"If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow...

"If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”

Matt. 16:24

“Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.“ Matt. 4:19

“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” 1 Cor.11:1

“Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” NKJV

“Be ye imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ.” ASV

mimic

I. Farewell to Self

“obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Phil.2:8

8.Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;9. And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Obedience – Not Faith Only

“Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.” Matt. 7:21

Obedience – Not Faith Only

James 2:17 “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”James 2:24 “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.”

II. Carry our Baggage

“Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given…”

Eph.3:8“For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.” 1Cor.15:9

Matt.18:1-4

James 4:10 “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”

Humble as a little Child

“And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;” Lk. 18:1

1Thes. 5:17 “Pray without ceasing.”

Our life must be in HarmonyOur life must be in HarmonyWith our PrayersWith our Prayers

Pr 28:9 ¶ “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.”

II. Carry our Baggage

III. Proceed with Journey

Great Commission

Matt. 28:19-20 “teach all nations”

Mark 16:15-16 “preach the gospel to every creature”

“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” 2 Tim. 2:2

Jesus was courageous in teaching God’s word

Matt. 23Not soft on sin

“But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!”

III. Proceed with Journey

Jesus forgave the sinner

John 8:1-11 “go and sin no more.”

Hate the sin but love the sinner.

Eph.4:32 “forgiving one another”

III. Proceed with Journey

Acts 8:39 “went on his way rejoicing”

Phil. 4:7 “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Phil. 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!”

Sins forgiven

All things work together

Hope of home in heaven

"If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”

Matt.16:24

1. Deny self – say farewell

2. Take cross – baggage

3. Follow Jesus - Journey

Three necessary things

I will live like Jesus in my life

Sermon by Arthur Pigman

Evans Church of Christ

515 Gibbs Road

Evans, Ga. 30809

706-855-1249

evanscoc@bellsouth.netevanscoc@bellsouth.net

www.evansgachurchofchrist.orgwww.evansgachurchofchrist.org

Sunday Evening May 10, 2009