabe share that this mentality is a key in learning to walk out the command to Deny Yourself. Denying self is just learning to walk out the reality of who we are in Christ.

Simply put, to deny self is to look away from self and look to the Lord Jesus Christ. We were made for Him. Our lives don’t work when we live for ourselves. This command is an invitation to turn away from self and all the things that distract us, and enter into the life God made us to live. 

Want to go deeper in studying this command of Christ? Download a free study guide at www.homediscipleship.com

Study guide includes: 

• Scriptures referenced in podcast
• Review of Old Testament context
• Guide for Scripture meditation
• Questions for application and prayer

For more information, visit us at www.homediscipleship.com

Find us on Facebook and Instagram @homediscipleshipnetwork

https://www.facebook.com/homediscipleshipnetwork

https://instagram.com/commandsofchristpodcast

What does it mean to deny yourself? And what does it look like to deny yourself daily? Listen as Nate and Gabe discuss the freedom that comes when we forget ourselves and our own interests and begin to live for the Lord’s purposes. At the core of this command to “Deny Yourself” is that we learn to say “no” to ourselves and “yes” to Jesus every time.

Simply put, to deny self is to look away from self and look to the Lord Jesus Christ. We were made for Him. Our lives don’t work when we live for ourselves. This command is an invitation to turn away from self and all the things that distract us, and enter into the life God made us to live. 

Want to go deeper in studying this command of Christ? Download a free study guide at www.homediscipleship.com

Study guide includes: 

• Scriptures referenced in podcast
• Review of Old Testament context
• Guide for Scripture meditation
• Questions for application and prayer

For more information, visit us at www.homediscipleship.com

Find us on Facebook and Instagram @homediscipleshipnetwork

https://www.facebook.com/homediscipleshipnetwork

https://instagram.com/commandsofchristpodcast

Do you ever hear the words “deny yourself” and interpret them to mean something austere and lifeless? In this episode, Nate and Gabe will challenge you to think about the lifegiving implications of Jesus’ command to Deny Yourself. Where living for self brings bondage, depression, and darkness, you will see that turning from self and following Jesus brings life, and joy and peace.

Simply put, to deny self is to look away from self and look to the Lord Jesus Christ. We were made for Him. Our lives don’t work when we live for ourselves. This command is an invitation to turn away from self and all the things that distract us, and enter into the life God made us to live. 

Want to go deeper in studying this command of Christ? Download a free study guide at www.homediscipleship.com  

Study guide includes: 

• Scriptures referenced in podcast
• Review of Old Testament context
• Guide for Scripture meditation
• Questions for application and prayer

For more information, visit us at www.homediscipleship.com

Find us on Facebook and Instagram @homediscipleship

https://www.facebook.com/homediscipleshipnetwork

https://instagram.com/commandsofchristpodcast

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?

Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. I. Jesus invites us to be his disciple, v24 II. Jesus reveals what it means to be a disciple, v24. III. Jesus gives us a reason to be his disciple, v25

 Go to sermon webpage: IDENTIFYING JESUS

What does it mean when Jesus asks us to take up our cross and follow Him? Does it feel alone? Overwhelming? Join me as we engage our imagination in an Ignitian contemplative prayer about the Gospel of Matthew 16:21-27.

Join me again next week as we engage our imagination to explore the Sunday readings.

(September 3rd, 2023: Do you find it difficult to cling to your cross? Please join Father Charles Persing as he reminds us of Jesus's words: "Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me."

In this podcast, Pastor Justin concludes our Diligent Disciple series focusing on Jesus' words for all those who would choose to follow Him as His disciples.

Luke 9:23-27